I propped up on my elbow and took notice of his Xbox. “Hey, what games do you have for this thing?”
“You wanna play?” He teased.
“Yeah, can we? What you got?”
“You like Mortal Kombat?”
“You’re kidding right? I love that game. Played a lot when I was younger. I’m gonna take a shower and when I get back, I’m gonna kick your ass.” I joked.
“Don’t mind if I join you in that shower, do you?” He raised a seductive brow at me.
“Nope. Not at all.” I smirked.
After our shower and extra-curricular bathroom activities, I changed into one of my vests and pajama pants and wrapped my hair into a bun. He also put on his pajama pants, his hair remaining in its usual tussled manner.
He returned from his studio with a six pack of Coors Light beer and a few snacks – I’m guessing from the mini fridge. He powered on his game console. While we were waiting for the game to load, we both opened our beer cans and took a swig of it. When the game was done loading, we picked our players and fought against each other. He was damn near impossible to beat, but I remembered the combos and gave him a good run for his money.
We played round after round, even made it to a second six pack of beer, just laughing and having fun until our eyes and fingers burned.
“Okay, okay. You’re good, Reese.”
“Good, ‘cause I’m tired of kicking your ass.”
“Whatever.” He teased and pushed me down on the bed playfully, pinning down my outstretched arms over my head, his eyes holding my gaze. Then he attacked me, nuzzling my neck playfully, growling and giggling. I couldn’t help myself, I burst out into laughter, trying helplessly to get away from his hold. I playfully bit on his cheek, then his lower lip, and soon we were in a steamy make-out session.
We lay on the bed; my head on his chest and his arms around my body. “I had a really good time tonight.” I yawned.
“Me too, after I broke up with Lena, I thought I’d have to go to the party alone.”
“Awww.” I looked up at him. “I’m here for you now.” I then nestled my head back onto his chest and began running my finger on his stomach and noticed his pores raising. “Tell me about you?” I whispered
“I already told you everything.”
“Everything now, but what about your family. Don’t you have any?”
“A gay cousin named Kai. His parents died a few years ago, that’s about it.”
“And your parents?”
“What about you?” He interrupted.
“Why do you always redirect the questions back at me? I want to know about you, Jake?”
“Babe,” He sighed. “Sorry, you’re right. You should know about me. I have a mom, she is living her life, strong woman. Did what she could for us. Couldn’t send me to college so I worked my way to get through it.”
“That’s amazing, you know?” He kissed me on my forehead.
“I know.” He whispered.
“And your dad?”
“A waste of time.” His voice suddenly cold and clipped.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I know the feeling.”
I closed my eyes, “Good night.” I yawned again. I decided not to press any further about his family. He clearly had some unresolved issues.
“Good night.” He replied, his eyes wide, peering at the ceiling with one arm behind his head as he brushed my hair with the other. He was in deep thought, envisioning his past as my questions resonated in his mind.
A young blue eyed preteen boy, filled with innocence looked at his mother’s teary eyes. They were in the living room of their home. His mother held onto her head fighting the tears away. Their home was huge, filled with nice expensive looking furniture, yet, she looked broken.
She was beautiful; porcelain skin, jet-black hair, and bright grey eyes. Her features were so flawless, yet her demeanour was emotionally flawed; the look of a woman scorned. She also had a couple blue-black marks on her arms.
“Mom, why do you let him do this to you?” The young boy asked, his eyes welled up, filled with utter concern, kneeling down before her.
“Jacob, without him, we have nothing – no money, no college fund. You’re only eleven, you need your future.” She whispered, her voice cracking with sadness.
“You don’t deserve this, no one deserves to be treated this way.” He wrapped his frail arms around his mother’s neck. “Forget money, we don’t need him!”
“Look at me,” His mother held onto his face, “It’s only for a little while. I promise, but you need your education.”
“But mom…”
“Promise me, Jacob, promise me you would do better for yourself.”
“I promise.”
