by L. S. Scott
“You’re not gonna tell me are ya?”
“Nope. Start her up and take me for a drive.”
“Okay,” I said, smiling big and clapping my hands like a giddy child.
Jaron opened the barn doors wide and came back to hop in the passenger side. I turned the key and she started right up, purring like a kitten.
“It’s really quiet,” I said, surprised.
“Yeah, it’s still got factory mufflers. We can put pipes on it if you want.”
“No, I like it like this,” I said.
I put it in drive and eased out of the barn and down the drive way. I was used to driving the old Ford, so even though it was a little bigger, it actually rode much smoother. Jaron fiddled with the radio and cranked up the heater. The truck was practically brand new with less than 30,000 miles on the odometer. The gray upholstery on the seats was perfect and clean and the floor mats were even like new.
I drove us all the way to town and wanted to stop by Tiffany’s to show off my new ride, but it was only a little after nine on Christmas morning, so I decided to wait. We made it home and I pulled my new truck up next to the old Ford. I turned off the engine and before he could open the passenger door, I leapt out of my seat and landed a straddle his lap. He smiled at me, pleased that I was happily accepting his gift. I tangled my hands in the back of his hair and planted a big wet kiss on his lips.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you. I owe you big time,” I said, pressing my forehead against his.
“No baby, it’s me that owes you. This don’t even come close to what I owe you.”
His hands kneaded my hips and absent mindedly roamed up my shirt, his finger-tips trailing up and down my spine. I kissed him again. I loved kissing him slowly, softly, when we weren’t both about to explode. I could feel his lips moving. I could feel his tongue press against mine. I could taste him.
Our kiss deepened and he cupped my behind pulling me tight against him. The friction between us increased. In the silence of the cab of the truck, our increased breathing echoed and fogged the windows. He wrapped his arms tight around me and in the heat of the moment a loud growl, louder even than our panting erupted from between us. I felt his body jerk with a deep chuckle and his lips curl up under mine.
“Was that your stomach,” he asked, our lips still touching.
I nodded, holding back my own laughter.
“Here I thought you were making out with me, and all the time you were trying to eat me for breakfast.” He continued to laugh.
I sat up and slapped him on the shoulder. “We’ve had a long morning, I’m hungry.” I felt my cheeks warm.
“Come on,” he pushed the truck door open. “I did promise you breakfast.”
“Biscuits and gravy?”
“Sure.”
“Chocolate gravy?”
“Whatever you want,” he went on, sliding me off his lap onto the ground.
“And sausage?”
“Yes, and sausage.”
We climbed the porch and before the front door closed, I took a quick look back at my, like new, truck and smiled. Best Christmas ever.
Honk, honk! I pulled into Tiffany’s drive the day after Christmas, blowing my horn. I had resisted the urge to call and tell her, opting for the surprise reveal. I saw the curtains move then the door swung open. She bounced off the porch in her pj’s and fuzzy puppy dog house shoes.
“Don’t tell me. Jake got you a new truck for Christmas. Man, my brother sucks,” she said hopping into the passenger seat.
“No, Jake didn’t even call and wish me Merry Christmas,” I said glumly, briefly reflecting on our last conversation when Jaron hung up on him.
She looked at me side-ways. “Jaron?” she quizzed, her eyes widening as the name came out slowly.
Biting my lip, I nodded.
“Holy Crap, Natalie. Who buys their girlfriend a car for Christmas? That’s kind of a big deal.” Her brow crinkled. “So are ya’ll already talking about marriage and shit?”
“No, he’s never mentioned it. He just said we aren’t temporary to him.”
“Yep, well, you better be careful. He’ll have you barefoot and pregnant as soon as you turn eighteen.”
“Shut up. He will not.”
“What’s he gonna do when you go away to college. He hardly lets you out of his sight.”
I took a deep breath in and blew out in frustration. That was still a hot button topic between us, one we never seem to settle.
“You are going to college Natalie. You’ve always talked about it. You’re too damn smart to,” I cut her rant short.
