“You missed it Jackson. Little Gracie said the word shit in front of everyone.” Kennedy said, and I smiled at her. I still couldn’t find any words or any air for that matter.
“Sorry I missed it.” Jackson said as he looked at me again.
I wasn’t. I was glad he wasn’t there to see me make a fool of myself.
Conversation picked up as they discussed basketball, and school. They gave me plenty of time to relax before they asked me any questions. I was grateful. I told them about my Mom, Dad, and brother who were back home, but didn’t give any details. I also told them about my plan to attend college as soon as I had saved up the money. They were such genuine people. They listened to me as I spoke. It was lighthearted and nice, and I really enjoyed myself.
I tried my best not to look in Jackson’s direction anymore, but I couldn’t seem to help myself. My eyes seemed trained in that direction. Luckily Tucker’s carefree conversation swayed me at times.
“How old are you Tucker?” I asked.
“Too damn old for you,” he replied. “And it sucks.”
A small laugh escaped and I glanced again in Jackson’s direction. He looked mad. His eyebrows were drawn together in a hard line, but not at me. He was looking right at Tucker. There was some kind of silent conversation going on between the two of them. The more Tucker smiled, the angrier Jackson got. I turned my head, pretending not to notice and joined into the conversation with Claire and Kennedy. They were discussing Kennedy’s job at the Library, and I hung onto their every word. I was trying my best not to have my attention appear elsewhere. Something was up between the two of those boys, and I didn’t want any part in it. The less I knew, the better.
It only took one meal with Kennedy’s parents for me to know that they were amazing people. I had such a great time, despite my awakened feelings for Jackson arriving at dinner.
I offered to help Claire clear the dishes and clean up, but she wouldn’t have it. No matter how many times I told her that I didn’t mind, she’d say no every time.
I had to be at work first thing the next morning, so I was ready to leave. Aunt Darcy wanted to spend a little time with me before she left on her trip with Paul. He was taking her some place special for Thanksgiving, which was only a few days away. I was thrilled that for a short period of time, she wouldn’t have to worry so much about taking care of me. She could spend time with Paul, and focus on her love for him. It seemed that ever since I’d arrived into town, she’d been fussing and worrying about me. That’s not how I wanted it to go. I wanted her to pretend that I wasn’t there. I wanted her to go about her every day life as if I wasn’t intruding. That hadn’t happened.
“Thank you so much for having me over for dinner. I really had a great time.” I said to Claire as she was wiping the table off in the dining room.
“Oh honey, are you leaving?”
“I have to work in the morning, and Aunt Darcy is leaving on a holiday trip tomorrow night. I wanted to spend a little time with her before she left.” I explained.
“How nice. What will you do for Thanksgiving? You can’t spend it all alone. You have to come spend it with us. I insist.”
“I…” I started to protest, but Claire’s eyes were so sincere. “I… I’d love to.” I replied.
Claire clapped her hands together in excitement. “We like to host a dinner party, so it’s kind of a big thing. You should bring a date?” She winked.
A date?
I hadn’t realized that I would need a date. Would Jackson bring his girlfriend? I couldn’t be the only person at the party without a date. Or could I? If Kennedy didn’t bring someone, then neither would I.
“It’s okay dear.” She leaned in close. “Sometimes you have to bring other boys, so that you can make that special one jealous.” She whispered.
It’s funny how well these people knew me that had only just met me. My own family didn’t even know me that well.
“Thanks,” I hugged her.
“You’re welcome. Come back and see us soon.”
I nodded, and met Kennedy at the bottom of the steps. She was driving me home. Before we left I poked my head inside the living room where all the guys were watching television.
“Bye guys,” I waved.
“Bye Grace. It was great to meet ya.” Nick said.
“You too.”
“Later Gracie. I miss you already.” Tucker called out to me.
“Right,” I shook my head and waved.
I didn’t wait to see if Jackson said anything. Turning on my heels, I headed straight for the door. It felt good.
I didn’t want him thinking that I needed his goodbye. I was just being polite. Besides, I didn’t owe him anything. Not after his retreat from me. He should be lucky I even spoke to him at all.
Ugh… Even my thoughts were turning impolite. It made me feel gross. I needed to go home, write in my book, and shower away the disgusting things in my head.
22
Jackson
We had a scrimmage and two full practices this week. I was exhausted. The last thing that I wanted was to deal with a house full of people. I hated how they turned Thanksgiving into some damn circus. My muscles ached, and my knee was swollen, and all I wanted to do was lay down with an icepack and watch football on the T.V. in my room.
Mom insisted that I join. More like –told me I’d better be there or I was in serious trouble. I wasn’t some kid that she could punish, but I’d still do what she said. She was Mom. You don’t let her down.
It took me three tries, but I finally got my white tie just right. It lay against my dark gray shirt that was tucked into my slacks. I looked like I was going to prom or something stupid like that. I wasn’t the type that wore a tie, only on special occasions or at funerals.
I locked my bedroom door behind me, so that I wouldn’t come back upstairs and find some random kids playing with my shit. Coming up the stairs as I was walking down was Tucker.
“Where the fuck is your tie? Why don’t you have to wear one?” I fussed. He was even in jeans and Doc Martins. “Not fair.”
“You know I never do what I’m supposed to do. I’m the horrible son.” He gasped, mocking me.
“You’re an ass.” I said as I made my way down the steps.
“Maybe I am, but at least my girl isn’t here with someone else?” He laughed.
What the hell was he talking about? I didn’t even have a girl. The only person he could be talking about was Holly, and she wouldn’t dare show up here with someone else. She wasn’t even invited.
Rounding the corner into the family room, I spotted Grace. She was wearing a long black skirt, and a white button down top. It was the first time I’d seen her wear black. It was a little tighter too. I could see the curve of her ass, as she turned to the side. It hugged her just right. The top was short sleeve with little ruffles and buttoned all the way up to her neck. She had her long blonde hair braided to the side and that damn red lipstick on her lips.
An angel on earth, she was. I had never seen her look more beautiful. She took my breath away. If anyone else was in the room I would never know it. She lit it up.
A large hand reached for hers and they laced their fingers together. I followed that hand all the way up. It only took one glance at his face for me to feel like someone threw a brick at me. Forget the pain in my knee, the one in my gut hurt way worse.
This was what Tucker meant.
Fuck this shit.
She can’t just walk up into my house with someone else. What kind of an ass hole does that?
I growled.
The kind of person that gets treated like the way I treated her, that’s who does that. That makes it suck even worse.
“Grace,” I said sternly as I moved in close to her. I didn’t pause. I didn’t hesitate. I pulled her to me and kissed her cheek.
“Jackson.” She said in a surprised voice.
While she was pressed up against me I looked the dude straight in his eyes. There was recognition there. It took me a second, but I finally remembered him from the bar. He didn’t look too happy with me, but the feeling was mutual.