Chapter 40 #2
My eyes go wide and my mouth involuntarily forms the "o" shape. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop my facial expression. I don’t know what I thought her first question would be, but it was NOT that.
However, she loves her brother, which makes it a reasonable question.
"I will treat him better. He's a good guy and if I could, I'd give him the world. "
A collective "awe" comes from every witness sitting at the table. My cheeks redden, but I'm not ashamed of what I said. He would do the same for me. He kisses my cheek, "I love you, babe."
"I love you, too," I try and whisper back. Everyone is watching our every move, and they can hear what we say.
Candace seems satisfied. She smiles sweetly at me. "Good."
Britni shyly speaks up. "Well, I for one, have never seen the big lug in love like this."
Jake throws a sliver of bacon at her, but he doesn't deny it.
He kisses my forehead in response, making my heart go pitter-patter.
I don't know if I'll ever get used to this feeling.
It just feels right. I don't say those words out loud as they would probably make them nauseous.
People in love can be annoying at times.
His dad says grace over the meal, and then we all fill our plates to the brim. I like this family already. Even the fit folks like to eat! Yes!! We got waffles, bacon, cheese grits (in honor of my southern heritage), fruits, and omelets. I'm in hog heaven!
I sit quietly for most of the breakfast. I love seeing the friendly banter between Jake and his family.
Growing up, it was just Me, Mama, and Granny Betsy Jean most days.
This family breakfast is excellent. I look over at his Mom when she abruptly stops mid-sentence while taunting Jake about his love for his "blankey" from his childhood.
I need her to finish this story. It could be some good ammunition!
I look over in the direction of her gaze as Jake stiffens beside me.
He doesn't look happy. In walks little Miss Perfect Sunshine herself. His cheating, no good, dirty ex, in all her beautiful glory. How does she just walk into their house? I’m surprised that’s still allowed after everything she’s done to him. I’ll claw her eyes out.
She's staring at him like a little innocent lost puppy.
Her innocent look suddenly becomes a death glare as her eyes roam up the arm wrapped around me.
She is seething by the time she gets to me so of course, I smile big and wave.
I'm feeling that level of petty today. I don't know who she thinks she is, but I am not the one, Boo-Boo.
She may be beautiful, but she's an idiot for being ugly to my Jake.
I don't know whether to thank her or fist fight her.
"Hey, everyone. Jake, may I speak to you for a minute. Alone, please."
Over my dead body, honey. I place my hand on Jake's thigh to let him know my thoughts on the matter.
It's his decision whether he listens or not. He gets up, and my heart drops. She smiles in victory, and I suddenly feel ill. This meal will not be as good when it comes back up. I’ll aim for her little black polka-dotted dress!
I can't believe Jake would do this to me, but before he turns to leave, he reaches for my hand and lifts me.
I smile back at her in victory, as her facial expression has changed to one of utter bitchiness.
He leads me to the kitchen and waits for her to enter before he closes the door.
I imagine his whole family wants to place their ear up against the door, so they can listen to the train wreck that's about to happen.
I know I would if I didn't have a front seat to the forthcoming shit show.
"Jenna, what are you doing here?"
I roll my eyes. She looks like a Jenna. I’m trying to steal your man, Jenna. You know the type. It's not just Jolenes! Don't trust them! She has the good sense to look at me before she answers. "Well, I really can't say now, can I?"
"But you really can," I answer for him.
She puts her hand on her hips. "And which flavor of the month are you? It won't last, you know. We're only temporarily separated."
I can't help myself and laugh right in Jenna's face. Even if we were to break up, he would never return to her. "I don't know, baby. What flavor am I?"
He winks at me. "The forever kind, sweet cheeks. Jenna, if you keep disrespecting Dani, you can leave."
I smile smugly at her. She's not having any of it. "I thought I was your forever, Jake?"
He scoffs. "I never said you were, and I'm glad you slept with Derek. If you hadn't, I would’ve never met the love of my life. I would’ve never known what true love feels like, and I would’ve never felt the satisfaction of getting to see the look on your face when you realized you screwed up and that it's been truly over since last summer.
I've tried to tell you a million times. Maybe now you'll listen.
I wish you the best of luck, but don't ever come back to my house again. "
She looks stunned, then pissed all at once! It's a true delight. "Never thought I'd see the day you were in love with someone else, especially someone with her condition."
I chuckle as I look over at him and smile.
Jake starts to defend my honor, but I don't need him to do that.
She's not worth it. A pretty face doesn't amount to much with such an ugly heart.
"And I never thought you would’ve been in love with someone who is very much...
a jackass." I look at Jake with my comment.
He shrugs. "It wasn't love.” He turns back to her and says, “Bye now!"
I wave at her surprised features. He loves me, he loves you not. "Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya!"
Jake howls with laughter as he grabs my hand, and we walk back outside. Not to my surprise, we almost hit his daddy in the head with the door. "Where the good Lord split ya, huh?"
He's laughing so hard. "Yes, sir. It's just another saying from my southern upbringing. Wait until y'all meet my granny Betsy Jean. She'll teach you all the cool words."