THE TRUE LOVE SERIES BOX SET: A Christian Romance

by Duncan, Juliette

  “Time for a game of pool before dinner?” Gareth asked.

  “Sure,” Angie replied. “You know where it is.”

  “Like a game?” Gareth asked Jayden.

  Not really, but what could he do? “Okay, that’d be great.”

  Jayden squeezed Angie’s hand before stepping away from her and heading towards the pool room with the boys. Why couldn’t they have done something together? Besides, the boys would all be better than him.

  Dave headed straight for the CD player and put music on that Jayden hadn’t heard before.

  Gareth pulled two cues off the wall and handed one to Jayden, raising his brow. “You and me against Dave and Matt?”

  Jayden shrugged. “Guess so. I’m not good at it, though.”

  “Doesn’t matter. It’s just for fun.”

  “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Jayden took the chalk Gareth handed him and chalked the end of his cue. At least he knew that much.

  Gareth arranged the balls in the rack and then stood aside and picked up his cue. “Who wants to break?” His gaze shifted between the three other boys.

  “Jayden, since it’s his birthday,” Matt said.

  Jayden shook his head. “No, you go.”

  Matt shrugged. “Okay. As long as you’re sure.”

  “Yeah. Go for it.”

  Matt stepped to the edge of the table and placed the white ball in front of the others. He lined up his cue and then paused for a second before releasing it with a quick flick of his wrist. The white ball smashed into the others, sending them flying across the table and into the walls before they bounced back and settled. The only ball he pocketed was the red striped ball. He then lined up what looked like an easy shot, but missed. He straightened and then shrugged. “Your turn, Jayden.”

  Jayden drew a slow breath. His hands shook as he lined up his cue. He was about to take the shot when he changed his mind at the last second. He’d get a better angle by aiming for the green ball. He moved around the table to his left, lined his cue up with the white ball and the green, slid the cue slowly back between his fingers, and then released it with a snap. The white ball hit the green one cleanly, sending it straight into the end pocket. Jayden released his breath.

  “Thought you said you couldn’t play?” Gareth slapped him on the back.

  Jayden shrugged and tried to hide the grin growing on his face. “Beginner's luck.” But when he pocketed another ball, the others said it couldn’t have been.

  He relaxed and watched the others, joking and laughing with them, and for a short while, forgot about Angie. He and Gareth went on to win the game, and Jayden was just about to take what could be the winning shot in the second game when Angie and Rachel appeared at the door. His mouth went dry. What if he missed? His heart pounded. All eyes were on him. He glanced up and met Angie’s gaze. Leaning on the door-frame with folded arms, her eye held an expectant sparkle. But he couldn’t let her distract him. He inhaled slowly and returned his attention to the table. He’d been playing well, much better than he thought he would, but this was a tricky shot. He had to get the eight-ball to ricochet off the wall at exactly the right angle to pocket it. If he got it wrong, Dave would get a shot at it.

  The only sound came from the CD player as he steadied his cue, lining it up carefully. He made a practice shot, and then adjusted the angle slightly. It was only a game, but with Angie watching, he really needed to pocket this ball.

  He held his breath and eased the cue back. The cue snapped forward, hitting the white ball cleanly. It clipped the eight-ball on the left side just where he’d intended, sending it off to the right. The eight-ball hit the cushion, ricocheted, but lost momentum as it arced around and headed towards the far pocket. It didn’t have enough legs. He should have hit it harder. No one moved. The ball slowed, stopping just in front of the pocket. His shoulders slumped. A half inch more, that’s all it needed. Dave would easily pocket it now.

  “Great shot, Jayden.” Angie stepped into the room and stood beside him, placing her arm lightly on his back.

  Straightening, Jayden winced. “It could have been better.”

  He slipped his arm around her waist as Dave lined up his cue to down the eight-ball. As expected, Dave snapped the cue onto the white ball, and within a split second, the game was over.

  Dave and Matt high-fived, and then they both extended their hands to Jayden and Gareth. “Great game, guys. Thanks.” Dave winked at Angie. “You didn’t put him off or anything.”

