Chapter 8
Mr. Morgan was outside in the yard hanging fairy lights between the trees when Jayden, Angie and Simon arrived back after putting the horses away. Three tables had been laid out to one side, and a large fire was set in a hollow away from the house.
Jayden looked at Angie, his eyebrows drawn. “So...what’s happening?”
Angie crossed her legs at the ankle and held her hands together in front of her. She gazed at the ground before raising her head slowly. “Nothing, really. We’re just having a few people over.”
He narrowed his eyes further. “Thought it was just us for dinner.”
She lifted her chin and gave him a playful smile. “I never said that.”
No, she hadn’t. He’d just assumed.
“So who’s coming?”
“Don’t worry, Jayden. Just a few of the youth, and Uncle John and Aunt Mary from next door, and our cousins, that’s all.”
“It’s not for my birthday, is it?”
Angie sidled up to him. “And if it was?” She held both his hands and looked coyly at him.
Jayden inhaled slowly. He’d rather not spend his birthday with people he didn’t really know, but what could he do? “Guess it’d be okay, but I’d rather spend it with you.”
Angie slapped his wrist lightly. “Jayden.”
“It’s true.”
“Well, they’re all nice people, and we’ll have fun, you’ll see.”
“Mmm.” He wasn’t quite sure how to feel about having a party sprung on him.
“How was your ride?” Mr. Morgan stepped off the ladder, folded it up, and then placed it on his shoulder as he headed towards them.
Jayden glanced at Angie. She wouldn’t say anything, but would Simon?
“It was great, Dad. No problems at all.” Angie sounded a little too innocent, as if she was trying too hard to convince him.
“And how did you go, Jayden?”
“Good, thanks, Mr. Morgan. My butt’s a bit sore, that’s all.” Jayden felt his bottom before testing his legs. “And my legs are a bit wobbly, but it was worth it. Didn’t see any moose, though.”
Mr. Morgan chuckled. “I’ll take you out one day and we’ll find some. Would you like that?”
“Yes, sir, that’d be great.”
“We could have a boy’s camp-out. Do some fishing, spot some bears. I’ll plan it.”
“Sounds good.” But not if Simon’s coming…
Mr. Morgan continued on his way.
Angie glanced at her watch. “We’d better get cleaned up. They’ll be here soon.”
Jayden’s shoulders slumped as he nodded. So much for spending time alone with Angie.
Jayden took a shower downstairs and then pulled on some clean jeans and a white T-shirt. Thinking Angie would probably be a while, he walked over to the wall lined with family photos and cast his eye over them. They were a very close family, but then, he already knew that. Angie and Jess could almost be twins. Both had copper-red curly hair, but Angie’s eyes were green, while Jess’s were hazel. Jayden sighed. How could he expect Angie to leave when her sister was having a baby, even if it was only for a visit? Maybe she’d come after Jess had the baby. Or maybe she wouldn’t come at all. If that was the case, he’d stay. She said they were only young, but he loved her. His life had changed in such a short time, and he couldn’t imagine life without her. As he gazed into Angie’s smiling eyes, Jayden’s heart beat with love for her. He’d have to choose between Angie and Dad—he couldn’t have them both.
A soft knock on the door interrupted Jayden’s thoughts. He quickly stepped back from the photos.
“Come in.”
The door opened. Angie stood in the doorway, smelling amazing. She was wearing the perfume he’d given her, and she’d pulled her hair up into a top knot. A few strands spiraled down the sides of her cheeks. He wanted to touch them. She was wearing make-up, and her eyes sparkled even more than normal. Maybe she didn’t know what effect she had on him, but all he wanted to do was hold her tight and kiss her.
He inhaled slowly. No way could he kiss Angela Morgan the way he wanted to, especially in her parents’ house. He’d have to control himself. He stepped towards her and took her hand. “Ange, you look beautiful.”
She gave him a coy smile. “Thanks, Jayden. You’re not bad yourself.”
He gulped before taking another deep breath. “I was just looking at these photos.” He placed his arm lightly on her shoulder and turned her to face the wall.
