I sent her a quick text before class asking her if she was okay, but I still hadn’t heard from her. The wait was agonizing, and I grew uneasy with every minute that passed.
If she hadn’t texted me back before I left school for the day, then I was going to her house.
“Hey man, you going to The Edge tonight?”
I heard Jeremy’s voice above everyone’s in the hall, his loud, and obnoxious voice. Stepping to the side, I waited for him to approach me. He would track me down no matter what, so I was just as well to get it over with.
“Don’t tell me you forgot?” He said as he dropped his bag to the ground.
I gave him a questionable look. It was true. I had forgotten whatever the hell he was talking about. Too many things were going on. I’d been busy.
“Cory’s birthday bash at The Edge. You can’t miss it.”
“Shit. That’s tonight?” I shook my head. “I don’t think I can come.” I said thinking about Grace. I really wanted to be with her. Who was this person she was turning me into? Never in a million years would I miss one of the guy’s birthdays for a girl. But this wasn’t just some ordinary girl. This was Grace. My Grace.
“There is nothing more important then this party tonight. Your damn homework can wait. Besides, we’re about to have finals and this whole crappy semester will be over. If you ain’t passing by now, then you ain’t going too.”
“Thanks man,” I said sarcastically. “Way to punch me in the gut.”
“What’s gotten into you?” He asked.
“Nothing.” I said a bit to hasty.
He shook his head. His long, shaggy hair hung down over his eyes. It was taking over his face. I’d be glad when he cut that shit off, but he wouldn’t. Not until we lost a game. He was a superstitious nut. “Whatever man. You don’t want to talk to your best friend? I get it. Years and years of friendship obviously mean nothing to you. I thought you loved me man.” He joked, faking tears.
“Shut up.” I shoved his arm. My phone vibrated from the pocket of my jeans, and I reached in and pulled it quickly. I’d been waiting all day for a message.
I’m fine. Quit worrying would ya? I’ve decided not to call my Dad, at least not for a little while. Oh, and Kennedy is taking me to The Edge tonight so that I can chill out. Her words not mine.
“So are you going or not?”
“Actually, I think I will.” I replied.
“Good, I’ll see ya tonight. Text me later if I need to pick you up.”
“Yeah okay, see ya.” I said, as I replied to Grace’s text. A damn tornado could have come rolling through at that moment and I wouldn’t have noticed. It’s funny how someone so little and plain in everyone else’s eyes, could be so strong and beautiful in mine. I wish it hadn’t of took so long for me to make her mine.
I told her that I’d see her at the bar tonight, and I couldn’t wait. Well kind of. My friends were going to have a field day with this, but I was ready. They could pounce all they wanted, and I wouldn’t budge. It was going to be my night to prove to her that I was for real. I didn’t want her seeing anyone else tonight, except me.
I am Free
I was on the edge of my stool sitting next to Jeremy when I spotted her across the bar. You couldn’t miss her. Her wavy, light blonde hair was the brightest in the room. Kennedy was talking to her and pointing in our direction, and that was when our eyes locked. It was only a brief second before she looked away. Were they not coming to sit with us? I saw her head move back and forth as if to say no. She was looking at Kennedy and not me. They walked a little farther until they were almost at the end of the bar. I could barely see them now through the sea of people. When they were completely out of sight, I’d had enough. I didn’t want to wait any longer. Pushing my way through the crowd, I finally spotted them sitting in the stools at the far corner of the bar. I moved in closer, but stopped to look at her before she knew I was there. I had no shame. I could stare at that beautiful girl every day for eternity.
“Jack,” Kennedy called out to me. “You leaving the ass-holes to sit with the normal people today?” She asked.
“Nope. You girls are leaving the normal people to come sit with us ass-holes.” I grabbed Grace’s hand and tried to pull her up from the stool, but she was holding back.
“I don’t think so Jackson.” She said. Did I mention how much I loved the way she called me Jackson. She never called me Jack like everyone else. Her eyebrows scrunched as she frowned.
“It’s fine. No one will say anything.” I tried to reassure her.
“That’s the problem.” She kept a tight grip on my hand pulled me closer.
I shrugged my shoulders. I didn’t know what she meant.
“You won’t talk to me while we’re over there.” She said. She looked up at me through her heavy lashes. A sad look was on her face.
“Come on.” I nudged her off the stool. It was time to prove my point. She gave me a curious look, and then pleaded with Kennedy to come along.
I kept her hand tucked against shirt as we made our way over to where the guys were sitting.
“Guys!” I addressed the group. “Ya’ll remember Grace.” A few eyes went wide as they looked at her, but no one said anything. “She’s my girlfriend.” I announced making sure that my point was crystal clear. I wanted them to know that she was taken, she was mine, and that I didn’t give a damn what they thought.
Say what you want guys. You’re not breaking me.
Grace looked up at me, but it wasn’t quite the face I was expecting. Was she angry? I was trying to prove a point. I just wanted her to see that I wasn’t ashamed of her, that I wanted her there with me, around my friends.
Instead of worrying, I flashed her the biggest, funniest smile that I could. And it worked.
She laughed loudly in front of the guys, not caring who saw. It was the greatest laugh, and obviously contagious because some of the guys laughed too. Not all of them, but some.
When Kennedy and Grace went to the bathroom, I told the guys to be nice. One cross word and I’d lay anyone of their asses out. I didn’t care. They didn’t say much about it, but I knew I’d pissed a few of them off. If they were angry with me then we would settle it later. Not while Grace was there.
She was nearly running when she came back to the table from the bathroom. There was a concerned look on her face.
“I have to go. I’m sorry. Aunt Darcy left for the night, but she just called and said that she didn’t know if she locked the door to the house. She’s worried. I told her that I would call it a night, and I’d go home to make sure everything was okay.”
“Oh, okay. That’s fine. I can take you.” I offered.
She smiled. “That’s sweet, but it’s okay. Kennedy said she’d take me.”
Oh no. “Let me. Kennedy,” I pleaded with my eyes. “I can take her home. You stay for a while.” If she couldn’t read the eye signals that I was throwing her way then she was blind.
Kennedy paused and gave me a funny smile.
I was going to put her in a headlock when I got home.
“I don’t mind Kennedy, if you want to stay.” Grace said.
Oh the bad thoughts. They were running crazy in my mind. I had to remember to shut them up when I was with Grace. Don’t get me wrong. She was beautiful and my dirty thoughts made for some amazing dreams, but dreams of her body would be as far as I could go. Just dreams. I didn’t mind though. I’d wait forever for this girl.
Do you hear me God? I shouted the words in my head. I’m changed. I’d wait forever for her.
“Okay.” Kennedy replied. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” She hugged Grace just before we left.
And finally, I was going to get some alone time with my girl, my girlfriend.
29
Grace
Oh boy. What had I gotten myself into? This alone time with Jackson wasn’t getting any easier. In fact, it was getting harder and harder for me to control my emotions around him. I could understand the whole forbidden fruit thing now. It was all making sense.