“What about your prom?” she asked, frowning.
I shrugged. “I went last year, and this here with you … this is all I need. Besides, you’ll discover you won’t really care as much about prom as a senior. You just can’t wait to get out. As a junior, it’s more exciting.” I lifted her hand to my lips, kissing it. “So, do you forgive me?”
“Yes,” she said, a soft pink dotting her cheeks.
“Perfect! But you’ll have to tell me where you want to eat. I didn’t figure out that part since I don’t know the area.” I couldn’t keep the grin off my face. I was so happy to be here and delighted by my reception. She’d clearly missed me as much as I’d missed her, as hard as that was to imagine.
“How ’bout we just get a pizza and eat in the truck?”
“Seriously?” I shook my head in mock horror. “I get dressed up in a tux and you want pizza?” I pulled her closer and wrapped my arms around her. “I love you. Do you know that? Can you begin to fathom just how much?”
She blinked a few times, her eyes widening more each time. “I think so.”
“I don’t think you can if you say, I think so.” I placed my hands on either side of her face and looked fiercely into her eyes. “You’re the most amazing woman. So much so, I flew six hundred miles just to eat pizza and dance with you.”
“Not to kiss me?” she asked, a smile in her voice.
“Definitely to kiss you. That’s a given. I’d travel any distance to kiss you.”
“Then hush up and kiss me, Jesse.”
That was all the invitation I needed. I pulled her closer, aware that we were still in her driveway, thankful for the dark tinted windows, and not concerned with anything else in the world but this beautiful woman in my arms. The anxiousness of the last month dissolved away as though we’d never been apart. She felt exactly the same in my arms, warm and loving. I breathed in her scent. I’d missed that too. The subtle fragrance instantly transported me back to the blanket by the stream.
Kayla pulled back before I did, but laid her head on my chest.
I wrapped my arms around her tighter and buried my face in her hair. I could hear her soft gasps for air as she tried to hold back tears. “Please don’t cry, baby. Let’s go have fun, okay?”
She nodded against my chest, but didn’t move.
I nudged up her chin so she’d look at me. Narrowing my eyes, I gave her a firm look. “I love you, Kayla. Never doubt that. We’re gonna have a good time tonight … this weekend, and then in a little more than a month for the entire summer. After that —” I paused to make sure she understood what I was saying. It wasn’t time yet, but I needed to get my point across. “We’ll be together forever.”
She was momentarily dazed, then a wide smile spread across her face. She understood.
“So where do we get pizza, silly girl?”
Kayla directed me to an Italian restaurant she liked, and instead of going inside to eat, she made me bring it back to the truck.
We talked while we ate, and I had to remind her that it was time to go. She still didn’t seem too excited about going to her prom. “Don’t you want to introduce me to your friends?” I finally asked, only a twinge of concern eating at me. Unlike my ex, I had no doubts about my relationship with Kayla, but I still hoped that she’d be proud enough of me to introduce me to her friends.
At the prom, I savored how good it felt to have Kayla in my arms again. I hadn’t enjoyed my prom with Morgan last year. It was all about who was there, what they were wearing, and where I took her out to eat. What a difference between the two women. It made me wonder again what I’d ever seen in Morgan. I couldn’t remember one reason why we’d stayed together for almost two years, other than I just hated to date.
Kayla, on the other hand, I knew every smile, every sigh, everything she liked and didn’t like, and she even enjoyed doing the same things I did.
As much as I tried to drown myself in Kayla, however, I couldn’t help but notice the stares. Several guys lounging around the room couldn’t keep their eyes off us. A flashback of an animal show I’d seen came to mind. It felt as though I were a lion, waiting while other lions circled, until one would be brave enough to challenge me for my prize.
I wasn’t into playing team sports like the jocks surrounding me; I preferred individual sports like kayaking and martial arts. I’d only lost one fight in junior high. After that, I’d made sure I was the best. I hadn’t felt threatened in years, not since I whooped the boy who’d beaten me up when I was thirteen. The next time he’d said something about my mother, I’d been ready. No one had ever touched me or taunted me again.
