Chapter 25 Jackson
JACKSON
Saturday after working on the ranch, I go home to shower, and decide I’m done waiting around feeling sorry for myself.
Ryan gave me a lot to think about the other day, and he’s right.
I can’t avoid getting hurt. Real love doesn’t guarantee safety.
But the not knowing is worse. It’s a purgatory I can’t escape.
An hour later, I end up on Rosalie’s doorstep with a bouquet of wildflowers and a bottle of her favorite wine in my hands, and my heart on my sleeve.
My shoulders sag when I realize she’s not home.
Where could she be? The sun is setting, so I decide to take a seat on her front step and wait it out.
From what I know, Rosalie is a homebody, especially at night, so there’s a good chance she’ll be back soon.
When headlights flash, I look up to find her vehicle pulling into the driveway. It hasn’t been more than an hour, but my muscles are tight as I push to my feet. I lift my hand and wave, making my presence known if for some reason she didn’t notice my parked truck.
She pulls inside the garage, and a moment later Edward rounds the corner. He grins and lifts his hand to wave, but waits for his mom to lead the way.
Rosalie is breathtaking as she steps into view and walks forward.
Her makeup is done and her hair hangs down around her face in soft curls.
She’s dressed in a long, flowy skirt and a black sleeveless top, and I wonder where they’ve come from.
She’s dressed for more than a trip to the grocery store. Her gaze is cautious and guarded.
“Jackson?”
“Rosalie,” I retrieve the flowers and bottle of wine, and take a step forward, holding them out. “You look pretty.”
“Thanks.” Her gaze averts as she accepts my gifts.
Edward steps closer, his eyes wide and welcoming.
“Hey, Edward! How’s it going?” I hold out my hand and proceed to go through the motions of our signature handshake, which includes multiple slaps, one shoulder jump, and three finger snaps.
I sneak a glance over his shoulder and almost laugh at Rosalie’s reaction. Her eyes are wide and her mouth agape.
Edward turns to his mom. “Mama, I’m gonna change into my jammies for movie night!”
“Okay.” She nods, her unreadable features back in place. “Hold on. I need to unlock the door first.” Edward’s already pulling on the knob. Rosalie steps around me to join him, sliding the key in and pushing the door open as her son races inside. “But take your shower first. And use soap!”
“’Kay, Mom!” he shouts, racing away before the door closes.
Rosalie turns to stare. “What was that?”
“What?”
She motions to where we were just standing. “Your little high-five moment with my son.”
I shrug. “I have signature handshakes with all the kids.” It’s the truth. I’m surprised she doesn’t already know. There isn’t much that gets past her.
“When did you come up with that?”
“I’ve been doing it since Riley and Zach were little.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “When did you have time to make one up with Edward?”
“New Year’s, last year, I think? I was hanging with the kids on the porch for a while. I escaped to better company because Maeve was forcing everyone to play one of her boring games.”
“Oh.” Her reply comes out a whisper. Her eyes study me, and maybe I imagine it, but there’s less apprehension than before. Which is good. Because I came here with a purpose.
“I was hoping we could talk.”
“You want to talk?” Her voice is stronger, and that annoyed anger is back in the hardness of her stare.
“Yeah, well, when you left . . . there were things I didn’t get to say.”
“Okay.” She lifts her chin defiantly. “Was that before or after you took Steph Gallagher’s cousin home?”
I blink once. Then again. Obviously, someone saw me walk Steph’s cousin out of The Mud Lounge last Saturday night.
Was I planning to go home with her in an attempt to forget Rosalie?
Yeah. Could I do it? I couldn’t even get myself to walk her to her door.
A grin spreads across my lips. Not for the town gossip, but for the fact it concerned Rosalie enough to tell me.
Clearly, she must care a little. She must, or this wouldn’t bother her.
“What?” She bristles. “What’s so funny?”
“I didn’t sleep with her.”
“I wouldn’t care if you did.”
“No?” I tilt my head to the side. All humor drains from my face. “Because I would lose my fucking mind if you slept with someone else.”
Rosalie lifts her chin to meet my gaze as I take another step closer. I reach for her, sliding my hand along her hip and invading her personal space. Her lips are painted in the prettiest pink, and the desire to kiss them is so strong, I almost forget what I came here to propose.
The creek of the front door pushes us apart before Edward’s wet head pokes out through the opening.
“I’m ready for popcorn!”
“That was a quick shower.” Rosalie stares at his hair. “Did you wash your hair?”
“I washed my hair and my body.” He nods, then turns his attention to me. “Mr. Jackson, are you here for movie night?”
“If your mama lets me,” I reply to him, then turn my attention to Rosalie. “I’d love to.”
“Please, Mama! Please can Mr. Jackson stay and watch our movie?”
I could high-five this kid again. He’s put her in a position where she has to let him down to push me away, and something tells me she won’t do that. I couldn’t have planned it better myself.
She sighs. “He can stay.”
“Yay! I’ll get the bowls out!” And just like that, he disappears behind the door again.
I can’t help but grin. “So, movie night, huh?”
“You don’t have to stay.”
“There’s nothing I’d like more than to snuggle with you on the couch.”
“Jackson.” She shoots me an exhausted glare.
“I’m only joking.” I’m not. “But I would like to stay.”
“Look, if you’re expecting—”
“I expect nothing,” I interrupt. “I came here tonight because I want to court you. If you’ll let me.”
“Court?” Her lips twitch with the urge to smile.
“I’ve been reading a historical romance. One of the books you downloaded on that library app.”
“You have?”
“What can I say? You got me hooked on romance. It’s very relatable, actually.”
