16. LUKE
Chapter 16
LUKE
In the next few days of us living together, Dele has piled on her schedule so tight that I only see her when she’s sleeping. She’s gone before I wake every morning, and asleep when I wake during the night. One night in between, she doesn’t come home. I’m pulling my hair out, wondering if she’s visiting the guy who said, “You love me,” or if she went to Osei’s place. Luckily, Mom told me Osei is home with her and my stepfather. It doesn’t stop me from wondering where she is.
I stayed home until she arrived around noon the next day. She looks tired and worn out.
“Hi,” she says, surprised to see me home.
“Hi,” I answer in a gruff tone.
“Is something wrong?” she asks, looking perplexed at me.
“You didn’t come home last night. I thought something happened to you. I called and texted you several times, and you didn’t respond,” I state in an even tone, though I’m beyond pissed, but glad she returned. Not like I wouldn’t have chased her ass across the continent. Still, I’m relieved she came home.
“I’m sorry. I went straight to class yesterday morning. After classes, I went to work at three. I didn’t leave until one a.m. I had my finals this morning, so after I clocked out, I went to the library. I usually turn my phone off at work and at the library. I slept for about two hours at the library, then went to class to take my exams.
“I just came home to shower and sleep for four hours before going back to work. I didn’t think you would notice I wasn’t around. I’ll text you next time.” I watch as she takes her phone out and turns it back on. All my texts and several notifications ping at once. I want to yell at her for working so much, but instead, I ask,
“Have you eaten? Do you need anything?” She looks bewildered at me and shakes her head.
“Thanks for asking, but I ate after my exams. I just need to shower and get some sleep before going back to work.” I nod and watch her head to her bedroom. I hear the shower and all the rustling. An hour later, I go in to check on her; she’s asleep. I kiss her forehead and leave the room. I should leave for work, but I stayed. She might need me, I tell myself.
She comes out at about 2:30 pm, dressed and ready for work with her backpack. Honestly, I want her to stop working these many hours and just concentrate on school and us.
“Hi, I’m heading out. I won’t be back until midnight, and I’ll text you if my plans change about returning.” What the fuck did she just say? Her ass is returning to me, no ifs about that.
“Okay, I’m home all day today.” She nods and leaves. I let out a heavy sigh, at a loss on how I’m going to get through to her. I’m still in the same spot when she returns ten minutes later.
“What’s wrong?” I ask as soon as I see her.
“My car won’t start. I’m saving up to buy a new one. Do you mind giving me a ride to work?” I get up, put on my shoes, and call my driver on our way down to get the car out front.
“Give me your keys,” I say to her. She hands them over without saying anything.
“I’ll have Martin check out your car,” I say, but I’m buying her a new car today. I don’t want to imagine her at one a.m. trying to get home and her car not starting.
When we get out front, Martin is waiting. “Keys,” I say to him as he hands me the keys with a questionable look. I hand him Dele’s keys. “See if you can get my wife’s car to start. I’ll call you with next the steps.” He nods as I get in the driver’s seat and Dele gets in next to me.
“Thank you for giving me a ride. Jax or Kai can give me a ride back home tonight,” she says, as if it’s settled, not realizing it annoys me that she would rather ask them than me.
“Text me when you’re getting ready to leave. I’ll come pick you up.”
“I don’t want to inconvenience you. It’s on Kai’s way, and I’m sure he won’t mind.”
“No, call me.” I turn a stern look at her. “You are a Blythe now.” My voice rises. I need to control my frustration at the distance she keeps from me.
“Okay,” she says, turning away from me.
“Martin is going to drive you everywhere until I decide what to do about your car.”
“No need. I prefer to drive myself. I was saving money to buy a certified used one, but Ramsey spent all my money. Osei already agreed to co-sign for me once I save up some more money. I’ll keep Jace happy until I can replace him.” At least now I know that Jace is her freaking car, not some guy. That had my mind going crazy. Once I heard Osei asking her about Jace, I wondered who the hell that was.
“Jace is getting replaced this week. I’m buying you a new car or Martin will drive you everywhere. Quite frankly, the latter is my preference.”
“You don’t need to get me a new car or inconvenience your driver. I’ll be fine.” I pull the car to a stop in front of the ER Dept of the hospital.
“Go to work, Dele, and call me when you’re ready for pickup.” I say to end the conversation. I’m not going to keep arguing with her. I’m buying her a car today.
“Thanks for the ride,” she says, getting out. I watch her go in and then drive off. I called my brother.
“Hey.”
“How long has Dele’s car been dying on her?”
“Jace dies and wakes up whenever he sees fit. She was trying to get a new one, but her ex-roommate stole her money. I told her I’d help her get a new one and she can pay in installments, but she said no, she would save up and call me when she needs me.”