The last thing I wanted was a fight, but one guy in the pack finally built up the nerve to challenge me for my prize. Looked like the captain of the football team was making his approach.
I nodded over Kayla’s shoulder. “What’s this dude’s name walking up?” I made sure my expression remained indifferent. Stay smooth and cordial, I told myself. You’re a businessman, remember, not a piece of trash. Businessmen diffuse bad situations and sell themselves. They don’t get mad or drunk and lose the woman they love. You are not your father.
“Oh, that’s Roger.” Kayla rolled her eyes. “Thinks he’s all that.”
“Has he ever asked you out?”
“Me?” She huffed lightly. “No. Never. Why?”
“Because he’s getting up the nerve to cut in on our dance, and sorry, I’m not about to let that happen. I didn’t plan for a month and fly six hundred miles to share you with anyone.”
Chapter 16 - Kayla
I blanched at the idea that Roger would try to cut in on our dance. “No, he isn’t,” I told Jesse, laughing. “Roger’s never given me the time of day. He dates the most popular and beautiful girls … cheerleaders.”
“Did you look in a mirror tonight, Kayla? You’re the most beautiful girl in the room.” Jesse looked straight into my eyes, but his arms tightened around me as — like Jesse had said — Roger approached us.
I instantly tensed up when Roger tapped Jesse on the shoulder. I wasn’t used to being the center of attention, and all of a sudden I felt all eyes on me.
Jesse didn’t let me go, though. Instead, he glanced over his shoulder. He was taller than Roger was, but Roger was huge. Although it was hard to see through his clothes, Jesse was strong. I’d seen him in nothing but board shorts and he was pure muscle, strong and fast.
“Roger,” Jesse said, shocking him by using his name when he’d clearly never seen him before, “I know you’ve seen in the movies where a guy approaches a couple and cuts in on their dance and the other guy graciously concedes. Well, we’re not in Hollywood, and I’m not that other guy. I haven’t held my girl in a month, and I don’t plan to let her go all evening, so I suggest you find someone else to dance with. I’m sure there are plenty of other girls who’d be interested.” Jesse twirled us away while keeping his eyes glued on Roger.
Cowering in Jesse’s arms, I took in the surrounding stares. Roger seemed to be stunned and had no comeback; plus, he would’ve had to follow us across the dance floor. It impressed me that not only had Jesse stood up for me, but he also hadn’t tried to start a fight. He said his piece, then moved away without waiting for a reply.
“Wow … uh, that was unexpected.” I shook my head, trying to reassemble my thoughts. “I liked your dignified response, though.” I smiled up at him. “Not that other guy, huh? I didn’t realize you were jealous.”
He tightened his arms around me. “You have no idea. It kills me that I’m not here, and now I wonder how often —”
“Never!” I cut him off. “You don’t have to wonder. Like you said, I’m your girl. Forever. That was unexpected; I’ve never even spoken to him.”
“Well, I guess I can’t blame a guy for trying. You look incredible tonight.”
“I do?”
Jesse huffed out a breath. “You look incredible every day, Kayla. I like you in shorts and a T-shirt with dirt smeared across your face,
but I can get used to this too. So, how long do you want to stay?”
My cheeks filled with warmth. “Not long. What do you have in mind?”
“Um … I don’t know. This is your turf. What do you suggest?”
“I’ll think of something,” I promised.
We spent the next hour meeting and greeting all my friends who were completely giddy to see Jesse. I suddenly realized how much he stood out with his naturally highlighted hair and tanned skin. No one else approached me for a dance. I guessed that when the star of the football team gets sacked, everyone else throws in the towel. Good. I didn’t need proof that anyone was interested in me other than Jesse.
After we left, I directed Jesse to a private park that didn’t have a close-at-dusk sign as most parks did. I led Jesse to one of the benches beside the pond and plopped down. “My mom and I used to come here for movie night under the stars.”
