Always Us (The Jade Series #8) (12 page)

“Oh. I almost forgot to tell you.” Sara sits back in the booth, checking her phone, then setting it on the table. “That guy was here again yesterday.”

“What guy?”

“The one who was asking about you last week. Justin, or whatever his name was. I think it was Justin.”

I get a sick feeling in my stomach. I’d forgotten about that guy. I told myself he was nobody and to forget about it.

I shiver and Sara notices. “What’s wrong? Are you cold?”

“No, I’m just freaked out that that guy’s still hanging around. You didn’t tell him anything about me, did you?”

“I didn’t talk to him. He just came in to get a coffee and left. Someone else waited on him at the counter.”

“Was anyone with him?”

“No, it was just him.”

“And what did he look like? What was he wearing?”

“Just dress pants and a shirt and tie. Like he was going to work or something.”

He wasn’t wearing a suit. So he’s probably not from the organization. Then again, Walt didn’t wear a suit and
he’s
connected to the organization.

“Jade, I have to get back to work.”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

As she leaves, I get my phone out to call Garret and tell him Justin’s back in town, or maybe never left. But Garret’s in class now and there’s nothing he can do, so I change my mind.

My phone alarm goes off, reminding me I have an appointment with Jennifer in a few minutes. When I get there, the first thing she asks about is my trip to Des Moines. I tell her about seeing Frank and Ryan, but I mostly talk about that speech I gave and how Garret thinks I should consider doing that as a career. When I tell her I’m not sure about it, she brings out those personality tests I took a few weeks ago that help you choose a career. Being a teacher was one of the careers that fit my personality, and speaking to people is kind of like being a teacher.

“Jade, what did you like the most about giving that speech?”

“I liked feeling like I was helping people. People who are just like I used to be. I don’t know if what I said helped them or not, but maybe my story made them feel like there’s hope.”

“Are there any reasons why you wouldn’t want to do this as a career?”

“I don’t feel ready to. I feel like I need to try it some more and make sure I still like it. And I don’t feel like I know enough to help these people. Garret thinks I should take some more psychology classes.”

“I agree with him. I think it’s a good idea. Maybe you’ll decide to major in it.”

“Actually, I
have
been thinking about doing that.”

She smiles. “This trip was good for you, Jade. I’m glad you agreed to speak at that event.”

“Garret forced me to. He said I had to face my fear of public speaking.”

“And look where it got you. Because of that, you might have your major and your career figured out. You see how one person can influence you enough to change your life?
You
could be that person for someone else, Jade. Think about that as you consider your options for careers.”

After our session, I leave thinking this might just be the right career choice for me. I have time to kill before my next class so I stop by my advisor’s office to make an appointment. He’s there, and has the next half hour free so he offers to meet with me now.
 

I tell him about my interest in psychology and he suggests I take a couple psych classes next semester to help me decide if I want to declare psych as my major. Then I mention the speech I gave and he suggests I take a speech class to see if I really like public speaking and to get better at it. Even though I gave that speech, I’m still scared to death of public speaking. I only did well last week because I ditched the speech I’d memorized and just talked. But if I really want to consider doing this for a living, I should learn how to give a proper speech, which means I need to take the class.

I leave his office with a marked-up course catalog and another appointment with him later this month to go over what I decide. But I think I’ve already decided. I like his recommendations. I’m even getting excited about next semester.

And it all started with Garret making me do that speech. Jennifer’s right. One person can make a huge difference in your life. Garret is proof of that, and not just with his career suggestion. He’s changed me completely since we met. He’s made me a better person, and he just keeps continuing to do so.

GARRET

During my afternoon class, I didn’t hear anything the professor said. Instead, I imagined my grandfather, comatose in a hospital bed. And it finally sunk in that this is almost over. My grandfather will soon be gone, and when he is, I’ll be able to relax.

All the stuff I worried about the past few months all linked back to him. I kept worrying about that fake burglary and the fake cop, wondering who was behind it and what they wanted. But that was all my grandfather’s doing. And maybe the incident with Roth last July was orchestrated by my grandfather, too. It wouldn’t surprise me if he sent Roth out here to scare me into not marrying Jade. My dad said my grandfather recently went to Roth’s house for dinner, which means they were becoming friends or already were friends. So maybe that’s why Roth agreed to do that for my grandfather. Or maybe he owed my grandfather a favor.