She pointed out a photo of when she was a toddler and laughed. She and Jess were wearing the same outfits. “Mom used to do that all the time.”
Standing beside her, hearing her laugh and breathing in her perfume, Jayden grew dizzy. Maybe he could steal a kiss? His pulse quickened as they studied the most recent photo. Blake had his arm around Jess. If Blake could be in a Morgan family photo, why couldn’t he?
Jayden turned her slowly towards him. He held a finger to her chin and tilted her face. His stomach tightened. Her eyes met his and held. His heart pounded. He gulped and cleared his throat. “Can I…” Jayden gulped again, “can I…kiss you, Angie?”
Angie blinked and swallowed. “Jayden…” Her chest heaved. “You know we can’t.”
Jayden’s heart fell.
She lifted her hand to his cheek. “I’m sorry, Jayden, but we can’t.”
He placed his hand on hers. “But I love you, Angie.” The words slipped out of his mouth.
Angie’s eyes widened, her body stiffening. Seconds passed. Why’d he say that? She dropped her hand, but her gaze remained steady. “Jayden…”
He stepped closer, placing his hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry, Angie. I shouldn’t have said that.”
Angie’s lip trembled. She swallowed again, her eyes still fixed on his. “We’re too young to feel like that, Jayden.”
Tears stung his eyes. No they weren’t. He loved her.
Angie stepped closer and hugged him, resting her head against his chest before lifting her face. “Let’s not spoil what we’ve got?”
Jayden drew in a long, slow breath before nodding. He swallowed hard and released his breath. “I’m sorry, Ange. I won’t say it again.”
She smiled at him before kissing her finger and placing it on his lips.
He breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn’t lost her.
At the sound of cars pulling up outside, Angie took Jayden’s hand and led him outside to greet their friends. A group of eight young people from the church had arrived in two cars. Gareth and Rachel, Matt, Dave and Rosy were amongst them.
Gareth extended his hand. “Happy birthday, Jayden.”
Jayden took Gareth’s hand and shook it. “Thanks.”
The others followed suit.
“What’s for dinner, Ange?” Dave sniffed the air. “‘Smells good, whatever it is.”
“Ribs, what else would you expect from my dad?” Angie let out a small laugh.
Dave nodded. “Your dad’s ribs are the best.”
“They’re about the one thing he knows how to cook.” Angie glanced towards her father who stood in front of the large outdoor barbecue turning ribs while chatting with Pastor Graham. Jayden had to agree with Dave—his mouth watered at the aroma of smoking ribs wafting in the air towards them.
“Time for a game of pool before dinner?” Gareth asked.
“Sure,” Angie replied. “You know where it is.”
“Like a game?” Gareth asked Jayden.
Not really, but what could he do? “Okay, that’d be great.”
Jayden squeezed Angie’s hand before stepping away from her and heading towards the pool room with the boys. Why couldn’t they have done something together? Besides, the boys would all be better than him.
Dave headed straight for the CD player and put music on that Jayden hadn’t heard before.
Gareth pulled two cues off the wall and handed one to Jayden, raising his brow. “You and me against Dave and Matt?”
Jayden shrug
ged. “Guess so. I’m not good at it, though.”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s just for fun.”
“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Jayden took the chalk Gareth handed him and chalked the end of his cue. At least he knew that much.
Gareth arranged the balls in the rack and then stood aside and picked up his cue. “Who wants to break?” His gaze shifted between the three other boys.
“Jayden, since it’s his birthday,” Matt said.
Jayden shook his head. “No, you go.”
Matt shrugged. “Okay. As long as you’re sure.”
“Yeah. Go for it.”
Matt stepped to the edge of the table and placed the white ball in front of the others. He lined up his cue and then paused for a second before releasing it with a quick flick of his wrist. The white ball smashed into the others, sending them flying across the table and into the walls before they bounced back and settled. The only ball he pocketed was the red striped ball. He then lined up what looked like an easy shot, but missed. He straightened and then shrugged. “Your turn, Jayden.”