“That would be so cool. I’m glad you have some happy memories of her.”
“I try to remember the good things.”
He pulled me up. “Let’s walk.”
I fell in step with him, but I was a little discouraged, as I’d been hoping he’d want to make out on the bench. Knowing Jesse, that was probably why he wanted to walk. Over the last month when we’d talked on the phone, he reiterated his reasons for never entering a physical relationship, how utterly terrified he’d been that he could have gotten a girl pregnant.
We walked hand in hand as we had over spring break, sharing everything. It felt so natural being with him. When the time came that neither of us had anything to say, we were just as comfortable walking silently or sitting and staring up at the stars. As much as I tried not to, I couldn’t help but think of the future. I knew I wanted to be with Jesse forever, but I’d never thought about the logistics. Without warning, a major complication popped into my head. If Jesse and I got married, where would we live? Jesse had planned out his entire life — in Florida. My father lived in North Carolina. I was all my father had. How could I leave him?
I couldn’t very well bring up the subject to Jesse, though. Although he had said forever, he hadn’t asked me to marry him and we were, after all, still only seventeen. Not that it mattered how old I was, I knew what I wanted; I just didn’t know how it was going to work.
Jesse brushed his hand across my cheek. “Hey, what are you thinking about? You look nervous.”
“Nothing. Just us.” I sighed, attempting to lighten my mood. Relax. Just relax. Everything will work out, I repeated over and over in my head.
My dad had said that Jesse could stay at our house — in the spare bedroom, he’d reiterated with a glare in Jesse’s direction. That instruction was for sleeping, though, so I kept Jesse up by talking about everything I could think of, until both of us were nodding off.
“Kayla,” Jesse said through a yawn, “you should get some sleep so we can have fun tomorrow.” He jumped to his feet, tugging me up with him.
“Fine,” I said, making him practically drag me up the stairs. At his room, though, I took charge, pulling a fresh set of sheets out of the closet and helping him make the bed. After we finished, I kissed him. “Thank you, Jesse. For tonight. You couldn’t have given me a better gift. I love you.”
He folded his arms around me. “I love you, too. Believe me, it was my pleasure.”
I pulled away, but he followed, holding onto my hand, finally letting it drop when I reached the door. I started to step out of the room, but then reached behind the door and turned the lock on the handle.
Jesse leaned against the doorframe and laughed. “Don’t you trust me?”
I pressed my lips into a straight line. “Are you kidding me? You have an iron will. It’s me I don’t trust. That’s why I’m locking you in here.”
“Lock your door too, just in case I sleepwalk,” he ordered.
“As if!” We both laughed, but then sighed at the true emotions that swarmed our hormone-filled bodies. Mine more than his, apparently.
We spent the weekend exploring my favorite spots. I took him to Crowder’s Mountain on Saturday, and then Sunday we stayed close to home. I took him to Reed’s Gold Mine, which was supposedly the first documented gold find in the United States, and then afterward I took him horseback riding.
The next morning, Jesse gingerly descended the stairs one at a time, then set his suitcase at the bottom. With a slow cowboy swagger, he tried to cover his bow-legged hobble into the kitchen.
“Oh, no!” I covered my mouth, trying to hold back my amusement.
Jesse shook his head as he tried not to laugh, too. “You could have warned me, Kayla.”
“I forgot that you’ve never ridden before.”
“Not sure my dad’s gonna believe I spent yesterday horseback riding.”
“Oops!”
“You ready, Jess?” My father took one look at Jesse’s wide-leg stance and didn’t bother to hold back his chortle. “You need me to write a doctor’s note for ya, son?”
“Hah! You two are hilarious. I’m sure I’ll live. And, yeah. I’m all packed.”
I ran to Jesse’s side and stared up at my father. “Daddy, can’t I take Jesse to the airport? Please? I haven’t missed but two days this semester.”
My father glared at me. “Fine. But head straight to school afterward. No playing hooky all day.”
I crossed my heart. “Swear!”