“Yes Tiffany! I’m going to college! Crap! Merry Freaking Christmas to you too!”
“Sorry,” she said, rolling her eyes at herself. “Just, this whole thing with you guys freaks me out. But this truck is awesome. It’s practically brand new.” She ran her hands over the dash. “Take me for a cruise through town then we can come back and you can open your gifts.”
We made several laps around town. At 10:30 in the morning, the day after Christmas, there really was nothing or nobody to impress, but we cranked up the radio and made laps anyway.
Back at Tiffany’s Ed and Meredith hugged me up, shoved a stocking full of cookies and candy at me and watched happily as I opened my gifts. I got two new sweaters, a matching set of cap, gloves and scarf and two large bottles of organic lavender oil. Meredith always made sure I had lavender oil. It soothed my headaches and she knew I loved wearing it like perfume.
The Gates family had been treating me like I was part of the family since I was nine or ten. I usually had a better Christmas at their house than my own, but mom did what she could, I guess.
“How’s your mother doing Natalie,” Meredith asked. I was unsure if she had any idea about my current living arrangements or not, but my money was on, yes.
“Um, she’s ok I guess. We’re not really speaking right now,” I answered honestly. They were well aware of my troubled home life, no sense in playing cover up now.
“I’m sorry dear,” she said sympathetically. “Did Jake make it home for the holidays?”
“No,” I said flatly.
Sensing the dark cloud over the subject, Meredith changed it. “And, how’s the new boyfriend? Jaron Blake, is it?” I coughed; trying to keep my mouth closed and not spray cookie crumbs across the room.
I cut my eyes at Tiffany. She shrugged innocently.
“He’s good.”
Meredith nodded and regarded me closely. “He’s a good looking young man. His sister Janna works with us sometimes in the clinic. She’s a counselor.”
“Yeah, she’s great. They come to our house for dinner sometimes, her and Greg.” Our house. Crap, I just spilled those beans. Meredith rolled with it as if she already knew.
“Yes, she is. She’s helped a lot of women. How are your grades?”
“Their good, only one B, but I’ll get it up.”
“Good,” she said smiling, seemingly satisfied that Jaron wasn’t a bad influence.
“So what did you do for Christmas?” she asked.
I felt my face turn bright red and I prayed silently that nobody noticed. I fumbled for an answer. I couldn’t go with my first thought; I took it in the back door in front of the Christmas tree.
“Not much. We opened gifts and had a big Christmas breakfast, just the two of us.”
“That’s sweet. What did you get?”
“A new freaking truck,” Tiffany answered automatically.
Meredith and Ed raised their eyebrows in surprise.
“Jaron come across a Bronco at an auction and got a really good deal on it. So he gave it to me for Christmas cause my old truck’s about had it.” I tried to down play the over the top gift.
Before I got a response, the front door swung open and in blew Nate, Tiffany’s older brother. “Nat the brat,” he said smiling roguishly. “Is that your Bronco outside?” he asked as he approached, arms open wide.
“Yeah,” I answered.
> “Sweet.” When he reached me I stood to hug him and he stopped and looked at me with raised brow. “Damn, you’ve grown,” he observed, then lifted my feet off the floor in a bear hug.
“Ugh,” I grunted when he squeezed. Tiffany kicked him in the leg like a bratty little sister begging for attention and his parents watched on smiling warmly.
Nate was a little bit of a black sheep, refusing to go to college, working at the saw mill, and throwing some massive parties that ended in the cops being called on more than one occasion. But, his parents loved him all the same, everyone did, it was impossible not to. He was tall and lanky but lean. He had shoulder length sandy blonde hair and friendly, jade green eyes. His features were refined and handsome, even under the blonde stubble that covered his jawline.
Since I had spent as much time at this house as I had my own, especially after Jake left me, he was as much my brother as he was Tiffany’s, who he dog piled as soon as he let me go. He turkey tortured her and tickled her until she almost peed her pants, then kissed his mom on the cheek. Ed smiled and stood, walking with him to the kitchen.
