Imagined Love

by Diamond Drake

  “Can you believe this?” Jade asked Pierce, as she shook her head.

  “I can’t say I blame him. This food is magnificent. Besides, I don’t think I could be angry at the person who helped me get that date with you. If Landon hadn’t vouched for me who knows what might’ve happened. So I say let him eat as much as he wants.”

  “Thank you, Pierce,” Landon stated then stuck his tongue out at Jade. “Now move so I can get my food.”

  “That figures. You men always stick together,” Jade chuckled. “Umm, Landon, what are you doing? I know you don’t think you’re about to eat here.”

  “No, I’m taking it home.”

  “Then why are you putting your food on one of my good plates? Get one of those Styrofoam ones. Are you crazy?”

  “Umm uh, those aren’t strong enough. I’m about to pack a man’s plate! So you might as well start slicing the cake ‘cause I’m taking some of that too.”

  Instead of arguing, Jade got the aluminum foil and plastic bags to help Landon pack. She was hoping it would speed up his departure but quickly put that idea to rest when he and Pierce started antagonizing each other about football. Landon loved the Green Bay Packers and Pierce was a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan so the rivalry between them was instant. After enduring ten minutes of their smack talking, Jade informed her brother that he needed to leave so she could get back to entertaining her guest.

  “Get your big butt outta here,” she mumbled, as they made their way to the front door. “I can’t believe you did this.”

  “It’s your fault. If you didn’t cook so dang good then I wouldn’t have to keep coming over here. You know that health nut I married don’t fix good stuff like this so I’m forced to come here. Wherever you are that’s where I’m coming to get my plate! So I guess you stuck with me, chick,” Landon smiled then gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Bye.”

  Jade just shook her head as she walked back to the dining area. “What are you doing? Give me those,” she ordered, taking the dirty dishes out of Pierce’s

  hands. “Next time you’ll have to bust suds but for now you get to relax. So go ahead and . . . what?” she asked in response to the grin on his face.

  “Oh nothing, you just reminded me of my grandmother. She used to do all that fussing too, ‘Boy, get out my pots’ or ‘I’m sick of doing all this cooking,’ knowing good and well she was tickled at how much people loved her food.”

  The huge smile that spread across Jade’s face proved what he said was true. She wasn’t mad at Landon at all. It made her happy to know how much he truly loved her food. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she winked at him. “So can I get you anything else?”

  “Ooh, no, I’m stuffed. Thank you so much, Jade. Everything was fantastic. And don’t think I don’t appreciate the time and expense that went into preparing such an amazing meal because I do,” Pierce said, as he collapsed on her couch. “I didn’t know you had mad skills like that. Ooh, what’s this?” he smiled, grabbing the photo albums from her coffee table. “I love pictures. Aw, wow, is this from high school? Come sit by me so you can tell me who these folks are.”

  Pierce was able to identify Katrina and Tawny on his own. He said they looked exactly the way she had described their personalities.

  “Oh, damn, is this Alonzo? Man, that dude is a tank! I could take him, though,” Pierce laughed. His laughter grew to a roar when Jade pointed to a shot of Damien. “This guy looks more feminine than you! And you say he was your boyfriend, huh? Yeah right, you know y’all used to share makeup and high heels!”

  “Ugh, don’t say that! Damien was very masculine,” Jade giggled.

  “Jade, please, that’s a girl and you know it,” Pierce laughed loudly. “Oh! What was going on in your life in this picture?”

  It was a shot of the Witty Wock Crew when air-brushed shirts and bright, neon colors were the style. They looked like circus performers! At the time Jade thought she looked cool with the short on one side, long on the other hairstyle but as she stared at the picture with Pierce she realized how crazy it looked. And the hoop earrings she had on were as big as her head!

  “What kind of guest are you?” she giggled. “You in here joaning on me and my friends and cracking . . .”

  “I’m who-ing?”

  “You know, joaning or jiving . . . clowning.”

  “Okay, so I guess that’s one of those country Gary, Indiana words y’all just made up, huh?”

