Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
CASEY
T he show was incredible, and after, we went to a great Italian place walking distance from the theater. Jesse looked a little tired, but when I suggested we grab something and head home, he refused. “I planned this, Pix. We’re having dinner, then going home, and I’m having you.”
They sat us in a curved booth, and we slid in, Jesse beside me, his firm thigh pressed against mine. The booth was secluded and romantic.
“Maybe you should let me do the work tonight,” I said with a wink as I rubbed his leg, sliding my hand up to give his cock a squeeze. I wasn’t surprised to feel it half hard. He often was when we were together. I took it as a compliment.
“Jesus,” he muttered, shifting in his seat. “You’re killing me.”
I grinned, and we looked over the menu, deciding to split a house salad and one of the delicious-looking pastas that went past us, the plates piled high. Jesse ordered a neat scotch, and I chose water.
After the waiter left, Jesse studied me. “May I ask a question?”
“Of course,” I replied, dipping the fragrant bread in the olive oil and balsamic vinegar they’d mixed with some spicy seasoning. I shut my eyes as I chewed and swallowed. I leaned forward, offering him the bread. “You have to try this.”
He took it and chewed, nodding in appreciation.
“You rarely ever order a drink. I’ve seen you have some wine, but not often. I know a couple of spritzers do you in, so you never drink much. Is that because of your father?”
I shrugged. “Partly. My mom never touched the stuff. We moved around so much, I didn’t hang with friends or do the usual teenage stuff like sneaking liquor from my parents’ cabinet.
I never developed a taste for it. If I have a drink, I prefer to make it myself, or I order extra mix to dilute it.
And I tend to choose sweet things. I enjoy those canned mixed drinks because they’re so sugary.
And I love a margarita. A virgin one. If I order one in a restaurant, I ask for half the tequila. ”
“Does it bother you if I have a drink?”
“Not at all. It wasn’t the liquor’s fault my dad was an alcoholic. I don’t have flashbacks from the scent of it. I just don’t drink a lot.”
“Got it.”
The salad came, and we shared it, along with more bread. We chatted about the show and the incredible true story behind it.
“They helped so many people,” Jesse mused. “And asked for nothing. They were shocked when people wanted to give back to them.”
“You do the same thing.”
He scoffed. “On a very minute scale.”
“I think you’re a hero. Every day.”
“Yeah?” he grinned.
“My favorite hero.”
That earned me a kiss.
That pasta came, the steam rising off the delicate Alfredo sauce.
The plump shrimp and scallops glistened with butter and garlic.
The angel hair was light and flavorful. Jesse consumed most of the plate.
It was late and I wasn’t as hungry since I’d eaten so much of the delicious bread, but I enjoyed what I ate.
I sat back, looking around the restaurant, admiring the modern, yet warm décor.
It was still busy for later in the evening, but I supposed it was the theater district and Toronto was a bustling city all the time.
Over Jesse’s shoulder, I met the eyes of a woman, startled when she glared at me then turned her head.
The man beside her looked over, his gaze narrowed.
He said something to her, and she pushed him away.
It struck me as odd, but I turned away, picked up my water, and drained it as Jesse finished the pasta.
“That was incredible.”
“It was.”
“I ate over half the plate. Are you sure you got enough?”
“I did,” I assured him. “It was wonderful.”
The waiter came over and cleared the plates, offering us a dessert menu.
We ordered a latte and decided to share a tiramisu.
Jesse was relaxed, although he didn’t talk a lot.
He often didn’t, and I was okay with his silences.
They were easy, and neither of us felt the need to fill in the quiet all the time. I liked that about him.
The dessert was decadent and the latte a perfect accompaniment.
I had just finished my cup when I noticed the woman staring at me again, fury written on her face.
It gave me the creeps. I didn’t know her.
Why did she look so angry? Leaning forward, I tried to nonchalantly look at all the occupants of the table, but none of them seemed familiar to me.
It looked like a set of parents or perhaps grandparents out with a younger couple. I had to be imagining it.
Then the older woman looked up, her gaze almost freezing me in my chair. I shifted uncomfortably and turned to Jesse. “Can we go?”
