FEVERISH UnbRoken

by Vasser, LaShawn

  “In college. Now, it’s just for fun. A group of us from high school and nearby towns meet at the Dusky on Sunday’s. It’s a way to keep in touch.”

  “Please, don’t let me keep you from going.”

  “I don’t know, maybe.”

  Mr. Jones chimed in. “Garrett, why don’t you go with him? You look like a fit fella. Fresh air and some physical exercise ain’t never hurt, nobody.”

  What else did Garrett have to do? His plane wasn’t leaving until tomorrow afternoon. “Actually, that sounds like a good idea.”

  Maddon turned mischievous eyes toward Imani who had been unusually quiet. “Are you coming? Some of your raggedy girlfriends would be happy to see you.”

  She didn’t want to be anywhere near Garrett. He’d barely looked in her direction throughout breakfast, yet he’d had an unnerving effect on her.

  “Probably not. I’ve got a lot to do.”

  Maddon didn’t believe that for a second. “On a Sunday? You’re busy today? Interesting. Funny how you always come to the Dusky when you’re home, but today you’ve got something else to do. Riiiiiiight. Okay.”

  Imani wanted to smack him.

  Mrs. Jones came back to the dining room with the pot of coffee. She went over to Michael and poured him a hot cup. “Sorry, it took me so long. I was putting the roast in the oven for dinner tonight and had to fight with that stove. Can you take another look at it?”

  He sighed. “Yeah. I’ll see what I can do, but the bottom line is it’s time to replace it. I was just hoping it held out until the end of the year.”

  Felicia went around the room topping off everyone’s cups then sat and spoke dreamily. “It sure would be nice to get that stainless-steel set I saw down at Lucy’s Appliances.”

  Michael scrunched up his face. “Woman, I just bought you a new car last year. We’re making payments. As much as I wish, we’re not made out of money. We’re both on fixed incomes, and the few side jobs I do are getting fewer and fewer. I’m too old to be painting.”

  Imani and Maddon both spoke at the same time. “Let us get it.”

  Michael frowned. “That twin thing still drives me crazy.”

  Aaliyah agreed as she shook her head up and down. “Me too. It’s weird.”

  Michael continued. “I don’t need my kids buying me anything. Plus, Maddon you know you don’t have no money. You’re just coming back from an unpaid training for that new job and neither do you, Imani. It’s not cheap living in Chicago. Maybe when one of you land that big client, your mother and I will let you send us on a nice vacation.”

  Her father couldn’t have been more right. Imani had a little bit of money in her savings, but she had no idea how long she would be out of work.

  Mr. Jones blew on his coffee before taking a sip. There was a lull in the conversation until he spoke again. “So, Imani . . .”

  She glanced at him. “Yes, Daddy?”

  “We’ve danced around it long enough. What’s going on that brought you home?”

  Her father always hit the nail on the head. Everyone turned in her direction waiting for an answer. “What? I can’t come home because I’m a little homesick?”

  Everyone responded in unison. “No.”

  “Jeez. Am I that transparent?” She didn’t want to tell her life story in front of a stranger, but eager eyes had her pinned to the wall. She spoke slowly. “I lost my job.”

  The room fell silent again. Felicia was the first to speak. Imani always worked hard, and this was probably one of her first real setbacks she’d ever encountered in her life. Felicia knew it had to be difficult for her. Her voice was filled with compassion. “What happened?”

  Imani was more than a little embarrassed. She was sure she was the brightest color of red. “My supervisor claimed budget cuts.”

  Aaliyah questioned, “You didn’t believe her?”

  “No. I didn’t. She and I were like oil and water except for when Tabitha was stealing my design ideas.”

  Garrett asked. “What do you do?”

  Imani didn’t answer at first. It had always been a dream to make it as an interior designer. Now she needed to re-think her life strategy. “Good question.”

  Her father wasn’t trying to hear the defeat in her voice. He’d never heard it before and wasn’t going to start now. “Stop that nonsense. My daughter is the best damn interior designer you’ll ever come across.”