  “Now see, you wrong for that! And after I spent all day slaving over a hot stove for you too. Give me my pictures,” Jade said, as she reached for the album he was trying to keep from her. She leaned over too far and her head fell in his lap.

  “Oh, so it’s like that? You fed me and now you taking advantage of me?”

  Jade’s face turned completely red as she fell back on the couch laughing. Pierce kept making jokes about it which only made her laugh more. She was thrilled, however, when he asked to see all of her pictures and her yearbook. He was so in to it and that touched Jade’s heart for Pierce to show such genuine interest in her life. She loved being able to share herself with him and feel like he truly appreciated it.

  “This is a nice shot of you and your sister. Man, y’all really do look alike . . . like twins almost.”

  “That’s my mom.”

  “No, I’m talking about this picture right here,” he pointed.

  “Yeah, I know. That’s my mom.”

  “Jade, this is not your mama! Are you serious?”

  “Yep, that’s Ms. Willa. She’s always been beautiful to me,” Jade smiled, as she rubbed her hand across the picture. “But you know it’s bad when your own mama gets more play than you. She took me and Katrina to Indianapolis for the Classic one year and I swear those boys were all over her! She could barely enjoy the football game or the battle of the bands without some guy asking for her phone number. You don’t know embarrassing until a cute teenage boy approaches and you aren’t sure if he’s coming to talk to you or your mama!” Jade laughed. “She got a kick out of that junk. And she loves when people say she’s too young and hot to have a daughter as old as me.”

  “Well, I would’ve come for you,” Pierce smiled.

  They spent a few hours going through her albums and laughing at how crazy the fashion trends were back then. Once they were done Jade went to the kitchen to cut them both a slice of cake while Pierce chose a movie for them to watch.

  “Umm, Jade? Are these unmarked tapes your private movies?”

  “My private . . . ugh, Pierce, no! Those are from my cheerleading days. Oh, and I think there are a few of Triple Threat’s performances too. But I’m sure you’ve had enough of my trips down memory lane. We can watch a movie or . . .”

  “Girl, please, I’ve got to see these,” he stated, putting one of the tapes into the VCR. “Ooh, thank you. This looks wonderful,” Pierce said, as he took his slice of cake and sat on the couch.

  The first few seconds of the recording was blurry but it quickly cleared and Jade appeared in her black and gold cheerleading uniform. Pierce’s smile seemed as bright as the sun as he stared at the screen. Then all of a sudden a deep frown spread across his face. “Jade!”

  “Yeah?” she asked, nervously.

  “Girl, this cake is incredible! I swear it’s like Grandma’s. Shoot, I’m lying, this is better than Grandma’s!”

  “Man, you scared me. I thought something was wrong. But thank you, I’m glad you like it. I’ll have to make it for you again sometime.”

  “Definitely . . . oh, here we go,” Pierce said, as the sound of drums brought his attention back to the screen. He was rocking to the beat as he ate the last bite of his cake. The next thing Jade knew he was up on his feet clapping and cheering.

  “What are you doing?” she giggled.

  “I’m getting fired up like you said! Shoot, no wonder the crowd didn’t get hyped until you took over. You brought the fire, girl! Hooty who!” Pierce cheered then broke out with the running man
.

  After watching every second of Jade’s cheerleading tape, he put in the one of her dance performances. She went to get him another slice of cake and a glass of water but Pierce didn’t seem to notice when she returned. “Woooow,” he uttered, mesmerized by the way Jade moved. The fact that she wasn’t trying to be sexy like Katrina and Tawny obviously were only made her sexier to him. “Wooow!”

  “Here you go, babe.”

  Pierce flashed that gorgeous smile of his and her heart skipped a beat. “Thanks . . . babe,” he winked at her.

  Jade’s cheeks flushed from embarrassment but before she could say anything, Pierce stood up and pulled her in for a kiss. It was a soft, passionate, incredible kiss that left Jade breathless!

