THE TRUE LOVE SERIES BOX SET: A Christian Romance

by Duncan, Juliette

  “And there’s more. Let me show you your room.” She tossed her purse onto the glossy kitchen counter and ran upstairs ahead of him. “Come on.”

  He followed her, taking the steps two at a time. His bedroom was twice as large as his room back home, and had sliding glass doors opening onto a balcony overlooking the bay. Miami's downtown skyline filled the horizon to the left. The view made Jayden's jaw drop. He dragged himself away and took in the rest of his room. A new computer sat on a glossy white desk; an HD television with surround sound speakers had been fitted onto the wall at the foot of his bed, a collection of CDs was stacked beside his bed and posters of some of his favourite rock bands hung in frames on the wall. But his eyes popped at the shiny, new, Gibson guitar sitting on a stand beside his bed.

  He dropped his duffle bag onto the floor and picked the guitar up, caressing its smooth finish and running his hands lightly across the strings. He’d always dreamed of owning a guitar like this but had never expected to get one.

  "Do you like it?"

  He lifted his head. Kathryn stood in the doorway. Her eyes glowed and she was fidgeting with her hands. He hesitated, but then put the guitar down and stepped towards her.

  "I love it. I really do.” He lifted his gaze to meet hers. “Thank you. Mum."

  "You're welcome." Her eyes glistened as her face expanded into a warm smile. She took Jayden’s hands. “I’m so glad you like it.” She led him to the balcony and leaned on the railing, looking out at the expansive bay. “There’s so much to do here. You can go swimming or jet-skiing whenever you like. Or bike riding or roller blading, whatever you want.” She turned to face him. “You’re going to have a great time here, I just know it.” He tilted his head. Her eyes were so bright, and bluer than he remembered, almost too blue. Maybe she’s done something to them. Before he knew it, tears welled in her eyes and she was drawing him into a big hug. Here we go again. He stood with his arms by his side for a moment, but he inhaled slowly and finally lifted them and returned her hug. He owed her that at least for all she’d done for him. She’d better not expect it all the time, though.

  When she finally let him go, she wiped her face with a tissue and ran her finger under her eye. Black stuff had run onto her cheeks, but she smeared it and made it worse. “I’ll just go and freshen up and then we can hang out for a while.”

  As soon as she left, Jayden flopped backwards onto his bed, placing his hands behind his head. He stared up at the ceiling and smiled. If all he had to do was put up with an emotional mother to have all this luxury right at his fingertips, maybe he could forget all about Brisbane and Dad and Tessa.

  Chapter 4

  Early the next morning, Jayden lifted his head slowly from his pillow and rubbed sleep from his eyes. His head spun. Where was he? Crazy dreams about ski slopes, airplanes, and Mum and Dad fighting over him confused his thinking. Jerking up in bed, he flicked on the lamp and then flopped back on his pillow. That’s right. He was in his new bedroom at Mum’s condo, in Miami, Florida. And it was Sunday.

  He lay there for a few moments gathering his thoughts. If he was at home, Dad and Tessa would be making him go to church. Mum probably didn’t go anymore, so that meant he could spend the day exploring.

  Throwing off the covers, Jayden jumped out of bed and opened the shutters. Below, the crystal clear water of the bay shimmered in the early morning sunshine. A number of speed boats were heading out to deeper waters, presumably to fish, leaving a spray of white water behind them, and closer in to shore, stand-up paddle boarders bobbed up and down in the gentle waves as they moved along the shoreline. Early morning joggers and cyclists shared the pathway that weaved along the water’s edge. The Brisbane River had nothing on this, and Jayden couldn’t wait to get down there.

  He turned from the window and padded down the darkened hallway before knocking tentatively on his mum’s door. No response. He knocked again, this time a little louder. She must still be asleep. He’d almost given up when she called out.

  “Come in, Jay.” She sounded sleepy. He must have woken her.

  Jayden drew a breath and pushed the door ajar. She was still in bed, struggling to sit up. Her eyes still had black smudges under them, and her hair, normally so shiny and straight, was disheveled and messy.

