Imagined Love (29 page)

Jade grabbed his hand and held it in both of hers. Then she wiped a tear from his cheek and laid her head on his shoulder. She really appreciated how vulnerable he was being even though some of the things he said were hard to hear. It brought back a lot of painful memories about Richard. However, the fact that Pierce trusted her enough to reveal himself so openly made Jade feel he deserved the same from her. So she told him about Richard, minus that he lived close by, and about her pregnancy too. Then she revealed the secret she’d vowed to take to her grave.

“Umm,” she trembled and began to cry. “I feel like such a coward for being too scared to tell the truth. I let everyone believe I had a miscarriage when I actually had an abortion,” Jade confessed. She dropped her face into her hands and sobbed. “I got rid of my baby because I didn’t wanna be attached to a man who didn’t love me for the rest of my life. How stupid and selfish is that?” Jade cried. She never intended for anyone to know about the baby or the abortion. And if she had stayed at the clinic to be monitored as she’d been advised, no one would have.

Pierce wrapped his arms around Jade and let her cry. She couldn’t believe she had done such a horrible thing and still hadn’t forgiven herself. And she also couldn’t believe she’d confessed it on her first date to a man she wanted to fall in love with her.

“I think we’re going about this the wrong way,” Jade said, wiping her face with tissues. “People usually tell the best about themselves on a first date and hear we are revealing the most despicable things we’ve ever done!”

“I know, huh?” he frowned, wondering what was wrong with them. “I guess it’s those beautiful, hypnotic eyes of yours. You got me in here bearing my soul.”

“That’s what I was about to say to you. Your eyes are piercing and I find myself drifting away and getting lost,” Jade cooed, as she stared into them. “I’d give you anything you asked for,” she said then froze. She hadn’t meant to say that part aloud.

“Oh!” Pierce shouted then laughed at her embarrassment.

They joked and teased one another but eventually the conversation made its way back to Pierce’s relationship with Tina. He acknowledged that the worst part for him was the fact she didn’t want a baby any more than he did. It was like Tina carried on with the pregnancy just to spite him!

When Pierce learned Dane was indeed his son, he cried like a baby as he apologized and vowed to never abandon him again. His family was definitely there to support him. Eva, who was expecting a baby herself, was especially helpful. She rearranged her schedule to care for Dane during the day while Pierce worked as a grocery store manager. Then he’d be up all night feeding and caring for the baby as Tina had no interest in doing so. She’d show up periodically threatening to take Dane away if Pierce didn’t do what she wanted and that led to a bunch of shouting matches between them.

Dane was a year old when Pierce got full custody of him and decided to move back to the Bay Area near Luisa and the rest of the family. Eva was heartbroken because she adored Dane and loved having him with her. However, she knew it was best for the two of them to leave. Pierce would have more help raising his son and better opportunities to start his business. More importantly, it got the two of them away from Tina and her vindictive mother. And for six months Pierce felt like things were back on track as he and Dane settled nicely into their new life. Luisa was head over heels in love with her grandson and had finally forgiven her son. She respected him as a father and a man for stepping up and taking full responsibility for his actions. Unfortunately, he always gave Tina the power to bring out the worst in him. When she and her mother decided to move to Union City, Pierce allowed himself to exhibit a type of evil even he didn’t know existed!

“When Tina moved out here she got herself a little job and an apartment and took me to court for joint custody. The only thing that kept me from going completely crazy when the judge granted it to her was that Tina was a flake and didn’t show up to get Dane most times. But she did show up to get him the night before his second birthday and was two hours late bringing him back for his party.

I went to get Dane out of her car and the smell of weed nearly made me choke! His clothes, hair, and skin were saturated with the scent and I went ballistic! My mama ran out to try to calm me down but I was out of control. I honestly felt like I could’ve killed Tina! I snatched Dane’s car seat and all of his things and told her she would never see him again. I didn’t care what the judge or my mama or anybody else said. Tina wasn’t getting another chance to jeopardize my son’s life and the way I got my message across wasn’t pretty. So her boyfriend jumped out of the passenger seat and tried to jump me. While we were fighting Tina got out and bit the hell out of my back! Without even thinking I turned around and clocked her and she went limp! I was terrified because I thought I had actually killed that girl. Never before had I prayed for Tina to get up and talk but I did at that moment. She cussed me out and threatened to press charges. The only reason she didn’t was because she would have been in jail right along with me for driving under the influence and endangering a minor. Thankfully Tina and her boyfriend decided to leave and I told them not to ever come back or I would kill them.