He frowned, sliding his arm around me. “What’s wrong?”
“There’s a table over there—you’d have to turn to look at them, but they keep staring at me and glaring. Repeatedly. I thought I imagined it at first, but now, it’s bothering me.”
“Do you know them?”
“Not at all.”
“Rude.” He signaled for the check, paid it quickly, and slid from the booth, holding out his hand. “Let’s go.”
I let him tug me out and stumbled a bit. He righted me and pressed a kiss to my head, his gaze focused on the table I had mentioned. I felt him tense up. He went rigid and became angry instantly. He cursed under his breath. “ Fuck .”
I looked up at him. “What is it?”
He took my hand, pulling me behind him.
“That’s my parents and my brother.” He pushed open the door, his voice tight. “And my ex.”
JESSE
I rarely came into Toronto. What were the chances of running into not only my estranged parents but my sorry excuse for a brother and my ex?
I made the instant decision to never return.
At least all they got was a glimpse of me. I was furious they had glared at Casey. She’d done nothing to deserve their rudeness.
We walked out, and I handed the valet my ticket. Hopefully, he’d get the truck fast, and we’d be out of here before they came outside.
But my hopes were dashed when I heard his voice.
“Not going to say hello, brother ?” Ryan’s snide comment came from behind me.
Instinctually, I tucked Casey close and turned. I kept my voice low and calm. “I have nothing to say to you. So, no.”
He laughed, the sound sarcastic and loud. “Typical. Running away with your little girlfriend so you don’t have to introduce us?”
“Why would I introduce her to people who aren’t part of my life?
” I responded, doing a quick take on his appearance.
He’d lost any muscle he’d built up since the last time I saw him.
He resembled my father greatly, with his stooped shoulders and tall, lanky build.
His hair was already thinning as well. His face was set in a permanent scowl.
I didn’t see a single thing that made us look like brothers.
All my life, I had been told I resembled my grandfather on my mother’s side. I had seen pictures of him and had to agree.
And right now, I was grateful for that fact.
“How’s life in your little town?” he asked, a sneer on his face.
Miriam walked up beside him, taking his arm.
She was nothing like the memory I had of her in my head.
Her face was pinched, and she had a sour look, as if she were sucking a lemon.
She was rail-thin, her hair pulled back in a tight bun.
She looked older than her years and unhappy.
The look she gave us could freeze lava. I felt Casey stiffen, and I tightened my grip on her.
“Life is fine,” I said shortly. “Do we really need to have a conversation? It’s unnecessary and, frankly, you’re ruining our evening by simply trying to force something neither of us wants.”
My parents joined our little group, neither of them speaking. They were older and frailer than I remembered them. But their cold gazes stopped any other sentimental feelings I might have started to have. They could have been looking at a stranger.
“Afraid your plaything will find out the kind of man you are?” Ryan asked, trying to piss me off.
I opened my mouth to tell him to shut up, but Casey beat me to it.
“Oh Jesse, darling, you are so modest. Life is much more than fine. ” She addressed Ryan, hugging my arm.
“And I’m more than a plaything. We live together in a beautiful house by the woods.
Jesse is one of the most popular firemen and citizens of the town.
So many commendations,” she added. “Awards. So well-thought-of.” She shook her head, laughing lightly, somehow conveying her negative feelings for them.
“And I don’t need introductions. I am well aware of who you all are.
” Her grip on my arm tightened. “And what you have done to this incredible man. I don’t need liars, cheaters, or neglectful, uninformed parents in my life.
You give new meaning to the term dysfunctional family.
We prefer honest people with integrity. That’s how Jesse lives his life. How we live our life.”
The truck pulled up, and she smiled coldly. “Have a pleasant evening. If you understand that word. From your tight-ass expressions, I doubt it.”
My parents gaped. Miriam gasped, and my brother became enraged. He walked closer, and I held up my hand. “One more step and I’ll consider you a threat. And I use my training to eliminate threats—especially to her.” I indicated Casey. “I don’t let ugliness get close to her.”
He looked confused, and Casey laughed. “Oh, are you unclear about what he said? I’ll explain for you, Ryan .