“Oh?” She hugs the flowers to her chest.
“Yeah, because like the main character, I too used to be a rake, but that part of my life is done. I’m a changed man. I want to court you.”
“Jackson.” Her gaze is serious and her next words hold warning. “The woman you got to know last week doesn’t exist. You’re going to be very bored with the real me.”
“Let me be the judge of that.”
“I can’t promise you anything.”
I’m not asking her to.
“Milady.” I remove an imaginary hat and dip into an exaggerated bow. “Can I at least come to movie night?”
“That depends.” Her lips twist, as if she’d like to smile. “Can you keep your hands to yourself?”
“Well, I don’t want to,” I reach for the door and open it for her, stepping inside. “But I will. Promise.”
Edward is enthusiastic about movie night, and Rosalie prepares the popcorn and snacks into three bowls before disappearing to change into sweatpants.
Edward shows me their movie collection, and kindly offers for me to pick the film because I’m a guest. Apparently, Saturday movie nights are a weekly event and they’ve never had a visitor.
It’s usually just him and his mom. I tell him to select two choices and I’ll pick one.
We settle on Toy Story, a classic, and all chatter ends as soon as we sit on the sofa and press play.
I sit in the middle of the couch at Edward’s request to be next to him. Rosalie squeezes herself into the corner, as if touching me might cause an epidemic. I’m dying to touch her, even if it’s just our fingers brushing from where they rest on the cushion, but I keep my promise.
At the end of the film, Edward flips the lights on and Rosalie gathers our bowls, bringing them into the kitchen. I follow her and start the water at the sink, motioning for her to hand the bowls over.
“Mama, I’m still hungry.” Edward pops onto one of the barstools.
Rosalie glances at the clock. “It’s late, so how about cereal?”
“Yes, please.”
“Okay.” She pulls a clean bowl down from the cupboard. “Go pick out the one you want.”
He races to the pantry and retrieves a box. He pours the cereal into the bowl, then Rosalie adds the milk.
“Jackson,” Edward says between bites. “Did you like the movie?”
“Sure did.” I finish washing the last bowl, then pick up a clean towel to dry them.
“You don’t need to do that,” Rosalie says.
“I want to.” I glance at Edward. “It’s the least I can do after being invited to movie night.”
Her lips pinch and I can’t tell whether she wants to frown or smile.
“You can come next week too!” Edward says, his mouth full.
“Chew first. Then talk,” Rosalie reminds him. “And I’m sure Jackson has other plans.”
“I don’t.” I wink at Edward. “Most Saturday afternoons you’ll find me fishin’.”
“I’ve never been fishing.” Edward sighs.
“You’ve never—” My jaw falls open and my gaze darts to Rosalie. “How has this kid never been fishin’? You’ve lived here his entire life!”
“This is going to come as a huge shock,” she says dryly, “But I don’t know how to fish.”
“That’s just disgraceful. Next you’re gonna tell me you’ve never gone horseback ridin’.”
She takes the now dry dishes and stacks them in the cupboard. “I grew up in the city. Where would I have done either of those things?”
“That’s it. I’m taking you both.”
“You want to take us fishing? And horseback riding?” Edward radiates with so much excitement, the kid might burst. His gaze bounces between mine and his mom’s.
“I say we start with fishin’.” I turn to Rosalie.
“Can we, Mom? Please?” Edward’s wide eyes are so damn hopeful, my heart squeezes a little tighter in my chest.
“When do you want to do this?” Rosalie asks.
“You tell me. Pick a day and I’ll get the morning off from Ryan.”
“Can we go tomorrow?” Edward asks.
“I’m sure Jackson has—”
“Tomorrow is perfect. But y’all better get some rest. I’ll be by bright and early. Canyon Lake is about an hour away. We should leave here by five o’clock.”
Rosalie looks at her son, and then me. “I guess we better get to bed.”
“I’m gonna go brush my teeth!” Edward pops off his barstool and starts to run toward one end of the house, but before he’s out of sight, he turns on a dime and races straight at me.
His little body lunges at mine, his arms squeezing my waist. “Thank you!” Before I can hug him back, he’s racing away again.
“I think he’s excited.” I state the obvious.
“A little.” Rosalie reaches for Edward’s abandoned cereal bowl and dumps it in the sink. Her eyes appraise me with wariness. “You better be here tomorrow at five. Don’t let him down.”
Her warning is clear. She’s giving me a chance, but I better not fuck this up.
“Oh, I’ll be here.” I glance down the hall to where I hear the sink running. I probably only have a few precious minutes alone with Rosalie before her son rejoins us. In two strides, I close the space between us, crowding her. “Is movie night over?”
“What?”
“Is it over?” I ask again, this time staring at her lips. “Because I keep my promises.”
“Oh,” she whispers. “It’s over.”
“Well, then.” I cup her cheek and tilt her chin up. “Since movie night is officially over, I’m gonna kiss you now.”
I kiss her tenderly. I kiss her with everything I have. I kiss her so there is no doubt in her mind she’s the only woman I’ve been thinking of since she walked out of my life. She doesn’t resist, melting into my touch like we’re made for each other. I’m starting to believe we are.
I gather my self-control and step back, delighting in the dazed look I’ve left on her face. It’s one that proves all I need to know. She wants me too. “’Night, Rosalie.” I take a few more steps back so I’m not tempted to pull her back into my arms. “See you tomorrow, darlin’.”
As much as I want her, I need her to understand this isn’t just about sex anymore. At least, not for me. I want all of Rosalie. Movie nights with her kid, cleaning dishes in the kitchen, and all the “boring” moments in between.