“When I went back inside my mama hauled off and slapped the shit out of me! I was literally seeing stars. I had never wanted to hit her before in my life but I did that day. I was so damn mad I didn’t know what to do. I thought my own mother would be on my side but she was ashamed and heartbroken to see me acting in a way so totally opposite of how I’d been raised. Her precious baby boy was out making babies out of wedlock, fighting, and behaving like someone she didn’t know. And I realize how fortunate I am because my whole life could’ve been over in that split second.

“I said I was fighting for Dane but at that moment I wasn’t thinking about him. I hated Tina so much and I wanted to pay her back for all the hell she’d put me through. I just wanted her gone from both our lives,” Pierce admitted. “It was a horrible time in my life and I couldn’t believe I had allowed myself to turn into such a beast. To this day I still feel guilty because my little guy deserves so much better than what I brought him in to. He deserves parents who are in love with each other and who genuinely love and care for him. Dane is a really great kid and I hate that I’ve done this to him.” The look on Pierce’s face broke Jade’s heart and tears sprang to her eyes and his.

“Thankfully, I was able to get myself together and deal with the anger and bitterness I had. I sought out the counsel of a pastor I respected and started making some major changes in my life. I wanted to be better. But more importantly, I wanted to set a good example for my son. One of the things I’ve always resented about my father is how much of a hypocrite he is. Jackie Jamison is definitely a do as I say, not as I do type of man and I don’t wanna be that way, you know? I want Dane to know me as a man of integrity who he can trust and respect.”

Jade stared at Pierce with a dreamy look in her eyes. She loved that he trusted her enough to be completely honest and vulnerable. There was no doubt whatsoever she was falling for him.

“I’m not trying to make it sound like I’m this big spiritual guy who lives a perfect life or anything. I just don’t wanna keep making the same mistakes.” He stopped talking and gazed into Jade’s eyes. “You’re so beautiful.” Pierce wanted to kiss her so badly he could barely concentrate on what he was trying to say. However, he managed to pull it together long enough to finish his statement.

“I know we’re supposed to wait until marriage to have sex but that’s not exactly the reason I’ve chosen to go without it these past few months. I just promised myself I wouldn’t make love to a woman unless I was in love with her and honestly believed we had a future together. And until a few days ago, I hadn’t met anybody who made me feel that way,” Pierce smiled at her. “So to answer the question you asked a long time ago, I never loved Dane’s mother or anybody for that matter. I’m convinced I finally found what I’ve been looking for, though. I’ve never talked to someone like I have with you tonight,” he smiled then planted a kiss on Jade’s hand. “Mama always says you can’t be fully loved until you’re fully known and I wanna make sure you know everything there is to know about me. So when you tell me you love me, I’ll know you really mean it.”

Jade felt chills go down her spine as she stared into Pierce’s intense eyes believing as he did that she had found exactly what she’d been searching for. Every part of Jade was convinced Pierce was her guy!

It was three o’clock in the morning when Jade finally got up to leave. She was reaching for her jacket when Pierce pulled her into his arms. They stood at the front door for over ten minutes silently holding one another, neither wanting to let go. The smell of his cologne and his warm body next to hers was driving Jade insane and she knew it was time to leave before she wound up in his bed. And as crazy as it was to do so, she told him. Pierce admitted wanting nothing more than to kiss her but he didn’t trust himself to be able to stop at that. So they acted like responsible adults and chose not to tempt themselves further.

“Where are you going?” Jade asked when Pierce put on a jacket and grabbed his keys.

“I’m following you home to make sure you get there safely.”

“Oh, no, you don’t have to do that. I’ll be . . .”

“Sh.”

“Alrighty then I guess we’re going.”

He walked Jade to her front door and brought a wonderful first date to an end with a kiss on the cheek and a smile that melted her heart.