I’m home now and waiting for Jade to get back from class. Then we’re going to buy a Christmas tree. I don’t want to wait to start celebrating the holidays. I want to start now. It’s almost December and I’m going to make it a whole month of celebrating. And it won’t just be about Christmas. It’ll also be a celebration that my grandfather is gone. That he’s out of my life. And my dad’s life. For good.

I hear Jade’s car in the driveway and I open the door as she approaches. I love that pink sweater on her. The color looks good against her skin and her dark hair. And the fabric clings to her breasts, causing my eyes to linger. We might have to have sex before we go shopping.

“Hi.” She hugs me and I lift her up and into the house, kicking the door shut. “Were you waiting for me?”

“I was.” I set her down and kiss her.

“You’re really in a hurry to get that tree.”

“Actually, I’m in a hurry to do something else.” I slip my hand under the back of her sweater, feeling her soft skin. “You feel so damn good. You smell good, too.” I inhale the scent of her hair. “You’re beautiful, you know that?”

“What’s with all the compliments today? I mean, I like it, but I’m not used to getting so many in one day.”

“That’s my fault.” I look into her gorgeous green eyes. “I’m going to give you more, starting today.”

“What’s gotten into you? Why are you in such a good mood?”

“Because I love you. And I love being with you and I love our life together. It puts me in a good mood. That’s all.”

“I know, but your grandfather—”

“Jade, stop. I don’t want to talk about it. And I’m not going to cry about it or be depressed about it.”

“But he might not make it.” She says it softly and her head drops down.

“Jade.” I lift her chin up. “I know you expect me to be more upset about this, but honestly, I wasn’t that close to my grandfather. He and I never got along. He treated my dad like shit and he treated me almost as bad, and he never accepted my mom.” I wasn’t going to tell her all that, but I feel like I need to explain this somehow or she’ll keep expecting me to be sad.

She nods. “Okay. I understand.”

“Good. Now can we go back to what we were doing?”

“Which was what?” She smiles and bites her bottom lip, which is sexy as hell.

“Getting you naked.” I scoop her up and carry her to the bedroom. I set her down and pull her sweater over her head, then flick open the clasp of her bra. She tosses it on the floor and gets to work on my jeans. Our mouths crash together as we continue to undress our lower halves.

We’re both hot for each other so it’s not going to be the slow, gentle sex like we had yesterday. That was great and I loved it, but right now I’m too turned on to take this slow. And so is Jade.

As I lower her to the bed, she yells, “Chocolate chip pancakes!”

I stop for a moment. “What?”

“I want chocolate chip pancakes.” She whispers it this time and I realize what she’s asking for. She’s just too embarrassed to say it. I love my sweet and innocent Jade, but I wouldn’t mind if sometimes she just came out and told me what she wants me to do to her. I’d find it totally hot.

“Say it, Jade,” I hover over her as she lies on the bed.

“I already did.” She’s blushing. She really needs to stop being embarrassed about this stuff. We’re married. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

“Tell me what you want.” I smile, and as she opens her mouth to speak, I put my finger to her lips and say, “And don’t mention pancakes.”

She turns her head and nods toward the wall. “I want to do it over there.”

I’m still smiling. “And what exactly do you want to do over there?”

“Have sex?”

“What’s with the question? You’re not sure?”

She rolls her eyes, smiling. “No. I’m sure.” She pushes on my chest. “Come on. Hurry up.”

I lift her up from the bed, her legs around me, her arms around my neck. I take her to the wall and push inside her. She arches back, putting her breasts on display as she takes a fist of my hair and holds on. I pump in and out, hard and fast, my hands gripping her tight round ass. It’s freaking hot, and I have to work hard to hold myself back until I know she’s satisfied. When she is, I get a firm grip on her and finish up myself.

As I lower her to the floor, I kiss her softly on the lips. “You ready to go buy a tree?”

