Not Always

by Ancelli

He chuckled. “You’re hoping for next year.”

  Someone knocked on the door, and Javier answered.

  “Hi, family.” Waving her arms in the air, Emma entered with her husband behind her. “Let’s get this party started!”

  Jewel, Javier, Janice, and Papo all started laughing.

  “Yeah!” Janice clapped.

  “You call this a party?” Emma asked, wobbling toward Jewel. “Where’s the music?”

  Jewel walked over to her, and tried to encircle her arms around her friend. “What are you doing here? The doctor ordered you to bed rest!” She glanced at Emma’s husband.

  “I couldn’t keep her away even if I wanted to,” Ralph said as he hugged Jewel tight.

  Ralph was Russian, with dirty-blond hair and dark green eyes. They made a perfect couple. They’d tried to have a baby for years. Jewel had offered to be a surrogate, and they’d been about to get the process started when Emma found out she was finally pregnant.

  “Where’s José?” She looked around the room.

  “Want a beer, Ralph?” Javier shook his hand.

  “He’s driving.” Jazmine turned the music on.

  “He can have one,” Emma said as Javier and Ralph moved toward the kitchen. “Where are Nicolas, and Haven?”

  “They’re in the guest bedroom, sleeping,” Jazmine answered. “Janice and Michael left their kids at home.”

  “Kanisha let Michael off her leash,” Connie added.

  Emma gave her a dirty look. “Why wouldn’t she?”

  “I was just saying.” Connie took a sip of her drink.

  “What’s up with you and José?” Jazmine asked. “He barely talked to you. I thought you two were an item.”

  Emma stared at Jewel, and Jewel looked away.

  “His baby-mama is here. I guess he doesn’t want to disrespect her,” Connie said, matter-of-factly.

  “Really?” Emma rubbed her stomach.

  “Well, my brother-in-law is a catch. If you don’t grab him up, someone else will,” Jazmine said.

  Now it was Connie staring at Jewel. “Excuse me.” Jewel grabbed Emma’s arm and gently pulled her to the side, leaving Connie and Jazmine talking.

  “What happened?” Emma whispered.

  Jewel stared at her sister, who was still speaking with Connie. She wished she could confide in Jazmine, but didn’t want to put her in the position of being between Connie and her. At least not now.

  “I’m waiting.”

  “I think we’re together.” Jewel looked out the window, watching José playing with his son. He needed this. She knew he would be pissed when he found out she’d paid for Olga’s and Carlitos’ tickets, but she’d cross that bridge later on.

  “You think?” Emma put her hand on her hip.

  “We—” At that moment, Carlitos ran in and hugged her.

  “Auntie Jewel!” Jewel bent and kissed his cheek. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you, too.” She ruffled his hair. “You’re getting so big.”

  “Auntie Jewel, thank you.” He continued to grip her waist. “I need to tell you a secret.” He pulled her arm, making her bend down. “Can you help me get my dad and mom back together?”

  Jewel didn’t know what to say. She looked up and met José’s eyes. He signaled with his head to meet him outside.

  Jewel kissed Carlitos on top of his head. “I love you.”

  “Me, too! Remember what I said, Auntie.” He ran over to his grandma.

  Emma was talking to her mom. Javier, Michael, Jazmine, and her dad entertained Connie. Everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves and they didn’t notice when she slipped to the back yard.

  Someone gripped her wrist, pulling her toward the dark side of the house, then maneuvering her against the wall.

  José’s mouth descended on hers, taking her tongue prisoner, playing tug of war. She turned her head to catch her breath.

  “Thank you.” He nipped her neck, making her moan. “No one,” he sucked her earlobe, “has… ever…” he nibbled on her collarbone, “done… anything for me… like this.” He softly clutched her neck with his hand.

  Jewel faced him. Though it was dark, he was so close she could see him. “José…” Her chest heaved up and down. “Thank… you,” she whimpered, moving forward. “Your son… he wants my help…”

  “With?” He sucked on her collarbone.

  “You and his mom,” she muttered.