“So what’s wrong, baby girl?” Landon asked after Jade told him about her date with Pierce. “You’ve got that weird look on your face like something’s bothering you. What is it?”

“Well,” Jade sighed. “He has a son and . . .”

“Oh, give me a damn break, Jade! Don’t start with that junk!”

“What the . . .?”

“Ooh, you about to piss me off!” Landon snapped. “You have put up with all kinds of crap from men and now you finally got a good one but you ready to kick him to the curb for something that happened in his life before he even knew you existed! It’s like you women expect us to be perfect even though y’all not. I guess you forgot that if things had turned out differently you would’ve had a child yourself. So maybe you should think about that before you go dismissing . . . see, there you go acting like a brat again,” Landon shouted when Jade snatched her purse and headed for the front door. “As soon as somebody tries to tell you the truth you go running off to pout. You need to grow up!”

“No, what I need to do is get that bat out of the closet and knock your teeth out! I’m sick of you going off on me when you don’t know what the hell you talking about!” Jade screamed. “I didn’t say anything about leaving Pierce! I wasn’t even thinking it! And if you weren’t so quick . . . whatever, Landon, why am I still wasting my time talking to you? Why am I wasting my time with you at all?” Jade huffed then took off towards the door.

Landon jumped up to run after her. “Jade, wait, I’m sorry. I’m sorry, baby girl. Please, don’t go. You’re right. I jumped to conclusions and made an ass out of myself,” he said then motioned for her to take a seat on the couch. “I apologize, Jade. It’s not even you I’m mad at. Gabrielle and I are doing really bad right now. She brought up divorce this morning,” Landon said, as he blinked back tears. “I knew things were a little rough but I didn’t know they were that damn bad. “It’s like the one woman you think is gonna love you forever finds out you not perfect and she wants to bounce . . . just up and leave,” Landon’s voice quivered.

Jade hugged her big brother and chose to keep her mouth shut. She didn’t want to get into yet another argument with him over things she believed he could do to make his marriage work—like going to the fertility doctor with his wife to find out why they weren’t conceiving, or making major decisions with Gabrielle instead of merely informing her after the fact. He didn’t seem to understand why those things, and others like it, were an issue. Thankfully Gabrielle came back home to talk things through with Landon and Jade left so they could be alone. She had no idea things between the two would eventually get worse!

The following week Jade and Landon were busy getting the last minute details in order for Alejandra’s October 7th wedding. They also had two other brides to juggle so having time to see Pierce was challenging for Jade. She made it a priority to talk with him on the phone and a few of their conversations lasted into the wee hours of the morning. Pierce even stopped by her apartment on the day of Alejandra’s rehearsal dinner to help with anything she may have needed. Truthfully, he just liked to watch Jade create beautiful, elegant looking things from ordinary items. She was so in to it and that made her even sexier to him.

Pierce was thoroughly impressed with what Jade had done for his sister’s wedding and he constantly complimented her throughout the night. That was when he could find her, of course. Pierce had no idea there was so much to do behind the scenes to make everything run smoothly. He gained a whole new respect for those who chose event planning as a career.

“Hey, I thought you were supposed to be my date,” Pierce teased when he finally found Jade in the kitchen helping to get the cake sliced and served. “I guess I have to work in order to be with you, huh? Well, give me a tray and I’ll serve it.”

Jade thought Pierce was joking but he actually helped until it was done just so he could be with her. Things slowed down enough for Landon to take the reins and give her a little time to be Pierce’s date. Jade rarely slow danced, but being in his arms felt like the most natural thing in the world. Alejandra requested another slow jam just to watch the two of them together. She knew they were meant to be and hoped they’d be dancing at their own wedding one day soon.

“Go, Chicka!” Alejandra screamed when Pierce and Jade danced down the soul train line. “My sister-in-law can dance her ass off!”

The rest of Pierce’s family, like Alejandra, thought it was only a matter of time before he and Jade took a stroll down the aisle. They really loved her and believed she was the perfect woman for their Juan. Jade loved them too and daydreamed about being a member of their clan.