  Imani smiled weakly. “Thanks, Daddy.”

  Mr. Jones nodded and smiled reassuringly at Imani. “Everyone has problems. Some big, some small. You get knocked down; you get up. The silver lining is now you know how hard of a punch you can take.” He turned his focus from Imani to Garrett. “Have you figured that out yet, son?”

  Garrett rubbed the bottom of his chin. “Sometimes it’s not that easy, Sir.”

  Michael waved his hands back and forth. “No one ever said it was easy. For example, Aaliyah is six months pregnant and, as far as I can tell, has no idea what the hell she’s doing from day to day with this situation.”

  “Daddy!” she screamed.

  He ignored her. “But, she gets up, takes care of herself and that baby. I know she’s going to be an incredible mama with or without the help of the father.” He pointed towards his son. “Maddon over here . . .”

  “Oh shit.” He responded under his breath.

  “He uses jokes to make us all think he’s recovered from being left at the altar. He’s hurting, but we’ve got him. He needs us. We’re here. Someday, he’ll get over it and realize that woman wasn’t the one and did him a favor. Then, there’s Imani.”

  He returned his gaze to her.

  Big brown eyes pleaded with his. “What? What about me? Please don’t embarrass me, Daddy.”

  “I embarrassed everyone else. You’re no exception. Let me say this; I worry about you the most. Life is to be lived. It’s great to have goals, but every now and again you’ve got to look up and experience the space you’re in and not what you’re trying to do. I don’t know one serious boyfriend you’ve ever had, and I’m still trying to figure out why you ran all the way to Chicago to get your career going. You could have done that right here.”

  Imani frowned. “Great. Now that you’ve put all of our business out here, can someone please pass the cream for my coffee?”

  Garrett was touched by the wisdom of Mr. Jones, and the respect he commanded from his family. Clearly, his advice would be much cheaper than therapy. Garrett blew out a breath and thought what the hell. He went for it. “What do you do when your wife lies to you about the paternity of your son, and you find out someone you trusted completely is the father? And, he’s attempting to steal everything from you including a company you’ve worked hard for your entire life in exchange for not pursuing custody?”

  Imani gasped. Aaliyah’s hand went to her throat. Felicia’s eyes widened, but Maddon responded hotly. “You beat his ass!” He turned to his mother. “Sorry, Ma, but that’s just too much.” Maddon had heard the story yesterday while Garrett was drunk, but it made him no less angry hearing it again.

  Michael was more contemplative. He knew Garrett was reeling and grasping for solid footing. “No one should have to suffer that kind of betrayal. I’m sorry that happened to you, but if you’re thinking about revenge . . . don’t. It’ll eat you up on the inside while they go on to happiness. How old is your child?”

  Garrett’s throat almost closed up. “He’s close to two and a half.”

  “A father is more than just biological. If he’s your son, then he’s your son. If you love your wife, fight for her anyway.”

  “I can barely look at her.”

  “Makes it kind of hard to work things out.”

  “I filed for divorce.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Very.”

  “Then, like I said before, you’ve been given one hell of a punch, yet you’re sitting here at our table. Don’t ever stop fighting for your son regardless of what the courts may say or do. You�
�re not down for the count. Sometimes, people can do you a favor, and they don’t even realize it. They can open the door for something or someone amazing. Leave that door open for amazing, and don’t clutter it up with revenge.”

  Garrett wasn’t sure he could do that.

  Imani hurt for the man sitting next to her. Again, she experienced the overwhelming need to want to comfort him. Instead, she stood up. “You know what? I think I will go to the Dusky. I might even play. I need to release some energy. Maddon, will Shawna be there?”

  He cleared his throat. Suddenly his problems didn’t seem so significant. “Uh . . . yeah.”

  “Good. I hated that girl. Make sure she’s not on my team. I’ll get two for the price of one. I’ll smash her and pretend it’s my former boss.” She turned her head slightly towards Garrett. “Today you can be an honorary Jones. We’ll knock some people on their as . . . I mean butt, and if only for a little while, it’ll take our minds off of everything else.”

