Jaded Hearts (The Jaded Hearts Club)

by Olivia Linden

  I was meeting my aunt Vivian and Cousin Jackie tomorrow for brunch and would have to give aunt V the biggest hug. This was more than a dream come true because I never imagined anything like this in my life. My phone buzzed with a text message from Drew.

  Drew: Dude! Get my room ready. I’m on my way!

  Blissful sleep rounded out my first night in my new home. It was hard to pull myself out of my comfortable TempurPedic bed, but I had to get dressed, and I wasn’t sure how long it would take to meet my family uptown. I picked out a short-sleeved khaki shirt-dress and nude patented leather peep-toe espadrille wedges. I left my hair curly and pushed it back with a thick headband. I checked my phone for any calls or messages from Evan, but neither he nor my best friend had responded. A brief twinge of sadness flared in my chest. I took a deep breath and tossed my phone in my purse feeling even more grounded in my decision to leave Miami. Then I headed out for my first real day as a New Yorker.

  Taking much less time than I expected to reach my destination, I was early for my lunch date. I waited outside under the awning of Amy Ruth’s and watched the bustle and flow of Harlem on a Sunday taking in the unique mix of Black and Latino residents. There were families coming home from church, children running after the Mister Softee ice cream truck, and mothers pushing their carts to the Laundromat. The sexy guys who 'hugged the corner’ with their thugged out swagger ogled me as I walked by. Dangerous. Those were the kind of guys that you knew would work you out in the bedroom and then work you over with b/s. This was so different from Miami where it seemed that every ethnicity had their own hood and there wasn’t much mixing. I spotted the two people I was waiting on strolling leisurely up the block, turning the heads of the men and women they passed. How could they help it? We were all taller than average with my aunt slightly towering us with her 5’10' slim frame. She was delicately proportioned with small breasts, slight hips and a tight behind that she said she had to work to keep. She had the same soft spiral locks that we all sported. She usually wore hers in a loose up-do. Her mother, my maternal grandmother that I never met, was what was considered Chinese Jamaican, being part black and part Chinese. She was against the idea of my aunt and mother coming here in the first place and never made the trip herself. I kept telling myself that I needed to go to Jamaica to meet the rest of my mix and match family.

  Jackie was the spitting image of her mother, just a couple inches shorter with her smooth cafe-au-lait complexion and her spirals wild and auburn as she chose to keep them. There was no mistaking our kinship even though I had a touch more bronze to my complexion, apparently the only thing I ever received from my father. Both women were equally surprised when they finally recognized me after my dramatic weight-loss.

  “Jade! Oh my goodness! You look amazing… I’m so happy you’re here!” My aunt engulfed me into one of her infamous hugs. It had been too long since I’d had one.

  “My turn! My turn!” That was Jackie. She was always a ball of energy compared to me. She pulled me away from my aunt so that she could hug me, playfully fondling my new frame. That was just like her. Even though I felt like I had always been chubby she always wanted some more body.

  “Look at you! You have to come by the boutique today. I can already envision you in a few outfits. This is freakin' awesome!”

  I loved my cousin. She was the eternal child. Carefree, outgoing and spunky. Everything I was not. I'd always admired her spirit since we were kids. We hadn’t lived together since we were very young. I remembered how I would always cry when it was time for me to return to Florida after a visit.

  We sat down to a brunch of chicken and waffles, salmon croquettes, and smothered pork chops with a side of sweet potatoes and collard greens. Yummy! This was definitely on my list of places to eat and from the looks of the French and Japanese tourists I wasn’t the only one who had that idea.

  “So Jade, what is going on with you and Evan? I don’t see you wearing the ring he gave you?” My aunt sounded relieved. I knew she never really cared for Evan.

  “Yeah well, he seems to think that I’m coming back to Miami. I still have the ring because he wouldn’t take it back. I honestly don’t see us working out unless he moves here and even then not so much.” That was the first time I verbalized that sentiment. Evidently, I was OK with the reality that Evan and I were not going to work out.

