“Fine.”
A one-word answer. She had to think of a question that would require him to use more than one word. “Do you have any homework?”
“Already done.”
Two words. Slightly better. “Dinner won’t be ready for a while, so have a snack if you want.”
His shook his head. “No, I’m fine.” He sat down at the counter and picked up a pencil, twiddling it between his fingers.
“What’s on your mind?”
He stopped twiddling. “I was going to wait and ask Dad, but I guess I can ask you.” He raised his head and looked at her. “Can I stay over at Neil’s house and go with him to rowing in the morning?”
Tessa stopped mid-slice. She bit her lip and frowned as she studied Jayden’s face. Was this another test? But more importantly, would Ben allow Jayden to go to Neil’s house? Maybe she should call him. She reached for the phone but then replaced it. She couldn’t call Ben. He was in that important meeting this afternoon and wouldn’t want to be interrupted.
“I’ve finished all my homework.” Jayden pulled a notebook out of his backpack and showed her a page full of equations.
She put the knife down and perused the page.
“We’ve got some new music we want to work on, and after school is like the only time we can do it. And Neil’s mum can drive us to rowing in the morning. It’ll save Dad having to get up real early to take me.”
Tessa tapped the counter with the tip of the knife. “Have you stayed over at Neil’s on a school night before?”
“Yes. Dad lets me do it all the time.”
Tessa studied his face. His eyes, normally sullen, gleamed, as if he were trying too hard to convince her. Is he taking me for a ride? I wish I could call Ben and check.
“Come on. It’s okay. And you and Dad can have the night on your own.”
A night on their own, how tempting was that? It had only been two nights since their honeymoon had ended, but it seemed like a year.
She blew out a slow breath. “I guess it’s okay. As long as you’re sure it’s all right with your Dad.”
“He’ll be fine with it. Thanks.” Jayden jumped up, looking like he wanted to hug her, but stopped himself just in time.
“One thing—can you drive me?”
Tessa burst out in laughter. The hide of the boy! She shook her head, but she’d do it to keep him happy and have the night alone with Ben.
“Come on then, let’s go. Just make sure you’re in time for rowing in the morning.”
“I will,” Jayden assured her. He ran upstairs and in a few minutes was back in the kitchen carrying a toothbrush, pyjama bottoms and his rowing clothes, all of which he stuffed into his backpack.
She drove him to Neil’s, about a twenty minute drive away through busy afternoon traffic. He chatted all the way. Amazing how he could talk when he wanted. He was warming to her, and she was glad she’d decided to let him go.
He jumped out of the car and slung his pack over his shoulder. “Thanks Mum… I mean, Tess.”
She started to say it was fine for him to call her Mum, but stopped herself. He’d do it in his own time, when he was ready. No use forcing it.
“Bye Jayden. See you tomorrow afternoon.” She waved to him as he closed the door and headed up the driveway. She’d asked if she should speak to Neil’s mum, but Jayden said it wasn’t necessary. As she watched him disappear into the house, she hoped she’d made the right decision.
When she arrived back home, she finished the dinner preparation. She set the table, adding a couple of candles for a romantic touch since Jayden wouldn’t be with them. Then she emptied her work bag and went to finish setting up her home office while waiting for Ben to arrive. Bindy and Sparky tussled one another and chased their favourite balls around the room before flopping down on a cushion under her feet.
Engrossed in stacking file folders and organising her books and papers, Tessa was shocked when she next checked the time—nearly an hour had passed and Ben should have been home.
She stepped into the kitchen and pulled a frozen coconut cream pie out of the freezer to thaw for dessert before picking up the phone to call him. As she was dialing, the front door opened, and Ben walked in.
“Ben!” She replaced the phone and ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. “You had me worried. I was beginning to think something had happened to you!”
He lifted her up from the floor and kissed her forehead. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart, I didn’t mean to be this late. The meeting ran overtime. I should have called you—I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, I’m just glad you’re home.” She lowered her arms around his waist. She’d never tire of gazing into his eyes and feeling his arms around her. “Tell me—how did it go? Did you accept the partnership?”
