Saving jay, p.30
Saving Jay, page 30
part #3 of Breaking Free Series
I chuckled as I pulled on my jacket and fixed my sleeves. “It’s not a big deal, really.”
“It is a big deal! This is our first birthday together, and I want to spoil you. Are you sure there’s nothing you want?”
Walking to the edge of the bed, I leaned down and softly kissed Jade on the lips. “I already have everything I want.”
Jade sighed and rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
Straightening my back, I smiled down at her as she plopped her head down on her arms.
“Besides, you said you’d give me another tattoo. Did you forget?”
“No, but I’d give you a tattoo anyway. It doesn’t have to be for your birthday.”
Squatting down so that we were eye level, I studied Jade’s eyes for a second until I knew she was listening. “I don’t need anything but you.”
“Bu—”
“Are you mine?” I asked, interrupting her.
“Yes, bu—”
“Do you love me?”
“Ugh. Yes, bu—”
“Then, it’s already the best birthday I’ve ever had.” Leaning forward, I kissed her one more time before she could argue again.
“Fine,” she muttered.
I knew she was just appeasing me. She’d probably spend the day thinking of shit to buy me.
“I love you,” I said, smiling at her.
Her frown turned into a grin. “I love you, too.”
After saying good-bye to Jade and going outside to meet my driver, I climbed into the back of my car. Jade had no idea, but there was one more thing I wanted for my birthday, and I was hoping she’d give it to me.
Jade
I was singing along to Sia’s “Dressed in Black” as I tattooed a demonic Hello Kitty on my client, Kelli’s, arm.
This song always made me think of Jay and how his love had brought me back to life. It was hard to believe we’d only known each other for five months. Our relationship had already been tested so many times that I felt like we’d been together for years, but we were stronger than ever because of it.
After his father’s funeral, Jay had begun to find his way back to me, and things were good. Actually, they were amazing. We’d come through the fire together, and our love was still standing.
Putting the finishing touches on Hello Kitty’s bow, I wiped Kelli’s arm and scooted back to inspect my work.
“Okay, all done,” I said, smiling, as I rolled my chair out of the way.
She stood up and went to look at it in the mirror. “Sweet,” she drawled as she checked it out.
Kelli was a beautiful woman. Most of her body was already covered in ink, but she’d said she reserved that one spot just for me. Hopefully, I’d done it justice.
“Hey, J. Someone’s here to see you,” Dustin said as he came to lean in the doorway.
He looked over at Kelli, and a mischievous smile slowly crept onto his face.
“Dustin, this is Kelli. Kelli, this is my shop manager, Dustin. Would you mind taking care of her for me, so I can go see what’s going on?”
I could practically hear the explosions going off in the room as they stared at each other.
“No problem, boss. I’ll take good care of her.”
I laughed and shook my head. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Kelli. You let me know if Dustin gives you any problems, but I’m sure you can handle him.”
She eyed Dustin for a second before muttering, “Too fuckin’ right.”
When I walked out into the lobby, I found Cee Cee kneeling down on the floor, playing with something. Her back was to me, so I couldn’t see what it was, but I could hear her talking to it.
“Oh my goodness, you’re such a cutie wootie. Yes, you are. Oh, yes, you are.”
“Cee Cee, what are you—Oh my God!”
Rushing over, I fell onto my knees beside her. She was playing with the cutest, fuzziest little black puppy I’d ever seen. “Look at you! Oh my God, you are so cute!”
Cee Cee and I laughed as the puppy rolled onto its back, and we rubbed its belly. It had a blue bow wrapped around its little neck, and I noticed a small paper tag hanging from it.
“What’s this?” I flipped the paper over and read the note.
It was in Jay’s handwriting.
TAKE ME OUTSIDE.
I looked over at Cee Cee.
She smiled. “Don’t worry. I already canceled your last appointment.”
Glancing around the room, I saw Jackson and Trix watching me with grins on their faces. Cee Cee got up and left the room as I picked up the puppy, holding it against my chest.
“What’s going on?”
They both shrugged.
Cee Cee came back and handed my bag to me. “Go.”
I looked at all of them one more time, trying to find some sort of clue, but none of them said a word. I could see Jay’s black car waiting for me outside, his driver holding the back door open. I smiled and kissed the top of the puppy’s head.
“Well, I guess we’d better go,” I whispered to him as I made my way outside.
When I walked out of the door, Jay’s driver, Dave, greeted me, “Good afternoon, Ms. Holliday.”
“Hey, Dave. What’s up?”
He smiled, and I climbed into the empty backseat. I could still smell Jay’s cologne lingering in the air. His flight was supposed to have left four hours ago.
“What’s going on?” I asked the puppy as I pet him in my lap.
He just licked my fingers.
Dave got back into the car and pulled it out of the parking lot. I looked out the windows as he got onto the highway and started driving us toward the beach. The anticipation was killing me, and butterflies were doing flips in my stomach as I waited to see where he was taking me.
