The Wrong Perfect Match (Fullilove in the House Book 1)

by Sidney Bristol

  Jayden shook his head. “That’s what I should be worrying about. I don’t know where he is. I wish I did, but I don’t.”

  Should he take a page out of Brandi’s book and focus on his family? Or was that one path in life forever shut to him?

  Day 5: Thursday

  Jayden reread the email for the fifth time. He’d found typos and grammatical errors on passes one through four.

  What was wrong with him?

  His mind kept sliding sideways, away from the task at hand. He found himself reaching for his phone even when he thought he’d finally tuned into what he was doing. At every turn he was looking for Brandi, but she wasn’t looking for him. The eight hours workday felt like it was an eternity.

  If he could just send this one damn email, maybe he’d be done early.

  Maddox came into view, carrying a thick file folder.

  “Bro, come here for a sec?” Jayden called out.

  Maddox’s head snapped up and he blinked at Jayden as if he didn’t understand why he was there.

  He swallowed down his frustrated words as Maddox entered Jayden’s office.

  “What’s up?” He tilted his head to the side and his shoulders sagged. “Something wrong? What’d I do now?”

  “Nothing. You haven’t done anything wrong.” Which was a minor miracle. Jayden turned his monitor to face his brother. “Read this for me?”

  “Okay.” Maddox edged closer to the desk and his eyes tracked back and forth. “Looks good to me.”

  “No typos? Is it clear?”

  “I’d say so.” Maddox chuckled, but the sound died a swift death under Jayden’s stare. Maddox cleared his throat. “It’s good. Send it.”

  Jayden briefly considered looking at the email again, but he was sick of second-guessing himself. Maddox might not be the most detail-oriented person, but he was good when it came to grammar. If he said the email was fine, it would do Jayden’s mind good to trust him.

  He turned the monitor back and hit send without another glance.

  Maddox set the file on Jayden’s desk. At some point Maddox had doodled a detailed bird on the cover. With a little color and Maddox’s shading, it would look alive enough to jump off the paper at Jayden. Maddox was a truly gifted artist, but he lacked the drive to do anything with it.

  “What’s up, man?” he asked.

  “I’m waiting for a call.” Jayden didn’t want to get into the Brandi situation. Not now or here.

  “Oh. Well, hope it comes soon.”

  “Yeah,” Jayden muttered, suddenly feeling like an ass. His stomach growled, reminding him he hadn’t eaten half his lunch. “Hey, what’s Mom making for dinner tonight?”

  Maddox squinted at nothing. “Ah, I think tonight is a Sheppard’s Pie night?”

  “I might have to stop by for dinner then.”

  “Nice. I think Sawyer’s bringing the baby by. Mom’s going to watch him for a few days because something’s going on with their daycare or whatever.”

  Jayden nodded.

  Sawyer was Maddox’s younger brother and the other biological child of the Fullilove’s. At eighteen and just after graduation, Sawyer had sat his parents down, informed them he was gay and in a happy relationship with his best friend Jose. He’d moved out that night, not because Mom and Dad kicked him out. They’d argued for Sawyer to stay. In the end, Sawyer’s reason had won out. He’d laid out the facts that his sexual orientation and living at home could impact how many kids his parents got to help. And that wasn’t something Sawyer wanted to do, because he’d grown up seeing the impact his parents had on other people’s lives.

  It had taken a while for it to all sink in. Sawyer seemed like a typical guy. None of them had seen it coming. It wasn’t until later, just before the wedding, that Sawyer had explained it all. How he’d fallen for Jose early on in high school. How the two had talked through their feelings and living situations. Ultimately, they’d decided the best thing was to keep it quiet.

  Jayden had mad respect for Sawyer. It was a shame there was just enough of an age gap that they’d never really bonded or been particularly close before Sawyer moved out.

  Out of all of them, Sawyer had the fairy tale life.

  After taking a year off after high school, he’d gone to college on a scholarship.

  He’d married his high school sweet heart.