  “There isn’t,” he nibbled on her bottom lip, “and there… will…never…be.” He sucked on the same spot. “An Olga and me…” He pushed her against the wall again, and his hands moved down her breasts, making her nipples harder. José pinched her areola, then continued south toward her pants.

  “I want you… so fucking bad.” his voice was husky, full of desire.

  “You… sure?” she asked between breaths. “Your two exes are in the… house…”

  José unbuttoned her jeans, then pulled down her zipper. “Oh… I am sure.” He dipped his hand into her pants. “And Connie was never my girl.”

  Jewel’s head bumped the wall. She closed her eyes as his fingers moved the fabric of her panties aside and found her clit. “Oh… shit!” Trying to be quiet, she ground against his hand.

  José laid his head on her shoulder, and whispered in her ear. “Who’s that man you were talking to?” He dipped his finger into her core and started pumping into her, hitting all the right spots.

  “Chris… He’s a…friend…” She was on the verge of coming. Jewel could feel her pussy contracting around his fingers.

  José began nibbling from her shoulder, to her neck, across her cheek until he found her lips. Jewel opened her mouth, allowing him in. He took control, exploring further as his thumb grazed her clit.

  It was becoming hard to breathe. Jewel’s eyes teared up as his digits continued their assault on her pussy. She was so close.

  “José!” someone yelled.

  He continued fingering her. With regret, Jewel gripped his hand and stopped him, laying her head on his shoulder. He pulled his hand from her jeans and kissed her forehead.

  “José!”

  “This is not over,” he whispered in her ear, then gave her a lingering kiss before backing away.

  Jewel looked up at the stars, fixing her jeans. He was driving her insane. Her family was in the house and she was about to explode into the ecstasy José had created. She was stuck there against the siding until whoever that was left. The woman’s voice came again. Shit. Connie.

  ***

  José came around the corner, trying to adjust his erection. Who the fuck is calling me?

  “There you are,” Connie said with a grin on her face. “What were you doing out there?”

  “I was taking a leak,” he said, smoothing his jeans.

  “Out here?” She looked at the area behind him. “You have two and a half bathrooms in the house.”

  “I guess I need house training,” he said sarcastically. He smirked. “What do you want, Connie?”

  “I wanted to apologize again.” She gazed at him.

  “For what?”

  “For underestimating you. Will you give us another try?” Connie asked about to grab his hand.

  He yanked it back. “I don’t think you want to do that.” José placed two fingers in his mouth and licked them clean. “Hmmm. I’ve found a pot of honey.”

  Connie arched her brow. “What are you talking about?”

  José just smiled. “Connie, thank you for making me see who you really are. No, I won’t give us another try.”

  He walked away and she gripped his bicep. “Why? Because of Jewel.” She stared at the love mark on his neck. “Did Jewel give you that? She doesn’t compare to me. I can give you so much more. Jewel can never make you feel like I can.” Connie sighed. “Are you trying to get in her pants because you couldn’t get in mine?”

  José forcefully pulled his arm from her grasp. “Connie.” He chuckled. “It’s just you and me out here.”

  S
he scowled at him.

  “If I remember correctly, I fucked you about a year ago.”

  Connie’s eyes widened, and her lips thinned.

  “I mean, it’s still a little blurry, but condoms don’t lie.” José stepped a little closer to her so no one inside could hear. “Just because we were drunk doesn’t mean it doesn’t count. So don’t be so full of yourself.” José glared at her. “Does Jazmine know how you feel about her sister?”

  He looked over to the side of the house, knowing that Jewel had heard everything. And knowing her, she would be pissed.

  José slid open the glass door, leaving Connie with her mouth agape, and walked in to celebrate with his family.

  ***

  Jewel took a deep breath, trying to get control before she pounced on Connie. She wanted to slap the bitch. Connie thought she was better than her. Jewel waited until Connie went inside before she opened and then slammed the side gate.

  She walked toward the front and saw her mom and dad in an intimate embrace. Jewel wished that one day she could find what they had. Once upon a time, she’d thought she had it, but it had just been a dream. Maybe José was a dream, too. She shook her head. José made her happy, and that was all that mattered.

