“She’s always there when I see Layla. I’m not ready to take her on my own yet.” I open my mouth to throw in my two cents, but he stops me. “Her fiancé was also there. They were having their engagement photos done, and she came to see if I wanted the photographer to get some of me and Layla.”
I’m guessing the pictures with his daughter didn’t happen since he spent the rest of the afternoon worrying about and looking for me. Now I feel like an asshole.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.” I move a bit closer to him. “But, it didn’t look good from where I was standing. Also, I’m not happy about the way everything went down with your mother. You could have stood up for me.”
“I know, and I’m sorry for that, too. I’ve never stood up to them in my life. I didn’t know how to react.”
“That’s not exactly an excuse.”
“True, but if it makes you feel any better I haven’t been home since. I got enough clothes to wear, but that’s it.”
“Where have you been staying?” Jake moving out of his parents’ house on my account is almost enough to make me swoon.
“Marshall’s. Where else would I stay? I’m not super close to Dylan, and Randall’s home life sucks.” Another drink of water. “Marshall is practically my brother. His family took me in, no questions asked.”
“That was nice of them.”
“I sense a but coming,” he says.
“But you still need to say something to them. You’re running away from your problems.”
“Have I ever introduced you to my kettle?” I shoot him a glare. “I’m just sayin’, it seems pretty similar to what you just did.”
“We’re not talking about me.”
“Anyway, I want you to meet Tonya, Reaf and Layla. I think it will ease your mind a bit where they are concerned. Tonya’s family is having a cookout and invited me and Marshall. Would you like to come?”
I roll my head back, leaning it on the back of the sofa. “I don’t know, Jake. I need to think about everything you’ve just told me.”
He nods, standing up. “I understand.” Leaning down he places a soft kiss on my cheek. “I’ll text you the address and time. You don’t have to let me know if you’re coming or not. I’ll be more than happy if you show up.” His shoulders sag just the tiniest fraction. “But if you don’t I’ll understand that, too. I want you to know I care about you…a lot. You’re my Reaf.”
He walks out of my apartment without another word. What the hell did that last statement mean He’s so weird sometimes.
The bigger question is do I go, or not?
Twenty-One
Jake
Waitingthe few days between seeing Charleigh and the cookout has been torture. I haven’t texted her once, even though I’ve wanted to so many times. Marshall and Tonya have been the devil and angel on my shoulder. Marshall telling me I should call, and Tonya telling me to let her have some space.
It’s weird that Tonya is here for me during my possible breakup with Charleigh. But that’s the type of person she is. It used to drive me crazy because I thought people were taking advantage of her, and she was just letting them. But, now I see that she tackles everything with kindness. She gives everyone a chance the same way she gave me one.
My knees are bouncing an unsteady rhythm while we sit around the fire pit. Mr. Burgess is talking about the upcoming college football season. A small part of me weeps about no longer playing football. One look at Layla sitting in her chair away from the fire squashes that feeling. She’s the reason I’m doing this. The reason I’m starting a plumbing apprenticeship and taking online classes in the Fall. Charleigh may be another reason I’m doing it, also. If she’ll have me back.
There’s a soft tap on my shoulder. Tonya is standing behind me. “There’s someone at the door for you.” She gives me a small smile before taking a seat next to Reaf.
My feet carry me to the backdoor as fast as possible. So fast that I can’t get the damn sliding door open. It keeps getting stuck as I try to push it to the side. Finally, after a few attempts it opens, giving me entrance into the kitchen.
I’m rounding the corner into the living when I hear her voice from behind me. “Looking for someone?”
“How long have you been there?” I ask, mortified.
One hand goes to her hip. “Long enough to see that you don’t understand the concept of opening doors.”
Groaning, I walk up to her. I reach for her hand, and inwardly do a happy dance when she allows me to hold it. “I was hoping you wouldn’t see that.”
“Yep, and I’ll remember it forever.”