  "Good morning, Jay." She yawned, rubbing her eyes, making the black even more pronounced. She adjusted her pillows. "Awake already? I didn't think you’d be such an early riser, being a teenager and all."

  He stepped a little closer and leaned on the door. "I'm not normally. Must be jet lag."

  "If you're not going back to bed you could check out the beach and use the jet ski. I'll come down in a while. I need to get some more beauty sleep.” She yawned again. “Get yourself some breakfast. There’s plenty of food in the pantry." She slid back down and curled up, pulling the sheet around her before giving him a sleepy smile.

  "Okay." Jayden raised an eyebrow. Dad would never let him go out like that on his own. And Dad and Tessa were usually up before him. Most mornings they’d eat breakfast together, not that he really liked sitting at the table with them, but eating on his own? On the first morning? Jayden backed out of the room and shut the door. This was definitely different.

  He wandered down to the kitchen and opened the fridge. His eyes popped. Mum had gone overboard. Did she think he hadn’t eaten for a year or something? Piles of pre-cooked meals, bottles of soda, juice and milk filled every space. Next Jayden opened the pantry. It overflowed with cookies of all shapes and sizes, packets of potato chips, and six different cereals. All unopened.

  He filled his bowl with Chocolate Cheerios before plonking onto the couch and switching on the television. With no-one around to tell him off, he put his feet on the coffee table.

  As he ate, Jayden flicked through the channels, but his eyelids drooped. Maybe the exploration could wait—a little more sleep wouldn’t hurt. As he climbed back into his bed a few minutes later, he pulled out his phone and flipped through the messages. One text message from Neil and several from Dad. His heart grew heavy. The messages from Dad all said the same thing. He and Tessa wanted to know if he was safe. They loved him and were praying for him to come home. They wanted to know why he’d left. Bindy and Sparky missed him too. Jayden fought back tears as he scrolled through the messages. He’d like to respond, but what would he say? Sorry? That sounded lame, and it certainly wouldn't make up for the hurt he’d caused. He sighed and slipped the phone under his pillow. He’d sleep on it. Tears pricked his eyes as images of Dad and Tessa and Bindy and Sparky drifted through his mind. Maybe he could stay with Mum for just a few days and then go home. But how could he do that? She’d been looking forward to him coming, and had bought all those things... Not only his head, but his heart, hurt. Squeezing his eyes shut, Jayden buried his face in his pillow and forced all those thoughts from his head.

  A little while later, he woke to sunlight streaming in through the glass doors. The condo was completely quiet—Mum must still be sleeping. He took a shower and put on the wet-suit Mum had given him the night before and strolled down to the jetty to check out the jet skis. He couldn’t believe his own mother had a private jetty, let alone two jet skis and a fancy boat. Dad had a small sailboat, but nothing like this.

  The water of Biscayne Bay was warm and blue as he gunned the powerful engine of the burnt orange jet ski and sped away from the wooden jetty. Being in the water, with the sun shining down on him, made him forget about the tears he’d shed earlier. As the wind whipped his hair and brushed his face, he cast any lingering doubts aside. Zooming across the water, he had not a care in the world.

  * * *

  It was mid-afternoon when Kathryn sauntered down to the beach in plaid shorts and a wide-brimmed straw hat. Jay was about fifty feet away on the jet ski. She cupped her hand around her mouth and called out. He waved and yelled something back, but she couldn't hear. He certainly looked like he was having fun. She stood and watched a few moments longer before boarding the boat m
oored to the jetty. Although not as impressive as Luke’s boat, it still had a decent-sized cabin containing a kitchen, a bed which doubled as a lounge, and a small sitting area. Kathryn poured a glass of wine and eased herself onto the lounge. Exhaling contentedly, she stretched out her long legs and stared out over the water, a smile growing on her face each time Jay zoomed past.

  It was good having him here. Ever since Luke Emerson had dumped her for that younger woman, she’d been lonely. Even the wives and girlfriends of Luke’s fellow golfers had deserted her, and now there were no friends to go shopping with or even to drop in on for a cup of tea, or something stronger. Spending so much time on her own was driving her crazy. But then she got the idea of luring Jay to come live with her. Jay wasn’t happy with Ben and that new wife of his, so he’d told her, so it hadn’t been that difficult to convince him to come.

