November 28
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
He’d told her nothing had changed, but a lot had changed.
Somehow he was different yet still the same.
He still had an abrasive sense of humor, but every day he let his guard down a little more and his softer side was beginning to make Jasmin weak in the knees.
She was trying to not get sucked in too deep.
He was an enigma, a person she shouldn’t trust. When he was cold, he was so cold, lashing out with rude remarks and curt comments.
But when he was hot, he was so…so…hot. It wasn’t just about the sex.
Hot, mind-blowing sex was just a bonus. It was the way he kissed her, the way he brushed her hair back, the way he spoke to her for hours even though he hated talking.
He was attentive and affectionate, so different from the person she’d met almost a month ago.
He made her feel cherished and special and… wanted.
Though, some things were still the same.
Last night she’d made the mistake of asking him about Perry.
It was strange. During the last few days he’d spoken to her openly about everything, but when Perry’s name was mentioned, he instantly withdrew.
There were no fights or arguments, but he’d been distant ever since.
It was almost like he was consciously trying not to think about it and as soon as he did, it was a reminder that he shouldn’t be happy.
He was carrying around so much guilt because he was the only one who came out of the accident unharmed and he felt like he didn’t deserve to be happy when the lives of the others had been destroyed.
He hadn’t said much and even during the drive to Oklahoma; he’d just stared out the window, looking lost and alone, reminding her of their very first day of their road trip.
She sat down on the grass outside the spherical-shaped building.
The sun was beginning to set and the Myriad Botanical Gardens began to light up.
The array of neon colors shining through the glass windows were captivating, blues and pinks and greens illuminating the evening sky.
The Christmas lights strewn across the trees outside reflected on the water and made her feel like she was trapped in a magical paradise.
It was really cold today (well, at least she thought so.
Kevin was waltzing around in a T-shirt).
She was shivering, but after being stuck in a motel room for three days, she wanted to bask in the fresh air and the ambience of the city.
Kevin returned a few minutes later with two tuna bagels he’d bought from a nearby street vendor.
He handed one to her and sat down beside her, leaving a fair amount of distance between them.
“I’m tired of food on the go,” Jasmin complained, removing the cling wrap from her bagel. “I’m dying to have a good home-cooked meal. It would’ve been nice to have one today…it’s Thanksgiving today, right?”
He only nodded.
“What does your family do on Thanksgiving?”
“Nothing,” he replied with a shrug. “Christmas is the only holiday we celebrate, because it’s the only time Jordan and Max come home. My mom won’t do anything without them there.”
His response was flippant and lethargic. She knew she couldn’t lighten his mood, she merely wanted to get his mind off the thoughts plaguing him. She hated seeing him like this.
After eating half her bagel, she decided to take the risk of a verbal assault.
She shifted towards him, pushed his legs apart and then sat down between them with her back to his chest. He didn’t seem happy about it but he said nothing.
She pulled his arms over her shoulders, draped them around her neck, and leaned back against him.
“Once upon a time,” she said, “there lived a king…King Jasmindeous and one day…”
She heard a playful sigh behind her as she continued with her story, which was all about the ongoing feud between King Jasmindeous and King Kevidius over who would be the true ruler of the land.
After much fighting, the two decided to engage in a jousting match to settle it once and for all, but when King Jasmindeous declared that the jousting match was to be fought with their penises, King Kevidius gracefully bowed out as he realized he didn’t stand a chance.
“What’s the moral of that story?” he asked, resting his chin on her shoulder.
“Not every battle is worth fighting. Sometimes you just have to accept that losing is inevitable.”
“Good lesson, but I don’t think that’s a true reflection of events. I think King Jasmindeous had the smallest penis in the world.”
“What? King Jasmindeous is a true gangsta with a huge shlong. He be blappin’ bitches on foreheads.”
He tightened his arms around her neck. “What the fuck you know about blappin’?”
“I’m an expert. Don’t make me whip it out and show you.”
She couldn’t be sure, but there might have been a chuckle then.
She liked that she could get him to soften (most of the time).
A gentle kiss was placed on her cheek and then he nuzzled his face against the side of her neck.
He said nothing after that; he just held her close as they watched the sunset in the distance.