  They’d built a life together and now had a little baby boy all their own.

  It was a beautiful story.

  “So, you coming home tonight?” Maddox asked, bringing Jayden back to the moment.

  “Yeah.” He powered down the computer.

  Maddox blinked, then smiled.

  Jayden mentally kicked himself.

  Maddox was like a puppy sometimes, and Jayden could do with being a better brother. It wasn’t like Maddox had a mean or malicious bone in his body. He was goofy, fun-loving, and incredibly compassionate.

  Jayden paused in packing up his desk to wonder at himself and these thoughts. It sounded like Brandi had crawled inside his head and made him see his brother. Really see him.

  A few days ago Jayden had wondered how long until he had to fire Maddox, because all Jayden paid attention to were Maddox’s failures. How many clients did he connect with? How many did he transform from clients of convenience into loyal customers?

  Jayden blew out a breath and headed to his car, ignoring the odd looks from the others as he ducked out a few minutes early.

  He needed to think. He needed space.

  Brandi was the only thing on his mind. From the moment he’d left her place until now, she was it.

  What was wrong with him?

  He’d been so certain Nicole was The One. If he’d been right, why did his feelings develop so fast and strong for Brandi?

  The only logical conclusion was that Nicole wasn’t it for him. He’d been wrong.

  Yes, things were bound to be a little messy and complicated until it was all sorted. He hadn’t spoken to Nicole and he had no clue what Brandi was telling her.

  No matter what happened, he needed to make amends with Nicole. Even if Brandi truly shut him out. Jayden hadn’t been fair to Nicole. He’d cast her in a role that she didn’t fit. And he’d hurt her. That wasn’t the kind of person Jayden wanted to be.

  He pulled up at the familiar Fullilove house with its red brick and vast porches. The old trees had been recently pruned back. Several cars were out front, a sign that he wasn’t the only brother coming home for dinner.

  Jayden scanned the cars, but didn’t see Asher’s.

  Where was he?

  What was he up to?

  Why was there radio silence?

  He got out and plodded to the front door. Inside, he heard laughter and the squeal of one of the younger occupants.

  Jayden paused, closed his eyes and breathed in the familiar scent of freshly cut grass, someone’s grill, the flowers from the bed out front he’d helped plant what felt like ages ago.

  This was home.

  The front door burst open. He stepped back, barely avoiding a collision with two boys around ten years old. He shook his head and laughed as they raced out of sight.

  Jayden stepped inside.

  “Jayden!” Several people called out.

  He smiled, and some of the tension he’d felt from the last twenty-four hours slipped away.

  “Sawyer. Jose. And is this Nathan?” Jayden mock gasped and approached the sofa where the happy couple sat with Mom and baby Nathan.

  Jayden went to a knee at his mother’s side and peered down at the little baby.

  Nathan waved a hand at him and grinned.

  “My baby.” Mom reached out and put her hand on Jayden’s shoulder.

  “Hi, Mom.” Jayden leaned in and kissed her cheek.

  “How are you?”

  Jayden shrugged and perched on the coffee table. “Okay.”

  Mom tilted her head to the side.

  She knew something was up, but she didn’t press. She never did, preferring to
let them come to her in their own time.

  “Here. Take him. I need to go start dinner.” Mom held baby Nathan out to Jayden.

  He glanced at Sawyer, who was half asleep on the sofa while his husband, Jose, frowned at his phone. Neither made a move to take the baby back, so Jayden cradled the child in his arms.

  “It feels like he came home just yesterday,” Jayden muttered.

  Sawyer chuckled. “Says the man who hasn’t had to do midnight feedings.”

  “He gets that from you,” Mom called out as she crossed into the kitchen.

  Jose snorted.

  Sawyer’s smile widened and he glanced at the baby.

  It was impossible to say which of the men had fathered the infant, and that was just the way they wanted it. Nathan would grow up loved and cherished no matter what. Genetics and orientation didn’t matter. Not when you were a Fullilove.

