Labeled Love

by Danielle Rocco

  “Well, just so you know, our song has only taken so long, not because it took me a long time to write, but because I just wanted to experience love with you.”

  “You know, maybe I’ve been writing songs, too.”

  “What!” I say, gasping into my phone.

  “I’ve found myself writing down pretty words about how I feel about you that might be song worthy. That is, if my girl writes the music to go along with words.”

  “Are you serious, Jace?” I smile brightly. “Well, you have been writing me love letters for years, so of course, you know how to write music.”

  “I don’t know about that, baby, but I’ve always been able to write down how I feel about you.” Then he says, “I’m just teasing you, baby. I haven’t written any songs.”

  “You’re just mean.” I pout.

  “Don’t pout, pretty girl. Trust me, there are all kinds of love songs written in my head about you.”

  “You’ve never had any problem telling me how you feel, and you’ve always written the most beautiful love notes to me. I have no doubt that when we go into the studio together we’re going to make the best music together.”

  “We already make the best music together, Shay,” he says, all low and sexy.

  “Don’t get all frisky sounding, Jace.”

  “I’m not being frisky, and what the heck is that word? You’ve never said frisky before.”

  Giggling, I say, “You were just sounding all sexy. Whenever you say, ‘we make the best music together,’ I know what you’re referring to.”

  “I’m a guy, baby. I’m always going to think of ‘making music’ with my girl. You take care of the music we make together that the world will hear, and I’ll take care of our music. That’s my favorite music to think about.” I sigh. “So, are you going to finally share our song that I’ve waited, like, eight years to hear?”

  “Yup, I’m finally going to sing it for you. I’m so glad I waited. Jace, everything we’ve ever shared is wrapped up into those words. When you hear me sing them, I’m singing every first you ever gave me. The first time you looked into my eyes, the first time we held hands, the first time you gave me your lips, and the first time you told me you loved me. I’ll never forget the first time we danced together, the first time we made love, even the first time we finally got to wake up together. You’ve given me every single first moment.”

  “I think you just swooned me, baby.” He laughs.

  “Jace,” I say all sassy to him.

  “I’m not kidding, Shay. That was really sweet, baby. Thank you for telling me that. I can’t wait to hear our song. Knowing how much every one of our moments is poured into it, I… just can’t wait. Can you at least tell me the name of it? I’m dying over here.”

  I take a deep breath. “After our first time, I remembered how amazing I felt, and how you told me you were going to give me the moon and the stars, and you did just that. You gave me the most amazing moment, just like you said you would. I looked up into the night sky after we had just made love, and I knew our song had to be just that. I will never forget when you looked at me and said, ‘You wanted the moon and the stars, baby.’ Our song’s title is ‘The Moon and Stars.’” Then I giggle. “Something like that.”

  “God, I want to hold you right now, Shay. I love it, baby. I really love it. I can’t wait until I finally hear your sweet voice sing it.”

  “It won’t be long now. No more being apart, no more wondering where my boy is. We are going to wake up in each other’s arms every day, really, really soon,” I tell him excitedly.

  “I can’t wait,” he says enthusiastically.

  I get up off my lounge chair and look out onto the city below. Of course, my mind goes right to wondering where my boy is. It makes me happy to know that we are so close to being together each day. I just know that my parents will be supportive. Once my dad hears us in the studio together, he’s going to know that the timing is perfect.

  At our ages, my parents had already moved in with each other, so I don’t think we will have too many problems convincing them that we’re ready for this.

  “All right, baby. I need to get all beautified to see my boy soon.”

  “Okay, pretty girl. I’ll see you later tonight. I won’t stay at the party too late. I have somewhere I have to be early in the morning.”

  “Where?”

  “If we’re going to start our forever, I have to make some things happen to set that in motion. I love you, Shay.”

  “More than anything, Jace.”

  “DAMN, JACE, THIS house is insane,” Landon tells me once we arrive at the house. Showing up at the party, I knew what to expect, but Landon had no idea. Shay’s house is even bigger than this, but I don’t tell him that. We walk around to the side gate that everyone seems to be walking in and out of. It doesn’t take long to gain attention. Girls are looking at us like we are fresh meat, and guys are wondering who the hell we are. “This place is packed,” he says as we walk around.