One step closer and you’ll be kissing the sidewalk.
Jesse not only is a better man than you in every single way, he’s also stronger.
Tougher. Smarter.” She looked Miriam up and down. “And a far better judge of character.”
She looked toward my parents. “I should thank you for being such terrible parents. Your bad behavior and poor decisions brought him to our town. To me. So, thanks for being the, ah, people , you are. Jesse was right about you.” She turned to me.
“Can we go now, darling? I’m feeling a little nauseous. The air here is rancid.”
I pressed a kiss to her head and opened the door, lifting her into the seat with one arm. I kept my eye on the group standing there, looking like idiots with their mouths hanging open, having just been handed their asses on a platter by a tiny pixie.
My pixie.
Who I was going to take home and worship for hours.
I left them behind in a screech of tires that kicked dust up in their faces.
I rather hoped they’d choke.
We drove in silence for a while, the traffic cooperating for once, and we hit the highway in good time. I pressed on the gas pedal, wanting as much distance between us and them as possible.
I was about to speak, when Casey beat me to it.
“I’m sorry. Are you angry with me?”
I turned, gaping at her, then looked back to the highway. “Why the hell would I be angry with you? I’m furious they were there. I’m outraged he couldn’t leave it. That they couldn’t leave me alone. But angry with you? I only feel gratitude.”
“I couldn’t stay quiet, and I got on a roll. I should have let you talk.”
“Everything I wanted to say to them, I said years ago. Nothing’s changed. I could see that. Their silence screamed it.” I reached for her hand, holding it tight. “No one has ever stood up for me that way, Casey. No one.”
“I sorta told a few fibs.”
I chuckled and pressed a kiss to her fist. “We do live in the same house. And if you want to call me darling all the time, I won’t object.” I winked. “The rest only added to my ego.”
“The rest was true. You are everything I said and more.”
We were quiet again. “How did it feel seeing her again?” she asked.
I shrugged. “It felt like nothing. I had no memories, no fond recollections. All I thought was she looked old and tired.”
“Maybe living with your brother isn’t as wonderful as she thought. She was looking at you like she wanted to eat you. And glaring at me for being able to do so.”
I laughed.
“No doubt living in your in-laws’ basement takes a toll.”
“ What ?” I gasped, quickly looking at her again, before focusing on the road. That was news to me.
“Oh, ah, I might have looked them up when you told me about them.”
“Tell me what else you found out,” I asked, wanting to know, for some unknown reason.
“Your brother left the firefighting game. He never made it. He works for a security company—like a rent-a-cop.”
“Jesus,” I muttered. “How the mighty have fallen.”
“From what I saw, he quit before he was told to leave.”
“Wow. It’s fucking hard to get into the job. I was lucky. He used every favor he ever stored up to make it.”
“He didn’t last.”
“Interesting.”
“He and Miriam only have the one son. They live in your parents’ basement and have done so since he changed careers. She works at a local grocery store.”
“Holy shit. She had never worked while we were together. Even in high school, she didn’t have a job. Her parents footed all the bills.”
“Her parents live in Thailand now.”
“Jesus, Casey. You knew all this and didn’t tell me?”
“I wasn’t sure you wanted to know.”
“Anything else?”
“Not really. Your dad retired, and your mom sells Tupperware.”
I shook my head. “Should I ask how you found all this out?”
“I, ah, have skills.” She squeezed my hand. “I don’t think your ex is living the life she thought she would.”
“Don’t care. They deserve each other.”
“Good.” She paused. “Please tell me you feel a little vindicated?”
I pulled into the driveway, turning off the lights. “I feel grateful I have someone in my life like you. I feel the need to take you inside and show you how grateful. I have the desire to take you out again to make up for tonight.”
She shook her head. “I loved tonight—even with them being there. It gave me a chance to say what I thought.”
“You said it well, Pixie. You were fierce.” I leaned over and kissed her. “Now, no more talk about them. Let’s finish the night off the way I wanted to.”
“Which is?”
“Buried inside you, listening to your little noises that drive me crazy, then holding you until you fall asleep.”
“I approve of this plan.”
“Then let’s go.”