Fighting the odds, p.19
Fighting the Odds, page 19
How can they be so crass? I wonder why Sebastian lends him the money every year. Probably the same reason I was willing to take any crumbs of anything my parents gave me. Deep down he’s trying to repair the relationship.
My resolve strengthens. He and I will get through this together.
“Yes, dear. I teach kindergarten. I get them before they get older and ignorant.”
Everyone in the room laughs.
Rachel squeezes my arm, nodding towards Sebastian’s parents, and leaves the room. Sebastian takes her spot beside me, his arm sliding around my waist. “Mom taught Junior High School while we were there. We couldn’t get away with anything. Worst two years of my life.”
“It’s not like you didn’t try. You just weren’t very good at it. Neither were the other ones,” she retorts.
“You have one of the most difficult jobs in the world. Shaping young minds is very important.” I lay my head on Sebastian’s shoulder.
Cecilia watches us, a thoughtful look on her face. “Thank you. Although I love my students, this week is a godsend. They can wear you out!”
“I bet,” I tell her. Dealing with adults can be tiring at times, too.
Ray turns from the door to us. “I’m sorry about Ray Junior and his family. I don’t know why he’s so rude.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I blow it off, trying to put his mind at ease. “It is what it is.”
I glance up at Sebastian who frowns and looks at the door himself. It upsets me he’s going through this with his brother. There are similarities in both of our situations. Sebastian needs to stand up to his brother, and I need to stand up to my parents. There’s no use in trying to repair a relationship when the other party has no intention of trying to make everything better. I’ll help Sebastian stand up to him.
“How long until we eat? I’m starving,” Cecilia asks.
“About an hour. We’re heating up everything now. There’s some cheese and crackers over there if you want something to snack on to tide you over.” I point to the table.
She gives me a hug. “We’ll let you get back to it then. We’ll talk more later.”
I nod and they disappear out the kitchen door.
I turn in Sebastian’s arms, looking up at him. “I’m sorry.”
“Why?”
“Because your brother is an ass to you. It’s hard to love someone who doesn’t love you back.” I squeeze his upper arms. “We’ll get through this holiday together, and I promise to be there when you talk to him today.”
His arms tighten around me, and he tilts his forehead down to touch mine. “I don’t know what we did to deserve you, but I thank God every day that we have you.”
“Funny, I thank God every day that I have all of you.” I smirk.
Sebastian lifts me so I’m eye-level with him. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Jag and Faith arrive at two pm on the dot. I stop what I’m doing to go and meet Faith. My palms sweat, and I rub them on my jeans so they won’t be clammy when I shake her hand. Jag leads us upstairs to my bedroom to give us a quiet place to meet.
We move over to the couch area with her looking around. “Jace, this is Faith. Faith, this is my sister, Jacinta.”
I reach out my hand to shake hers and to take her in. She has wavy brown hair and beautiful green eyes. I lean closer to look, and there are flecks of gold in them.
“I’m sorry for getting so close, but your eyes are amazing,” I tell her. “Are there flecks of gold in them?”
She smiles, and Jag says, “Aren’t they amazing?”
She blushes. He’s definitely smitten.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” I say, still holding her hand. “I’ve been impatiently waiting what seems like forever to do so.”
“It’s nice to meet you too. Jag has told me so much about you. Do you really live with your four boyfriends?” Faith asks.
I laugh. “I do. Is there a problem with that?”
She shakes her head. “Not at all. I would do it if I didn’t have Jag. It’s an amazing idea. We’ll talk more about it later. I have a few questions.”
I lean in and give her a hug. Yep. I like her already. “I’ll answer any questions I’m comfortable with.”
Pulling back from our hug, I glance at Jag, and he has a relieved look on his face.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She glances around my bedroom. “This is an amazing room. How does the bathroom look?”
Grabbing her hand, I lead her into the bathroom, and she takes it all in. “I love this bathroom. Did you decorate it?”
Shaking my head, I tell her, “No. This room and the closet already came decorated. The main bedroom and the living room area were the only areas that needed decorating. When I moved in, the room was beige.”
“Really? Wow!” She laughs. “I love what you’ve done with it. It’s great.”
“Thanks.” We walk back into the bedroom.
Judson is inside waiting for me, talking to Jag. I walk over and stand by Judson’s side. His arms come around my waist, and he kisses me on the top of my head. “Ray Junior has asked to speak with Seb. He told me to come and get you.”
“Where are they?” I ask.
“In the office,” he answers. “You don’t have to go in there if you don’t want.”
“He needs the support and I promised. There’s no place I’d rather be.” I smile at Faith. “I’ve enjoyed meeting you. We’ll talk later.”
“Hold up.” Jag stops me. “What’s happening?”
After I give him a quick synopsis, his face turns to stone. “Why would you agree to be with him? It could get dangerous. He could attack you.”
“How?” I ask. “Do you remember I can kick your ass?”
Faith looks back and forth at us curiously.
“I want to be nearby, so I’m coming with you,” he says.
Shrugging, I wave my arm to follow as I walk out the door and down the stairs.