“There’s lots of left overs,” Meredith called into the kitchen. “I’ll warm them up for lunch in a bit.”
“Sounds good,” Nate answered, his mouth full of Christmas cookies.
“Come on,” Tiff said, slapping my leg and headed up the stairs. “So, what’s been going on? Have you heard anything about the new coach?”
“Nope, I don’t hear anything. I’m home all the time. Did they find someone?”
“That’s what I hear. He’s gonna be there when we get back.”
“Cool,” I answered generically.
“Knock, knock,” Nate called before opening the door and coming in uninvited.
“Get out of my room, butthead,” Tiff barked.
Nate ignored her and plopped down on the bed beside me. He watched me through narrowed eyes.
“What,” I asked snippily.
“Nothing, you just, you look different.”
“No I don’t. I look the same as I did last time you saw me, maybe a little paler.”
“Nope, you’re different. It’s good though. You look good.”
“What do you want Nate,” Tiff asked impatiently.
Nate threw the small heart shaped pillow and hit her in the face. “I was just going to invite you two to my New Year’s Eve party. It’s going to be huge.”
Tiffany’s eyes brightened and her annoyance with her brother faded quickly. She was always up for a good party.
“Lots of people, lots of refreshments, ya’ll gotta come.”
“Wait,” Tiffany said, “I still get to have my birthday party there, right?”
“Yes, one party doesn’t cancel the other.”
“Okay, good,” she said relieved.
“So, you’re going to come?”
“Yes,” she answered giddily and I could tell she was already considering what she was going to wear to impress the crew of older guys that undoubtedly would be there.
Nate had friends from neighboring towns hanging out at his house all the time. Guys Tiffany didn’t normally have access to.
Nate smacked me on the butt with a pillow, hard, and if I were being honest, I would have to admit, it was a wee bit sore.
“How bout you Nat-brat. You’re coming right?”
“Probably not!” Tiffany said grouchily. “Her boyfriend doesn’t allow it.” She rolled her eyes, drooling sarcasm.
“Boyfriend?” Nate pushed my shoulder. “Who’s your boyfriend?”
I swallowed hard and hesitated long enough for Tiff to pipe in, “Jaron Blake,” she snipped. It was impossible for her to talk about him without being irritable.
“Whrrrr,” Nate whistled, low and slow. “Jaron Blake, that’s a, wow,” he stammered. Never had I ever seen Nate speechless.
“What? He’s not as bad as everyone thinks,” I defended, as usual.
“He tried to kill a guy when he was seventeen, ended his football career with a baseball bat. That’s not exactly normal behavior.” Nate looked at me with the most serious look I had ever seen on his face.
“He’s not crazy. He did it for his sister.”
“Yeah, I know the story. Either way, he’s got a mean streak. People kind of steer clear of him. How did you meet him anyway, he’s kind of a loner. The only time I ever run into him is, well, it’s nowhere you would ever be. At least you better not,” he said with a warning glare.
“We were at the pool hall. He came in for a minute.”
“He came in for a minute and now he’s your boyfriend, just like that?”
“Yeah, just like that.”
“Hmph, well, bring him to the party. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine,” he smiled with a twinkle in his eye.
“Yeah, Natalie, bring him.” Tiffany cocked her head to the side.
“We’ll see. I don’t know if we have plans or not.”
“Whatever,” Tiffany said with an eye roll.
“Alright, well, I hope I see you there. Merry Christmas Nat-Brat.” Nate jumped up and pulled my pony tail as he walked by and disappeared out the door.
I turned my eyes on Tiffany, glaring.
“What?”
“I wish you wouldn’t be such a bitch about Jaron. He hasn’t done anything to you.”
“It’s not what he’s done to me, it’s what he does to you,” she said.
“Like what Tiffany? Save me from my mom’s handsy boyfriend. Provide me a place to live and anything else I need or want? What is it that he does that is so bad?”
She breathed deep and sat up on the edge of the bed and looked at me with concern filled eyes.
“He’s controlling, jealous and has a bad temper. That leads to bad things Natalie. And he’s been alienating you from everyone else in your life since the day you met him.”
