We kissed some more until Jane walked by, making retching sounds.
“Bye, sweetie! Daddy loves you!"
Her noises got louder as she entered her room and slammed the door shut..
“You better go, trouble maker.”
He promised again,he’d be home earlier. I told him I’d try to be awake.
After he finally left, I knocked on Jane’s door. She was cuddled up in her bed with Legs, listening to some music.
“Whatcha doin’,” I asked her.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Kind of feel like being lazy today.”
“I think that sounds like a great idea. Want to be lazy together?”
She nodded and her face lit up. I crawled into bed with her and Legs and we just talked about everything and nothing. We read for a while, then talked, then drew pictures, then talked, then dozed. Nora came in at one point to check on us and offer us food, so we came out long enough to eat, take Legs out, and then crawled back in bed, Nora joining us.
“Want me to do your nails, ladies?”.
We thanked her profusely for the kind offer and she left to grab her box of polish. We oooed and aaaahed over the colors, and both of us got professional quality paint jobs. Jane offered to do Nora’s next and she was game.
After letting her nails dry for a lengthy period of time, Nora left us to go get dinner ready.
“I can’t believe we stayed in bed all day,” Jane giggled.
I sighed dreamily. “It was awesome! Thanks for suggesting it.”
She cuddled up to me and sighed. “I miss Daddy.”
I sagged a little. “I do, too. I think it might be like this for a while, though. We’ll just have to come up with ways to keep ourselves occupied while he’s gone.”
“That could be fun! What should we do?”
I turned to face her. “I don’t know, what do you want to do? What kinds of things do you usually do in the summer?”
Her eyes sparkled. “Well, I haven’t been to Universal Studios in a long time. I love to go to the beach. I love to go to the movies! Could we go see a movie sometime?”
I laughed and kissed her forehead before sitting up to stretch. “We can do whatever you want! Want to see what’s playing and go tomorrow? Maybe we could invite Sasha and her mom?”
That had her bouncing up and down on her bed. “Oh, thank you Jesse! Thank you!” She hugged me, squeezing me tight.
“No need to thank me. We can’t go play every day, but we’ll fit in some stuff while your dad is at the studio. We’ve only got a few weeks ‘til school starts, though, so we better get busy!”
She squealed and said, “I’m going to call Sasha right now!”
“Ladies, I’m home,” Danny called and I looked at the clock.
Five o’clock! I hopped out of Jane’s bed while she finished her call to Sasha and met him in the hallway. He swung me up in a big hug.
“We were just saying we missed you! Jane’s calling Sasha to invite her and her mom on a movie date with us tomorrow. She’ll be out in a minute.”
His eyes crinkled with appreciation. “Thanks, honey.” He kissed me and dropped his bag in the office.
“Hey there, furry beast!” He stopped to scratch Legs on the head while she pawed at his legs. We were trying to break her of jumping, but she’d taken to pawing us instead. Nora came around and grabbed Danny’s face, checking out his eye.
“Looks worse than this morning. Damn. You better hope it’s gone before you go meet Jesse’s parents, you punk. You think of that?”
He shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, and my parents are going to have a field day. ‘Can’t take the thug out of you I see, Daniel. Perhaps those nuns should have beaten you more. I should have taken the belt to you harder.’ Blah blah blah. Oh well, at least my Grandda will be entertained.”
Nora’s smile fell a little, mine was gone, and I was glad Jane hadn’t heard him.
I squeezed his hand and smiled conspiratorially. “My dad will just think it gives you character. He was quite a ruffian when he was young and still loves to watch boxing. He’s in pretty good shape for his age. He has to be to clean up after ‘snot-nosed brats’ all day.”
Danny smiled appreciatively. “Yeah, it’s one thing for him and I to have a beer together, another thing for me to be asking him for his daughter’s hand in marriage with a shiner.”
My jaw dropped and he laughed at my reaction. “Relax, honey. Just because I plan to make my intentions known doesn’t mean you need to pick out your dress yet. Soon, but not yet.”
Nora giggled and went back to her dinner preparations.