  Maybe Angie watching had put him off, but he wasn’t going to let her think that. He pulled her closer. “No, she didn’t.”

  “Thanks Jayden, that’s sweet of you.” Angie popped a kiss onto his cheek, and all was forgotten. “Anyway, the ribs are ready.”

  “Cool,” Dave said as he placed his cue on the rack on the wall. “I could eat a whole bull.”

  “I think Dad cooked enough for you to do that.” Angie laughed. “Let’s go.”

  The spread was amazing; so much food Jayden wouldn’t need to eat for a week. He piled his plate high with the best ribs he’d ever smelled, and a teeny amount of salad, only because Angie made him. He would have been happy to have just eaten ribs like Dave was doing. Having a girlfriend had its drawbacks.

  He and Angie sat on a bench seat under a huge fir tree and perched their plates on their laps. The others formed a semi-circle on either side of them and did the same. The adults were all eating together at a table, and Simon sat on the ground with his cousins.

  A hush fell over the group as Jessica joined them and sat on the bench beside Angie. Her plate only held a couple of ribs and a small amount of salad and potato. Angie placed her arm around Jess’s shoulder and gave her a squeeze. Seemed like no one really knew what to say.

  Rachel slid to the edge of her seat and began talking with Jessica and Angie. Everyone else resumed their conversations. Jayden sat and listened, taken aback at the topic of conversation—last week’s Bible study. So different to the party he’d gone to with Roger, where the kids had just wanted to get high and make out. This group knew how to have fun, but they also seemed to know who they were and what they believed in, and they were more than happy to talk about it. Amazing.

  He listened with interest. He’d been reading ahead in the study guide, and had checked out as much non-Biblical material as he could find on the Internet that confirmed the historical happenings recorded in the Bible. The amount of proof for events he’d always assumed were just made-up stories astounded him.

  When the boys began talking about the origin of the universe, his ears pricked up. He’d been trying to get his head around what he’d been reading... that there were only two possibilities for anything that exists. Either it’s always been, and is therefore uncaused, or that it has a beginning, caused by something else. Things couldn’t be self-caused, because they’d already have to exist in order to cause something else. The law of causality. He’d never thought about that before starting the study, but it was true. Nothing had ever come into being without someone or something making it. Not a pen, not an animal, not a plant. And not even the universe, so it seemed.

  Scientists agreed the universe was expanding, and therefore it had to have a beginning, but they disagreed on how it came about. But how could no one create something out of nothing? It made more sense that someone had. A thought suddenly struck him. If God was real, as he was beginning to think He was, who had made God? Or had He always been? More study was needed.

  “I was blown away by the way the whole universe is held in place,” Gareth said. He leaned back and gazed upwards. “All that matter up there, just hanging together. If just one thing got out of place, like what happened with Apollo 13, we’d all be gone.”

  “Yeah, and what about that info about the amoeba? The tiniest thing, but it has more information in its DNA than all thirty volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica.” Dave shook his head. “How did that happen if it wasn’t God?”

  “Yeah, I don’t un
derstand why people don’t believe,” Gareth said, putting his plate on the ground.

  “Makes no sense to me.” Dave shrugged as he picked up another rib and tore into it with his teeth.

  “What about you, Jayden? How are you finding the study?” Gareth shifted in his seat and faced him.

  Jayden stiffened. It was one thing to read and study in private, another to talk about it openly. He swallowed and leaned back. He had to say something. He let out a breath. Here goes… “It’s…it’s really interesting, but I need to read more.”

  “Yeah, there’s so much info, it kind of blows your mind,” Gareth said. “But you know, a lot of people read too much and even though they end up believing God’s real, they don’t go any further. And that’s really sad.”

  Jayden wriggled on his chair. Gareth might be right, but he wasn’t ready to do anything yet, and he wasn’t going to let them pressure him.

  “Hey.” Angie turned and placed her arm around his shoulder. “Enjoy your ribs?”

  “Yeah, they were great.” He smiled at her, glad she’d interrupted the conversation, even though he’d enjoyed listening.

  “Mom’s got some dessert later, but I think it’s time to light the fire. Come and help?”