  Chapter 7

  Maddon needed to send an e-mail off for work before he was ready to leave for the SanDusky. Imani decided to wait for him on the porch. When she stepped outside, Garrett was already sitting down in deep thought.

  He seemed to snap out of it the moment he heard her come out.

  While Imani had compassion for Garrett, she wondered if there was anywhere she could go, for just a few minutes, to escape from that man. Being in his presence rattled her. He was one hundred percent pure energy, and his intensity was overwhelming.

  If she were honest, Imani didn’t really want to escape, but she also didn’t like not having control of her emotions. He threw her off balance.

  She attempted to hide her warring emotions and smiled. “Hi.”

  He returned it. “Hey.”

  Imani stood next to the chairs with her arms folded looking out across the street. It was awkward. She felt out of her element. “Turned out to be a gorgeous day. Perfect weather for football.” Great. She was talking about the weather. Real smooth.

  Garrett could tell she was nervous. There was an undercurrent of electricity flowing between them. He could see it in her eyes. Imani was not only beautiful, but she also intrigued him. If he were smart, he’d get up and walk back inside the house. Instead, he spoke to her. “I’m not a serial killer. It’s okay to sit down.”

  Imani laughed a little and tentatively took the seat next to him. “Maddon told you about that, huh?”

  “Yeah, and you two were talking about it at breakfast.”

  “Right.” She tried to hide a smile. “Well, can’t be too careful nowadays.”

  “Why serial killers? Why not, I don’t know clowns.”

  Imani shrugged. “I don’t know. It started around when I was ten. I saw one of those shows on television about them and have had a weird fascination with them ever since.”

  The awkward silence reappeared.

  It was stupid. There was no real reason for it, so Imani decided to treat Garrett the way she would any of Maddon’s friends and just talk to him. “I apologize on behalf of the entire Jones family.”

  “For what?”

  “Sometimes we can be way over the top, and today at breakfast was one of those days.”

  “Honestly, it was refreshing. No one pretending about anything. It was therapeutic.”

  Imani was surprised. “Really? I wouldn’t think you would want strangers in your business.”

  “True. I don’t. But, I didn’t really feel like a stranger in there. More than anything, I would just prefer to have a different set of problems.”

  Her eyes softened. “I’m sorry . . .” Imani wanted to find the right words. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Loyalty is everything to me. You said he was two and a half?”

  His lopsided grin was half-hearted as he nodded. “He’s the reason I get up and work so hard every morning. I’d do anything for him.”

  “Do you have a picture?”

  Like any proud father, Garrett pulled out his phone and started showing her photos.

  “My god. That’s a handsome little guy!” Imani’s smile spread across her entire face. “You’ve got a real winner there.”

  Garrett responded. “I am proud of him.” His eyes lingered on the photo for an extra moment before turning toward Imani.

  Eyes full of compassion locked with his. Her heart raced. Imani stuttered. “I-I . . .” She closed her mouth and took a breath then reminded herself that Garrett was just a man. A drop dead gorgeous GQ kind of man but she wasn’t about to let that slide past her lips. He put his pants on like anyone else. The difference was he mesmerized her, and she couldn’t look away. “Everything will work out with your little boy.”

  “Thank you.”

  Imani exhaled. “It kind of makes my problems seem so insignificant.”

  “That’s crazy. You lost a job you love. That’s a big deal.”

  The wistfulness in her voice was unmistakable. “I did love it. Losing it set me back a few years of my five-year life plan. I’m not quite sure how to adjust so that I can stay on track.”

  “Interesting. Where do you see yourself in five years?”

  Imani burst out laughing. “My god. That sounds like a question someone would ask during an interview, not in real life.”

  Garrett let out a chuckle too. “It did. But, I am curious. I’m a pretty driven guy but not sure I have my life mapped all the way out. So, is there an answer to the question? Where do you see yourself?”