“No he hasn’t.”
“Really? You no longer speak to your mom, or your brother and other than school, you get to hang out with me like maybe a couple hours a week. Even right now, you’re watching the clock, worried about getting home before he gets mad. Does he even know you’re here, or did you sneak off?”
“Yes, he knows I’m here.”
“Of course he does, if you had snuck off he would’ve already came looking for you.”
“You’re wrong about him Tiff. He loves me.”
“I’m sure he does love you. Who wouldn’t?” She smiled warmly, reminding me of her mom. “If he’s not a crazy, jealous ass, then make him bring you to the party.”
“Fine, I will.”
“Good. Now, what should I wear,” she smiled and skipped to her massive closet.
Before I could answer, my cell phone rang from my pocket and I knew instantly it was Jaron. I rolled over on my stomach, turning away from Tiffany’s accusing glare.
“Hello,” I said in a low voice.
“Hey, where you at,” he asked right off the bat.
“I’m at Tiffany’s. I left you a note.”
My voice was almost a whisper, because actually Tiffany was almost right. I had left without him knowing. He had some errands to run, the kind that I couldn’t ask questions about. I was bored and anxious to show off my new ride, so I left before he got back.
“I don’t want to come home to a damn note on the door. If you’re going somewhere I want to know. I want to hear your voice,” he scolded, clearly agitated.
“Sorry. I didn’t think it was a big deal. I figured I would be home before you.”
“You thought wrong,” he said flatly.
“Jaron I’m sorry,” I apologized again.
I flinched at the sound of Tiffany slamming her bathroom door. Her way of letting me know she was giving me some privacy, even though she was pissed about it.
“Just don’t be long.”
“Okay, I’ll be on my way in just a minute.”
“Alright, be careful.”
“Jaron?”
“What?”
“I lo
ve you.”
“Love you too. Bye.” The line went dead.
I rolled over and stared at the crystals hanging from her bedroom light.
“Tiff! I gotta go!” I shouted to the bathroom.
“Of course you do!” she retorted.
I rolled my eyes in exasperation. “I’ll call you about the party. I’ll do my best to make it.”
“Okay!”
“Love you bitch!”
She swung the door open and smiled in spite of herself, “I love you too bitch.”
The shower was running and there was a pizza on the bar when I got home.
“I’m home,” I called at the bathroom door.
“Okay.”
The water stopped and a dripping Jaron pulled the door open. I looked him up and down, I couldn’t help myself. He scrubbed the towel over his hair then proceeded to dry off.
“Did you have a good visit?”
“Yeah, she’s super jealous. She loves my truck.”
He grinned and gave me a peck on the cheek. I was relieved that he seemed relaxed and not at all pissy about me leaving without calling.
“Have you had lunch yet,” he asked.
“No, just some cookies.”
“Good, I got us a pizza.”
After watching him dress, I followed him to the kitchen. I chewed my bottom lip nervously trying to decide the perfect time to ask about the party.
Pulling plates from the cabinet I said non chalantly, “We were invited to a New Year’s party.”
“Oh yeah,” he said disinterested.
“Yeah. Nate’s having one. He said it was going to be a big one.”
“Good for Nate.” He turned and looked at me. “He said? You see him at Tiffany’s?”
“Yeah, he stopped by while I was there.”
“Hmm, well he’ll have to ring in the New Year without us.” I tried to hide the disappointment on my face.
“Tiffany really wants us to come.”
“No, Tiffany really wants you to come, but she’ll get over it.”
“Can we just go and hang out for a little while?”
He tossed a piece of pizza in his plate and turned a hard look on me.
“No. Drop it.”
I knew the look and the tone and knew my pestering wouldn’t change his mind, only agitate him, so I opted for the sad disappointed mope. I ate my pizza in silence, cleaned up the mess in silence, folded a load of clothes in silence and without a word, went to take a hot bath. Bubbles encasing me, I stared at the ceiling, sulking. When the door opened and Jaron leaned against the door frame, I didn’t even turn to look at him.