Rejected (Imperfectly Perfect Book 2)

by Lym Cruz

  When Rowan walked out with the two officers, I pulled out my phone and sent out a text to Nunes.

  Ezra: Do we have a deal?

  Nunes: Working on it.

  Nunes: I’ll be in touch.

  I stowed my phone and kept working. Rowan returned and sat across from me with a wary expression.

  I glanced up from the keyboard and arched a brow. “Everything all right?”

  He cupped his jaw and smoothed his thick beard. “A shipment just got busted. Gotta call and deliver the news. Fuck!” He slammed his hand on the table. “I hate when shit like this happens.”

  “It’s part of the game.”

  “Sure, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. The guys suspect someone on the other side had something to do with it.”

  As long as they didn’t think or suspect that the leak came from someone on this side, or me, I was safe.

  “How much longer?” Rowan prompted. “I need some good news today.”

  “I’m almost done.”

  My phone rang and I caught myself grinning at the sound of the ringtone.

  “Who’s got you smiling from east to west.”

  “My mother,” I lied, feeling protective of Christina.

  If there was a person who I wanted to be unaware of her existence in my life, it was Rowan.

  “Isn’t she dead or somethin’?”

  “Something like that. I meant Claire, you know, Vinnie’s wife.”

  Rowan knew my entire family, he even had pictures of them in his office. They were the weapon he used to keep me in line.

  “She seems like a good woman. Aren’t you going to take it?”

  “I’m sure it’s nothing important. I’ll call her back later.”

  “Hmm,” he hummed and then continued to an office at the back of the restaurant.

  I pulled out my phone once he was gone. Returning the call wouldn’t be smart so I texted instead.

  Ezra: Miss me?

  Christina: Ha! You wish.

  Christina: What I was calling for was work-related.

  Christina: But I got it already.

  Ezra: I totally believe you.

  Christina: Got to go. Some of us ACTUALLY work.

  Ezra: Just say you miss me.

  Christina: Rolling my eyes so hard my head hurts.

  I pondered for a few minutes before sending the next text.

  Ezra: I wanna take you out this weekend.

  It took a while before she replied.

  Christina: Like on a date?

  Ezra: Would it be weird if I said yes?

  Christina: I don’t know. Try it.

  Ezra: Yes, on a date.

  Christina: Didn’t feel weird. So, yes, you can take me out.

  Christina: Nothing fancy though.

  Ezra: Got it.

  “Are you done?” Rowan yelled from his office swiping the smile off my lips.

  “In a minute.”

  “C’mon speed it up. I have to make the call and I need to, at least, start with the good news.”

  I did what he asked but, in the process, I made sure to record all the accounts’ details. I couldn’t pass them to Nunes yet, it would be too obvious. They would have their purpose in the near future.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Christina

  “Look at how tiny you are,” my mother said, hands on her hips with brows furrowed. “Have you been eating properly?”

  My mother was a big woman. Dark hair and eyes that matched mine.

  “I’m fine,” I said, sitting on one of her kitchen stools. The rich, spicy smell of the ribs grilling in the oven caused my palate to awaken and my mouth salivated.

  “You don’t look fine.” She pursed her lips and moved to the stove. “But you look nice.”

  “What on earth does that mean?”

  “It means that you are too skinny, but not like you are sick. It’s a healthy skinny, but those bones need a bit more meat.”

  “Thank you, I guess.” I flattened my black skirt and removed a fleck of lint from it. “I have a date.”

  “Very nice. Who’s the gentleman?”

  “You don’t know him.”

  “The boy with long hair that was at your party?”

  Surprised, I raised both brows. “How did you know?”

  “I see things and I’m old enough to understand what I see.” Her words had a double meaning. She was referring to Ezra but there was something about the way she said it that meant more. “You know you can always come home if you need anything. We’ll always be here for you.”

  “I know, Ma.”

  She nodded. “Good, now go on and help set the table.”

  I hopped off the stool and went about setting the table as instructed. Doing such a simple chore unleashed so many nostalgic memories. I did miss home.

  “Are you staying for lunch?” she asked, opening the oven door. The aroma intensified as a cloud of steam escaped.

  “I’m going out on a date and people usually eat on dates.”

  “You never go out on an empty stomach. What if you don’t like the food? What if the food isn’t enough?”

  “I’m not hungry,” I stated firmly, bringing the discussion to an end. I knew she’d continue insisting, it was how she was.

  My mother gave me a disapproving look, shouting, “Food’s ready.”

  The rest of the house came rushing in and gathered around the table. My brothers and sisters seemed to have grown so much since the last time I’d seen them. My stepfather came after them with a bag of chips in his hand. Like my mother, he was a big guy but also had the kindest heart. Ever since he stepped into our lives, everything changed for the better. He dragged my mother out of the hole she was sinking into, and was able to bring happiness to our lives.

  When my mother finished placing the food on the table, my heart sank a little with sadness or perhaps disappointment. Nothing had changed. There was more food than necessary, yet I knew nothing would be leftover.