  After recognizing a few people, I only care to see one person. I see Jules walking around with a red Solo cup in her hand. Right away, I get a knot in my stomach thinking Shay is drinking. As I watch Jules make her way to the fire pit, that’s when I see my girl. She looks like an angel. Her smile is so big as she sits Indian style on the bench seat. She looks like she’s roasting a marshmallow.

  My girl has a marshmallow in her hand, not a red Solo cup.

  Landon nudges me forward. “Are we going to stare at her all night or actually talk to her?”

  Shaking my head, I look over at Landon. “Um, sorry, man. She kind of takes my breath away.”

  “Jace, you are so fucking whipped.”

  I glance at him while twisting my lip up in amusement. “She’s the only one that makes me that way.” He rolls his eyes at me, pushing me toward the girl that makes my heart beat. I can feel it the closer I get to her. As our eyes lock, she stands up and starts walking toward me. She looks so damn pretty. Long, dark, wavy hair, bright blue eyes, and the prettiest smile I’ve ever seen wraps her arms around me. It’s comfort, it’s familiar, and it’s the best fucking feeling in the world.

  It’s home.

  Her embrace is all I need. Even over the smell of the fire, her intoxicating scent is around me, invading me to the point of surrender.

  I don’t want to let go of her. It’s been three days since I’ve seen her. I should be thankful; most of the time, I have to wait longer than that to see her pretty face.

  “Hey, baby,” she says softly into my ear. I love when she calls me “baby”. Her voice is my undoing. When she’s being sassy, I can hear her humorous tone. When she’s being sexy, she lowers her voice just enough to make me pay close attention. She reels me in with that tone. Right now, she just reeled me in so close I’m hoping I don’t bring attention to myself.

  I let go with hesitation as she looks up into my eyes. Bright blue meets pale blue, and everything feels right in my world. This is how it’s always supposed to be.

  “Hi,” she whispers.

  “Hi, future Mrs. James,” I mutter quietly to only her, never breaking eye contact.

  She smiles. “I missed you.”

  “I always miss you,” I say.

  “Give me your lips, baby.” Reaching up, she presses her lips to mine. She pushes down every single doubt or insecurity I’ve ever felt when she says that to me. Even through the sighs from her friends around the fire and Landon’s annoying huff, I keep her mouth to mine. Everyone else falls away when I’m this close to my girl.

  She teases me with her pouty lips until I open up for her. Her tongue finds mine. She tastes like a summer day. Hot, sweet, kissing me slowly… the way I like it.

  The crackling of the fire stops us. We’re standing so close I don’t want her to get hurt by the flames. As I look around, everyone is staring at us, so I slip my hand into Shay’s, giving it a tight squeeze. The other girls here have nothing on my girl. No one does, or ever will to me.

/>   Landon starts talking to one of the girls and gives me a sideways glance with a sly smile. I think he’s going to enjoy this party. Speaking of party, I’m not staying long. Garrett texted me, and I have to meet him early in the morning. I haven’t told Shay yet.

  She leads me to the bench she was sitting on, and I sit down. She falls straight onto my lap. “Jump up, so I can get something out of my pocket,” I tell her. Of course, she’s wearing her charm bracelet. She moves around on me, causing me to stir. I lower my voice. “Baby, don’t move around on me like that.” Leaning her head back on my chest, her long, soft curls cascade all around me. She turns her head slightly, kissing me on my cheek. “I’ve got something for you.”

  She turns to face me. “What?” she asks, chewing on her lip.

  “Open your hand.”

  When she does, I place the moon and star charm gently onto her palm. Putting her free hand up to her opened mouth, she exclaims, “Aw, Jace, it’s perfect.”

  “I want you to always remember how perfect our first time was, and that I am always going to love you under the moon and the stars, baby.” Then I make my voice low and talk into her ear. “Look, baby,” I point up, “we’re under the moon and the stars. I can’t wait to hear our song. I’ve been thinking about it since I got off the phone with you earlier. It makes this charm even more special.” Looking up, she sees the stars and smiles.