He ran his hand through his hair and inhaled slowly. “No, I didn’t. Even though they adjusted the terms in my favour, it didn’t feel right. I feel like I’ve let them down. They’ve bent over backwards for me, but I wasn’t convinced it was the right thing to do. For us.” He brushed some hair gently off her forehead and ran his finger down her cheek. “I don’t want to be tied down right now, even though it would have helped us financially.”
“It must have been difficult. But it’s over now, and you don’t have to think about it anymore.”
“Yes, it’s a weight off my mind. And it means I can just do my hours and come home to my family. To you.” He lowered his face closer to hers. Her pulse quickened… without Jayden at home, dinner could wait.
He pecked her lips and pulled away. She swallowed hard. She couldn’t blame him. He didn’t know they were alone. She’d have to tell him, but had she done the right thing allowing Jayden to go?
“Sorry Tess—later.” Ben undid his tie and glanced upstairs. “Is Jayden in his room?”
The moment had arrived. She swallowed hard and let out a breath. Surely it wouldn’t be a problem. Jayden had convinced her it was okay. But Jayden had been playing games with her lately. Hopefully this wasn’t one of them, but she had that sinking feeling it was.
She tried to relax, but her body had stiffened. “He’s at Neil’s house. He said it’d be okay with you.”
A shadow fell across Ben’s face. “Neil’s house?” His brows came together. “How could you let him do that?”
“He said you let him do it all the time.”
“Come on, Tess, you know better than that. He hasn’t been allowed to stay over since that incident with Owen and the drugs.”
“He said Owen wouldn’t be there.”
Ben shook his head and his lips straightened into a thin line. “He’s taken advantage of you, Tessa.”
Her heart sank. She’d made a huge mistake. “I’m so sorry. He was so sincere, and I figured that since this move has been tough on him, it wouldn’t hurt for him to be with his friend for one night.”
“Neil’s a good kid, but that brother of his is unpredictable, and Mary and Bill hardly have any control over him.” Ben raked a hand through his hair. “He could come back at any time, and there’s no telling what trouble he could get those boys into.”
For a minute, Tessa thought Ben was going to put his jacket back on and go after Jayden right then. She couldn’t handle this. They hadn’t been married a month, and already she’d already made a mess of things. She reached for his arm. “I’m so sorry. I should have checked with you. It was thoughtless of me.”
“Jayden’s going to pay for this. It’s not really your fault. He shouldn’t have asked to go.”
“Don’t be too hard on him. He’s just testing me out—I’ll be warier in future.”
She stepped closer and looked deep into Ben’s eyes. “Are we okay?” She was pleading, but they had to be okay. She couldn’t bear it if they weren’t.
Ben met her gaze and his eyes softened. “Yes, we’re okay.” He ran a finger slowly down her hairline. “But I’ll be having words with Jayden when he gets home tomorrow afternoon.”
A pang of guilt stabbed he
r. If only she’d been more thoughtful and less gullible, Jayden wouldn’t be in trouble with his father.
“Let’s eat.” He squeezed her hand. “We’ll deal with this tomorrow. In the meantime, I’ll call Mary and check that Owen’s not there.”
Tessa lit the candles, but any romance had disappeared from the evening.
Chapter 4
When Jayden arrived home from school the following day, Tessa and Ben were waiting for him in the living room, having both finished work early. Tessa perched on the edge of the couch, nibbling her fingernails and eyeing Ben as he paced back and forth.
She’d tried her hardest to convince him to let it go this one time, but he was determined to have it out with Jayden. All night he’d brooded over it. She hadn’t liked the way it dominated his thinking, and how easily agitated he’d become over this incident. This wasn’t the Ben she knew. Stephanie had said that often you don’t really know a person until you live with them, but Tessa hadn’t believed her at the time. Maybe she was right. They hadn’t even made love last night. The first time since they’d been married.