  A sudden rush of memories flooded my brain. Almost like my childhood was displayed before me. The most heartwarming memories were the ones I spent time with my family and friends. Anything other than those memories cut my insides as if they were shards of glass. The name-calling. The teasing. It all pushed itself to the front of my mind. I didn’t know why. Maybe it was seeing all the food that triggered it.

  Then I compared my previous behavior to my recent ones. I was doing the exact same thing I did in high school, less frequently, but if I continued it would escalate. I spotted the signs and symptoms and was faced with a reality that deep down I already knew. I’d fallen off the wagon.

  At the table, my family ate and laughed. I watched them with conflicted emotions. I should have said something about the way they ate. However, I sensed it wasn’t the moment to bring up the subject. I didn’t possess the courage to confront my mother.

  “Mom,” I called. “Do you still remember my therapist, Dr. Burk?”

  “Of course, I do,” she spoke in between bites. “Wonderful woman.”

  “I think I’ll give her a call this week.” My words forced her movements to a standstill. Both she and my stepfather eyed me nervously. Before either of them could put in a word, I added, “I think you should come with me. It would be good if I had someone there. It’s been a while since my last appointment.”

  She pressed a napkin to her mouth. “Let me know when and I’ll go with you.”

  “I will, and thank you.”

  Maybe setting my mother up for a trap wasn’t the best idea but I didn’t have a better one. After all she did and does for me, I could never hurt her by telling her what I truly thought. I was positive Dr. Burk would help us both.

  Bulimia was the weapon I used for defense, to enhance my chances of survival in a world hell-bent on the thinness of women. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be rid of this evil, but Dr. Burk always said that admitting the problem was the first step to recovery. I was taking that step. I had a problem.

 
I said goodbye to the rest of my family and left them.

  Ezra was waiting for me inside of his car listening to music while drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. I watched him for a while. He was breathtaking. When I approached, he immediately turned down the volume and from the look on his face, I could tell there were traces of the epiphany I just had looming over me.

  “Is everything alright?”

  “Can you give me a hug?”

  He didn’t answer but reached over and opened his arms for me. I breathed in the scent of his skin and breathed out my troubles. His touch made me feel safe and accepted. I was at peace. I held on tighter and he kissed my temple. Before I knew it, everything that was bothering me drifted away like smoke on the wind.

  “Thank you,” I said, freeing myself from his embrace.

  “Are you good now?”

  “I’m perfect.”

  With a nod, he reversed out of the driveway.

  The drive towards where he was taking us was mostly quiet.

  Ezra placed a hand on my knee to grab my attention. “We’re here. We still have some walking to do, but it’s here.”

  We got out of the car and I followed him as we climbed a small, steep hill.

  “Are you sure this is the right place?” I asked unable to conceal the displeasure from my tone as we power-walked on a dirt path. “‘Cause it’s like we’re in the middle of nowhere.”

  With a throaty low laugh, Ezra placed his hand on my lower back, coaxing me forward. “This is the right place.”

  “Usually when a guy takes a girl out on a first date it’s to a romantic place of some sort and not to an eat-all-the-dirt-you-can place.”

  “I thought you weren’t the romantic type?”

  “I’m not. I’m just making an observation of how first dates work.”

  “First date, hmm?” He wriggled his brows. “Have you been on many?”

  I stopped to catch my breath only then did I answer him, “Three, back in college but it didn’t go past the first date.”

  Ezra took my hand, forcing me forward to resume the walk. “Well, I’ve got three college dates to beat.”

  “That won’t be hard, all you have to do is turn around and take me to a nice restaurant.”

  “Not a chance. I want to show you something.”

  “You could’ve taken a picture.”

  “What would be the fun in that?”

  Feigning astonishment, I brought my hand to my chest. “You think this is fun?”

  He tittered. “Do you ride?”

  “A bike, yes. Animals, hell no.” I nearly stumbled on a rock sticking out of the dirt. “If there are animals, Ezra, I swear to God I’m running away.”

  “I’ll have to run after you and catch you.”

  “Are you taking me to a ranch?” I asked, noticing a sign to our right indicating a path to somewhere called Howe’s Ranch.

  “Not this time.” Ezra pulled his backpack around to the front of him to retrieve a water bottle and handed it to me. I took a sip and then we were marching again.

  All I saw was thick overgrown grass, some patches reached as high as my knees. We’d stayed on a clear path up until that point, nothing wild like this. The ocean was never far from our trail, although unseen, I could always hear its rumble.

  Finally, we reached the spot. Ezra didn’t even need to say so, it spoke for itself. The view was mesmerizing. From the top of the hill, my eyes wandered to the infinite, blue mantle of water laid out before us. I closed my eyes to the lullaby of the sea, inhaling its potent salty breath. When I opened them, I found Ezra staring at me with a grin on his face.

  “I told you you’d like it here.” The light breeze was enough to blow every strand of his hair backward. “I come here a lot to think.”

  “What do you think about?”

  Shrugging, the backpack off his shoulder he said, “Life.” It was only one word, but he pronounced it in such a defeated manner.