“And never treat any woman this way, ever. Treat your woman with respect and love. Don’t be like him.”
“I would never. I would never lay a hand on any woman, nor would I cheat. I wouldn’t allow any woman to do it to me, either.”
“Good. Educate yourself, be successful and become a great man.” She kissed him on his forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Jake?” I whispered bringing him out of the memories of his past. He looked down at me. “You okay?” He smiled sweetly at me, nodded his head and kissed my forehead.
“Never better, Reese. Let’s get some sleep.” He breathed. I smiled and we both closed our eyes and fell asleep with his arms around me.
I woke up next morning and Jake was gone. I brushed my teeth and washed my face and paused when I looked up in the mirror. I stared at my reflection and smiled, looking so genuinely happy. How was I awarded something so amazing, yet feel so conflicted and guilty. I observed my now solemn face, just thinking to myself about my life, accomplishments, friendships and relationships. I have a genuine, successful, gorgeous man in my grasp but my best friend haunts my mind. I wanted these feelings to go away, I needed them to go away. They were useless and messing up a good thing.
I walked down the stairs and slowed upon hearing voices; a woman’s voice and Jake’s. I paused at the foot of the staircase and tried to listen in, but I couldn’t make out the voice.
I entered the kitchen and saw a beautiful woman with glossy black hair down to her back sitting at the breakfast bar with crossed legs and a cup of coffee in her hands. She had on a long olive green flared skirt and a beige vest. She looked older than Jake; bright, grey eyes; straight nose and small lips. Wow, she looked a lot like him, is she his sister? Wait! He is an only child. Holy shit, his mother. She looked up at me and I froze.
“Good morning.” I croaked, feeling a twinge of nervousness.
“Morning.” She flashed perfectly straight teeth at me and placed her cup on the saucer in front of her. Jake watched me from behind the breakfast bar and raised his brows in an apologetic manner.
“Mom, this is Reese, my girlfriend I was telling you about.” She looked at me approvingly. Phew, well that’s a good sign. I fumbled a bit and then made my way up to her and shook her hand.
“Nice to meet you Mrs. Cavanaugh.”
“Oh. I haven’t been called that in a while.” She laughed amiably. She had dimples as deep as mine. “Call me Charlotte.” She turned to Jake. “So this is the student that got your heart, huh?” My eyes almost popped out of my head. He told her I was his student. Oh my goodness! “Very pretty.” She turned to me. Okay, I guess not all mothers in law are demons from hell – thank God.
“She’s one of the best students in my class.” Jake intervened, his thumb finger pressed against his bottom lip. “She and her best friend are the overall best.” He watched me with a faint smile.
“Well, at least you didn’t put up with Lena’s nonsense. She was very crass. Jake, I have something to tell you, I don’t know if it would be okay to tell you in front of Reese.”
“Uh, it’s okay, I’ll give you two some privacy.” I got up from my stool.
“Reese, it’s fine.” Jake replied. I paused and he gave me a reas
suring nod and I sat back down.
“I ran into Jai yesterday.” His mother continued. Jake’s face turned, he looked mortified, his breathing increased and instantly the air felt very hostile. He clenched his jaw and licked his lips and paused in thought.
“What’d he want?”
“He wanted to know how you were doing.”
“You didn’t tell him, did you?” He asked hopefully.
“No, of course not. He doesn’t need to know a damn thing.” His mother responded and took a swig of her coffee. I suddenly felt so clueless and uncomfortable. I just pursed my lips and bent my head.
“Jai is his father.” Charlotte informed me and I shot up and looked at Jake. His face so resentful at the mention.
“Correction, sperm donor.” He interrupted.
Charlotte supressed a grin. “Jake, behave. He wants to see you.”
He hawked, “See me? Please. I don’t even understand how you could stand to look at him after all he has done to you. Left us with nothing.”
“I forgave him a long time ago son, you should too.” His mother replied. What the heck was happening here? Just last night I was begging for him to open up to me and now I am front row to all of this bloody Intel. Agh! His mother was so relaxed and graceful with her movements. “Are you okay, honey?” She turned to me.