  Kathryn smiled to herself as she refilled her wine glass. Now Jay was here, she wouldn’t have to worry about going to the beach on her own, nor would she have to spend day after day by herself in the condo she’d bought with the settlement money she’d been entitled to after being Luke Emerson’s partner for the past three years. Now Jay was here, she wouldn’t let him go. Ben could try as much as he liked to get him back, but good luck to him. Miami Beach, Florida, or Brisbane, Queensland? She knew which one she’d choose, and Jay would too once he got to know it. So many things for him to do. She let out a happy sigh as Jay zoomed past again. He’ll never want to go back.

  As Kathryn sipped her wine, thoughts of Luke flitted through her mind. She stared at the wine glass as she twirled the thin stem slowly between her fingers. Why had she pressured him to marry her? If only she’d been happy to remain as his girlfriend, they’d probably still be together. She could still see his sparkling eyes and his tanned, toned body. They’d been so happy, or so she’d thought. Tears spilled down her face. Now it was all over. Kathryn swallowed the sobs collecting at the base of her throat and sculled the last of her wine.

  "Is everything okay, Mum?"

  Kathryn blinked and turned towards the cabin door. Jay, lean and trim in his wet glistening suit, stood looking at her. She met his gaze and sucked in a breath. She hadn’t really noticed how much like Ben he looked. They had the same eyes. Eyes that could melt a girl’s heart in an instant. How many hearts would Jay break?

  “Mum?”

  "Oh, yes." She straightened, quickly wiping her face as she set her glass aside. "Just thinking about things.” She held her hand out to him. “Have fun?”

  “Yeah, it was awesome.”

  She smiled. “You must be famished. Let me fix something to eat.”

  “Thanks.” Jay walked around the cabin, exploring all the hidden spaces and wood paneled cabinets. "Can we take it out?"

  Kathryn raised her eyebrows. "The boat?" She opened the mini refrigerator and took out a platter of cold cut sandwiches and a pack of strawberry Jell-O cups.

  Jay nodded as he stuffed a sandwich into his mouth.

  "Not unless you know how to sail it."

  His brows knitted as he swallowed his mouthful. “So, you have a boat like this, but you can’t sail?"

  She let out a small chuckle and waved dismissively. “It’s good for entertaining.”

  “Right.” Jay took another sandwich and woofed it down. “Dad was teaching me to sail, but I’ve never been out in a boat as big as this.”

  "I'll get you some lessons if you like, and then you can take me sailing.” She held out her hand. “Come and sit beside me, Jay.”

  Jay complied and took a seat next to her. She poured a glass of crisp ginger ale for him, then picked up her glass of wine and held it up for a toast. "To us."

  He guffawed and almost spilled his drink.

  “Oh, come on, Jay. We need to celebrate being together again.” Kathryn held her glass up once more and clinked it against his. "To us."

  “To us.” Jay’s expression grew serious as he repeated the words dutifully before taking a sip.

  “I was thinking we could go to Miami Beach this afternoon. What do you say?” She placed her hand lightly on his shoulder.

  He shrugged. “Sounds good. As long as I can swim.”

  “Yes, you can swim as much as you want. And then maybe we can have dinner out.” She twirled his hair in her fingers. “You need to make the most of this week, because next week you start school."

  Jay's mouth fell open. "School?"

  "Yes. You can’t fall behind on your schooling just because you're living here." Kathryn rested her elbow on the back of the seat.

  He folded his arms and humphed. “I’d rather not go. It’ll be a lot different to what I’m used to.”

  "Don't look so worried." Kathryn continued twirling his hair, but he shrugged her hand away. She placed her arm lightly around his shoulder and pulled him closer. His body tensed, but this time he didn’t pull away. "I've checked all the schools in the area and chosen the best one for you. You'll meet a lot of new friends your age and the teachers will make sure you fit right in. I'm sure a few things will be different, but it'll be fun. You'll do just fine." She flashed him a reassuring smile, but the hard line set on his mouth suggested she’d failed to convince him.