  “I’ve been dying to do that,” he smiled. “Thank you. I’ll take this,” Pierce said, grabbing the cake and water before she dropped it. “Now quit interrupting me. I’m trying to watch this smokin’ hot chick dance.”

  He sat back on the couch and resumed eating and watching the tape as though nothing had happened. Jade, on the other hand, was struggling to restrain herself. She wanted to pounce on him for another kiss that could make her feel the way his had. Yet, Jade knew it was best to stop or she’d end up in bed with him and it was too soon for that. At least that’s what her mind kept saying. Her body had other ideas.

  “You alright?” Pierce asked when she continued to stand.

  “I’m not sure. I feel . . . crazy!”

  “Oh, now that’s flattering. Kissing me makes you feel crazy?” he chuckled. “And all this time I thought I could kiss.”

  “You can!” Jade said louder than she intended. “Maybe I can’t since you were able to go back to what you were doing completely unaffected by it.”

  “Girl, if you knew what I was feeling and thinking right now then you’d know that I’m definitely affected! I just thought it was best to stop before I got in trouble. But don’t think for a second you don’t affect me. Everything about you gets to me,” Pierce confessed. “Those eyes, your laugh, that damn perfume . . . everything. More than anything I love being around you, Jade. There’s something

  natural and easy with you and I feel completely free to be myself. I’ve been more transparent with you than anyone else in the world. But I’ve also been goofy and silly and able to laugh and have a good time. I feel at home with you, Jade, and I like that a lot. I like you a lot,” he smiled.

  “I feel the same way,” she blushed.

  Jade spent the next hour watching Pierce as he watched her on screen. He was so animated and vocal that it made her laugh.

  “Wow, girl, you can really dance! I mean really dance! That was hot! Too bad the same can’t be said for those other two. No disrespect, but they . . . oh, what’s this?” Pierce asked when something else popped up on screen.

  Both he and Jade thought the tape was finished but she realized it was her performance with the Sigma Steppers. That one was her absolute favorite and she was thrilled for Pierce to be able to see it. Jade thought it was on the other tape that had been lost when she moved. Pierce made it obvious from his loud enthusiasm that that performance was his favorite too.

  “I know every boy, man, and even some of the girls wanted to get at you after that! You were hot! That tight little body all oiled up . . . ooh lord, let me stop before I get in trouble,” Pierce moaned. “It’s like you turn into a different, more aggressive person when you perform and it’s very arousing! And that little break dancing section at the end was all that. You the bomb!”

  The two of them talked for a while then ended up slow dancing to “You Are My Starship”. As much as Jade loved being in Pierce’s arms, she was praying for the song to end. The feelings stirring within her were too overwhelming and she felt herself losing control. Apparently Pierce had similar feelings because he pushed her off him when the song ended. Jade burst out laughing like he hoped she would then they went back to sit on the couch, both horny beyond belief!

  “After everything I’ve seen I have to say my dad was right. You really are the total package, aren’t you? Not only are you the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, but you’re sweet, funny, successful, and amazing. More importantly, I’m happier when I’m around you. You’re wonderful, Jade, and I think you’re the one for me,” Pierce said, as he stared deep into her eyes. “But we all have shortcomings so I figured you must be a dud in bed!”

  Jade laughed so hard she almost peed herself! Pierce doubled over on the couch laughing as well. Every time they looked at each other they laughed even more.

  “So is that what you think?” Jade asked once she’d finally composed herself. “You think I’ll disappoint you?”

  “Girl, please, I know better than that! The fact that you found it funny says a lot to me. Someone who was insecure would’ve gotten defensive but you laughed like, yeah I got your dud, you stupid fucker!” Again they both doubled over with

  laughter. “Seriously, babe, I have full confidence you can handle yourself in the bedroom. I’ve seen the way you control your body when you dance so I have no worries . . . none whatsoever.”

  “Why do people always say that as if one thing has to do with the other?”

  “You don’t think so?”

  “I know it doesn’t. If it did then I would’ve had at least one orgasm by now!”

  Pierce began coughing as he stared at her in shock! “Are you serious? You’ve never had an orgasm before?”