She laughs. “Why do you always do that?”

“Do what?”

“We have this hot, wild, crazy sex and then you just go back to normal, like it never happened.”

“What do you
want
me to do?”

“Nothing. It’s just funny. It makes me laugh.”

“So next time we do this, are you going to tell me what you want?”

She gives me her shy smile. “Maybe.”

“I think you should.” I run my hand down her arm. “I liked it. I’d like you to do it again.”

She’s still smiling. “I’ll think about it.”

I kiss her, then swat her ass as I walk past her. “I need a shower before we go.”

“Is that an invitation?” She follows me into the bathroom.
 

“We just did it. You want it again?”

“No. I just like feeling your warm soapy hands on me.”

I turn on the shower. “Which always leads to sex.”

“Guess we’ll just have to see.”

Jade doesn’t realize that guys can’t always recover that fast. Either that, or she’s testing me to see if I can do it. And so far, I’ve been able to, probably because I’m only 20 and she turns me on like no other girl can. But I hope she knows it’s not going to work the same way when I’m 40.

As usual, our time in the shower leads to sex. And then we get dressed and go shop for our tree.

“What do you think of this one?” Jade points to a tiny five-foot Christmas tree.

We’re in a strip mall at one of those pop-up stores that’s only here for the holidays. In October it was a Halloween store where Jade got this smoking hot cheerleader costume. She needs to put that thing on again. Damn, that was sexy. I’m getting worked up just thinking about it.

I lean down and whisper in her ear. “You need to wear that costume for me.”

She thinks a moment, then smiles. “The cheerleader costume?”

“Put it on tonight when we get home.”

“We’re decorating the tree tonight. But how about tomorrow?”

“I can’t wait that long.”

She laughs and pushes me away. “Back to the tree. You like this one or not?”

“It’s not big enough. We need the biggest tree we can find that will still fit in the house.” I walk over to a display of bigger trees and point to a seven-footer. “This one’s better.”

“You sure it’ll fit?”

“We have eight-foot ceilings. There’s plenty of room.”

“Okay, let’s get it!” She claps her hands. It’s so damn cute. She’s so excited about buying a tree. It’s the first one she’s ever had.

I take the sales slip for the tree, then walk over to the lights. “What kind of lights do you want? And please don’t say white because I don’t like white.”

“No, definitely not white. Let’s get the multicolored ones.”

“Flashing or steady? Or they have ones that do both.”

“Ooh, get the kind that do both!” Her face lights up and she looks like she wants to jump up and down like Lilly would. She doesn’t, but I know she wants to.

Again, so cute. Cute enough that I have to pull her into my side and kiss her. “You’re freaking adorable, you know that?”

She doesn’t answer. She’s too mesmerized by the lights display, twinkling all around us. I let her go and grab a shopping cart. I take 10 boxes of lights and load them into the cart.

Jade’s watching me. “Why are you getting so many lights?”

“Because you like lights, and so do I.”

“But 10 boxes?”

“We need some for the tree and some for the windows and wherever else you want them. You want me to switch out the blue lights in the bedroom for the multicolored lights?”

She looks like she wants to say yes, but instead she says, “That’s too much work. The blue lights are fine.”

I grab two more boxes of lights. “I’ll switch them out. I’m tired of the blue ones.”

She smiles really wide. I knew she wanted them changed out.

“Let’s go look at ornaments.” I take her hand and lead her to the next aisle. The shelves are full of boxes of shiny glass ornaments, the kind I hate because they remind me of Katherine. She’d only allow the decorators to use those fancy glass ornaments on our Christmas tree, along with white lights. That house is white enough. It doesn’t need even more white, especially at the holidays when you want a warm, homey feel.

When I was a kid, my mom decorated our tree with colored lights and a mix of ornaments we collected over the years. Every Christmas, my dad would give her an ornament. And every year, she’d take me to the store and let me pick one out for myself. I always picked ones that were sports-themed or superheroes, which didn’t match the nice ones my dad got her, but she didn’t care. To her, the tree was about family memories, not looking like it came out of a magazine. She’d even include the ornaments I made in school that were ugly, but special to her.