“Relax, Hulk. By the way, when we get back, we’ll trade instruments and then you can tell me how easy drums are.” Trey leans forward, speaking directly to him with a humorous expression.
“They call you Hulk?” Sam laughs before turning her attention to Dex.
“Only these assholes,” he says and then grimaces. “Oh…I’m sorry,” he apologizes to Jessa’s parents.
“That’s alright,” Mrs. Harrison responds while Mr. Harrison continues to quietly eat his lasagna.
“Why do they call you Hulk?” Sam asks again, and I notice that her interest has clearly shifted to Dex.
“Seriously? The guy is all muscle,” Brady answers the question.
“You should have seen him at Halloween, Sam. He painted his body green and wore these cut-up purple pants. You could scrub your clothes clean against his abs,” Sadie says and Dex’s face starts turning red.
“That’s it, Dex, find a new place to live,” Brady jokes and Sadie gives him a sheepish smile.
“Not that they compare to my boyfriend’s though,” Sadie quickly adds and Brady smiles over at her, obviously secure enough in their relationship not to let it bother him.
“Can I feel?” Sam enthusiastically asks and Dex agrees, starting to lift his shirt.
“Let’s not do that here,” Mr. Harrison says without looking up from his plate, but Sam obscures her dad’s view and feels his abs through his shirt anyway. She and Dex smile at each other and suddenly the heat in the room gets kicked up a few notches.
We finish the meal and Jessa, Sam, and Sadie go to help Mrs. Harrison in the kitchen. The boys and I start to bring dishes in when I feel a hand clasp me on the shoulder.
“Join me outside.” I’m not ignorant to the fact that he isn’t giving me a choice.
“Yes, sir,” I respond. I sneak a glance at Brady, who has now stopped what he’s doing. He raises his eyebrows and then nods his head in encouragement. I know it’s time I face this, so I follow Mr. Harrison through the doors, ready to fight for us.
Chapter 16
Jessa
When I notice that both my dad and Grant are missing from the group, my stomach drops to my feet. It’s obvious that my parents are less than thrilled with this situation. I should’ve warned them, letting them get used to the idea of someone else. They seemed okay with Rob but then again, they never met him.
As I stand at the sink, incessantly scrubbing the pots and pans from dinner, I worry if this might push Grant over the edge. When he told me the story about his mom last week, my heart broke for him, and it was the first time I realized that he had no one in his life. He has Mr. C and Brady, along with a few other friends, but what he doesn’t have is a family that backs you and loves you no matter what. Based on the letters his mom left for him, it seems he must’ve known true, unconditional love at one time. That’s why it’s becoming easier for him to show it more each day.
“Jessa,” my mom quietly says behind me so the others sitting at the breakfast bar can’t hear. I turn my head toward her, continuing to scrub the pot. “You should’ve warned us. I could’ve eased your father into this.” She pats my shoulder and grabs the pot out of my hand, starting to dry it.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” I apologize. “But I really like him. I hope you and Dad will accept this,” I say sincerely.
“Are you sure you just like him?” She gives me a knowing grin and I giggle.
“God, I do, Mom. I love him. He’s nothing like Jason. I know you think that just because they were both in a fraternity and they present themselves in the same way, but…” I ramble.
“Relax, Jessa, it’s okay. He’s a very nice boy. I’ve thought so since Christmas. We knew you and Rob had broken up, but you never mentioned things had changed between you and Grant. And don’t worry, your dad knows Grant isn’t Jason. A father has to scare the boy who holds his daughter’s heart.” She laughs and I join in with her.
“Hopefully he doesn’t run out of here and hitchhike a ride to the airport,” I say, half joking and half serious.
“Jessa, you can see the love that boy holds for you across the room. Believe me, he’s out there fighting for your love.” She smiles and walks away, starting to put some of the dishes back in the cabinet.
I hear the guys start joking around about Grant having to talk to my dad.
“That sucks,” Dex shakes his head.
“I know, I hate the parents thing,” Trey remarks. “One of the best things about meeting girls in college is that you don’t have to worry so much about talking to the parents.” My mom turns around and scrunches her eyebrows at him. “No offense, Mrs. Harrison,” he adds, and she laughs.
“Quite alright, Trey. I remember how nervous I was when Mr. Harrison had to meet my parents. Unfortunately, they weren’t half as nice as my husband,” she finishes, giving me a reassuring smile.
“Whatever. Dad’s probably out there telling him about his gun collection,” Sam jokes, taking the seat next to Dex.
“Oh, Sam, stop it,” my mom says, waving her hand in the air. “Your Dad is more than fair when it comes to these things.”
“Was Mom…he has to be extra careful now. He won’t be fooled again.” Sam glances at me and then back to our mom. I’m pretty sure the boys don’t understand what she’s talking about, but Sadie does, and she gives me a sympathetic look.
“He’ll take care of it, Jessa,” my mom curtly says, leaving the room.
It kills me that she still feels guilty for what happened. I think that because Jason was her friend’s son, she somehow assumes responsibility for what happened. Part of me wants to go to her now, but then everyone in the room would become curious. I have to make a point to talk to her about it tonight or tomorrow. She reassures me all the time; it’s about time I assure her that I’m healthy now, and stronger because of what I went through.
“Aren’t you glad you don’t have to worry about this,” Sadie says to Brady, resting between his legs.
“Baby, I would love to be doing what Grant is doing, if things were different,” he says, his tone serious. The conversation in this room is way too serious for college students.
“So, who wants to play some cards?” I ask, glancing toward the back door.
“I’m in for sure. You going to play?” Dex directions the question toward my sister, and I notice her turn a nice shade of red.
“Of course I’m in. But be prepared, there’s a card shark hiding beneath this innocent exterior,” she jokes, and I see Dex’s eyes fill with lust.
“I‘ll bet there is. Let’s go, maybe you can show me a thing or two.” Dex stands up and holds his hand out for Sam. She gingerly stands up and gracefully takes it before leading him out of the room.
“Sorry, guys, I’m out,” Trey says, swinging the keys around his finger.
“And where are you going?” I slyly ask.
“Kailey’s. Thanks, by the way, I owe you one for getting her phone number.” He pats me on the shoulder before giving me a hug. “Don’t worry about what’s going on out there. Grant’s a big boy. He can handle himself,” he whispers in my ear.
“Thanks, and have fun, Trey. But…” I start to give him my usual lecture. Trey deserves to find someone who loves him. I know deep down he wants it, but either hasn’t found the right one or is too afraid to stick around.
“I know,” he sighs, as if he knows exactly what I’m going to say.
“She’s different, Trey. I see it in her so don’t mess with her head,” I say, just to make sure he understands.
“Got it, Sis,” he says, keeping his back to me and walking out the door.
“They seemed to have shared something on the plane,” Sadie says, and I glance over at her and Brady, wrapped in each other’s embrace. It only makes me yearn for Grant more.