  “Can I ask you two an invasive question?” Jayden said as he stared at Nathan staring at him.

  “You want to come out of the closet?” Sawyer asked.

  Jose smacked his husband’s shoulder, but didn’t say anything. He did put his phone down and look at Jayden.

  “How did you two know you should get married? I mean, how did you know you were the right fit?” He frowned and wished he could explain himself better.

  Sawyer laughed and leaned his head against Jose’s shoulder.

  Jose rolled his eyes and lifted an arm to drape an arm around his husband.

  “We didn’t,” he said simply.

  Sawyer nodded. “I think we were more stubborn than anything else.”

  “My parents told us it was a sin, that we’d never be happy.” Jose shrugged and glanced at Sawyer. The stern mask cracked a bit and Jose seemed to soften. “I stubbornly wanted to prove them wrong. And I was equally afraid of screwing up the only good thing in my life.”

  Sawyer narrowed his gaze. “Stop that. Don’t say that.”

  A silent exchange passed between the two. Jayden glanced down at the now sleeping baby. Whatever was going on, it felt too intimate for him to be part of.

  How was he supposed to know if he should follow his gut? Or if he was wrong? What was the right thing to do?

  “You’re seeing someone?” Sawyer asked.

  Jayden glanced up to find both men looking at him now. “Not exactly. It’s complicated.”

  “No one is ever going to tell you when you’re on the right path.” Jose fixed his gaze on Jayden. “You have to decide for yourself what’s right.”

  He nodded and leaned back.

  “Either of you heard from Asher?” he asked, pitching his voice for their ears alone.

  Sawyer glanced over Jayden’s shoulder toward the kitchen.

  Jose shook his head slowly.

  Damn it.

  Someone was going to have to find Asher, and soon. This much silence wasn’t a good thing.

  Maddox showed up not long after. Luca rolled in shortly before Mom announced dinner with a warning that Axl would be there soon.

  Jayden didn’t talk much. He mostly sat back and listened, soaking up his family. But the whole time Brandi was in the back of his mind.

  Dinner was served and he was briefly able to focus on something that wasn’t connected to Brandi.

  Of course, that was the exact moment his phone vibrated.

  Jayden excused himself from the table and escaped to the bathroom. If anyone pulled a phone out at the table, they had to read whatever it was to everyone. Family law.

  He pulled the phone out, holding his breath. For a second he stared at the preview text and the name.

  Brandi.

  Can we talk?

  Just three words, but they were the key to opening a door.

  He hesitated, then replied.

  Sure. Grabbing dinner then I’ll swing by.

  Jayden pocketed his phone and left the bathroom. Most of the family was still at the table, but Mom was already back in the kitchen tidying up.

  He slipped into the kitchen. Mom spun, humming a tune, and held her hands up. Jayden chuckled and took her hands, swinging her in a circle to a song only she could hear. She grinned at him and spun away, grabbing something off the counter and opening the refrigerator as if this were a dance they’d practiced.

  She did everything with so much joy.

  How many unseen wounds had she healed over the years through simple acts of kindness and love?

  “Would it be okay if I packed up my plate and a little extra?” he asked.

  Mom paused and waved a hand. “You already know the answer.”

  “I know, but I’m never going to just assume.”

  “You’re sweet like that, mijo.” Mom rose up on tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek, then whispered, “Have you spoken to your brother? Asher?”

  Jayden shook his head.

  Mom sighed and glanced at the dining table. For a moment the joy dimmed and he glimpsed the worry she hid from everyone. The concern she felt for all the children that passed through this house. They might not be blood or adopted, by they would always be hers in spirit. He had no doubt she remembered each one by name.

  Asher, what are you doing?

  Mom helped him pack up his plate. Maddox watched, frowning, but didn’t bring any more attention to his departure, for which Jayden was grateful.

  His mind was a jumble as he made the drive from his parent’s home to Brandi’s place.

  She hadn’t texted or called.

