CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR #2
“No shit,” Trevor argued, clearly not done being pissed. Only the knock at the door from the pizza delivery driver stopped his tantrum. He stomped off to get their dinner, leaving Javi and Malcolm alone for a few minutes.
Javi rubbed the back of his neck. “So you’re still into Jessie?”
That question seemed too simple. Of course he was still into Jessie. Their situation was far more complicated than feelings. No, their problem was all about timing. But if Jessie was staying in Pinegrove, did that mean the timing was finally right?
Trevor joined them with three plates of pizza.
He held one out for Malcolm, but he hesitated to share with Javi.
“I promise I’ve never done anything with your sister,” Javi assured him, pulling the plate from Trevor’s hand.
“If anything, you should probably be pissed at Smithy. Sounds like he’s stringing her along. ”
Great, now Trevor’s death stare was focused solely on Malcolm.
Trevor took a big bite off his slice, a piece of pepperoni falling onto his plate. His eyes narrowed as he chewed. Finally, he asked, “What are your intentions now that Jessie’s staying in town? Can you two manage to be friends, or do I need to threaten you with bodily harm?”
Javi reached out, patting Trevor’s knee. “Cap, the man’s already had a building fall on him. Maybe give him a break?”
“Aww, thanks, Javi,” Malcolm tutted, “I appreciate that.”
Trevor dropped his plate on the cushion beside him, still not smiling. “I’m not going to actually break anything, but I want to know what to expect. Are you back on, or still off?”
That was the million-dollar question. Malcolm opened his mouth to reply, but Trevor’s phone went off, distracting everyone. “Excuse me,” he muttered, snatching his phone and striding into the kitchen. “Momma, is everything okay?” he asked, voice getting quieter as he turned a corner.
Javi shrugged, stealing another piece of pizza and focusing on the game.
“For what it’s worth,” he said, folding his slice in half, “I hope you and Jessie can figure it out, if you want to. Before meeting Lola, I’d never understood the frustration of crushing after a woman who doesn’t want to talk to you. It freaking sucks, man.”
Malcolm opened his mouth to reassure Javi, to tell him that if it was meant to be with Lola, it would work out. But he didn’t have a chance, as Trevor joined them, his nose wrinkled in confusion.
“What’s up?” Malcolm asked, suddenly more concerned over Trevor’s worrying expression than his pizza and love life.
“Momma asked if I could come by real quick, said it’s important.” He still clutched his phone in his hand, lips dipped down in a frown. The background din of the baseball announcers added an odd soundtrack to the moment.
Javi turned off the game and wiped his hands down the front of his jeans. “Is Ms. Daisy okay?”
Trevor’s head dipped in a nod, but he didn’t look convinced. “She said she’s fine, but had something important to tell me.”
Malcolm cursed the fact that he still couldn’t drive. He felt so helpless. Javi must have sensed the same thing. “Can I drive you over there? You look shaken up.”
“I’m coming, too,” Malcolm said, deciding he didn’t want to be far away in case it was bad news. Jessie would need a shoulder, and he’d be damned if she cried on anyone else’s.
The trio piled into Javi’s truck and headed toward Daisy’s house. When they pulled into the driveway a few minutes later—hooray for Pinegrove’s small size—they all hopped out as fast as they could and barged into the living room.
Gus barked excitedly, and Malcolm took the opportunity to pet the hound dog. Glancing around, he only saw Paul and Daisy. They strolled in from the kitchen, both wearing megawatt smiles that could be seen from the international space station.
“Oh, wonderful, you’re all here,” Daisy said, rushing over to hug both Javi and Malcolm before pulling Trevor close and pecking his cheek. “I’m sorry to interrupt boys’ night.”
“Is everything okay?” Trevor looked around frantically, eyes wild. “Where’s Jessie and Whitney?”
“Right here,” Whitney announced, closing the distance to Trevor and kissing him like they didn’t have an audience. “We got here as soon as Daisy texted.”
Jessie hung back in the doorway, clad in a dress that Malcolm wanted to pull off with his teeth.
It was another pink number that hugged her curves and made her glow.
Her hair was loose, hanging in waves down to her shoulders.