  “Considering I’m in year three of my five-year plan, I would have liked to have seen myself starting my own interior design company and maybe a family.”

  “Why don’t you start early? No better time than being in-between jobs to start a business.”

  Imani huffed. “Easier said than done. Interior design is a business where you really must have connections or a big client that would give you a bit of notoriety. Decor Interiors was where I was hoping to build some healthy relationships.”

  Garrett was somewhat surprised but relieved to know she had absolutely no idea who he was. “Notorious huh? What else is on the list?”

  “I wanted to be married and start my own family in the next couple of years. I love children. I want a house full.”

  “Having a career and kids is hard.”

  “True, but I’d be willing to slow down a bit and delegate to my team. The one I don’t have.” She laughed. “It’s the only way to create work-life balance.”

  “Are you in a relationship with anyone?” He asked casually but was surprised at how interested he was in her answer.

  Imani pressed her lips together before responding. Then, she remembered her father had already put her dating record on blast, no point in being coy. “Not really.”

  “Ahhh . . . Not really? That usually means there is someone. I figured it would be highly unlikely there wouldn’t be a special man in your life.”

  Her head tilted. “Why would you say that?”

  Garrett hunched his shoulders. “You’re smart, beautiful, and driven. Women like you don’t stay on the market for long.”

  She blushed. Garrett thought she was beautiful. Imani was flattered. “Honestly, there isn’t anyone special or otherwise. The men I’ve met say they are attracted to a woman with goals, but once in a relationship with one, they quickly realize they’ve lied to themselves. The way everything is going for me lately, I’m fairly confident the goal of a husband and children no longer fits into my current timeline.”

  “You’ll adjust.”

  Imani sighed. “That’s why I’m home. I just needed a minute to gather myself. To figure out what the hell I’m doing. I look at Aaliyah, and I envy her. She’s never planned anything in her life, but she has the career that she’s always wanted and a baby on the way. I can assure you; she’s never done anything with a list. I can’t seem to do anything without one. Maybe things aren’t working out because of me? I don’t know.”

  Garrett reached out and touched her hand. The warmth o
f his large hand covering hers was not only comforting, but it caused heat to go straight up her arm and travel throughout her entire body. Imani swallowed as she gazed into an intense pair of eyes.

  They both froze. The moment was supercharged with unspoken attraction.

  Luckily, Maddon chose that exact moment to come outside. “What are we doing sitting around here for? Let’s go!”

  Chapter 8

  When Imani, Maddon, and Garrett pulled up to the SanDusky, the parking lot was full. It was a tradition that on Sundays, different neighborhoods would come together for a good old-fashioned game of football.

  Imani knew she would run into old friends. Considering she had no idea how long she would be home, it would be a great place to see everyone just in case she didn’t get around to it before leaving.

  Maddon drove while Imani sat in the back of the SUV behind Garrett. He’d offered the front seat to her, but she preferred the unobstructed view of everything going on around and in front her. Truth be told, it was easier to study him.

  On the drive over, Maddon talked and talked and talked. He never liked awkward silences, so he filled in the gaps with his own voice.

  Imani was confident that Maddon hadn’t noticed Garrett’s responses to questions were vague at best. Her family was just too trusting and always willing to help strangers. In this day and age, that was dangerous. It wasn’t enough that they knew about Garrett’s personal problems but not much else.

  She could kick herself for not asking more probing questions earlier, and she hadn’t had a chance to look him up on the internet. Her mind seemed to turn to mush when she was around him. Imani made a mental note to do it as soon as she got home. Did he live in Chicago? Where was he coming from and why? What did he do for a living?

  No, Garrett hadn’t murdered anyone in her house . . . yet, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t some Dexter type character. Some serial killers were charismatic like Ted Bundy. And, given that he still had one more shot at dicing them up in their sleep, since he would be staying with them until tomorrow, she figured she’d better get to looking into it. Garrett seemed nice enough, but one could never know for sure.