All I could do was stare at him. He ran his thumb over my lips and then leaned in to kiss me.
“You’re serious, aren’t you,” I whispered.
He nodded. “I want them to know I’m committed to you. How much I love you. I want them to feel comfortable about who their daughter is with.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist and said, “You are truly an honorable man. They will love you.” I’m not sure he believed me, but he kissed me once more.
“Daddy! You’re home!”
Danny released me and picked up Jane. “Hey, baby. I heard you stayed in bed all day, lazy bum! You feeling ok?”
She nodded. “Jesse and I talked and drew pictures and read and then Nora did our nails. It was soo nice!”
He grinned and kissed her nose. “Well, what do you want to do after dinner?” She thought for a minute and whispered in his ear. “I think we can manage that. Let me go wash up.”
He walked to the back of the house and I helped Nora set the table. Jane took Legs outside to do her business and I watched the two of them bounce around. I turned to see Nora doing the same.
“I was a little worried with her wanting to stay in bed today. She hasn’t really said much about her mom to me. Has she said anything to you?”
Nora shook her head. “No. We just need to keep an eye on her.”
I nodded and she squeezed my arm.
Dinner was another fun discussion of Danny’s hijinks last night.
“I can’t believe you got in a fight, Daddy! What if you would have been really hurt?” She was laughing, but I could sense the worry coming from her.
“I know. It was not the smartest thing I’ve ever done. I promise I’ll be more careful, ok?”
She frowned at him and said, “You better! I don’t want anything happening to you.”
The table got quiet and I suddenly felt where her head had been all day. Perhaps part of her desire to do nothing today was out of preoccupation for her dad. With Brooke out of her life, she likely felt she only had her Daddy. Danny leaned close to her and took her hand.
“I’m sorry I worried you, baby. I’ll use my words next time.”
She slugged him, and they started laughing, but his eyes were on her, gauging her reaction.
When we finished, Danny told me he was taking Jane out for a bit, wanted to get her out of the house, so I told him to have a good time. He nodded gravely and kissed my cheek. Nora and I exchanged a look and shook our heads. I decided to go for a swim, needing my workout, and Legs accompanied me. With each lap I swam she ran the length of the pool, panting happily, but thankfully not barking too loud. When I needed a break, I'd stop and she come up and lick my face. I was completely enamored with this dog! I hadn't had a dog since I was a little girl, and thinking about our old English Bulldog, Brutus, brought forth fond memories of my father.
Dad was gruff sometimes, but I always knew he loved me. He kept pictures of me in his wallet, always eager to tell his friends and co-workers about my latest shows. He was a doting husband and a card-carrying union member. He wasn't happy that I settled down here, but he had his hands full taking care of Mom, who he loved desperately, and I needed to be able to help them whenever I could, so finding a job was crucial.
I sighed, thinking about what Gloria would have for me when I spoke to her tomorrow. I mentally did the math... If I could
work at least half-time, I would have enough to pay rent and pay the minimum on my student loans, but not help my folks. If I moved in with Danny I could still help my parents. I felt sick to my stomach at the thought of him having to take financial responsibility for me. If only I could meet him on more equal footing, it would eliminate a lot of my insecurities. Nora's words came back to me, her words of warning. Danny had done nothing but make it clear that he was fully prepared to care for me, that he wanted to. Maybe I should take him up on it. Besides, I would help out with Jane, could that be my contribution?
I swam a couple more laps, then climbed from the pool, feeling quite winded. I wrapped in a towel and went into Danny's room to take a shower and clean up. I heard the front door close as I was pulling on one of his shirts and a pair of his boxers. Sure, I had my own clothes here, but his were so much more fun!
"Jesse, we brought you some ice cream," Jane called into the room.
I was putting the final touches on my braid as I walked out. "That was awfully nice of you! So you never said, are we going to the movies tomorrow?"
"Yes! Mrs. Franklin said she would call you in the morning to determine a time."
I gave her a hug and said, "Sounds like a good time. Did you have fun with your dad?"
