The Right Side of My Pillow

by LaShawn Vasser

  Later that night, or more accurately early morning, they sat up in bed with her nestled into the crook of his arm. He squeezed her hand as he gazed into her eyes. “We’ll get through this.”

  “I didn’t mean to kill him.” Wearily, she exhaled. “But, I’m not sorry he’s dead. Does that make me a horrible person?”

  He shook his head. “No. It makes you human.”

  “Kevin didn’t send the text.”

  His brow furrowed. “What text?”

  “I received a text shortly after I moved in here. It seems innocent enough, but it left me feeling uneasy.”

  “What did it say?”

  “It said ‘You’re still just as beautiful as I remember. I’ll always be just over your shoulder.’ Kevin had me in such a mental prison that only gave a few people my number.”

  “Well, he put you through a lot. It's understandable.”

  “It could be innocent, but I never thought so. I still don’t, but it wasn’t Kevin.” Her eyes burned. They were tired. “I hate looking over my shoulder all the time.”

  He was determined to give Jade a sense of security. Cole was going to do whatever it took. He would have one of his investigators look into it.

  “Cole, we need to talk about us.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “I know. But, there’s no rush. I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you.”

  “I’m a mess. I have so many issues I can’t even name them all.”

  “You’re not alone in that. I have a few myself.”

  “I’m afraid all the time. I’m not sure if I can completely let my guard down.”

  “I’m patient. I’ve waited this long, I’ll wait forever if I have to.”

  Being in Cole’s arms was soothing to her soul. The sound of his voice made her relax just a little and a couple of hours before the sun came up, they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

  *****

  After a few hours of sleep, Cole woke up before Jade. He eased her body out of his arms and slipped out of bed. To make sure she didn’t overhear him he went into his office and closed the door.

  Cole picked up his phone and dialed his private investigator’s number. “Marco, I need a favor. It’s probably nothing but after the night my girlfriend and I had, I want you to check something out. She received a text. Can you find out who sent it? Great. Make this a priority. Thanks.” Cole disconnected the call and went back upstairs to lie in bed with Jade.

  Several hours later, she lay awake in his arms while he was sleeping. She couldn’t keep her eyes off him. Even in his sleep, with tousled hair, he was the most beautiful person she’d ever seen. Not just physically, but on the inside where it counted. Cole’s eyes drifted open as he tightened his hold on her. “Good morning, beautiful.”

  “Good morning.” Jade hesitated. “I’m supposed to be getting ready for work.”

  Cole chose his words carefully. “Do you think that’s a good idea after everything that happened last night?”

  “Probably not. Cole…” Her voice dropped. “I can’t lose myself in you. I live in your house. I drive your car, if I quit my job, I’ll be completely dependent on you. I won’t have anything of my own, and it terrifies me.”

  He remembered Ms. Nash’s words. “I understand. So, work. I just want you to be happy. All, I’m saying is you can work doing something you enjoy.”

  “Like what? I’ve never had a chance to even think about something like that.”

  “Well, you’ve always wanted to go back to school. Maybe you could spend some time thinking about that while you’re getting your degree.”

  “Yeah, but you would be paying for that too.”

  He nuzzled her neck. The side that wasn’t bandaged. “I’d call it an investment.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Ms. Nash said that she’s hiring a counselor at Serenity House. You seemed to enjoy being with the kids there.”

  Her eyes lit up just a bit. “That would be incredible, but I’m sure I don’t have the qualifications for that job. And, you’d still be signing my checks.”

  “No, I wouldn’t. I don’t own Serenity House. I’m one of its largest financial contributors, but it doesn’t belong to me.”

  Jade nibbled her bottom lip. That was an intriguing idea. “Really?”

  “Really. How about later on today, we take a drive up there and talk to Ms. Nash? I have to stop by my office first because I have a meeting at 1 PM, but I promised Millie I’d help her with her algebra.”