  She puts the charm in my hand for me to put on her bracelet. When I do, she lifts her wrist and shakes all her charms around. “I love every single memory you’ve given me.” She looks down at her bracelet. “When do you have to leave?” She leans over, kissing me lightly on my lips. I moan into her mouth. I wish I didn’t have to leave, but I told her I wouldn’t stay at the party too long.

  “I can’t wait to spend the whole night with you again,” I say.

  “Let’s do it tomorrow night,” she suggests with a gleam in her eye.

  “How about I come over tomorrow afternoon? I need to have that heart-to-heart with your daddy.” I wink at her. Otherwise, I’d take her to the beach, lay her down onto the cool sand, and give her every ounce of need I feel for her right now. But, it’s time to do things the right way, and I really want to talk to her dad and tell him how much I love her. I don’t want Shay to just go to him, asking if we can move in with each other. I smile, raising my eyebrows as she looks back at me. “You know I never want to leave you.” I lower my voice. “So, don’t pout, pretty girl.”

  It pains me physically when I leave her or when she walks away from me. It always has. Never once since we were kids has the pain eased. That’s why I have to get my shit together. I can’t stand the thought of being away from this girl, so I sit by the fire with her and talk. Holding her hand, I gently rub little circles over her soft skin. I breathe her in and play with her hair while I make small conversation with those around us. I want a lifetime with her, so after a while, I get up ready to go home so I can be up early to meet up with Garrett.

  “I’ve got to leave, pretty girl.”

  I feel her sigh against my chest. “Okay,” she says, taking a breath. “I’ll walk you out.” She gets off my lap. Her hug is tight, strong, and loving, just like our relationship. I pick her up, holding her against me. I just don’t want to let her go tonight. I need to feel her. Setting her down, I kiss her forehead.

  “Stay here,” I tell her. “You don’t have to walk us out. Roast another marshmallow, baby. I want to walk away knowing your pouty lips are filled with sweetness.” She tries to stand strong, even though I know I just made her weak. She loves when I talk like that to her.

  “All right,” she says as she reaches up, pressing her sweet lips to mine. “Tomorrow we start living our dreams, right?”

  “Yes, as long as we have your family’s support, we’re going to start working toward our forever, baby.” We lock eyes, and I take her in. She looks so happy. I look over at Landon who looks at me like, please don’t make me go. I nod my head to the side, letting him know we’re out of here. I wave to Shay’s friends around the fire and then kiss her on the nose. “Eat a marshmallow for me.” As I start walking away, I’m pushed forward. Her arms wrap around me.

  “Love you, baby,” she says, hugging me tightly around my back. I turn to her.

  “God, you make it so hard to walk away. I can’t imagine not touching you.”

  She giggles. “Well, good thing you don’t have to worry about that. You’re going to be able to touch me all day long soon.” Her eyes sparkle as I run my hand over her warm cheek.

  “I can’t wait, baby.” I walk away, happy.

  I smile the whole way to the driveway, until I hear a familiar voice behind me that stops me in my tracks. The low, harsh tone belonging to the one person I can’t stand. His heavy footsteps get closer.

  “Just a quickie, huh?” he asks. I turn toward his smug voice. “You must feel really out of place here. Not quite like the ghetto, right?” I laugh at him. This guy is the biggest douche. “You know this is my scene, right, Jace? You’ve been blocking my view since you got here.”

  “And, what view would that be, Cole?” I ask, feeling my heart pick up. He’s looking at me like I’m the biggest piece of shit. I want to wipe that arrogant look off his fucking face.

  “You know she should be mine, right?” My adrenaline starts to flow. I need to walk away. Where the hell is Landon? Then he hits a nerve. “She deserves someone that can take care of her,” he spits out harshly, the loud music muffling his voice.

  “Don’t fucking look at her,” I say as calmly as I can.

  Cole laughs at me like I’m some kind of joke. I’m so sick of this guy. This time we’re not on school grounds, and I plan to let him know what’s up. I turn around to see if Shay is in sight. She’s not. I don’t want her to ever see my angry side again; violence is not something she’s accustomed to, and I want to keep it that way.