Jayden drew a slow breath. His hands shook as he lined up his cue. He was about to take the shot when he changed his mind at the last second. He’d get a better angle by aiming for the green ball. He moved around the table to his left, lined his cue up with the white ball and the green, slid the cue slowly back between his fingers, and then released it with a snap. The white ball hit the green one cleanly, sending it straight into the end pocket. Jayden released his breath.
“Thought you said you couldn’t play?” Gareth slapped him on the back.
Jayden shrugged and tried to hide the grin growing on his face. “Beginner's luck.” But when he pocketed another ball, the others said it couldn’t have been.
He relaxed and watched the others, joking and laughing with them, and for a short while, forgot about Angie. He and Gareth went on to win the game, and Jayden was just about to take what could be the winning shot in the second game when Angie and Rachel appeared at the door. His mouth went dry. What if he missed? His heart pounded. All eyes were on him. He glanced up and met Angie’s gaze. Leaning on the door-frame with folded arms, her eye held an expectant sparkle. But he couldn’t let her distract him. He inhaled slowly and returned his attention to the table. He’d been playing well, much better than he thought he would, but this was a tricky shot. He had to get the eight-ball to ricochet off the wall at exactly the right angle to pocket it. If he got it wrong, Dave would get a shot at it.
The only sound came from the CD player as Jayden steadied his cue, lining it up carefully. He made a practice shot, and then adjusted the angle slightly. It was only a game, but with Angie watching, he really needed to pocket this ball.
Jayden held his breath and eased the cue back. The cue snapped forward, hitting the white ball cleanly. It clipped the eight-ball on the left side just where he’d intended, sending it off to the right. The eight-ball hit the cushion, ricocheted, but lost momentum as it arced around and headed towards the far pocket. It didn’t have enough legs. He should have hit it harder. No one moved. The ball slowed, stopping just in front of the pocket. Jayden’s shoulders slumped. A half inch more, that’s all it needed. Dave would easily pocket it now.
“Great shot, Jayden.” Angie stepped into the room and stood beside him, placing her arm lightly on his back.
Straightening, Jayden winced. “Could have been better.”
He slipped his arm around Angie’s waist as Dave lined up his cue to down the eight-ball. As expected, Dave snapped the cue onto the white ball, and within a split second, the game was over.
Dave and Matt high-fived, and then they both extended their hands to Jayden and Gareth. “Great game, guys. Thanks.” Dave winked at Angie. “You didn’t put him off or anything.”
Maybe Angie watching had put him off, but he wasn’t going to let her think that. He pulled her closer. “No, she didn’t.”
“Thanks Jayden, that’s sweet of you.” Angie popped a kiss onto his cheek, and all was forgotten. “Anyway, the ribs are ready.”
“Cool,” Dave said as he placed his cue on the rack on the wall. “I could eat a whole bull.”
“I think Dad cooked enough for you to do that.” Angie laughed. “Let’s go.”
The spread was amazing; so much food Jayden wouldn’t need to eat for a week. He piled his plate high with the best ribs he’d ever smelled, and a teeny amount of salad, only because Angie made him. He would have been happy to have just eaten ribs like Dave was doing. Having a girlfriend had its drawbacks.
He and Angie sat on a bench seat under a huge fir tree and perched their plates on their laps. The others formed a semi-circle on either side of them and did the same. The adults were all eating together at a table, and Simon sat on the ground with his cousins.
A hush fell over the group as Jessica joined them and sat on the bench beside Angie. Her plate only held a couple of ribs and a small amount of salad and potato. Angie placed her arm around Jess’s shoulder and gave her a squeeze. Seemed like no one really knew what to say.
Rachel slid to the edge of her seat and began talking with Jessica and Angie. Everyone else resumed their conversations. Jayden sat and listened, taken aback at the topic of conversation—last week’s Bible study. So different to the party he’d gone to with Roger, where the kids had just wanted to get high and make out. This group knew how to have fun, but they also seemed to know who they were and what they believed in, and they were more than happy to talk about it. Amazing.
