Chapter 27
27
ZORA
I still remember the code to get into Jackson’s building. And as I press the numbers in the keypad, my fingers shake.
I may be making a huge mistake by coming here but I don’t want to live my life with regrets.
I decided to give Jackson a call after another heart to heart conversation with my father. I think he was shaken by his last conversation with Langston.
My brother of course came back expecting father to bail him out of his situation by hiring him a good lawyer. To my surprise, my father put his foot down .
“I’m your son. I can’t believe you’re just going to let me go to jail? Mom wouldn’t let this happen,” Langston uses his go to line when he’s not getting his way.
“Don’t you bring up, Mom!” I yell at him. “Dad could have lost his house because of you and you don’t care. Mom wouldn’t have wanted you to treat Dad like this. It would break her heart if she knew her son became such a bum.”
Langston turns on me with clenched fists. “Shut up, Zora. You’ve always been Miss Goodie-Two-Shoes. Families are supposed to help each other out.”
“And you’ve never lifted a finger to help Dad. You haven’t even asked him about his health. He’s going through cancer treatment right now in case you care. But I’m sure you don’t.”
Langston, adjusts his tie, at least having the good grace to seem embarrassed. “Of course I care but I’m in trouble. I’m just asking for help this one last time.”
“You have a gambling addiction and it’s never going to stop until you get help.”
“You stay out this you! That’s why no man will ever want you. Because you don’t know how to mind your fucking business.”
His taunt may have worked a long time ago but I know for a fact someone does indeed want me. And I see this as the rant of a desperate man.”
“That’s enough!” My father roar, finally intervening. “Zora, let me handle this.” He turns to my brother. “If you ever talk to your sister down like that I will whoop your ass. Don’t think you’re too grown. That’s the problem, I should have tougher on you.”
Langston’s and my mouth falls open. Our father has never spoken like this with either of us.
“Dad…” he starts.
“Shut up. When your mother died, I didn’t want the two of you to suffer so I overcompensated by giving you whatever you wanted. Zora never asked for much but you, boy… “He shakes his. “I’ve bent over backwards for you. Well, I’m done. It’s time for you to be a man and take responsibility for your actions.”
Langston begged and even squeezed out a few crocodile tears but my father remained unmoved. I guess even he has his limit and Langston found it.
My brother ended up storming out of the house and neither of us have heard from him since. We have a complicated relationship and hope one day he gets his act together at least for my dad’s sake.
It was another month before my father, started dropping hints about me reaching out to Jackson because he was tired of seeing me walk around the house like I lost my best friend.
Was it serendipity that Jackson happened to be in town when I called? I’m not sure but my nerves threaten to take over when I knock on his door.
He snatches the door open so quickly he takes me by surprise.
My breath catches in my throat. I don’t know how it’s possible, but he looks even more handsome than the last time I saw him. His jeans hang just low enough to reveal the top of his pelvic bone. His white tee skims his torso so lovely, it outlines the cut of his muscle.
His hair is damp and tussled, indicating he has recently showered.
“Zora,” he whispers my name like a prayer. He stares at me with an intensity that makes my heart pound a mile minute.
I giggle nervously. “Are you going to let me in?”
He moves back and opens the door enough to allow me inside. “Of course. “I’m sorry. Please make yourself at home. Can I offer you something to drink?”
“Some water would be great,” I reply taking a seat on the couch.
He’s back in an instant with an unopened bottle of spring water. “Here you go. What have you been up to since we last saw each other?”
“Things have been a little hectic. Dad seems to be doing well with his treatment. He’s finished radiation and has started chemo treatments. That’s taking a lot out of him but he’s a trooper. I’m officially moving back to Champion. Since my lease was up last month I decided not to renew. I found a job about 40 minutes away from here. I don’t love the commute but it’s something for now.”
“Sounds like you’ve been very busy.
“I have. How about you?” I nervously fumble with the bottlecap. “How have you been?”
“Missing you.”
I nearly choke on the water I’d taken a gulp of. I didn’t expect him to be so direct.
He’s at my side in an instant and gently pats my back.
“Are you okay?” I nod. “Yes, I’m fine. You can’t just say things like that.”