  Jackie just shook her head. “Wow, I’m surprised his tight ass didn’t take the ring back the minute you said you were leaving. I guess he’s not the Tin Man after all.” She also hadn’t been a fan.

  “I’m not really thinking about all that. I'm kind of over it. Besides, there are so many fine men walking around this city. Even the thugs look sophisticated.” My thoughts wandered to the group of guys I passed on the corner.

  “Oh honey! New York is a different animal than where you’re coming from. Handsome men here come a dime a dozen. Trust me. You just have to pick a good one.” My aunt scolded.

  “Well, then I look forward to the picking!” Yes, I do!

  After our meal I rode downtown with Jackie to visit the boutique she ran. La Carra was located in Soho and fairly well-known for its glamorous one-of-a kind dresses. As one of my clients, my job was to make sure they were very well-known. After seeing their inventory I knew I was well on my way to getting my closet filled up. Jackie was pulling some dresses from the stock room in the back so I continued to browse the racks of tempting fashions. I dug into my Marc Jacobs tote for my phone so I could text Colleen, and was startled as I abruptly bumped into someone. I looked up to see a pair of deep green eyes blazing at me.

  “Oh, excuse me.” His voice was deep and sultry with a slight Spanish accent.

  Omg!

  He was a God. A tall one with dark spiky hair and biceps to die for. His eyes were almost out of place with his otherwise average looks, but there was something more to him. My whole entire body vibrated with excitement at the sight of him. I gaped at him, frozen in a trance as his hands came towards me. He flashed me a sly grin as he merely nodded his head, and gently moved me to the side and continued his way to the exit. I tingled, again, at the brief contact of his hand on my arm.

  “No, excuse me,” I whispered breathlessly as I watched as his fine fine ass walked out the shop.

  4 Intoxication

  My next two weeks in New York were a whirlwind. Jackie made sure to show me every angle of the city. We shopped in the funky boutique shops of the Village, and the upscale shops of 5th Ave. Any restaurant that was trendy, whether it was in Harlem or Soho, was visited. I couldn’t believe the diversity. How she managed to run the boutique and know where every hotspot in town was located was beyond me. She also packed in all the traditional tourist spots so that I could become an ‘Official New Yorker’. Tonight would be my first night club experience since she was hosting a party for the owner of the boutique. I couldn’t wait.

  My buzzer rang at exactly 10:00 that night. Jackie had to be there early to set up, so she said a car would pick me up. I slipped on my strappy Jimmy Choo heels and checked myself in the full-length closet mirror. I couldn’t help but beam at my reflection. The black and silver sequined sleeveless dress that Jackie picked out from the boutique fit me perfectly. My thick hair hung flatiron straight around my shoulders with a deep side part, and my makeup was flawless. I put another coat of baby pink lip-gloss on and dropped the tube into my new leather wristlet.

  The ride to Club Echo was about twenty minutes with the light after-hour traffic. My excitement was laced with a swirl of butterflies in my stomach. It seemed like it took longer for the car to pull up to the front of the huge club than it took to get here. I spotted Jackie instantly with her dazzling red Marilyn Monroe inspired dress, and her wild auburn curls blowing in the slight wind. My driver opened the door and I gracefully exited the town car.

  “Jade!” Jackie cried out as if she hadn’t seen me in years.

  “Hey Jacks!” I managed to reply as she pulled me into her all consuming hug.

>   “Honey, you look stunning! These men can’t take their eyes off of you. Come; let me introduce you to the owners!”

  She pulled me into the club and I noticed the appreciative glances and smiles I received as we passed the other patrons. I could hear the thump of the sound system from inside the town car, and I could feel it as we went inside. The upbeat Tonight I’m Lovin' You made me shake my hips as we moved through the crowd. We approached a table in the VIP section with an older very attractive woman, who looked to be of Latino decent with dark hair that fell in voluminous layers around her round olive toned face. Her eyes were large and the color of jade pools. She was engaged in an animated conversation with the two men who shared the table with her.