She beamed up at me. "Yep. Come eat your ice cream."
We sat with Danny in the kitchen watching Legs chase her hind leg and I ate my ice cream. Danny's eyes caressed me, his approval of my choice in attire apparent. Around 9:00 Jane started yawning so Danny took her to bed and tucked her and Legs in. I hurried to his room and dug out his cuff, putting it on my wrist. I placed my hand under the covers of his bed. He came in smiling about twenty minutes later.
"That kid never ceases to amaze me," he said as he collapsed on the bed next to me. "We played two rounds of miniature golf, several rounds of skee ball and she wanted to keep going! I'm getting too old to keep up with her."
I snickered. "Well, you have been putting in some late hours," I said and he smiled a satisfied smile, crawling on top of me. I opened my legs just enough to welcome his bulk between them, and he laid his face on my stomach with a happy moan.
I played with his hair, keeping my one hand underneath me as I thought of how to give him his gift.
"So Patricia came by today," he said. I flinched. I prayed she didn't tell him anything. "She had a long conversation with Bronson and Julian after we met with her as a band." He didn't sound mad, just matter of fact. I still held my breath.
"Did you guys have a good meeting? Recording go well?" Diversionary tactics employed.
He nodded. "Yeah, it went pretty well. And I like how you're trying to change the subject." My hand stopped moving in his hair. He pushed up so he could look at me.
"I understand why you didn't want Patricia to say anything to me." His lips quirked up at the corners. "But see, you didn't tell her not to tell Bronson and Julian, and they were under no obligations to not say anything to me."
I rolled my eyes and my hand flew to my forehead. "Danny, it was no big deal. I didn't want to upset you. Patricia and I handled it," I said weakly.
He lifted up the hem of his shirt I was wearing so he could trace his fingers over my belly. He was still smiling. "I think my favorite part was Patricia's description of you getting in, what did you call her, 'Her Hungarian Highness's' face?"
I groaned, feeling my face heat up. "I'm sorry I was rude to your band mate's mother..."
His smile was gone. He clenched his teeth and growled, "Don't you even think about apologizing to me for anything other than not telling me what happened."
I bit down on my lip, feeling like I was about to really get it. But then he unclenched his jaw and hung his head, his voice coming out cracked. "I can't stand it that she spoke so hurtful to you, honey. I'm the one who is sorry."
I jerked up, cradling his face in my hands. "No, Danny! She was looking out for you. Yeah, she was a bitch about it, but she doesn't know me. I can see why she'd think what she did, seeing me walking down the street loaded with bags."
He frowned and threw my hands off his face. I scooted back. "Don't you dare say that to me, Jesse! She had no fucking right to speak to you like that and she is going to hear it from me!"
I shook my head. "Danny, please! I don't want to cause any problems for you," I said pleadingly, which just fueled his anger.
"I am not going to have my woman disrespected by anyone, goddammit! You deserve to be treated like a goddamn queen! And for you to think you have anything to be sorry for makes me want to fucking break shit right now! I'm sick of hearing you say you don't want to cause problems for me! You know what's a problem for me? The fact that you even worry about being a problem for me!"
He jumped off the bed and paced across the room to the slider. He stood there looking out the window for a minute, his fists clenched at his sides.
I was frozen in the middle of his bed, feeling about three inches tall. A tear slipped down my cheek. I felt completely helpless.
"Danny, I don't know what to say," was all I could get out.
He turned to look at me, his face a mask of anger and pain. I hated that I had anything to do with those feelings. I pulled my knees up to my chest and rested my chin on top. We stayed like that for what felt like forever. He finally came and sat on the side of the bed with his back to me, his head in his hands.
"Jesse, when you keep fighting me about this stuff, the shopping, moving in with me, letting me take care of you... It just makes me crazy! It makes me feel like I'm fighting a battle I can't win, like I'll never reach you through that wall of yours."
If I just knew how to knock it down for him, let him in completely. With tears streaming down my face, I took the cuff off my wrist and reached over to where he now had one arm placed behind him. He turned to look as I fastened it on his wrist.