  Jade knew he was making an excuse but loved him for the effort. “I’d better call Mario and tell him I’m taking the day off. Cole, I won’t quit until I have something else lined up.”

  “Understandable.”

  “You know Millie has a crush on you.”

  He caressed her cheek and gazed deeply into her eyes. “Too bad my heart was taken seventeen years ago.”

  *****

  Cole had just finished his meeting when he got a call from Marco. He was no nonsense. “What did you find?”

  “The text came from a number registered to an Elise McGhee. Do you know her? Do you want me to get more information about her?”

  He had to sit down. Cole couldn’t believe that she’d really been behind all of this mess. “I know who she is. I can take it from here. Thanks.”

  There was a small tap on the door and Cole looked up to find Elise standing there. They hadn’t really spoken since he’d broken things off with her. “Cole? I came to see you as soon as I heard.” She had the phony look of concern down pat. “Are you all right?”

  The rage inside of him was almost overwhelming. Jade could have been killed last night. He stood. “Please, come in and shut the door behind you.”

  Elise did as she was asked. “I know that we’re not together, but love doesn’t just shut off like a faucet. I needed to see with my own eyes that you were okay.”

  “Why? Why did you do it?”

  Fake confusion was written all over her face. “Do what? What are you talking about?”

  “Kevin told me you paid him fifty thousand dollars to get Jade out of the way. I didn’t believe him at first. Not you. I knew you wouldn’t do anything like that. But my investigator called to say as far back as the first couple of weeks after Jade moved in with me, you sent her a text.”

  Elise’s pretense of concern vanished. “She was manipulating you. I was only trying to look out for you from people like her! She’s still manipulating you.”

  “She could have been killed last night, Elise! Killed!”

  She waved him off as if his words meant nothing. “He wasn’t going to hurt her. I specifically told him not to do anything illegal. I just wanted her out of the way. She was coming between us. She did come between us. We were going to get married.”

  “Why would you think that? I never told you that. Until now, marriage was never on my radar.”

  “Are you kidding me? You would pick that trashy nothing of a girl over me? Can you really be that stupid? It’s one thing to screw her, it’s quite another to marry her!”

  “What goes on between Jade and me, doesn’t concern you anymore.”

  “Were you sleeping with her before we broke up?” Elise was getting hysterical.

  “No.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t believe you. I know that you slept with her the same night you broke up with me. Why should I believe it wasn’t happening before? You for damn sure weren’t sleeping with me.”

  Cole thought back to that morning when Jade said Elise had been inside the house. He knew that she had been on his property because he saw her drive away. Damn. He’d given her keys to set up the dinner party for Pfingston. She had been inside his home.

  Cole was so angry he could literally choke her. “For your safety, it’s probably best that you leave right now! I promise you if we ever cross paths or if you in any way come within a hundred yards of Jade, I’ll have your ass brought up on stalking charges.

  Her eyes went wid
e. “You wouldn’t dare? You don’t have any proof.”

  “I’m sure there is a money trail somewhere between you and Kevin. Plus, I bet someone knows how Kevin got released early. If there isn’t any proof, I’ll go to the press. I know how you and your kind feel about bad press. I’m not going to tell you again, get the hell out of my office!”

  Elise’s face went pale, she turned and walked out the door. He followed her out and stopped at his assistant’s desk. Cole pointed toward Elise’s retreating back. “I don’t want that woman anywhere near this property. If she steps one foot in this building call the police and have her arrested. Also, send someone over to my house. I need all of my locks changed.”

  Chapter 26

  It had been a month since Kevin Lockwood attempted to exact his revenge on Jade and Cole. Jade had quit Mario’s to work full time at Serenity House. Ms. Nash was right when she’d said Serenity House was a good place for healing. Every day that she was able to spark hope into the eyes of the children who lived there also sparked hope inside of her. She would heal. She was healing.