“And you didn’t think to mention this to me?” I want to yell at him, but I’m starting to realize how stubborn my wife is.
“I didn’t think you cared,” he mocks. Now isn’t the time for his mockery.
“As far as the world is concerned, she’s my wife. So how would it look that she’s married to me and drives a beat-up car that dies at any time? I. Fucking. Care,” I yell at Osei.
“Fine, buy her a new one. Just know that Dele won’t take it and kiss you thank you. Her uncle and Ramsey did a number on her. She doesn’t take gifts from men.”
“What did her uncle do to her?”
“She wouldn’t tell me, but whatever it was, it gives her nightmares sometimes.”
Fuck! I can’t go down that rabbit hole right now.
“What type of car did she want to buy?”
“She wanted to get a Toyota Camry, but if you ask me, what she really wants is the Lexus NX—black, with light brown interior and wood trims.”
“Thanks, that’s what she’s getting.”
“Cool. Be gentle and explain to her why she needs this car. Don’t try to shove it down her throat.”
“Fuck off,” I say, hanging up. She’s going to take the fucking car. I care about her safety. I call Kevin, my PA, giving him the specs on the car that Dele wants. I tell him to get it in her maiden name and have it delivered to my house today. I call Martin, who tells me the car is working and just needed a change of plugs.
“Go and sell that car. I’ll have the papers ready for you later today.”
“Okay, sir.” I head back home to work and wait for her call. I know she’s going to try and defy me. I try not to think of what her uncle might have done to her. Her ex-roommate needs to watch out.
Kevin informs me that the car is on its way to my house for delivery with all the paperwork sent.
I thank him and go down to meet and accept the delivery. I take a minute to admire the car. Good choice, I think to myself.
I sent a picture to Osei, and he calls me right away.
“I see Blythe money is at work,” he mocks. “She’s going to love it.”
“Good. Has she called you today?”
“No, but she texted saying one more final exam and then she gets three days off—no work, no class.”
“Good. I’m really concerned she’s working too hard. It’s not good for her health.”
“Look at you, acting like a real husband,” he teases.
“Get off my phone,” I say, hanging up on him. I can hear his laughter as I end the call. I’m going to convince her to take more days off. We are going on a well-deserved honeymoon. Even if it involves dragging her ass onto the plane.
At 10 PM, I get a text from Dele, which surprises me.
Dele: I’ll be ready at 11 PM if you can pick me up, or I can have Kai drop me off.
Me: I’ll be there.
I’m waiting at the exit by 10:50 PM. I text her to let her know I’m waiting. Fifteen minutes later, I see her coming out with an Asian guy and a biracial woman. I’m guessing it’s Kai and Jax. They wave at her as she heads toward my car. She gets in, dropping her backpack.
“Thanks for the ride.” I nod and drive toward home. She’s quiet on the ride, yawning a few times.
“Osei tells me that you have one more exam tomorrow and the next three days off work and school. Any chance you can take three more days?”
“I’ll see if I can get Kai and Jax to help me out.”
“Good,” I answer, but I’m surprised she agreed without a fight.
“I’m tired. This semester was brutal. I could really use the extra days to rest,” she says, like she read my mind.
Our drive is quiet until we pull into the garage. She looks at her parking space and doesn’t see her car, but the new one instead.
“Where’s Jace?” She turns to me.
“I had it sold.” Her mouth drops open.
“Before you get upset, your new car is sitting in the same spot. And before you tell me you can’t take it, I want you to think about how bad it would look with the many zeroes in my bank account and the fact that I can’t buy you the car you really want.” I watch a tear drop, and she wipes it.
“Thank you.” My heart opens at the simple words of appreciation. She unbuckles her seatbelt and, to my surprise, reaches over to hug me. “Thank you,” she says again, kissing my cheek before getting out and going to check out the car. I unlock it for her to get in.
“Osei told you, right?” I nod. No point in lying; there’s no way I would have guessed what to get her without him.
“Can I drive it to work tomorrow?”
“Yes, it’s yours and I bought it in your maiden name.” She gasps.
“I love it. This is Jace 5.0!” I laugh.
“Thank you. This means a lot to me,” she says. I nod, glad she’s happy.
“Come on, you can see it better in the morning.” She nods, retrieves her backpack from my car, and we head upstairs. She’s all smiles. She puts her shoes away and heads to her room. When she comes out in her shorts and T-shirt, she plates some food and puts it in the microwave. I feel the stir right away, and I can’t hide it. I grab one of the pillows to cover it. Fuck! It’s best not to get up from my position in front of the TV.
Soon as she returns to her room, I race to mine. She doesn’t need to see my open desire for her.