About fifteen minutes later, my palms were sweating, and my knee was bouncing. I was so anxious. I watched as we drove down a narrow street along the coastline, and I saw one of Jay’s houses in front of us. It was the same rental he’d taken me to months ago for our massages. Dave pulled the car into the driveway and parked. I ducked my head and tried to look inside the windows of the house to figure out what was going on, but I didn’t see anything.
“Here we are,” he said after opening my door for me.
I suspiciously eyed him and held the puppy in my arms as I grabbed my bag and got out. “You’re not going to leave me here alone, are you?”
He shook his head. “Of course not, Ms. Holliday.”
I looked back at the house and started walking toward it, the puppy squirming in my arms. “Shh…it’s okay. I’ll let you down in a second.”
I climbed the stairs to the front door and rang the doorbell. After waiting a few seconds, I turned the knob, and the door opened. I looked back at Dave one more time, and he waved as he walked back to the driver’s side of the car.
When I opened the door, I heard music playing. It was an acoustic version of “Fools Rush In,” the same song Jay and I had danced to on one of our dates. Setting the puppy down, I watched as he took off on his little legs, running toward the back of the house. I looked around and noticed lit candles everywhere. My heart started beating harder in my chest as I put my bag down and made my way down the hall. When I got to the end, I saw Jay standing on the back deck. He was leaning on the railing, looking out at the ocean.
That sneaky bastard.
Grinning, I walked over to the sliding glass door and opened it. “What are you doing here?”
He turned around to face me. He slipped his hands into his pants pockets and smiled, his adoring eyes steady on mine. “I remembered something I wanted for my birthday.”
“Oh, yeah?” I smiled back at him.
He nodded, and I walked toward him.
“The puppy?” I looked down at my feet as he ran circles around my ankles.
The smile slowly left Jay’s face as he stared into my eyes, and he shook his head. Taking his hands out of his pockets, Jay came closer and held mine. Lifting them to his mouth, he kissed my knuckles, like he always did.
“I want you,” he said, his deep blue eyes pulling me into them.
“You already have—”
“Forever,” Jay said, interrupting me.
I stood there, looking up at him, with my lips parted as I tried to comprehend what he was saying.
Forever?
“You’re my best friend, Jade. From the very first time I laid eyes on you, I knew I’d never be the same. You tore down my walls, and you were strong for me when I couldn’t be. You lit up my life with your smile.”
He paused and ran his thumb along the curve of my bottom lip, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread onto my face. Jay’s eyes lifted from my mouth, and they were full of devotion.
“You let me into your heart,” he murmured as he swept the backs of his fingers along my jaw. “You took my ugly dark piece of art and turned it into a masterpiece.”
I felt time slowing to a crawl as I watched Jay get down on one knee in front of me. He pulled out the most magnificent, largest diamond ring I’d ever seen. Tears gathered in my eyes as I looked down at the man who had my heart. He had all of me.
The puppy started barking and jumping up on Jay’s leg and I laughed, covering my mouth with my hands as my mind started to finally realize what was happening. Reaching out, Jay took my shaky hand in his and kissed it.
He peered up at me and said, “Your love saved me. The beauty of your soul and your spirit has changed me. You’ve made me a better man, and I want you to be mine forever. Will you marry me, Jade?”
I smiled so big that I thought my cheeks might burst. My vision was blurred by my tears, but I looked down into Jay’s beautiful face and said, “Hell yes.”
Jay
One Year Later
I stood in my living room, surrounded by people, as I watched Jade while she was out on the deck with Asia, Hailey, Natalie, and Nick.
Jade had insisted on throwing me a birthday party, and although I hadn’t thought she could ever top the gift she’d given me last year, she had. We’d gone to see her doctor this morning where she’d confirmed that Jade was ten weeks pregnant. The doctor had recommended that we wait at least two more weeks before telling anyone, but keeping secrets wasn’t one of my wife’s strong points.
I grinned as I watched Jade laughing with her friends. Even after all this time, I still couldn’t keep my eyes off of her. She was now Mrs. Jade Clarke, and she was carrying my child inside of her. I didn’t think it was possible for me to love her more, but now, I knew it was.
“Happy birthday, man,” Jackson said, slapping me on the back, as he came to stand next to me.
I broke my gaze from Jade, looked over at him, and smiled. “Thanks.”
Jackson looked out at the deck and raised his chin in Jade’s direction. “She’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her.”
“What are you fuckers talking about?” Trix asked as he walked over to us with Cee Cee tucked under his arm.
“Your unhealthy obsession with porn,” Jackson replied, not skipping a beat.
“Your mom’s videos are my favorite. Older and bolder, baby.” Trix started thrusting his hips.
Cee Cee smacked his chest. “You’re so disgusting.” She rolled her eyes and he kissed her cheek.
The door to the back deck opened, and Cee Cee watched as the girls made their way inside.
“When is Asia’s baby due?” she asked, staring at Asia’s swollen belly.
She looked like she was ready to pop.
I shrugged. “In just a few weeks, I think.”
We watched as Marcus walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around his wife, his hands resting on her stomach. He leaned down, kissing her neck, and they both smiled. I grinned when I imagined Jade and me doing the same in about seven months.