After everything was done, Pierce volunteered to follow Jade home and sent Landon on his way. The two of them ended up at Pierce’s place, though. He wanted to change out of his tuxedo and share some leftovers with Jade who was starving by that point. At one o’clock in the morning she was on his couch eating spaghetti and meatballs while he rubbed her feet and talked about what a wonderful time he had at the wedding. Jade could sense something was bothering him and when she asked, Pierce confided that he’d had a major blowup with Tina. He had asked if she would be willing to switch her weekend to have Dane so he could be at the wedding with his family. At first she agreed but then changed her mind. Tina said she had plans for her and Dane that couldn’t be rescheduled but

Pierce wasn’t buying it. He thought she was being the same spiteful, hateful person she’d always been.

They talked for a while and to Jade it was the most natural feeling to be there with Pierce. She actually felt comfortable enough to fall asleep, although she hadn’t meant to. Jade was so exhausted that she dozed off on the couch when he went to the bathroom. Pierce brought her a pillow and blanket then he kissed her cheek and ran his fingers through her hair until she fell into a deep sleep.

It was a little after seven when she awoke and found him asleep on the floor. Not wanting to wake Pierce, Jade left a note thanking him for a great night and invited him for dinner a few days later. She stood at the door staring at him for a few moments before finally leaving for home.

The following Tuesday Jade stayed home from work to get everything prepared for her date. Pierce’s favorite colors were black and gold so she decorated her dining room table with a black table cloth, gold chargers and napkins, and black plates. On one of their late night phone calls Pierce reminisced about Christmas dinners at Jackie’s mother’s house. He said he hadn’t had a good soul food meal since his grandmother passed away. So Jade prepared barbecued ribs, collard greens, sweet potatoes, dressing, and potato salad. She also used her granny’s recipe for pineapple coconut cake. Pierce’s grandmother used to make one especially for him and he hadn’t had one in almost seven years.

Once everything was set, Jade showered, dressed, and absent-mindedly put on her Skin Musk Oil. She considered spraying another perfume over it but decided against it. The last thing she needed was to mix fragrances and make herself stink! All Jade could do was hope Pierce wouldn’t notice.

“I thought we discussed you wearing this intoxicating scent,” he smiled when she greeted him with a hug. He obviously noticed. “Girl, what you got cooking in here? It almost smells as good as you!”

“Oh, just a little something I whipped up,” Jade said, as she led him by the hand to her dining area.

“Wow! I don’t even know what to . . . wow!”

Pierce was impressed and extremely flattered to see everything Jade had done to welcome him into her home. The meal, however, was what blew him away. It tasted incredible and he actually felt emotional. It reminded him so much of his grandmother who he’d loved dearly. And it meant the world to Pierce to know Jade had really been listening to him and did everything she could to please him. He was telling her as much when they heard a knock on the door.

“Who the heck is that?” Jade mumbled, as she rose from the table to look out the peephole. “You have got to be kidding me! What are you doing here?” she yelled after flinging the door open.

“What you think? I came to get my plate! Ooh, it smells good in here. Move,” Landon said, as he forced his way inside.

“I can’t believe you would intrude on my date like this! I said I’d save you a plate but that didn’t mean come over here!”

“Why should I have to wait ‘til tomorrow when you got all this amazing food over here all nice and hot? What’s up, brotha? It’s good to see you again,” Landon said, as he greeted Pierce with a handshake. “Plus with the way your butt eats it might not be any leftovers. Ooh, you made that cake too! Oh yeah, I’m about to grub,” he smiled, rubbing his hands together. “Girl, you did your thing, didn’t you?”

“Can you believe this?” Jade asked Pierce, as she shook her head.

“I can’t say I blame him. This food is magnificent. Besides, I don’t think I could be angry at the person who helped me get that date with you. If Landon hadn’t vouched for me who knows what might’ve happened. So I say let him eat as much as he wants.”

“Thank you, Pierce,” Landon stated then stuck his tongue out at Jade. “Now move so I can get my food.”

“That figures. You men always stick together,” Jade chuckled. “Umm, Landon, what are you doing? I know you don’t think you’re about to eat here.”

“No, I’m taking it home.”

“Then why are you putting your food on one of my good plates? Get one of those Styrofoam ones. Are you crazy?”