  Hesitating, I take a deep breath, loosening the tight grip I have my hands in. I’m on the brink. I’ve tried to keep my cool with this douche, but this is the third time he’s pissed me off.

  You know what they say… The third time’s a charm.

  “I find it comical that you tell me not to look at her,” he declares. I bring my gaze to his. “The thing is, Jace, I’ve always looked at Shay. We go back even further than you. I was finger painting with her when she was barely out of diapers. Our families have been friends since we were born.” He drives the knife a little deeper this time, causing me to finally lose it. Raising his voice, drawing attention, he adds, “I got to look at her all day long. You, on the other hand, never got that time with her, did you? While you were slumming it, I got to sit across from her at lunch and buddy up and study with her. I got to look at those long, tanned legs walking past me in the halls. I got to smell her fresh out-of-the-shower hair every morning when she leaned back in her chair, letting her hair fall around my desk. I got those sweet lips smiling at me every day. I got to breathe her in all day long!” Then he laughs. He has the fucking nerve to laugh at me. “Damn, I’m going to really miss high school!”

  My eyes are wild. People are gathered around us because of Cole’s loud mouth. I try hard to think of Shay, but I can’t take it. He’s telling me everything I already know. Everything I let fester every fucking day Shay was away from me. He’s crawling under my insecure skin.

  “You know how the trash picks up once a week, Jace? That pretty much sums up your relationship with Shay, doesn’t it? You’re the trash she picks up when she wants to escape her perfect life. Then she puts you away and doesn’t worry about you again until trash day. Eventually, she’ll get to the point where she doesn’t have to take the trash out anymore and will give that job to someone else and move on.”

  “You piece of shit,” I say as I pummel him to the ground. I don’t think; I just react. Relentless, I don’t give a fuck that I just heard his head crack the pavement. “She’s my girl. Do you hear me, motherfucker? She’s my girl!” Blood pours out of Col
e’s nose and the side of his head as I continue punching him. “No one is taking Shay away from me. You can’t take her away from me!” He reaches up, hitting me in my side, dazing me enough to make me suck in a breath, but not stopping me. “Don’t you get it? She belongs to me. You will never take what’s mine!” People are screaming. Blood is everywhere, but the only red I see is behind my eyes. He’s not fighting me anymore, but I can’t stop. “You can’t take her away from me!”

  I vaguely hear sirens in the distance, but I don’t care. I’ve been waiting for three years to wipe Cole’s smug look off his face. I keep hitting him, even though I practically knocked him out with the first punch. I want to hurt him with my fist like he has hurt me with his words repeatedly.

  As bright lights shine around us, I hear Shay’s faint voice. I’m in such a zone. Her voice becomes clearer. She’s screaming, crying… Panic is in her voice. She screams my name and then Landon’s. She begs me to stop. I’ve never heard Shay’s voice sound this way.

  It brings me out of my rage.

  Everything falls away.

  Landon grabs me, pulling me off Cole. As soon as I get to my feet, I search frantically for where Shay’s voice was coming from. When we lock eyes, I’m crushed. She’s shaking, tears pouring down her reddened cheeks. Gasping for air, she repeats, “Jace,” over and over.

  “Stop, Jace. You got to stop,” Landon says, loosening his grip around my arms. I’m out of breath when I get loose from him.

  As I reach for Shay, I’m slammed to the ground, hard. I feel the blood pour from my face immediately. Looking to the side, I see someone rush to Cole. He’s lying there lifeless while the cops are holding me down like I’m some kind of criminal. Maybe I am.

  Everything turns to a blur. I hear Cole mumbling incoherent words. People are yelling, telling the cops he wants to press charges. Shay is pleading for him not to as Landon holds her back. Turning my head to the side, I rub the gash, causing more blood to pour out. Shit, the cut feels deep.

  I watch Shay’s white Converse lift off the ground from the force Landon has on her. My heart is breaking. I want to reassure her. Feeling the handcuffs go on me, I don’t resist. I can’t scare her any more than I already have.