  One of the men looked up at us as we approached the table. I stopped dancing when I instantly recognized my hunky Spanish daydream from the boutique. He was smiling in recognition at Jackie, and rose to greet us. His expression flipped to quizzical as he eyed me curiously. My insides froze. He was by far the sexiest man I had ever seen in person. Seriously sexy. His deep green eyes where accented by his pan arched eyebrows and long lashes. And his mouth…. Kissable, full, luscious lips parted to expose a broad dazzling smile. His slender 6ft frame was draped in designer threads. Black long-sleeved button down shirt rolled up to the elbows covered a broad defined chest. Perfectly fitted designer denim jeans housed his crafted butt and thighs, and black Gucci loafers on his feet.

  Jackie gave him a quick hug and turned for introductions. “Jade, this is Julian, Ana, and Edward Garza.”

  Julian stepped forward to take my extended hand. The heat from his touch instantly melted my frozen insides. I noticed the expression of shock that threatened to overcome his cool composure when our hands touched.

  “Jade,” he said in a deep husky tone as he pulled my hand to his lips for a kiss which caused my mouth to go moist at the contact, as well as another area. I was very conscious of the surge that was happening below my navel.

  “It’s a pleasure, to finally meet you formally.” He said.

  He remembered me too!

  His emphasis on the word pleasure made so many parts of me tremble involuntarily that I lost count. I tried to snatch my hand from his grip thinking for sure that he would be able to feel my internal mechanical failure.

  What was wrong with me?

  I managed to remember my manners and turned to introduce myself to the remaining party. Ana Garza had a knowing look on her face as I finally broke my attention away from her son. She grabbed my hand away from his, releasing me from his unrelenting grip and pulled me into a double kiss hug.

  “It's so good to finally meet you Jade. Your cousin has been talking of nothing but you for weeks now. I’m so glad she will finally get the help she needs to promote the boutique.” Her warm, slightly accented tone put me at ease. I smiled at her welcome.

  “Thank you Ms. Garza. I look forward to helping expand La Carra’s client base.” I was proud of how professional my tone was. Who would guess that I was a complete novice to the PR industry?

  “This is my younger brother Edward. La Carra has been his baby and you will be working mostly with him.” She introduced Edward who rose with a sly grin. He was only slightly older than Julian and the resemblance was striking. The only difference was that Edward's features where less pronounced and his hair was lighter. He and Ana looked just alike so Julian must have inherited those dark characteristics from his father.

  “Good to meet you Jade. It looks like all you need to do is wear our clothes and we should be in business. That dress was made for you!” His compliment made me blush and my gaze involuntarily landed on Julian for his reaction. He was openly admiring my dress or body with a flirtatious twinkle in his eyes. I felt naked.

  Jackie furthered my embarrassment by twirling me around to show off my dress from all angles.

  “I know!” She exclaimed as she showed my off like a prize from the Price is Right.

  “I told Jade that she was a perfect model for our dress line. I knew she was meant to wear this dress tonight.” She raved on.

  The three Garzas nodded in agreement. I hid my total embarrassment by playing up my momentary role as fashion model.

  “It’s the dress really. It’s an incredible design.” I gushed.

  A waitress came to take our drink order. Just in time. I was running out of lines. We all sat down as champagne andGrey Goose La Poire was ordered for the table. I was relieved when Ana directed the attention to Jackie to discuss the turnout of the event. Even though I was only too aware of Julian’s constant scrutiny of me I dared to look in his direction.

  His eyes were hot and fixed on my face. I flashed a brief smile, trying to lighten the tension I felt, but he merely raised a thick brow at me. I looked away and averted my attention to the dance floor as I suddenly longed to disappear into the throng of party goers. The DJ was playing a great mix.

  When the drinks arrived Jackie poured me a Goose and cran as the server popped the champagne open. Julian handed everyone a glass of the bubbly pink liquid.