“Uh, I am fine.” I looked up at Jake and he gave me another reassuring nod.
“You want some coffee?” His mother asked getting up from her stool.
“Mom, it’s fine.” Jake interposed.
“Nonsense, Jake. You two sit, I’ll make breakfast. In fact, we’ll have breakfast out back.” His mother’s face lit up. Wow, she was really nice. Now I understand why he is the man he is.
Jake and I walked out through the back door onto the deck. I’ve never been to the back before, always inside. The deck was huge and made of a dark wood – not sure of the kind – but it was strong and rich looking. In the middle of the deck stood a small wooden dining table.
A blue and white sectional along with the Entertainment centre were located near the stairs to the yard. A kitchenette with a mini bar and a barbecue pit were to the other side of the deck.
The back yard was cordoned off by large palms and landscaped with a well-kept lawn. The pear-shaped pool, surrounded by stone-patterned tiles, sat in the middle of the backyard. Its blue waters glistening from the rays of the sun, and about six blue and white lawn chairs were lined perfectly to its side.
“Wow. How come you never brought me out here?” I asked as we walked down the stairs, toward the pool.
“I don’t know, I’ve been so busy with the indie film, you and other things.” He smirked.
“So, about what happened in there?” I pointed my head towards the house.
“Yes, you have now been given a glimpse into my past. My mother came by unannounced, it won’t happen again.”
“Hey, no. I don’t mind. She is very sweet.”
“Lena didn’t like her, much.”
“Lena is a bitch.” I deadpanned. “And Jai?”
“He beat and cheated on my mother endlessly,” I gasped. Oh my God! His dad used to abuse his mum! That’s horrible! “I grew up watching her cry for years. I begged her to leave him but she was afraid. Without him, she wouldn’t have been able to send me to college, which in turn happened.”
“So she left?”
“No, he did. He just never came back one day. Left us, just like that! Thank God he did because I would have eventually killed him.” Wow! He sounded dead serious. But I don’t blame him. I’d have felt the same way. I feel shitty for wanting to know this.
“What the fuck.” I whispered. “I can’t believe he abused your mum? That’s so messed up. I’m sorry you had such a rough childhood.”
“Don’t be. It’s not your fault.”
“No, I’m sorry for prying. Now I understand your reluctance to tell me. I really am sorry.”
“It’s okay, Reese. Really, it is. It made me to be a better man.”
“Wow. Was he always like that?”
“Drugs. Some chick got him heavy in it and it made him crazy. I think that’s the reason my mom stayed. She knew who he was and hoped he would be that person again.”
“Jesus, I don’t even know what to say. You really are upstanding.” I smiled.
“She taught me to be that way.”
“That’s sweet.” I chewed on my lip. “Your mum’s really nice.” I smiled.
We went back to the deck when his mother was finished with breakfast. Jake helped her set the table and we all sat down to eat.
While I munched on the blueberry muffins Charlotte made, she told me cute stories about Jake when he was younger, then the not so cute details. I finally knew about his life growing up; his accomplishments, struggles, downfalls, how he got through college. Everything. He seemed a bit uneasy when she talked about his end-of-high-school and college years, maybe because of the fact he was with Kin during those times. His mother never mentioned Kin much either. We ate French toast, baked beans and waffles with sliced fruit, and after that I was extremely satisfied.
I helped his mother clear the table and was about to wash up the dishes when she stopped me. “It’s okay, Reese. Go on with Jake, I’ve got this. It’s been a while since I have taken care of anyone but myself.”
“You sure?”
“Yep.” She flashed her all-white teeth at me. “Don’t worry.”
“Thank you.” I smiled. “Breakfast was really good.”
“No worries.” She nodded politely and turned to the sink.
I walked up the stairs and into Jake’s bedroom. He was laying on the bed with his head hanging off the edge. “Hey.” I whispered.