  Chapter 5

  All through the week, Jayden tried to get out of going to school, but Kathryn wouldn't hear of it. She bought him an abundance of new supplies and clothes to make sure he’d be ready to start. The following Monday morning, she drove him to the sprawling Biscayne Bay campus of Miranda High.

  Jayden sat in the passenger seat in stony silence, staring straight ahead. When she pulled into a parking spot in front of the school, he didn’t move. On his right, swarms of students, parents, and teachers milled around in the open area between the parking lot and the school buildings. Miranda High was much larger than his school back home. When she’d told him he didn’t have to wear a uniform, he hadn’t believed her, but she was right. None of the students wore uniforms; instead they were dressed in jeans, knee-length shorts, and whatever else it seemed they wanted to wear.

  A glossy red Mustang purred to a stop beside their car. Jayden turned his head. A boy not much older than himself jumped out of the driver's seat and started up the walkway.

  "When can you teach me to drive?" Jayden asked without turning his head back.

  Mum laughed nervously.

  Jayden spun his head around, drawing his eyebrows together. “What’s funny about that? You promised.”

  She let out a shaky sigh, the color draining from her face. “I might have made a teeny mistake.”

  “What do you mean?” He glared at her.

  She drew a slow breath and reached her hand out, but he leaned further away.

  “Come on, Jay. Give me a break. I thought you could get your Learner’s, but seems you can’t since you’re not a resident yet.”

  He cast her a veiled glance and slumped in his seat. “You promised.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I really didn’t know.”

  Jayden shook his head, pursing his lips. How could she not know? She shouldn’t have made promises she couldn’t keep. The dreams he’d had of driving down the freeway in a black convertible with the top down and the wind whipping his hair were now dashed. I may as well go home. That way he wouldn’t have to start at this horrible school. He slumped further in his seat.

  “Come on, Jay. We can talk more later, but now you’ve got to get out of the car and go to school.” She reached out and touched his face with the back of her hand.

  He pushed it away and glared at her again. “Fine.” He opened the door and climbed out, slamming it behind him.

  “I'll pick you up this afternoon." Her voice trailed off as he strode towards the school building with his head down.

  Jayden’s eyes filled with angry tears and he breathed heavily. As soon as he was sure his mother couldn’t see him, he brushed his eyes with the back of his hand and slowed down. He had to get a grip on himself before classes started. B
ad enough to be the new guy—no way could he let anyone see he’d been crying.

  Keeping his eyes lowered, he joined the throng of students moving towards the entrance. A few walked alone, but most talked and laughed with one or more friends. His shoulders sagged under the weight of his military-style canvas messenger bag that carried one too many notepads and textbooks.

  As he walked down the brightly-lit hallways, an empty feeling grew in the pit of his stomach. His mouth was dry and his chest tight. The other students all looked like they belonged. He, on the other hand, felt very much out of place and wished Neil could be here with him. Or that he was back at his old school.

  He pulled the day’s schedule out of his messenger bag. Compared to how simple and organized things had been at his old school, this was really confusing. The day was divided into four periods—first, second, third, and fourth. Two classes in each period with a lunch break between the second and third. Time for gym and other sports activities like football and basketball were also scheduled. No mention of a rugby, tennis, or rowing team. Mum had better not have signed me up for a sport I don’t know, like Gridiron.

  "Neat shoes." Jayden looked up to see who owned the husky voice. In front of him stood the owner of the red Mustang. Dressed in a team jacket and with a shock of blonde hair, the boy had a basketball tucked under his arm, and stood a head taller than Jayden.

  "Thanks." Jayden glanced down at his gold and black Nike sneakers and tried to think of something else to say. He lifted his head. "I saw your car out there. It's nice. Is it yours?"

  "Yep. Bought it last year." The boy held out his hand. "I'm Keith, by the way. You must be new. Haven’t seen you before."

  "Yeah, I'm Jayden, and this is my first day." Jayden shook Keith's hand. "I'm a bit confused by the schedule."