“It’s the truth though. I do miss you. But if you want a more generic answer, I’ve been focusing on work and I’ve started swimming again.”
I smile faintly. “That’s a good thing. You were an amazing swimmer. I think you could have gone to the Olympics if you would have kept it up.”
He shrugs. “It stopped being fun when there was too much pressure to win. But I love it now that I can just do it for fun and exercise. I’ve also taken up crocheting.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No, lie. I can show you the blanket I’m working on. It’s in my carryon bag. Give me a second.” He gets an up and heads to his room.
Jackson returns with a yellow swath of fabric. “I just started it and I keep making mistakes but I’m getting pretty good at it. I practiced making some doilies and pot holders. This is my first attempt at a blanket.”
I run my hand over his work. I don’t know much about crocheting but it looks good to me. “This isn’t bad and I love the color yellow.”
“I know. It’s why I chose this color. I hope when I’m finished, I can gift it to you.”
My heart races. “Jackson…”
He holds up his hand. “Zora, wait, let me finish. I know I’ve fucked but I’ve started therapy and I’m learning about myself. I can never make up for all the times I’ve hurt you, but I’d would like for you to get to know the me you deserve. I know it’s only been a couple months since we’ve last seen each other and you probably need more time but I’m wondering if there’s any hope for us.”
I take a deep breath. “I wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t. Jackson, I’ve had a long time to think about the past and while I still think my high school days were pretty shitty, everything wasn’t all bad. I had Lea and there times when you were actually nice to me. And I can’t remember you ever calling me out my name other than hobbit which I’m still not crazy about.”
“You’re still short and cute,” he interjects.
“I’m a dignified 5’3, thank you very much. I would have been of average height a hundred years ago.”
He smiles. “You keep telling yourself that shorty.”
I tap him on the chest playfully and we both start laughing. Our eyes connect and I’m not sure who moved first but the next thing I know, our lips connect.
I had come her to chat but there’s an invisible force that seems to bind us together. It makes me want to be closer to him.
He wraps me in his arms and pulls me closer until I’m on his lap.
“God, I’ve missed this,” he murmurs against my lips.
Heat rises from my core and my nipples pebble as I press my chest against his.
My body comes alive, connected to the source of its addiction. Our tongues circle in a passionate dance of lust.
He cups my breast and gives it a gentle squeeze and I can’t help but squirm as familiar sensations of delight course through me. I didn’t realize how much I would miss his touch. Being in his arms again feels natural.
And right.
Maybe I was fighting this connection between us out of fear but I didn’t want to live my life based on what ifs anymore.
I pull away to catch my breath. “Jackson, we can’t. Not now. I only came to talk.”
He starts peppering kisses against my neck. “Then talk, I’m not stopping you.”
Jackson squeezes my breast, making me moan.
“I can’t think when you do that.”
“I know.” He drops another kiss on my lips before scooting me off his lap and adjusting himself.
His very prominent erection tents his pants and I lick my lips involuntarily. I shake my head to rid myself of my carnal thoughts. “I didn’t come here for that but, I didn’t mind it.”
He blows out a breath. “It’s hard for me to keep my hands to myself when you’re around. But I take it from your response that you’re willing to give us a chance?”
“Yes. I think I owe it to myself to see if you and I can make this work. I think we should take things slow for now. With my father’s treatment and you and your company on the cusp of going public, I think we have a lot of outside factors to take care of first. But whatever time we can spend together, I’d like to see where this goes.”
I find myself engulfed in his arms again. “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me, Zora and I promise I will make everything up to you.”
“You’d better or I’m going to kick your ass,” I tease.
He pulls away from me with tears gleaming in his eyes. “Therapy is helping me way more than I thought it would, but I still have a long way to go until I’m a better me. I can’t promise that I won’t get jealous sometimes because I’m scared of being without you, but I will do my very best to control my impulses. I love you much Zora Knight, and in the past I may have made you cry, but for the rest of my life, I vow to spend my days making you smile.”
My heart flutters in my chest as I cup his cheek. “I’d expect nothing less, Jackson Champion.”
His head descends and our lips meet in a kiss.