“Umm uh, those aren’t strong enough. I’m about to pack a man’s plate! So you might as well start slicing the cake ‘cause I’m taking some of that too.”

Instead of arguing, Jade got the aluminum foil and plastic bags to help Landon pack. She was hoping it would speed up his departure but quickly put that idea to rest when he and Pierce started antagonizing each other about football. Landon loved the Green Bay Packers and Pierce was a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan so the rivalry between them was instant. After enduring ten minutes of their smack talking, Jade informed her brother that he needed to leave so she could get back to entertaining her guest.

“Get your big butt outta here,” she mumbled, as they made their way to the front door. “I can’t believe you did this.”

“It’s your fault. If you didn’t cook so dang good then I wouldn’t have to keep coming over here. You know that health nut I married don’t fix good stuff like this so I’m forced to come here. Wherever you are that’s where I’m coming to get my plate! So I guess you stuck with me, chick,” Landon smiled then gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Bye.”

Jade just shook her head as she walked back to the dining area. “What are you doing? Give me those,” she ordered, taking the dirty dishes out of Pierce’s

hands. “Next time you’ll have to bust suds but for now you get to relax. So go ahead and . . . what?” she asked in response to the grin on his face.

“Oh nothing, you just reminded me of my grandmother. She used to do all that fussing too, ‘Boy, get out my pots’ or ‘I’m sick of doing all this cooking,’ knowing good and well she was tickled at how much people loved her food.”

The huge smile that spread across Jade’s face proved what he said was true. She wasn’t mad at Landon at all. It made her happy to know how much he truly loved her food. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she winked at him. “So can I get you anything else?”

“Ooh, no, I’m stuffed. Thank you so much, Jade. Everything was fantastic. And don’t think I don’t appreciate the time and expense that went into preparing such an amazing meal because I do,” Pierce said, as he collapsed on her couch. “I didn’t know you had mad skills like that. Ooh, what’s this?” he smiled, grabbing the photo albums from her coffee table. “I love pictures. Aw, wow, is this from high school? Come sit by me so you can tell me who these folks are.”

Pierce was able to identify Katrina and Tawny on his own. He said they looked exactly the way she had described their personalities.

“Oh, damn, is this Alonzo? Man, that dude is a tank! I could take him, though,” Pierce laughed. His laughter grew to a roar when Jade pointed to a shot of Damien. “This guy looks more feminine than you! And you say he was your boyfriend, huh? Yeah right, you know y’all used to share makeup and high heels!”

“Ugh, don’t say that! Damien was very masculine,” Jade giggled.

“Jade, please, that’s a girl and you know it,” Pierce laughed loudly. “Oh! What was going on in your life in this picture?”

It was a shot of the Witty Wock Crew when air-brushed shirts and bright, neon colors were the style. They looked like circus performers! At the time Jade thought she looked cool with the short on one side, long on the other hairstyle but as she stared at the picture with Pierce she realized how crazy it looked. And the hoop earrings she had on were as big as her head!

“What kind of guest are you?” she giggled. “You in here joaning on me and my friends and cracking . . .”

“I’m who-ing?”

“You know, joaning or jiving . . . clowning.”

“Okay, so I guess that’s one of those country Gary, Indiana words y’all just made up, huh?”

“Now see, you wrong for that! And after I spent all day slaving over a hot stove for you too. Give me my pictures,” Jade said, as she reached for the album he was trying to keep from her. She leaned over too far and her head fell in his lap.

“Oh, so it’s like that? You fed me and now you taking advantage of me?”

Jade’s face turned completely red as she fell back on the couch laughing. Pierce kept making jokes about it which only made her laugh more. She was thrilled, however, when he asked to see all of her pictures and her yearbook. He was so in to it and that touched Jade’s heart for Pierce to show such genuine interest in her life. She loved being able to share herself with him and feel like he truly appreciated it.

“This is a nice shot of you and your sister. Man, y’all really do look alike . . . like twins almost.”

“That’s my mom.”

“No, I’m talking about this picture right here,” he pointed.

“Yeah, I know. That’s my mom.”

“Jade, this is not your mama! Are you serious?”