Jayden listened with interest. He’d been reading ahead in the study guide, and had checked out as much non-Biblical material as he could find on the Internet that confirmed the historical happenings recorded in the Bible. He’d been astounded at how much proof there was of events he’d always assumed were just made-up stories. When the boys began talking about the origin of the universe, his ears pricked up. He’d been trying to get his head around what he’d been reading, the fact that there are only two possibilities for anything that exists. Either it’s always been, and is therefore uncaused, or that it has a beginning, caused by something else. Things couldn’t be self-caused, because they’d already have to exist in order to cause something else. The law of causality. He’d never thought about that before starting the study, but it was true. Nothing had ever come into being without someone or something making it. Not a pen, not an animal, not a plant. And not even the universe, so it seemed.
Scientists agreed the universe was expanding, and therefore it had to have a beginning, but they disagreed on how it came about. But how could no one create something out of nothing? It made more sense that someone had. A thought suddenly struck him. If God was real, as Jayden was beginning to think He was, who had made God? Or had He always been? More study was needed.
“I was blown away by the way the whole universe is held in place,” Gareth said. He leaned back and gazed upwards. “All that matter up there, just hanging together. If just one thing got out of place, like what happened with Apollo 13, we’d all be gone.”
“Yeah, and what about that info about the amoeba? The tiniest thing, but it has more information in its DNA than all thirty volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica.” Dave shook his head. “How did that happen if it wasn’t God?”
“Yeah, I don’t understand why people don’t believe,” Gareth said, putting his plate on the ground.
“Makes no sense to me.” Dave shrugged as he picked up another rib and tore into it with his teeth.
“What about you, Jayden? How are you finding the study?” Gareth shifted in his seat and faced him.
Jayden stiffened. It was one thing to read and study in private, another to talk about it openly. He swallowed and leaned back. He had to say something. He let out a breath. Here goes… “It’s…it’s really interesting, but I need to read more.”
“Yeah, there’s so much info, it kind of blows your mind,” Gareth said. “But you know, a lot of people read too much and even though they end up b
elieving God’s real, they don’t go any further. And that’s really sad.”
Jayden wriggled on his chair. Gareth might be right, but he wasn’t ready to do anything yet, and he wasn’t going to let them pressure him.
“Hey.” Angie turned and placed her arm around his shoulder. “Enjoy your ribs?”
“Yeah, they were great.” He smiled at her, glad she’d interrupted the conversation, even though he’d enjoyed listening.
“Mom’s got some dessert later, but I think it’s time to light the fire. Come and help?”
Jayden nodded. Maybe he’d get some time alone with her after all.
Chapter 9
Seated around the fire a short while later, Jayden placed his arm around Angie’s shoulder and pulled her closer. Gareth had brought his guitar and was strumming away, not playing anything in particular, but his finger-work was amazing. Jayden almost wished he’d brought his, but then he wouldn’t be able to hold Angie.
She looked up and smiled. “Enjoying your birthday?”
Nodding, he returned her smile and kissed her forehead. Yes, he was. It’d been the best birthday he’d ever had. The only sour note had been Mom not remembering. It saddened him every time he thought about her. She’d changed so much since the day she whisked him away in Luke Emerson’s private jet. Now she could hardly look after herself. She’d turned into a sad, pitiful woman. It was a wonder Buck was still happy to have her around.
Angie leaned back and gazed heavenward. “The stars are awesome, aren’t they?”
Jayden tilted his head and looked up. They sure were.
She rested her head on his shoulder. “You know they reckon there’s about a hundred billion stars in our galaxy, and just to get to the nearest star it’d take over two hundred thousand years to get there? I can’t even begin to imagine how long that is.”
Jayden shook his head. “Yeah, it’s pretty amazing stuff.”
Angie continued gazing at the sky, seemingly lost in its wonder. Her voice was dreamy. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Even though she spoke softly, the awe in Angie’s voice was obvious.
Triumphant Love: A Christian Romance (The True Love Series Book 4) Page 6