  He gestured for me to sit. The flat surface of the stone was warm. He positioned himself next to me and unzipped his bag. The first items to appear were two blankets, he handed me one and I helped spread it out on the ground. Then a small cooler that he set between us and two water bottles.

  Once I opened the cooler, my eyes glimmered with delight as I spied the bright and fresh fruits in it. I reached for the grapes but Ezra slapped my hands.

  “Wash your hands first,” he said.

  Rolling my eyes, I obeyed and then was able to take hold of the grapes. They were as sweet as they looked.

  “How did you find this place?”

  “I used to come here a lot when I was younger with my family. We’d go to the ranch we passed down the road. It’s a great place, and horseback riding by the ocean feels incredible. My aunt isn’t a big outdoorsy person, but she’d always make an effort to come here with us.”

  “Your aunt sounds like the only sane one in your family.”

  “She probably is.” His eyes sparkled. “The best mother anyone could ask for.” He took a plum and dug his teeth into it, humming appreciatively as he chewed.

  “That good?”

  Sluggishly, he nodded. “If you could go anywhere in the world where would that place be.”

  I didn’t have to think about it. The answer was poised at the tip of my tongue. “Morocco.”

  “Seriously? I was expecting Paris or Greece or something like that.”

  “Paris is overrated. Morocco seems so rustic, vibrant, filled with history and their culture appears to be fascinating. It seems like a good place to visit.”

  I popped another grape into my mouth. “If you were reborn would you rather be alive in the past or future.”

  “Past, without a doubt.”

  “Why?”

  “Undo my wrongs.” Before I could ask what wrongs, he added, “would you rather have no one come to your wedding or to your funeral.”

  “Easy. Funeral, if I’m dead I won’t care that no one attended.” I chuckled. “Would you rather eat chocolate that tastes like shit or shit that tastes like chocolate?”

  He wrinkled his nose with disgust. “That’s an impossible one. But I’ll go with the latter.”

  “You’re disgusting.” I pulled a face.

  “Would you rather get away with lying every time or always know when someone is lying to you.”

  Considering the question, I brought the water bottle to my mouth and sipped. “Get away with lying. Would you rather eat your dead friend or kill your dog and eat it, if stranded on a deserted island?”

  “God, Christina.” He laughed. “I don’t know.”

  “You have to answer.”

  “I guess ... eat the dead friend.”

  “You’re so gross.”

  Ezra sniggered as he scooted over to me. “Look at the sun.” He swung his hand over my shoulder, bringing me even closer to him. “This is what I wanted you to see.”

  I stared ahead at the sunset. The yellow ball of fire spread its largeness into a grateful sky. Rich hues of red blended with oranges, purple and crimson. The sun was halfway into the water, but its reflection in the sea made it look complete. It was awe-inspiring. Leaning in, I rested my head on his shoulder.

  “Would you rather reverse one decision you make every day or be able to stop time for ten seconds every day?” I asked as the sun faded.

  “Right now, I’d say stop time but not for ten seconds, forever. I haven’t been this relaxed in a long time.”

  Was he including me in his forever moment?

  When the sun had completely set, we were surrounded by a blue night. Ezra lit two flashlights and placed them around us cutting through the dark.

  “Lie down and look up,” he commanded, doing the same.

  I did as he said and couldn’t withhold my gasp as I admired the broad expanse of stars overhead. I didn’t even mind the hard ground my back was pressed on.

  “There is something about this place,” Ezra whispered. “It’s beautiful but the tra
nquility is why I come here.”

  “Aren’t you afraid that some wild animal will come and eat you?”

  “There aren’t any wild animals out here.”

  I rolled over to my side and he did the same until we were face to face. Our bodies were only inches apart. We weren’t touching, yet we were close enough that I could feel the ripple of his breath as it ghosted over my skin. He reached forward and cupped his hand around my face, tilting it so that he could better look into my eyes.

  “You look incredible under the moonlight,” he murmured. “Your eyes are sparkling like one of the stars or even brighter.”

  I sensed a blush coming on. “Stop it.”

  “If you could see yourself through my eyes then you’d understand how beautiful you are.”

  When he said the words, it was as if every ounce of breath was taken from my lungs and floated into the air. I’d been complimented before—many times—but his words felt true like he meant them and was not just saying them to get into my pants. The softness that was on his expression was different from anything I had ever experienced. With him, the burn was slower but a million times as intense. The way he looked at me made me feel desired.

  “I’m having a hard time keeping my hands off of you right now,” he panted.

  “You don’t have to keep your hands off of me, I’m right here.”

  He leaned forward and brought his mouth to mine in the same soft, neutral way. I parted my lips beneath his to welcome his tongue into my mouth. Sighing, I tasted the sweetness of the fruits on him. His hands were on my knees and gently moved upwards, he paused at the top of my thigh.

  The kiss deepened and the sensual spark turned into an explosion. His hands were inside my shirt and his warm touch was electric on my skin. As he rolled over me, my hair tumbled around my shoulders and pooled around me on the blanket. Ezra took a breath as he looked down at me, taking in all of me like he was admiring a masterpiece.