She’d even put on a little makeup, and Malcolm silently cursed any man who got to see her looking so fine.
Their eyes locked, and her cheeks flushed a matching rosy hue.
Despite being in a crowded room, they ogled each other for an eternity.
“Hey,” she breathed, stepping closer. She may have been dolled up, but he was still his JJ.
A pair of worn sneakers were on her feet, and Malcolm couldn’t stand the distance.
This was his girl, standing mere feet away, and he couldn’t do anything about it.
“Hi,” he said, lips quirking up.
Javi threw his hands in the air. “How the hell did I ever miss this?” He pointed to Paul and asked, “Chief, were you aware these two had a history?”
Daisy snorted, covering her mouth as she laughed. Whitney pulled back from Trevor’s embrace long enough to join in the laughter, Trevor finally looking more relaxed. “Oh, Javi, you must be blind.”
“Apparently,” he agreed, falling back onto the recliner, legs splayed.
“Now that you’re all here,” Paul said, his voice booming and demanding everyone’s attention. “Daisy and I have something to say.”
“Oh Jesus, did someone die?” Jessie asked, collapsing onto the empty chair by the television. Her hands twitched, already anxious at the news.
After muttering something under her breath, her mother rallied. “Sugar, you really do have a flair for the dramatic. If your current career doesn’t work out, maybe you can join Estelle on the Atlanta Hearts reunion tour.”
“You wanted to have a family meeting to discuss my ex’s mother’s soap opera?” Jessie was incredulous, shooting a glance to Malcolm.
At her question, Whitney gasped. “Wait!” She whirled around, mouth agape at the news. “Your momma is the Estelle Winters? How have I not made the connection?”
Trevor shrugged, taking her hand. “Darlin’, how would you know? She uses a stage name and ...”
Paul cleared his throat. “As much as this is fascinating, Daisy and I wanted to talk with you kids.” He draped his arm around Daisy’s shoulders, pulling her close.
Daisy looked at him like he hung the moon. Malcolm wasn’t too proud to say he envied the older couple. He burned for those moments of closeness, of being on the same page with everything. And Lord, he missed that with Jessie. He craved it more than his next breath ...
“So what’s going on?” Trevor asked, ready to get to business.
Paul looked to Daisy, who beamed. “Well, I’ll just come out with it,” he started, licking his lips. But he didn’t get the chance to share the news, because Daisy jumped up, punching the air with her left hand.
“Paul and I are getting married!” Her outburst startled poor Gus, and he piddled in his doggie bed.
Whitney was the first to react, sprinting to Daisy and pulling her into a bone-crushing hug. “This is amazing! Congratulations!”
Trevor needed a moment to absorb the news, but when he did, he strode up to Paul and pulled him in for a man-hug. “Congratulations, Chief. You know you’re marrying the greatest woman in the world. Well, maybe second greatest.” He winked at Whitney, who rolled her eyes.
Daisy broke free from Whitney’s embrace and walked over to Jessie. “Sugar? You’re awfully quiet.”
Jessie clasped her mother’s hands. “I’m so happy for you both,” she said as she squeezed her. “I know Daddy would be thrilled, too. He loved you both so much.” She pulled back and hugged Paul quickly before dabbing at her damp eyes. “This is wonderful.”
For a few moments, the seven of them were all hugs, kisses, and happy tears.
Malcolm shared his regards in between Javi’s whoops and shouts.
“This is amazing news! I freaking love it!” Javi blinked back tears and said, “This is just like that book with the duke when he proposed to the housekeeper after years of being in love with her.”
“You remember the details of these romance books, but you didn’t know that Malcolm and Jessie are in love with each other?” Trevor scoffed, punching Javi in the shoulder.
That statement stopped the celebrating cold, and all eyes turned to Malcolm and Jessie. He was desperate to say something, anything to get her to join him out on the deck for a moment of privacy.
Yet he didn’t get the chance to say anything, as Jessie clapped her hands, keeping them clasped in front of her. “Well, since we’re all here, I have an announcement to make as well.”
Malcolm put all his weight on his cane, fearing his knees would buckle at the determination in her voice. He had no idea what she was going to say, but he couldn’t look away.