  What would he have to do or say to make her see the potential? Could he do anything?

  By the time he pulled into her drive, he had no answers.

  The garage was shut and her truck was there.

  He gathered the food and headed for the back door.

  The overhead light flipped on and the door opened, revealing a figure mostly in shadow.

  He stopped and for a moment they just stood there.

  “Come in, or don’t,” Brandi finally said.

  Jayden stepped over the threshold.

  One of the small shelves from the garage now sat in front of the sofa as a sort of coffee table. It held a drink and a bag of what looked like popcorn.

  “Have you eaten?” he asked.

  “Not yet.”

  “Would you care for some of my mother’s Sheppard’s Pie? It’s amazing. I am biased though.” He held the bag up.

  Brandi stared at the bag for several long moments. She seemed puzzled or startled that he’d brought her food.

  “Brandi... Today wasn’t an easy day. I’ve wanted to talk to you a dozen times, but I keep stopping myself.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “I’m a bull in a China shop.”

  She snorted and crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s an apt description.”

  She wasn’t giving him anything. No indication of what she was thinking or what he should even do.

  If this was his last chance to see her, he had a few things he wanted to say.

  Jayden licked his lips and pushed forward. “Look, I’ve heard and understand your concerns about me. I’ve probably proven them true, though I wish that weren’t the case. But the facts are that you are all I think about. And when I think about you sometimes I wince, because you called me on my screw ups. Sometimes I smile, because... Because you’re you. You’re stubborn and passionate and creative and determined and so many things. But most of all, I simply like being around you and I don’t want it to end. I want to see what we can have. Together.”

  Because Jayden was fairly certain he could fall in love with her.

  BRANDI STARED AT JAYDEN. So many emotions swirled in her chest. They’d gotten complex and more tangled the longer they were apart. And now he went and said all of that? What the hell? How was she supposed to resist a guy who led with thinking her stubbornness was endearing as opposed to appreciating the size of her boobs?

  “Will you say something?” he begged.

  “I’m rather impressed you strung together that many compl
iments and never once fell back on physical appearance.”

  He squinted at her. “That’s what you go with?”

  Brandi winced and shrugged. “You asked me to say something. I went with the first thing in my head. It’s actually a compliment.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yeah. I mean, most men frame compliments to women about things we do for them or how women appeal to men. So, you’re beautiful, you cook me great food, you do—whatever—for me.” She reached over and took the plastic bag from him and peered inside. “You were doing something.”

  “I was at my parent’s place. Not a big deal. I’ve been there since I got off work.”

  Shit.

  He’d left family dinner to come talk to her because she couldn’t handle her own shit.

  Awesome.

  Just great.

  “Hey?” Jayden reached out and grasped her hand. “I wanted to hear from you.”

  Brandi blew out a breath and pressed her hand to the containers. “Food is still hot.”

  “Mom had it on a hot plate. Not everyone was home yet, and she insists we all get a hot dinner.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. Everything he said about his family made them sound utterly charming.

  “Just stick a fork in it and eat,” he said.

  Brandi grabbed two forks from the drawer and offered him one. He took it and one container, then nodded at the sofa. Since it was just her and Nicole, they’d opted to not have a dining table. Instead, they used the space to do yoga together most evenings and ate either at the bar or in front of the TV.

  If she’d thought this through, she could have hauled the little dining set inside. Then again, did it really matter?

  The man had seen her in all her glory Sunday and still came back.

  They adjourned to the sofa, her sitting in her customary spot on the right side with Jayden opposite her. It was strange to share the sofa with someone who wasn’t Nicole.

  “How was your day?” Jayden smiled. He really was trying to be cheerful when she could hear his stress in his voice and see it in the way the skin crinkled around his eyes.

  “Okay. My boss initially gave me today and tomorrow off without realizing he needed some support.” She chuckled. “But, I anticipated that so I went ahead and got up this morning, did the work I knew he’d need and was able to send it over when he asked for it.”