It would have been better if Ben had fetched Jayden straight away—at least the matter would have been dealt with then and there rather than allowing it to fester like a sore left unattended all night and all day. At one stage she thought he would, but in the end he decided to wait until Jayden got home from school.
All day at work, Ben and Jayden had been on Tessa’s mind. She’d prayed constantly for them, asking God for his grace and mercy to abound in this situation. Jayden was in a fragile state, and she feared if Ben came on too hard, it might push him further away. But Ben was determined to make Jayden answer for his blatant disobedience. She felt sick to the stomach.
The front door opened. Jayden slid his backpack onto the floor and bent down to scratch Sparky behind the ears. He glanced up when Ben stood in front of him.
“Hey Dad, you’re home early.”
“Yes, you’re right. How was school?” The crispness in Ben’s voice made her shudder.
“Fine.” Jayden was immediately on the defence. He looked up at his father’s dark face before shooting a plea for help to her. If only she could have warned him before he faced his dad.
Jayden looked at his father again with narrowed eyes. “What’s up?”
“Why did you tell Tessa that I allow you to stay at Neil’s?”
Jayden’s shoulders fell. “You used to.”
“You know full well I don’t allow it anymore. Ever since that incident with Owen.” Ben’s voice was tight, and he clenched and unclenched his fists as he glowered at Jayden.
“That happened a long time ago.” Jayden’s eyes darkened. “I learned my lesson. It’s not like it’s going to happen again.”
“No, you’re right. It’s not going to happen again, because you’re not allowed to be anywhere near Owen.” Ben resumed pacing, every muscle in his body, rigid and tight. She’d never seen this side of him.
“What did you do last night?”
“We worked on our music.”
“Was Owen there?”
“No.”
“Are you telling the truth?”
“Yes.”
Ben stopped pacing and stared at Jayden. Jayden turned his head away.
“You’re not to stay there again. Do you hear me?” When he didn’t answer, Ben walked closer and stood over him. “Look at me, Jayden. Stand up.”
Jayden stood slowly, his face stony and his eyes full of hate.
“The way you took advantage of Tessa wasn’t right. You knew you weren’t allowed to stay at Neil’s, and you shouldn’t have told her you were. You’re grounded for a month. Hopefully that will teach you to think twice before you act so foolishly again.”
Jayden’s shoulders slumped. “But Dad…”
Ben held his hand up. “No. That’s the way it is. A month—you can go to school and to training, but no friends and no camp.”
Jayden blinked in disbelief and then turned to Tessa, his eyes pleading with her. Without thinking, she rose and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Ben, that’s too harsh. Won’t you rethink? He’s so looking forward to camp.” She hated the plaintive tone in her voice.
Ben drew his brows together and glowered at her.
She swallowed hard. This wasn’t what she’d expected. Ben was being way too tough on Jayden, and he’d never looked at her like that. Maybe she shouldn’t have taken Jayden’s side, but she had. Now she was caught between standing up for Jayden and supporting her husband.
Jayden pulled himself from under Tessa’s hand, snatched up his backpack and stormed out of the room and up the stairs.
Tessa lifted her eyes slowly. Her lips trembled and a lump sat in the pit of her stomach. They hadn’t had a single disagreement in almost a year of friendship and courting, and now they’d had two in a matter of days.
“Ben, I’m sorry.” Her voice was shallow and she could barely speak. “I shouldn’t have questioned you. It wasn’t my place.” Her heart pounded and tears pricked her eyes. She stepped closer and waited. The Ben she knew was kind and loving. He wouldn’t let this come between them. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
Ben’s face slowly softened. She met his gaze and held it before reaching out her hand and closing the gap between them. She lifted her hand and gently brushed it against his cheek. “I really am sorry.” Tears welled in her eyes. She needed to feel his arms around her. To hear him say he loved her.
He placed his hand over hers and pressed it to his cheek. “I’m sorry too. I don’t know what comes over me.” His voice had lost its edge and he sounded genuinely distressed. “He riles me so much sometimes and I just can’t help myself.” He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. She snuggled into him, squeezing her eyes shut to stop her tears from falling.