  “Nope . . . not one. Well not a real one anyway.”

  “Well, I’d just like to state for the record that I’ll be more than happy to sign up for the job,” Pierce said. Then he held his hands as if he were being sworn into court. “I promise to put in whatever amount of work required to make sure a fine young woman like yourself is no longer deprived of her legal right to get a nut! I feel it’s my duty as an American citizen and a man in good standing with the law to put an end to this orgasm tragedy which has befallen you.” They both laughed hysterically, although Pierce hoped Jade knew he was dead serious about helping her have the experience she desired. He wanted to make it so she never had to fake pleasure again.

  It was a little after midnight when Jade walked Pierce to the front door. She thanked him for an incredible evening and was about to kiss him goodnight when she noticed how jittery he seemed.

  “What’s the matter? And why are you bucking your knees like that?” she giggled.

  “I’m nervous, girl! I have something I need to ask you but I don’t know how you’ll feel about it.”

  Jade grew a little nervous too. “What is it?”

  “I’ve been invited to this Halloween party and I was wondering if you would go with me.”

  “Are you serious? That’s what you were nervous about asking me? Of course I’ll go with you. It should be fun.”

  “Umm, well, it’s a couple’s party. Everybody that’s going is either married or dating and will be dressed in costumes that go together. So if I went, I would need to be part of a couple.”

  “Ohhhh, I see,” Jade smiled.

  “And I would want the woman I took to know I wasn’t asking to be a couple just for Halloween.”

  Jade knew what Pierce was saying but she liked seeing him squirm. She just stood in front of him with a huge smile on her face.

  “Aw, man, you’re gonna make me say the words, huh? Okay, okay, Ms. Jade Caldwell, will you please be in a one guy, one girl relationship with me?”

  To Pierce’s surprise she kissed him. “I would love to be your one girl. I’m just a little nervous about . . .”

  “I know it may seem a bit soon since this is only our second date, but I know what I feel for you and it’s not like anything I’ve ever felt in my life. I believe I have a future with you, Jade, and I’d like to go ahead and get that started if you wouldn’t mind.”

  “I feel the same way about you, babe. I’m just nervous about how Dane will feel. What if he doesn’t like me?”

  “Jade, please, that boy will love yo
u. Trust me. He may be a little shy at first but the more time you spend with him the more he’ll show you what a great little guy he is. So don’t worry, okay? I wouldn’t bring the two of you into each other’s life if I didn’t believe it was right.”

  “Okay,” Jade smiled. “So about this party . . . I have the perfect idea for our costumes.

  “Bruce Leroy and Laura,” they said together.

  “I guess great minds think alike,” Pierce said then kissed Jade goodnight.

  They were falling hard for each other and it was an incredible feeling. Jade just hoped it would last.

  24

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Friday evening Jade went to Pierce’s place to have dinner with him and Dane. She was still nervous and stood outside the front door fidgeting after she rang the doorbell.

  “Hey,” Pierce smiled.

  “Hey,” she said, suddenly concerned that her ripped jeans, t-shirt, and pumps was inappropriate.

  “You look great,” he said before hugging her tightly. “You look really great. And you’re still wearing this perfume, huh?”

  “It’s a different one, I swear. I just like musk oils.”

  “Umm huh, you’re just trying to torture me. I’ll get you for that later but for now let me get my little man.”

  A few seconds later Dane came bouncing out of his room with a huge smile that lit up his whole face. Jade thought he was even more adorable in person than he’d been in the pictures Pierce had shown her. What stood out the most, however, was how much Dane looked like he could’ve been her son! He definitely had his father’s eyes, but his skin tone and the color and texture of his hair was like Jade’s. Pierce seemed to notice it too as he stared at them in disbelief.

  “Dane, say hi to Jade.”

  “Hi,” he said in the sweetest little voice.

  “Hi, Dane,” she said, kneeling in front of him. “It’s really nice to meet you.” The urge to hug him was too strong so Jade pulled him into her arms. “You are so cute,” she cooed.