"I bought this for you yesterday. I wanted to give it to you tonight." I wiped my tears away and scooted back to my spot as he examined it.
"It says 'soul,'" he said, questioning.
I cleared my throat and whispered. "You gave me your heart. I wanted to give you... me." I heard his breath catch.
"Jesse?"
I couldn't look up at him. I couldn't stop the damn tears.
He was in front of me on his knees in an instant. “Honey, don't cry, please? I'm so fucking sorry." He reached to pull me in his arms and I went willingly, needing him to hold me. "Jesse, please. I love you. I love this. Don't cry."
I sniffled and buried my face in his chest. "You already have my heart, Danny. Please know that you have my soul as well," I said, looking into his eyes.
The surprise there let me know just how hard I had been fighting him. He stroked my face, his eyes searching mine. He kissed me tentatively, then deeply, and then he was consuming me. I clutched at his shoulders and he moaned against me.
"I'm sorry, honey," he said against me. "Please don't cry."
I pulled back from him, wiping at my tears again. "I can't help it."
He lifted up his shirt to dry my tears. He settled back against the headboard and pulled me against his chest. He held me close while my breathing leveled off, all the time stroking my back and shoulders.
"I would like to get through just one day in this house without crying," I joked. I felt him chuckle.
"It has been pretty heavy hasn't it?"
I nodded. "But I wouldn't change a thing, Danny, if it means I get to have you in my life."
He turned my chin up to look at him. "You have me. You have all of me," he whispered.
"And you have me," I answered and smiled at him.
He raised an eyebrow. "So you're going to stop fighting me?" I grimaced, sucked in a breath, and nodded. His eyes grew wide and he inhaled sharply. "So if I were to ask you to formally move in when we return from our trip, you will say..."
"Wait, can you ask me that tomorrow? Only because Gloria is going to be able to tell me whether she has a job for me."
He smiled broadly.
"That's great! I know you'll feel better knowing."
I nodded, biting a fingernail. "She said it will probably only be part time, but I think I have it figured out to where I will still be able to pay my loans and help my parents." I looked up at him, still chewing nervously on my nail. "But I won't have any extra to help out here. If you really want me here, you're taking on a freeloader."
He burst out laughing and gently pulled my finger from between my teeth. "Oh, I have no doubt you'll earn your keep. As Alice Cooper once sang, 'I have other uses for you, darling.'" The following maniacal laugh he spewed had me cracking up.
I sat up and turned to face him. "I'm serious, Danny. I can't help with money, but I'll drive Jane to school, to the ranch... I'll do whatever I can to make life easier for you."
He frowned. "Dammit, Jesse, the only thing I need from you is to love me! That's all! I know you'll help with Jane, and I appreciate it. But honey, let me just fucking take care of you, ok?"
I nodded. "Ok. I'll try. But I want you to know, even if I didn't move in, I would still make it. I don't want you to think I'm doing this just so I have a place to stay. I'll be moving in with you because I love you and I want to be with you."
He smiled tenderly at me. "I know you can do whatever you put your mind to, honey. I'm just grateful you want to be here. I'm going to be gone quite a bit when the album is done, though, so knowing you are here will make me feel better. Are you going to be ok with that? Me being gone?"
"It'll be kinda lonely in here," I whispered, my fingers twirling in the satin sheets.
He traced a pattern on my bare leg and it felt soothing. "We'll have to rely on the phone," he said in a gravelly voice.
I glanced up at him and his wicked grin had me giggling. "I think we can do that."
We were both emotionally drained by this point.
I blew out a breath. "I promised you nothing heavy tonight and I blew it."
He wrapped me in his arms, pulling me down next to him in bed, his eyes closed. "Yeah, but you've lightened my heart, Jesse. Just knowing you feel the same as me makes me feel so good, so right. Let's just sleep. I feel like I can sleep."
I kissed him gently and he fell asleep holding me close, with a smug smile on his face.
Teacher: Act Two (A Hollywood Rock n' Romance Trilogy Book 2) Page 16