He pulled her tighter. “I shouldn’t have gotten so angry. With him, or with you. I’m so sorry.”
As she rested her head on his chest, the blanket of sadness slowly lifted from her heart.
“We’ll sort this out. Tess. It’ll be okay, you’ll see.” Ben’s voice was soft and filled with remorse.
She nodded and wiped her eyes. Lifting her head, she looked deep into his eyes. “I just want Jayden to be happy.”
“I know, but something had to be done. He did the wrong thing.” Their eyes were locked as Ben brushed damp hair off her face.
She held Ben’s gaze for a moment longer before leaning her head against his shoulder. Although she loved Ben with all her heart, it didn’t change the fact that she didn’t agree with him. Her heart was torn. She sighed heavily. She could do no more. Jayden was Ben’s son, and she had no right to interfere. She’d have to trust his judgment, even if she didn’t like it. She drew in a deep, slow breath and squeezed her eyes shut, forcing the tears lurking just below the surface away. Oh God, please give me wisdom and strength. Help me love both Ben and Jayden. I don’t want to go against either of them, you know that, but it seems I’m caught in the middle.
She drew in a calming breath and pulled herself slowly away, once again meeting Ben’s gaze. Her pulse quickened when he leaned down and kissed her slowly on the lips.
A short while later, he followed her into the kitchen, gently placing his hands on her shoulders as she stood in front of the counter. “Let me help.” His deep voice and his lips on the curve of her neck sent a tingle through her body. She breathed in slowly. They would survive this.
She reached into the cupboard and pulled out three plates. Turning around, a slow smile formed on her face. “Okay, take these.” Their eyes met. She leaned up and gave him another slow kiss before handing him the plates.
He took them and began to set the table.
She stood on the other side of the kitchen counter. As she checked the vegetables, her thoughts turned to Jayden upstairs. “Is he going to be all right, Ben?”
Ben paused, salt and pepper shakers in hand. “I hope so. I truly do.” He sighed heavily
and glanced upstairs before finishing the table.
“What else can I do to help?” He slid his arms around her waist from behind.
“Mash the potatoes.”
“Where’s the masher?” He nuzzled her neck, sending shivers of delight through her.
“In the drawer.” She let out a small laugh as he let her go and fetched the masher. If only it were just the two of them, they would have such a wonderful time. But it wasn’t. She’d known what she was taking on when she accepted his proposal, but she hadn’t expected it to be quite like this. “Shall I see if Jayden wants to come down to dinner?”
Ben glanced upwards and nodded. “It might be best if you go instead of me.” He gave her a grateful smile as he picked up the masher and attacked the potatoes.
Tessa hesitated outside Jayden’s room. Music, if you could call it that, blared through the door. She knocked once with no response. She knocked again, this time much louder. Still no response.
She opened the door a fraction. Jayden lay face down on his bed, his body racked by the occasional sob. Her heart went out to him. She wanted to take him in her arms and hold him tight, but she hesitated. He probably would only push her away. If only she could make everything right.
“Dinner’s ready, Jayden.” Her voice was soft and caring. “Will you come down and join us?”
He turned his face to the wall. “I’m not hungry.”
Tessa grimaced. Should she make him come down or wait it out? God, what should I do? Her parents would never have let her or Elliott dictate to them, even through their testing teenage years. But this wasn’t the time to force the issue. For now, she’d let him be. It would only be her and Ben at the dinner table again tonight.
Ben looked up expectantly as she returned alone. She shook her head and knew the heaviness in her heart was written on her face.
As they ate their dinner, Jayden’s empty chair and place setting highlighted his absence. Tessa prayed that Ben’s tough stance wouldn’t have a long-term negative effect on Jayden, but she feared it might.
When Ben finished eating, he placed his knife and fork neatly together on his plate and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Thanks Tess, that was lovely.”
THE TRUE LOVE SERIES BOX SET: A Christian Romance Page 14