Jesse refused to let me wait with him inside the airport. Instead, we sat in the cell-phone parking lot and planned my return trip to Florida, which was just a little over a month away. After we kissed and said our goodbyes — repeatedly— he asked me to drop him off.
And then, Jesse was gone. And I felt utterly alone again.
Chapter 17 - Jesse
When I wasn’t sleeping, every minute of my time was spent working or studying. I continued to save every penny I made, as I’d done for the last three years. One thing nice about living with my dad, even though it was like living on my own: he never asked me for a dime. I’d offered once, but he’d acted offended, saying, I don’t need your money, son, just keep doing a good job at work. It was the first compliment he’d ever given me.
I, however, had always tried to keep the refrigerator stocked with food, and when I noticed he liked a certain item, I made sure I bought extra. Then my dad started to leave a few bills on the counter and marked them for groceries, so evidently he’d gotten used to me stocking food. I also made a few home-cooked meals a week and would leave notes for him that dinner was in the fridge. A few words in passing at home, a few notes left on the fridge, and a few exchanges at work, that was the extent of our relationship.
I couldn’t really complain. My father never spoke cruelly to me, and he’d only spanked me twice, which I’d deserved both times. I knew my dad loved me; he just didn’t know how to show love. When my mom left, she’d taken every ounce of him with her. I couldn’t understand why he didn’t find another woman; after all, how deeply could you love a woman who’d left you for another man? But then I imagined myself in the same position with Kayla. How would I feel if I walked in on her with another man? Would I recover? Would I be able to trust any woman, ever again?
Because of that, I vowed to do everything I could to be successful, and make sure she was never forced into marrying me. I’d never be super wealthy, but Kayla, like me, seemed to be happy with the simpler things in life. After all, how many girls want pizza on prom night?
When I asked, Kayla explained it in a way that made total sense. “I know I can have anything I want to eat or go to any restaurant I want, but if I want pizza, I eat pizza. I don’t have to go to an expensive restaurant just because I can or because it’s what is expected.”
I’d sat for a long moment in astonishment. Would I ever get used to her?
Graduation was tonight, and she would be here. She’d booked an early flight so we’d have the day together before my final walk ending my high school years. I left the graduation information on the counter for my father,
but didn’t ask him to come. If he showed, great. If not, oh well … Kayla would be there, and that was all I needed.
I parked and walked as far as airport security would allow. Kayla had insisted that I didn’t need to park, that I could wait in the cell-phone parking lot until she was through baggage claim. As if that would ever happen. I’d meet her on the tarmac if they allowed me.
I scanned the monitors, praying there weren’t any delays. Finally, her flight number reported Arrived, and my arms ached in anticipation of holding her again. Not knowing which tram she’d arrive on, but wanting to spot her first, I angled my body so I could see both monorails as they pulled up.
The minutes crept by until fifteen minutes had elapsed since the plane had landed. One by one, I scrutinized the people as they exited the plane, searching for clues that they’d arrived from Charlotte. A Panther’s cap, UNC T-shirt, Tar Heels paraphernalia, anything. I pulled out my phone, wondering if she’d missed the plane. I was looking down when a vicelike grip seized my waist.
“Hah! Gotcha!” she said through a chuckle, burrowing her head beneath my arm and popping up in front of me.
“You definitely got me,” I agreed, and she had. She’d gotten to me completely.
I picked her up and swung her around, then pulled her face to mine. How many more times would we have to go through this before we were together permanently? “I was just getting worried that you’d missed your plane. What took you so long?”
“Are you kidding? I was the first person on the plane,” she said, draping her arms around my neck. “But I sat in the rear of the plane and had the slowest people you could imagine in front of me. I almost climbed over the seats to get out.”
I could picture her doing just that. I grabbed the handle of her carry-on bag and wrapped an arm firmly around her waist, leading her to the baggage claim. “Let’s go. The faster we get out of here, the better. We have a month’s worth of kissing to make up.”
Love Like Crazy (Crazy Love Book 1) Page 10