  “There you are,” said her mom.

  She put on a fake smile. “I needed a bit of fresh air.”

  “Baby, we’re leaving.” Her dad kissed her. “We have a long drive.”

  “Thank you for coming.” She kissed her mom.

  “Are you coming to church tomorrow?” her father asked.

  “I don’t think so, Daddy, but I promise I’ll be there next week.”

  “Make sure you bring José.” At those words, they both looked at her mother.

  “Lauren, I’m going to get the car,” her dad said, and he hugged Jewel again. “I am so proud of you, baby.” He strolled down the walkway.

  Her mother stared at her. “Listen to me, my Jewel. I’m sorry I pushed you into the arms of that fool, Phil. He looked like the ideal man I wanted for you, but he was a wolf in disguise. I’ve learned not to judge a book by its cover.” She tipped her chin up. “If that boy makes you happy, fight for him.”

  Jewel arched her eyebrows. “What boy?”

  “José,” her mother softly said. “He reminds me of someone I knew many, many years ago.”

  “Mom…”

  “Dear, I see the way he looks at you. Like you’re the only one in the room, and you, my sweetheart, are so far gone.”

  “What have you done to my mother?” Jewel tried not to let the tears fall.

  “And I must say he is handsome. Did you see those muscles?” Her mom laughed, and then she got serious. “I want what makes my kids happy, baby.” She sighed. “Mateo made me see that it’s not about me and my wants, it’s about you.”

  “Who’s Mateo?”

  Her dad honked, and her mom waved. “I’m coming.”

  “Mateo?”

  “José’s dad, Papo. That’s his real name. He told me this morning.” Her mom looked away, and hugged her again. “I like Connie, but she doesn’t look at him like you do, and he surely doesn’t feel for her what he feels for you.” She moved away. “It’s time for you to be happy, child.” She touched Jewel’s arm. “I’m so proud of you, but next time I will whoop you if you don’t tell us you’re up for an award.”

  Jewel watched her mom walk down the driveway to the waiting car. What the hell just happened? That’s not Lauren O’Neal. The woman who’d just waved at her was a completely different woman. Whatever talk she’d had with Papo must have had an effect on her. Jewel wished he had spoken to her many years ago. Maybe she wouldn’t have meddled in their lives as much.

  Chapter Eighteen

  José watched as Jewel entered the house from the front door, shooting daggers at him before turning her head to stare at Connie. He could see her seethe with anger; her full lips were turned down. Jewel marched over to the counter and poured herself a large glass of wine, then took a long sip.

  “What’s up with you and Connie?” Javier asked before taking a gulp of his beer.

  Papo cleared his throat, grabbing a handful of potato chips.

  “You and Connie,” Michael chimed in. “She’s too high-maintenance.”

  José returned his gaze to the men around him. “Nothing’s up between us.” He twisted the top from his beer, and slugged some.

  “Emma doesn’t like her,” Ralph added, watching Connie talking to Maria in the corner. “She seems like a nice woman.”

  Javier looked expectantly at José, like he was waiting for an explanation.

  José glanced over at Jewel, Jazmine, and Janice moving to the music blasting from the radio. Emma sat on the couch, laughing at the sisters. “I’m in a relationship,” José mumbled.

  Javier choked on his drink, covering his mouth. “Come again?”

  “I found someone else,” José stated casually, taking another sip.

  All eyes turned on him. Damn, why had he mentioned anything? Michael’s phone chimed and he swiped it, staring at the screen. José assumed he was reading a text. Soon after, he threw his plate in the trash.

  Michael walked away. “Family, it’s been fun, but I’m leaving.”

  “Your curfew’s up?” Janice asked, laughing as she glanced at her watch.

  “Funny.” Michael waved on his way out the door.

  Javier nodded in response to Michael’s leaving and turned his head to gawk at José. “You’re in a relationship?” He swiveled his head and studied their father. “Dad, did you know about this?”

  “I have no idea what José is talking about.” Papo winked at José and chuckled.