Caleb and Ethan are heating up the last of the food as we walk through the kitchen.
“How much longer?” I ask.
Caleb tilts my face up and kisses me. “About ten minutes.”
Ethan slides his arms around my waist, turning me around and dipping me. He lays a quick kiss on me and stands me back up.
I laugh, loving it.
Caleb’s face gets serious. “Be careful going in there, baby. We’re all out here if you need us.”
My head bobs in acknowledgment as I walk through the doorway on the other side of the kitchen.
Raised voices greet me as I enter the hallway. The closer I get to the door, the louder they become. I take a deep breath and open the door.
“You two are a little loud in here. Can you keep it down?” I step inside and close the door behind me.
“Why are you in here?” Ray’s scathing voice demands.
“Sebastian asked me to be here, so here I am,” I respond, taking my position beside my man.
“You’re the reason he’s not giving me any money,” he accuses.
“Why should he give you money?” Lacing my fingers with Seb’s, I squeeze them.
Ray’s a grown man who needs to take care of himself. Instead, he’s sounding like a five-year-old who didn’t get his way.
“Who are you to tell him not to?” he questions back.
“Someone who loves him and puts his feelings first. Do you?” I tilt my head and stare at him, my voice cold. “Do you talk to him at all, except for asking for money twice in a month’s time?”
He’s quiet, his face like granite.
“That’s what I thought. It’s time to eat, let’s go into the kitchen.” I turn to walk away.
Sebastian
“Just because you want his money, doesn’t mean he can’t lend me any,” Ray taunts.
She stops and turns around. “I love him for who he is, and I haven’t asked him for a penny. I work for a living so I can take care of myself. By the way, have you ever paid him back?”
She shuts him up a second time in as many minutes. I watch him work his mouth as she walks to the door. She put it more succinctly than I ever could have. I need to take after Jacinta in standing up to my brother. Listening to what Jacinta was saying, made me aware I’ve never stepped up to him because I thought eventually, we would have a relationship, not realizing this was the actual relationship we already had. He was just going to use me until I stopped letting him.
I turn to follow her, and he runs towards her. “This conversation isn’t over yet!”
He goes to grab her arm.
“I wouldn’t—” My warning comes too late.
He grabs her arm, and she twirls around, swinging her arms to release his grip on her. Grabbing his thumb, Jacinta bends it all the way back.
“Fuck!” he yells when she doesn’t immediately let go.
Jag immediately opens the door, with my dad behind him. He nods in approval and walks away.
My father steps into the room and looks around. His gaze stops on me. “It’s about time. Now, let’s go eat.”
He turns and walks out the door.
Caleb, Ethan, and Judson rush into the room next, take in the scene, then hurry over to Jace to make sure she’s okay.
The only person who seems concerned about my brother is his wife, and she must know what an asshole he is because after she sees he’s still breathing, she leaves the room also.
Jace turns pleading eyes to me. “Check him out, and make sure he’s okay.”
His thumb area is red and swollen but he’s fine.
“Nothing's broken, just a little strained. He’ll be just fine,” I reassure her.
Ray makes a strangled sound and walks out of the room.
Caleb escorts her out of the room a little after.
“Man, I wished I could have seen that,” Ethan says in awe.
“It was amazing.” My body settles for the first time since Ray and his wife walked in the door. Although I didn't like it when Ray went to grab her, I do love the outcome. I’m amazed at her skill.
* * *
We file out of the office and into the kitchen. Everyone is in there ready to eat. We say a Thanksgiving prayer and fill our plates.
Jace takes the spot beside me.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
She nods, and I lean down and place my lips on hers.
“You were amazing. I love you so much. Thank you.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt him.” Her eyes look tormented.
I grab her and pull her into a quiet corner. “Sweetie, you were only defending yourself. You don’t know what he would have done to you. He grabbed your arm.”
I put my arms around her, holding her tight. Her body sinks into mine.
“But his hand is still swollen,” she says into my chest.
I turn her away from him to avoid his glare. “He’s probably nursing his ego right now. Don’t let him get to you, okay?”
She nods.
“Let’s go eat.”
We get our plates and join in the conversation going on around the kitchen and dining room area. Everyone is anxious to ask Jace about how she learned to defend herself. She explains, and the women talk about taking the classes. My father takes her to the side and talks to her. I watch her face and see it relax as he speaks. When they finish, he gives her a hug, and she walks back over to sit beside me.
After dinner, I notice Ray Junior and his family disappeared. I walk into the office to see if he’s in there, and he’s gone. They must have snuck out while everyone was eating. I glance around the office and see a note on the desk.
Picking it up, I open and read it. He threatens to sue Jace unless I give him the money this year. Chuckling, I take the letter out to Ethan and Caleb and hand it to them.
They laugh.
I take it to my dad, and he reads it and scowls. “I’ll take care of this. Don’t worry about it.” He hands the note back to me. “I’m glad that little lady came into your lives. It’s obvious how much she loves you. I haven’t seen anyone you all have dated come to your defense like that. I’m still loving she took care of him like that.”