  Jade was in the playroom with a couple of the younger kids and another counselor. They were no more than five or six years old, and they were sitting on the floor playing a game when Cole peaked his head inside the door. Of course everybody loved Cole. They squealed and ran to him for hugs that he always gave away freely.

  After he’d given them the proper amount of attention, he looked up at Jade. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  She looked over at the other counselor. “Teyana, I’m going to step out for a second. I’ll be right back.”

  Cole took Jade’s hand and led her out of the house to the stables. “Cole, what is going on? Why are you bringing me back here?”

  “There’s something I want to show you.”

  She laughed. “You better hurry up because I didn’t bring a coat and it’s cold out here.”

  Cole was so nervous, he didn’t even realize it, but he didn’t have a coat either. They walked into the stables. Jade always spoke to all of the horses but Jasper was still her favorite. He always got an extra rub down and a piece of sugar that Jade had stashed in her hoodie.

  “You spoil that horse.”

  She responded cheekily. “I do. He loves me…so what of it.”

  “He’s not the only one that loves you. I love you too.” Cole had gone from playful to serious again in the blink of an eye. “Cricket, I know you’ve said you need your independence. I would never try to take that away from you. Whatever it is you want to do, you know I’ll always be there to support you. As a matter of fact, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re working here and registered for school next semester.”

  Nervously, he ran his hands through his hair. Jade was starting to get nervous too. Was he breaking up with her? “Is everything alright? I’m getting worried.”

  “Everything is good, only I want more.”

  Jade was confused. “More? What are you talking about Cole?”

  “I want to wake up to you every morning.”

  “You already do.”

  “I want to come home to you every night.”

  “You already do that too.”

  “I brought you to this stable because this is where I decided to stop denying my feelings for you.” Cole reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box, then bent down on one knee.

  Jade’s hands flew to her mouth. What was he doing? Was he really doing this?

  “I never thought I was the kind of man who deserved a wife and children. I always thought I was too messed up. But every day I see myself reflected in your eyes and I feel like Superman. I feel like I can do anything. I want to build a life with you. I want to have at least five children with you.” He lifted the lid off of the ring box and exposed a dazzling five-karat emerald cut yellow diamond. “Jade Cricket Anderson, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  She couldn’t keep the tears from streaming down her face even if she tried. Without any hesitation, she answered. “Yes!” Jade threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard on lips.

  Unbeknownst, to Jade, the staff of Serenity House had all gathered around to film and watch the proposal.

  Cole and Jade would never be alone again. They had finally found a home in each other.

  Chapter 27

  The Wedding

  Elise had her assistant, Anna, run out to get an actual paper copy of The Chicago Sun-Times. She needed to see Cole’s wedding announcement herself. All morning, her phone had been ringing off the hook with friends calling to find out if it were true. Technically, she and Cole hadn’t actually confirmed their breakup publically. Cole just didn’t understand how things were done. How could he embarrass her this way? They’d been apart for less than a few months. This was probably payback for the Kevin fiasco.

  As soon as Anna came into the kitchen with the paper, Elise snatched it out of her hands and sat down at the kitchen table to read it. Quickly, she thumbed through the pages until she found the Announcement section. Anna stood over Elise’s shoulder, she finally found the article she’d been looking for. There it was. An incredibly larger than life picture of Cole and Jade smiling brightly, while staring deeply into each other’s eyes.

  Jade Cricket Anderson

  And

  Cole Thornton

  Are proud to announce a moonlight celebration

  In honor of their union

  At

  Serenity House

  It was sickening. He really was going to go through with marrying her. She couldn’t even finish reading it. Elise crumpled up the paper and threw it across the room. “Damn him! I was the best thing that ever happened to him. Only a low-brow woman would ever accept him anyway.” Pissed she yelled instructions to Anna. “He was lucky to have me. I hope they both rot in hell. Send all of my calls to voicemail, and book me a flight to Paris for this weekend. I don’t want to even be in the same country when they get married.”