  “I saw that!” Javier looked between his father and José. “Is she a shorty, boo, or booty call?”

  “Naw…nothing like that.” José placed the bottle on the counter. “She’s the real deal.”

  He could see Javier was still surprised: his mouth was slightly agape. “So when I asked you if Connie was the one, you said you didn’t know. What about this new woman?”

  “I want to be with her and only her. She makes me want things I never thought about before.” José smiled, thinking of his Nubian princess.

  Javier laughed loudly, making the other guests glance over at them. “I never thought I would see this day. Dude, are you falling in love? Who is she?”

  “Javier, stop prying. You two are just alike. You keep your shit to yourself until someone finds out or you’re ready to tell.” Papo dunked a chip in the avocado dip. “José will say something when he’s ready.”

  Javier continued to stare at José. He understood Javier’s disbelief, and yes, his brother kept things to himself, but they had always been close, even though he had shut him out of his life for a couple of years. It had been the only way he could protect his little brother from his negligent lifestyle. If José had asked Javier about the whole ordeal with Jazmine, he knew Javy would’ve told him. His heart broke when Jazmine had told him that she’d been raped by family friends. Nobody except for his immediate family knew what had happened to Jazmine, and they intended for it to stay that way. José shook his head, wondering how someone could get through what she had, and be so happy. He stared at Jazmine, dancing and laughing. She was a strong woman, and she made his brother happy. He wondered when Javier had known Jazmine was the one?

  José grumbled. “How do you know when you’re falling in love?”

  Both Javier and Papo got serious.

  Papo spoke. “You’ll know. It will hit you like a bolt of lighting.”

  “When you can’t imagine your life without her,” Javier said, staring at Jazmine. “I knew Jazmine was the one when she left me. She was my reason for smiling. That woman completes me.”

  José chuckled. “I hate this mushy shit.” He looked up and saw that guy—Chris—strolling up to the ladies.

  “You brought it up.” Javier took another sip.

  “Now I’m ending it.” He picked up a chip, took a bite, and walk
ed away.

  Jazmine, Janice, Jewel, and Olga were dancing, stopping to take shots of wine then starting all over again. He laughed. Wine shots? Who the hell takes wine shots? What happened to tequila?

  Chris took Jewel’s hand in his and started swaying from side to side, and she followed his groove. José cracked his neck, feeling the vein in his throat start to throb.

  “Daddy?” Carlitos came up to him.

  “Yes?” José beamed, still staring at Jewel.

  The boy pulled his hand, tugging him over to Olga. Carlitos took her hand and placed it in his. “Dance with mommy.”

  Jewel peered at their connection, then turned her face and focused on Chris.

  “I’m going to sleep.” Carlitos covered his mouth as he yawned.

  José continued holding Olga’s hand for the sake of his son. If this moment made him happy, then so be it. He would have a talk with his little boy in the morning about his relationship with Olga.

  “Good night,” Carlitos said before he went running to the back of the house.

  José rapidly released her hand. Olga stared at him with a huge grin on her face. “Come on, let’s dance. You heard our son.”

  “José, please help me up,” Emma said, saving him from Olga’s grasp. José took both her hands in his and gently pulled her up. “Thanks. Ralph, it’s time to go.” She waddled over to Jewel. “See you later.”

  Jewel hugged her, pulled back, and rubbed her tummy. “Take care of my baby!” She giggled. “Text me when you guys get home.”

  “Okay.” Ralph took Emma’s hand and they left the house.

  “Turn up the music!” Javier moved past José, and started dancing with his wife. Chris continued dancing, moving smoothly with both Jewel and Janice.

  “Good night,” his parents said in unison. “It’s its been a long day. We’re going to bed.”

  “Good night.” Jewel smiled.

  “Buenas noches,” Javier and Jazmine said.

  Jewel just kept swaying to the music. José moved away from Olga and strolled up behind Jewel, placing his arms around her waist. Chris glared at José as if he wanted to say something, but didn’t. As if he was touching Chris’ woman, instead of the other way around. She turned around and faced him, all the while, swaying her hips to the beat.