  Jayden nodded. Maybe he’d get some time alone with her after all.

  Chapter 9

  Seated around the fire a short while later, Jayden placed his arm around Angie’s shoulder and pulled her close. Gareth had brought his guitar and was strumming away, not playing anything in particular, but his finger-work was amazing. Jayden almost wished he’d brought his, but then he wouldn’t be able to hold Angie.

  She looked up and smiled. “Enjoying your birthday?”

  Nodding, he returned her smile and kissed her forehead. Yes, he was. It’d been the best birthday he’d ever had. The only sour note had been Mom not remembering. It saddened him every time he thought about her. She’d changed so much since the day she whisked him away in Luke Emerson’s private jet. Now she could hardly look after herself. She’d turned into a sad, pitiful woman. It was a wonder Buck was still happy to have her around.

  Angie leaned back and gazed heavenward. “The stars are awesome, aren’t they?”

  Jayden tilted his head and looked up. They sure were.

  She rested her head on his shoulder. “You know they reckon there’s about a hundred billion stars in our galaxy, and just to get to the nearest star it’d take over two hundred thousand years to get there? I can’t even begin to imagine how long that is.”

  He shook his head. “Yeah, it’s pretty amazing stuff.”

  Angie continued gazing at the sky, seemingly lost in its wonder. Her voice was dreamy. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Even though she spoke softly, the awe in her voice was obvious.

  Jayden's eyebrows lifted. “You know that by heart?”

  She nodded. “Yep. Sunday School classes.”

  As he continued staring at the night sky, questions triggered by the earlier conversation floated through his mind. Eventually he turned and looked at Angie. “Can I ask you a question?”

  She turned her head. “Sure.”

  “Who made God?”

  Her brows furrowed and then she chuckled. “No one, silly. He’s always been. He’s God.” The look on her face made him laugh. Her faith was so simple.

  “Mmm… that’s what I was starting to think.”

  “You can have a chat with Dad or Pastor Graham if you want. They know more than me.”

  Jayden shrugged. “Maybe later.”

  “Okay.” She settled back in his arms before sitting with a start. “Jayden, you do know God loves you, don’t you? He’s not just up there, He can be in here, too.” She placed her hand on her chest, her brows wrinkling as she held his gaze.

  Here goes…he drew in a breath. She was going to pressure him. “I’m not sure how all that works.”

  “Do you want to know?” She angled her head.

  He shrugged again. He kind of did, but he wasn’t ready. “I guess so. But not now.”

  “Okay.” She smiled at him and then rested her head back against his chest.

  He looked back at the sky. The stars appeared brighter, as if they were shining down on him. His heart quickened. Maybe God was sending him a message.

  After everyone left, Jayden and Angie helped her parents clean up, and once the kitchen was tidy again, they sat around the kitchen table with mugs of hot chocolate. Jessica had gone to bed, but Simon was still up.

  “Did you have a good day, Jayden?” Mrs. Morgan pulled out a chair and joined them.

  “Yes, I did. Thank you.” He gave her a warm smile. She really was the best mom anyone could have.

  “Our pleasure. We thought you might like having some young folk around for your birthday.” Her face grew serious. “You must be missing your friends and family back home.”

  Jayden let out a sigh. The only real friend he had back home was Neil, but they’d lost touch of late. Neil had taken up with another group at school, and besides, they had nothing in common anymore. Neil was still a school kid, and had no idea about working to support himself. But Dad and Tessa? Yes, if he were honest, he was missing them more as each day passed, and he still got a lump in his throat whenever he thought about how he’d treated them.

  He stared at the froth sitting on top of his hot chocolate and toyed with his mug before looking up and meeting Mrs. Morgan’s soft eyes. “Yeah, a bit.” His voice choked. Maybe it was the whole emotional bit with Mom, and then the horse ride, and then telling Angie he loved her, followed by the discussion about God, but whatever it was, all of a sudden his cheeks grew warm. A lump formed in his throat as burning pain clutched his heart. Within moments, tears stung his eyes and then rolled down his cheeks.