  “To new beginnings.” He toasted the table never taking his green eyes off me.

  I welcomed the buzz of my first drink as it loosened me up, and decided that rosé was my new drink. Julian finally excused himself from the table and went to socialize with another group in the VIP section. I noticed a tall blonde possessively wrap her arms around him.

  Thank God!

  I was relieved to finally be rid of the silent Spanish Inquisition. I don’t think I have ever been more uncomfortable in my life.

  Ana turned her attention to me as Jackie and Edward discussed the boutique.

  “So, Jade. Tell me about yourself. Where you born in Miami? I lived there with Julian’s father until he was 15. Then we moved here to New York.” I instantly felt at ease with her and began to tell her my story.

  “Well, I was born here in Brooklyn, where my mother and aunt lived together after moving here from Jamaica. My mother was devastated when she found out that my father was already married and had a family in Jamaica. She traveled back and forth, I guess in hopes of winning him over but it didn’t work so she dropped me and my younger brother Andrew off with my paternal grandmother in Miami and moved back to Jamaica to be closer to my father. My grandmother took on my father’s responsibility and raised us until she passed away when I was 17. I worked two jobs to take care of my brother while I went to the University of Miami.”

  I’ve told that story so many times I had washed out any tone of emotion. She looked at me with sympathetic eyes.

  “Oh my. You’re a tough young woman my dear. We are lucky to have you on our team.” She didn’t ask any further questions and I was relieved. Most people wanted the whole run down like it was going to change something. There was nothing worse than reliving the worst thing that ever happened to me. Even the passing of my grandma paled in comparison of being dumped by my own mother. I gulped down my second glass of champagne.

  After another hour or so Ms. Garza excused herself for home.

  “I’m going to leave the partying to you young folks.” She smiled and hugged us all as she left. Edward took the opportunity to go mingle. I was able to finally talk to Jackie for the first time.

  “So, what's the deal with Edward? He couldn’t ask you enough questions.” I teased.

  She arched are brows in response.

  “Oh no honey, do not try to shoot arrows over here. You and Jules had the whole temperature of the club rising by the minute! WTF!”

  She fanned herself in mock heat exhaustion. I felt my blush rise again, but shook my head in discouragement.

  “I don’t know what that was about, but I think he is ridiculous. Who just stares and stares at someone like that?”

  I hoped she believed my denial. She narrowed her eyes in disbelief. Damn!

  “Ridiculous huh? I guess that’s why you kept undressing him with your eyeballs! Was that some sort of payback?” James Brown dancing around popped in my head and
I laughed. “Whatever Jackie. You could have warned me about Mister Soul-Snatching Eyes before I got here!” I snapped. She just shrugged her shoulders.

  “There was nothing to tell, really. I’ve never seen Julian so, so engrossed with a woman before.” I absorbed her response as I shot back,

  “Well, what? Is it usually men??”

  We both laughed at that. Jackie was so tickled by it she threw her head back.

  “Oh Jade! I’m so glad you’re here.” She squealed.

  My eyes crinkled at her openness. “Me too! Now let’s dance!”

  I was three drinks in by the time we headed to the dance floor. Pit Bull commanded us to drop it to the floor and I moved to the beat enthusiastically happy to finally let loose. My hips swayed back and forth to the music and I dropped it low as the song suggested. Jackie smiled at me with what looked like pride as she did her thing.

  This was my favorite part of clubbing. I could dance all night. I was approached by a few guys but turned them all down, until I spotted a real cutie smiling at me as he watched me make my moves. I slowly made my way towards him and he came to me instantly grabbing my hands to guide me. He smelled good, and man could he move!

  Rihanna’s Only Girl In The World prompted my inner seductress to let loose. I guess my partner stepped away to watch me because I didn’t feel him behind me anymore. Then he moved in again gripping me by my waist. His movements matching mine.

  Damn, he smells incredible!