Jade walked toward us with our dog, Ink, at her heels. He always followed her everywhere.
“Hey, birthday boy,” she crooned as she came and put her arms around my waist.
Leaning down, I brushed my nose against hers, and we both smiled.
“Hey, Mrs. Clarke.”
“Where’s your drink?” Trix asked Jade.
She turned to face him and Cee Cee.
We glanced at each other.
“I’m not drinking tonight.”
“Why the fuck not? We’re celebrating your man’s birthday!”
Jade was struggling to come up with a reason when she was saved by the sound of the doorbell. “Oh, I’d better go get that,” she muttered.
I watched as she walked through our house and toward the front door.
We’d ended up moving into my rental property on the beach. Jade had told me she wanted to live here because it felt more like a home, and I’d agreed. I didn’t need a luxury apartment. I just needed her.
Jade opened the door, and I saw a man standing there with a black Harley-Davidson cap on his head, but I was distracted when Asia, Marcus, Shaun, and Natalie came to stand in front of me.
“Happy birthday, Jay,” Asia said, putting her arm out for a hug.
I put my arm around her, trying not to press on her stomach, as I patted her on the back. “Thanks, Asia. How are you?”
She took a deep breath, and her cheeks puffed as she blew it out. “I’m ready to get this baby out.”
I chuckled, glancing at Marcus. “Yeah, I bet.”
Moving in closer, Asia whispered, “I heard the good news. Congratulations.”
I shook my head but couldn’t help from smiling. “Thanks.”
“Hey! I need everyone out front, please!” Jade yelled from the front door. Her eyes met mine, and she gave me a devious smirk. “You come out last, Mr. Clarke.”
Shaun smiled and dropped his hand on my shoulder. “Good luck, bro.”
“Thanks.”
I watched as everyone turned to walk outside.
Shaun wrapped his arm around Natalie’s back, squeezing her ass. She squealed and smacked him on the shoulder before he kissed her. I chuckled, shaking my head, as I peered down at the beer in my hand.
When I was the last one in the house, Jade came over to me and held my face in her hands, her fingers sliding into my beard and tugging at it.
“I love you,” she said, her beautiful eyes sparkling with excitement.
“I love you, too.” Leaning down, I kissed her plump lips.
“Come on.”
Taking my hand, she pulled me toward the front door, and when it opened, I looked down the stairs to see a Harley-Davidson FXB Sturgis in mint condition. I’d been dreaming about owning one for years. My eyes widened, and my jaw dropped before I looked down at Jade.
When she saw my expression, she started laughing and hopping up and down with her hands clasped in front of her. “Go look! Go look!”
Everyone watched me as I walked toward it. I put my hand on the handlebar and swung my leg over, straddling the seat. I slowly lowered myself onto it, and all our friends started clapping and cheering.
“You look like a natural on that thing, bro,” Dustin said with a smile.
For the first time in my life, I felt weightless. I had everything I’d ever wanted. I had friends I could trust and who cared about me, I had a wife who loved me fiercely and unconditionally, and most of all, I had the courage to love them back.
Jade was right.
It was the darker moments that made the good ones shine.
The End
Please consider making a donation to the ALS Association.
www.alsa.org
The process of writing this book was bittersweet for me. While I was eager and excited to give Jay the love he deserved, I was also hesitant to say good-bye to these characters.
I still remember the night Asia’s story started playing out in my mind and the thrilling excitement that coursed through me as I hurriedly wrote her words down on paper. At the time, I had no idea what I was creating. I didn’t know that her story would change my life forever.
In everything that I write, I hope that my readers are able to immerse themselves in the worlds I create and be touched by the messages I try to portray. These stories will always hold a special place in my heart, and I hope they find some space in yours, too.
Be free, be brave, and be you.
To my readers—Thank you so much for your support. Thank you for giving my writing a chance and for loving my characters as much as I do. You’ve helped me realize a lifelong dream, and I’m incredibly grateful for all of you.
To my husband—Your love and support mean the world to me. Thank you for being my partner in crime and the most kick-ass husband ever!
To my kids—Thank you for sacrificing Mommy time, so I can write, and for being two of the most awesome kids ever! Don’t read these books until you’re thirty.
To BIL, AKA Brian Abel—Thank you for helping watch your niece and nephew while I wrote and for all the meals you made while I was glued to my computer.
To my sisters—Thank you for always being there for me, no matter what.
To my editor, Jovana Shirley—Thank you for always being so understanding and for being so amazing at what you do.
To my Kick-Ass Street Team—You girls are the best support team an author could ever ask for. Thank you for being so awesome! #TEAMUNSTOPPABEL
To my Critiquers—Thank you for the time and effort it took to help me get these stories right. I don’t know what I would have done without you. You helped me make this series one I can be proud of. I love all of you.
To my cover artist, Angela Fields—Thank you for dealing with my crazy, disorganized mind and always delivering.
To my cover model, Casey West—Thank you for meeting me at the beach at five a.m. to get my cover photo. You rocked it!
E.M. Abel, Saving Jay