  Angie leaned closer and squeezed his hand. Mrs. Morgan jumped up and wrapped her arms around him.

  “It’s okay, son. It’s perfectly understandable.” Mr. Morgan slid a box of tissues across the table.

  Jayden sniffed and tried to stop his tears. His chest heaved as he sucked in some quick breaths.

  Simon stared at him across the table, his eyes wide, as if he didn’t believe that a seventeen-year-old boy would let himself cry in front of his girlfriend’s parents.

  “I’m sorry…” Jayden sniffed again and swallowed hard, “it just all got to me.” He squeezed his eyes tight and tried desperately to control himself. How could this have happened? And in front of Simon, of all people.

  Mrs. Morgan gave him another squeeze. “You can talk about it if you want, Jayden, but it’s okay if you don’t.”

  Jayden nodded. “Thanks.” His voice was croaky and broken. “Give me a minute.”

  “No problem, there’s no hurry.” Mrs. Morgan smiled at him and then took her seat again.

  “Thank you.” He gave her the best smile he could manage.

  The tick from the clock on the far wall seemed louder all of a sudden. Ten o’clock. It’d be Sunday afternoon back home. Jayden’s pulse quickened. Maybe I should call Dad? It had been almost a year since he’d left, and he hadn’t spoken to Dad or Tessa in all that time. His stomach tightened. Could he do it? He let out a slow sigh, his shoulders sagging. No…

  “Would you like us to pray for you, son?” Mr. Morgan leaned forward, his folded arms resting on the table. His eyes were warm, just like Angie’s.

  Jayden took a deep breath but his heart beat faster. Surprisingly, he did. Nodding, he pushed back a fresh round of tears.

  Mr. and Mrs. Morgan both stood and walked around the table, placing their hands lightly on his shoulders. Angie reached for his hand and turned to face him. Simon remained seated, shifting uneasily in his chair.

  Something unfamiliar fluttered inside Jayden’s heart.

  “Let’s pray.” Mr. Morgan’s voice was warm and reassuring. “Lord God, we bring Jayden to You tonight. Such a special young man who’s been through so much. He’s hurting, Lord, but we know You ca
n give him new life and new hope, and that You can heal all the hurts and disappointments in his life. Lord, we pray he’ll open his heart to You, and welcome You in. Reveal Yourself to him, dear Lord, that he might see You and know that You’re not only real, but that You love him more than anything.”

  Mrs. Morgan took over. “And we also pray, dear Lord, for reconciliation between Jayden and his family, especially with his dad and step-mom. I can’t even imagine how they must be feeling, so I pray You’ll comfort them and give them hope that one day soon they’ll be reunited.” Her voice choked, and she paused for a moment. She swallowed hard. The only sound, apart from Jayden’s beating heart, was the ticking of the clock. “And dear Lord, we also pray for Jayden’s mother. Lord, no-one’s beyond your help, so we pray for her, that she might start looking beyond herself and reach out to You, and that one day she might also come to know You as her Personal Lord and Savior. Knock on the door of her heart, Lord, just as You’ve been knocking on Jayden’s. Thank You, dear Lord, in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”

  Jayden tried to control his emotions. His heart felt constricted, as if something had clutched it and weighed it down. He could barely breathe. Angie squeezed his hand again. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan stood behind him with their hands still on his shoulders. He thought he’d feel better after being prayed for, but he felt worse, as if something inside him was fighting.

  “Are you okay?” Angie leaned closer, her head touching his.

  Jayden lifted his head slowly and turned his face. “I…I think so. I just need to go to bed.”

  “Good idea, son.” Mr. Morgan patted his back gently.

  Jayden forced a smile and nodded as he stood slowly.

  “Sleep well, Jayden.” Mrs. Morgan wrapped her arms around him again, pulling him tight.

  All he could manage was a small smile. He just wanted to bury his head in his pillow and cry.

  Angie walked with him to his room. When they reached the door, she looked up and gazed into his eyes. “Jayden, remember that God’s not just up there,” she raised her eyes to the ceiling, “but He can be in here, too.” She placed her hand on her chest. “He loves you.”