“Hey.” He mouthed.
“Well that was interesting.” I crossed my arms and walked up to him. I knelt down and held onto his upturned face and kissed him. He then rolled over and was now lying right side up, staring straight at me. A thousand emotions flickered across his face in a second – I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. “You ok?” I brushed my thumb gently on his cheek and he grabbed onto my hand, closing his eyes as if relishing in my touch. He then reopened them and with a faint smile replied, “I just had a wonderful breakfast with the two most amazing women in my life, what do you think?”
His phone began to ring and he watched the phone quizzically. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“It’s your boyfriend.” He teased and showed me the incoming call from Heath. With that, he answered the phone. “Andrews? Yeah, we’re shooting our first scene at one. Yep at the school. Awesome. Later.”
“We’re shooting this afternoon? Holy shit, I totally forgot it’s Sunday!” I bugged out.
“Relax, Reese. You’ll be fine.”
After lunch, Jake and I made our way to the school in his panel van that he transported his equipment around in. When we arrived, Heath and other students participating in the film were there, along with the student crew members for the film.
The movie was called Genesis and was about a young, popular boy, Chase, in a small town where a serial killer was rampant. Chase got every girl he wanted except Genesis. She was not like everyone else, rather peculiar, she entranced him and he befriended her. She was into drugs and partying and that’s when he began to realise who she was. She was the serial killer, only at the same time she wasn’t – she had a split personality and he was caught between his uncanny love for her and reporting her to the authorities.
I thought the film sounded really cool, very twisted, I had to be a part of it and naturally I played the part of Genesis, and Heath was Chase. We were going to shoot as much scenes as we could that took place at the school at this time of day before we moved on to our next location.
The crew member in charge of wardrobe had his trailer with all of our clothing and everyone got into their appropriate wear for the scene.
Jake was directing, producing and co-editing the film so he had a lot on his plate. He also was going
to play a teacher in the film – of course.
When Heath and I were ready, we ran a quick rehearsal and then on to the actual shot. We walked up to the scene location and Jake came up to us. I could see hate in Heath’s eyes. Why was he so repulsed by Jake, besides the fact that he is our teacher, it’s not like I’m a minor. I am an adult and this shouldn’t be such a big deal.
Jake gave us his directions and when he walked away, Heath just stared blankly at him. Contempt scorching in his eyes. “Heath.” I whispered through gritted teeth. “What’s wrong with you?” He turned to me with his jaw clenched. “Nothing Reese.” He replied coldly.
“Action.” I heard Jake’s First A.D. call out, and within an instant the loathing in Heath’s eyes and the plight in mine disappeared. We masked our true identities so well and now I was a weird Goth girl that had dark secrets and Heath was the young, hot popular boy that was going to fall for me. Oh how I wished that ending really did happen, then I wouldn’t be in this fucked up situation right now. Fighting with myself if to let Jake in or hold out for Heath. I sound like a stupid high school girl yet I was a sophomore in College.
I gave my best, take after take, until Jake was fully satisfied with our first scene. We took a quick break and moved on and completed a few other shots at the school before we called it a day.
The crew members began packing everything and I noticed Heath walking away toward Tang. I followed him but he just stopped at the side of the building and pulled out a cigarette and a lighter. “Heath?” I asked utterly shocked.
“Reese.” He spun around with a quickness. “God, you scared me.”
“When did you start that back?” I asked pointing to his lit cigarette.
“Tough times, Pieces.” His eyebrows furrowed as he puffed out smoke and leaned against the wall.
“What could be so tough in your life, Heath?”
“A lot of things.” He trailed off into thought. I stood there watching him as he stared into oblivion, wishing I could just hold him and be his comfort, not as a friend. He was obviously hurting and I didn’t even know why because I was so busy with Jake. He seemed pretty fine yesterday when we went out, in fact it was the happiest I’ve ever seen him in a while.
In The Spur of Heath (The Spur Series Book 1) Page 9