Chapter Sixteen #2
I watched as James’s dick twitched a little. “Oh, shit. I think I just developed a praise kink.”
We laughed again, and he took the last two steps to close the distance and covered my lips with his. “Unfortunately, we’ll have to explore it later, because I have to get to the shop.” He kissed me again, and then I stepped aside to give him access to the dresser. “How’d you sleep?” he asked.
“Really good, actually. You?”
James paused and looked over his shoulder at me. “Finally being next to you was the best night of my life, Avery. I can’t wait to do it over and over until I die.” My face went hot, and I looked away. “I also love it when you blush,” he added.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me what a romantic you were?” I asked.
“I told you how much I love you a thousand times.”
I glanced back over at him. “Yeah, you did... but now, I’m starting to actually believe it.”
James tossed his clothes down on the bed. He put his fingers under my chin and looked down into my eyes.
“Good. Because you are the most amazing guy in the world, Avery. I’ve waited so long to be able to take care of you, and I promise I’ll never stop making you believe it.”
I didn’t know how to respond, so I just crept up on my toes and kissed his lips.
***
I was spacing out in the front seat of Jenna’s car, Jenna softly singing along with the radio as she drove.
I was deep in thought, and not really listening to Lindsey babbling in the backseat.
James had been right; she really was cute as a bug.
Very well-spoken for a toddler, too. Maybe that’s why it was clear as a bell when I paid a little more attention and heard the girl chirping about Nana’s house.
“Wait a minute! We’re going to visit Lindsey’s grandmother? As in James’s mom?”
Jenna nodded as the light changed to green, and she made a left turn into a residential neighborhood. “Yeah,” she replied simply.
“Oh, god! I’ve never met her! Shouldn’t James be with us when that happens?”
She shook her head. “Nah. It’s gonna be great! Promise.” She pulled into a driveway, and I started chewing my fingernails. “Don’t fidget, she’s gonna love you.”
I followed behind Jenna and a very excited Lindsey as they opened a solid oak door into a finely-decorated foyer.
There was a small, ornate table displaying an intricate vase that looked like it came straight from Asia.
On the opposite wall were some family photos.
I couldn’t help but pause when I spotted an old vacation snap.
It looked like a posed picture taken on the deck of a cruise ship.
James was about 15 or 16, and looked so skinny in his blue swim trunks.
Especially compared to the bulky man I’d ogled this morning.
The older kid beside him had to be his brother.
The two looked very much alike with their dark hair and swarthy complexions.
“Susie, we’re here! And we brought a surprise,” Jenna called as she turned the corner out of my sight.
“Oh, you know I love surprises from my favorite girls,” I heard a more mature and stately voice answer.
Just as I turned the corner, I saw a woman come out of the kitchen.
She had pale blonde hair peppered with white, and was drying her hands with a dishtowel.
As our eyes met across the room, she stopped.
Her demeanor changed as if some other person had suddenly taken over her body, her spine stiffening.
“Oh, I wasn’t expecting company,” she replied coolly. She tossed the rag down on a large wooden table off to the side, and took another slow step forward. She outstretched her hand and introduced herself. “Hello. I’m Susan Lindstrom.”
I shook her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Avery. Avery Thompson.”
Lindsey ran up, wrapped her sticky hands around Susan’s legs, and smiled up at her. “He’s Uncle Jamie’s boyfriend!”
Susan didn’t speak, but her gaze went ice-cold.
“Lindsey, sweetheart. Why don’t you go play out in the backyard for a few,” Jenna said, after a moment of horrendous silence.
“Mommy!” Lindsey whined, “Just got here!”
“I know, sweetie, but we need to have some grown-up talk. Besides, you were just talking about playing with the giant Legos Nana got you for your birthday, remember?"
“Can Avery and Nana play with me later?”
“That’s all we’ve been dreaming about all day, lovebug,” Jenna sing-songed as Lindsey skipped away towards a sliding glass door leading to a fenced yard.
The door had barely closed on Lindsey’s back when Susan spoke up. “Really, Jenna? You’re gonna ambush me like this? Why did you pick today to do this?"
“Because,” Jenna replied matter-of-factly, “he’s going to be part of this family whether you like it or not. And by the way, there’s nothing to not like. Avery is lovely. Aren’t you, Avery?”
“I’m not so sure about that,” I began.
“Bullshit. You supported James the entire time he was in prison. You filled him with hope and showed him love. You’re a fucking saint, Avery.”
“But…” I started.
“Yeah, so the situation isn’t perfect. But life is shitty, Avery. It’s messy, and ugly, and beautiful, and stupid. None of us are makin’ it out alive, so everyone needs to just chill because y’all are stressing me the fuck out. And pregnant women are supposed to remain calm.”
“Oh my god,” I exclaimed as Susan squealed.
“Are you serious?!”
Jenna was grinning from ear-to-ear as she nodded. Susan hurried over to wrap her arms around her. “Oh my god, I can’t believe it! Oh, I hope it’s a boy! What did Jack say?”
“He’s excited. A little stressed about the finances, but he also hopes it’s a boy.”
Susan opened her mouth to say something else, but Jenna interrupted her. “Now, back to expanding families…”
Susan sighed and looked back over at me. Her smile seemed to melt into something akin to pity.
“Avery, is it? Look, I’m sure you’re a very nice boy. But you don’t understand what you’re getting yourself into. I mean, just look at that nasty bruise on your handsome face. James is… troubled.”
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She thought James had hit me? What the fuck?
“Susie, that’s terrible,” Jenna interjected.
“Shame on you. James didn't do that to him. And I’m sorry… what evidence do you have of James being, what was it? Troubled? Is that because he’s gay?
I will not have Lindsey, or the new baby, around a homophobe.
I will not allow my children to absorb blind hatred. ”
“Jenna I—”
“Stop.” Jenna put her hand up. “This is non-negotiable. You’re better than this, period. And if it’s not about James being gay, then there's something else you need to know.”
Jenna’s eyes darted momentarily to the ceiling, and she muttered please forgive me under her breath.
“James didn't rob that store. Jack did. Jack was wearing James’s hoodie when he did it because I’d spilt barbecue sauce all over him a few hours before. James took the fall because I was pregnant, and he thought Jack was better off on the outside to look after me and Lindsey."
“What?” Susan and I had spoken at the same time.
Jenna’s eyes widened as she met mine. “Wait, you didn’t know?”
I shook my head. “No! He never told me that. Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. James sacrificed himself to save my family. Our family. If I had known sooner, things would have been very different. I was ugly to James when he first got out. I didn’t understand why my husband would allow a convict to move in with his wife and daughter. Brothers or not.”
Jenna shifted to look back at Susan, “We let him sit in that prison for years without a letter, without money on his books. No phone calls…” Jenna’s voice broke and she paused before continuing.
“James gave up his freedom and more opportunities than we will ever know to make sure Lindsey didn’t grow up without her father. It’s time to make it right.”
Susan’s eyes filled with tears. “Ex-excuse me,” she stuttered as she walked past me then quickly disappeared up the stairs.
Jenna muttered a curse under her breath. “I’m gonna grab Lindsey, and I’ll meet you in the car. I think we’ve done about all we can do here.”
Still being completely stunned by Jenna's revelation, I simply nodded and headed back towards the front door.