A small smile comes to his face at the thought, making me smile also.
I gaze over at Jace as she talks to Faith, Jag, and Judson. The stress has finally left her eyes as she laughs, throwing her head back.
Patting my father’s shoulder, I make a beeline for my woman. I can’t stay away. As I reach her, it seems like Caleb and Ethan feel the same way. They are on their way over. Judson kisses her on the top of the head and hands her over to me. I settle her against me for a minute before handing her over to Ethan.
She steadily talks to Faith, like nothing’s happening.
Faith is mesmerized by us. She watches closely as Jace is moved from Judson to me, then from me to Ethan. Ethan briefly turns Jace around and places a quick kiss on her lips, before turning her back around and passing her to Caleb.
“Faith?” Jace asks, shaking her out of her reverie.
“Um, yes,” she blinks.
Everyone laughs as Jag pulls Faith back into him. He kisses her on the side of her head. “You’ll get used to it, eventually.”
A blush creeps up her face.
Jace steps forward and grabs her hand. “Come on, let’s go get some cake.”
She pulls her away, and we follow. Because of course, we want cake.
My mouth waters as she cuts into the chocolate poke cake. Rachel walks into the kitchen and stops by our group. “I’ve been waiting for you to cut this cake. It smelled so good when you were cooking it, I almost asked for a piece right then.”
Jace hands her a slice. “I would have given you one.”
Rachel smiles but doesn’t respond. She picks up the fork and takes a bite. “This is so good, I’m going to sit down before I have to beg for another piece.”
Jace hands a piece to everyone and an extra-large piece to Jag. “Thanks, kiddo. I’ve missed this cake.” He leans back and takes a bite. His eyes roll in his head. “Just like I remembered.”
After we eat dessert, we spend the rest of the evening, talking to our families and having a peaceful holiday. Tonight is my night with Jace, and I plan to hold her all night long.
21
Jacinta
The rest of the month passes peacefully. Jag leaves the second week of December to fly to Italy, returning after only a week. Faith picks him up at the airport, and it fills my heart with warmth that he found someone who truly cares about him.
The security the guys hired stay close every time I go out in public, but so far, Trevor remains silent.
The quiet was bound to break at some point.
A phone ringing assaults my ears, forcing my eyes open quickly. Hesitantly, I pull myself from the warmth of Ethan’s body and scoot over the bed to my nightstand to answer it. I’m glad my men sleep so well, or they would be woken up at all hours of the night. The display on the screen shows Mom. It also says it’s four a.m.
“Hi, Mom,” I say, my voice gravelly from sleep.
“What’s your address?” she demands.
My stomach drops. She doesn’t even say hello.
“You know I can’t give that to you.” I climb out of the bed. “Why are you asking?”
One of the first things security implemented was to restrict who I gave my personal information to, and that included my parents.
“I just need your address. Why can’t you give it to me?” Her shrill voice comes over the line, agitated.
“Because, Mom, my life may be in danger. I have a stalker. I know Jag explained this to you.” I pace back and forth. “What are you going to do? Send dates to my front door? What type of mother does that?”
Annoyed, I stare up at the ceiling and run my fingers through my hair. Another question arises. I know she doesn’t want me, and every guy she sent to the front door for me proved that. It’s like a knife to my heart that she can’t see what she does to me.
“You need to find a man and get married,” she defends herself.
“Did your mom send men to your dorm room for dates, Mom? Did she send them unannounced, knocking on your door four and five times a week?”
Ethan sits up in bed, the moon glowing on his face through the window.
“I had a boyfriend when I went to college, who I married after I graduated. You don’t have that,” she tries to defend herself to me again.
“Would grandmother have sent them to your door like that if you didn’t have a boyfriend? Can you answer that question for me? Because that’s a horrible thing for a mother to do. Anything could have happened to me. You could have sent a rapist or a serial killer to my door, do you know that?” My voice rises with each sentence.
“Don’t be ridiculous! None of the guys I sent were anything like that.” She still refuses to answer my questions.
“How do you know, Mom? Can you answer an actual question?” I pace back and forth, waving my free hand in the air.
Ethan moves to the edge of the bed, turning on the bedside lamp. His concerned eyes study me.
“How do you know, Mom?” I ask again, my voice breaking. “Did you run a background check on them or something? A background check doesn’t cover everything. You insisted on doing a background check on Trevor, and now he’s stalking me.”
I freeze in place, my hand covering my face to keep the tears from falling. This crying over my parents must stop. They don’t deserve it.
Silence fills the other line.
“Are you there?” I ask.
“I just want your address,” Mom says quietly, trying one more time.
“And I just told you I can’t give it to you. You’re doing good to have my telephone number. I’m hanging up now. Bye, Mom.” I disconnect the phone and text a quick apology to Jag.
Ethan’s arms circle around me. “What was that?”
I look up to stem the sting of tears. “That was my mom trying to get what she wants. I had to text Jag to warn him because she’s calling him as we speak.”
“Does she realize the time?” His hands rub my back.