  *****

  Serenity House was buzzing with activity. The place was beautiful. This time of year it was hard to find a starry night, but Cole still managed to make it sparkle. He wanted to give Jade back her love of stars. Lights were strung up everywhere leading to the house and courtyard. Inside, candles were strategically placed around all of the rooms. He also managed to fill the entire house with thousands of yellow flowers of all kinds. They’d been flown in from every florist around the country.

  The kids from Serenity House weren’t left out of the festivities either. They were excited to get dressed up and attend a wedding. For most of them, it would be the very first time. They played the roles of host and hostess for the few guests and business acquaintances that would be attending the event. He and Jade had decided to keep it an intimate affair. However, Cole hired caterers and staff so that Ms. Nash and everyone else could just enjoy themselves.

  Surprisingly Cole was calm. Sitting in one of the Serenity bedrooms, he relaxed in a chair in his black tux. His hair had been freshly groomed, but he’d let just a little stubble grow out to give him an after five shadow. It had been shaped up just the way Jade liked.

  He watched Doug, who was also serving as his best man, pace the floor giving himself a mental check. “Okay, ring…in right pocket.” He patted his right pocket. “Yes.” Then he tapped his left. “Dinner toast speech, in my left pocket. I’m good.” He turned to Cole. “I don’t know how you can be this calm.”

  Cole grinned. “I think you’re nervous enough for both of us.”

  “I was a nervous wreck on my wedding day.”

  He smirked. “I can only imagine. Jade and I have lost too much time. I’m more than ready to do this. I’m prepared to give her my last name and start our life. I have no questions or doubts about it. So, yeah. I’m calm.” He checked his watch.

  Doug nodded. “I can see that. Well, it’s time. In the next thirty minutes, you’ll be able to get your happily ever after started.”

  *****

>   Jade was in another room on the opposite side of the house with Brenda, Nicole, Millie, Lisa, and Carmen. Brenda, her Matron of Honor, stood in front of the mirror with Jade fussing over her like a mother hen as Mille, Nicole, Lisa, and Carmen watched. Carmen finished her makeup, while Lisa and Millie looked on dreamily.

  Millie sighed. “When I get married I hope I look as beautiful as you Jade.”

  She smiled. “Thank you, Millie.” Jade ran her palms down the mermaid-style dress—sleeveless and beige, with a tulle flare—it hugged all of her curves. It went perfectly with her toffee colored skin. The bodice was sheer and decorated with strategically placed floral appliques that gave it a sexy but still demure look.

  Finally, Brenda gently placed a jeweled crown-like veil on her head. Jade’s long side-swept waves fell softly to one side of her shoulder. The veil complimented her hair perfectly. Lisa spoke too. “Ms. Jade, you’re beautiful.”

  Ms. Nash knocked once and entered the room. She gasped. In a high-pitched, sing-songy voice she spoke. “Jade, you are simply stunning!” Her eyes misted over just a bit. “I’m so happy for you and Cole. Oh yeah. He’s the reason I’m here. He hoped you would carry these for your bouquet.”

  Jade looked at the most incredible arrangement of yellow roses and daisies she’d ever seen. She’d been fine up until this. Daisies. The first flowers she’d ever received, and they came from him. She reached out with shaky hands and took the bouquet. She whispered and fanned her face. “Oh goodness…I don’t want to mess up your makeup job, Carmen.” She turned watery eyes to Ms. Nash. “I wouldn’t want to carry anything else.” Jade plucked just one out of the bunch and tucked it into her hair. It might look slightly out of place to others but not to Cole. He’d get it immediately. “I’ve waited my whole life for this moment. I’m ready.”

  *****

  The community room had been transformed into a whimsical wonderland. Cole and Doug had taken their places underneath another floral arch waiting for Jade to make her appearance. The music began to play, and everyone stood. She appeared as a vision. To say Jade was beautiful was an injustice to the woman who walked towards him.