Learning to Heal (21 page)

“I don’t know. I’m going to call her.” He pulls out his phone and excuses himself.

I can’t help but think she doesn’t like me. Even after the few conversations we had she seems kind of cold. I just figured it’s because I’m new, but now I’m not so sure. Feeling a warm hand encase mine, I glance up and see concern on my brother’s face.

“You okay?”

I shrug not sure how to answer. “I really don’t know. His mom hasn’t really been welcoming to me. But I thought we were making progress.” Seeing Mason make his way back to the table I tell them not to say anything to him. Stubborn as ever, Jax is hard to convince but after a quick kick in the shin he agrees. Smiling at Mason while he sits down, I see his expression is gloom. “She okay?”

“Yeah, but she got called into work. Chanda has Grace at the house. I need to get her soon though. She has a date or something later.”

On one hand I’m aggravated with the thought of Chanda having Grace, but then I feel relief that she has a date and maybe she’ll stop being a bitch toward me. I wouldn’t care if I could bust her in the mouth, but with me being pregnant that is a definite no-no. Smiling with the thought of a daughter, I rub my tummy and my bad mood disappears.

“Well then let’s call Mom and Dad on speaker so we can share the news with everyone.”

After our food is delivered and Mom and Dad are called, Mason and I announce we’re having a girl. I instantly reach across the table and latch hands with Tru. Relief is visible in her eyes and I’m sure if I were having a boy this would be torture for her. Jax and Mason do a bro-hug before he envelops me in a mean bear hug like he’s always done growing up.

“Congrats, Jazzy girl.” His familiar smell surrounds me, and I can’t help but feel my eyes water. We’re no longer the kids that would constantly fight or laugh together. We’ve grown up and it’s bittersweet. I dry my tears before anyone sees. Today is about happiness.

Mom and Dad are thrilled and can’t wait to see the sonogram video. I promise to come up real soon to show them. After being interrogated by Dad about my health, we finally say our goodbyes and finish lunch. Walking out to our cars I grab my friend in a hug.

“We still on for our girls’ day, right? Cory has already stocked my cabinets with all kinds of junk for our movie binge.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” She squeezes me before my brother steals her away.

Once we reach Mason’s mom’s apartment we go up hand in hand. Going in the door we see Chanda on the floor playing with Grace and watching Disney on the TV. When she’s not giving me a “go to Hell” look, Chanda is very pretty. I can see why guys like her.

Mason walks over and kisses Grace on the head. “Hey, sweet girl.” He puts his attention on Chanda. “Thanks for coming over.”

Standing up, she walks over and grabs her jacket that is lying on the couch. “No problem. Like I said, I love Grace and anytime I can watch her I’ll take it. I’m going to go.” She turns to me and catches me off guard with her smile. “Look, Jasmine, I’m sorry for the other night. I guess I’m used to being the third woman in Mason’s life. I got kind of jealous.” She sticks out her hand that’s decorated in intricate tattoos and rings. “We good?”

Being raised in the Coleman household has always taught me to forgive and forget. So why not?

“Yeah. We’re good.”

While shaking her hand I get a feeling I shouldn’t forget when it comes to her.

Tonight Ryan and I are headed to Jax’s apartment for a guys’ night. Actually it’s an excuse to be close to the girls, but nobody wants to call it that. A few games are on ESPN and beer is what it’s all about. David swears Jax and I are turning into pussies. But hey, at least we’re happy!

David’s having his own girl issues. I don’t know what happened between Elle and him after their kiss on New Year’s, but every time I bring it up David changes the subject. Either he was shot down again and didn’t get any, or he actually likes the girl. I really think it’s the latter.

Ryan invited himself to the party and called Lyric to show up later. He actually has a fight this weekend he wants me to go to but it depends on Jazz and my mom’s schedule. It would be awesome to see the guy in action though. Ryan says he’s a sadistic beast in the ring. That’s why they gave him the name “Devereux the Demon.” The name fits because New Year’s night he looked possessed while smiling at Jax.  

“So, Betty coming by tonight with my bay-bay?” Ryan asks while drumming on his leg as we pull into the apartment complex.

“My baby, asshole. And no. She has plans with some friends. They’re having a slumber party or something.” I shrug, not really sure what girls do.

“Hell yeah! Girls half-naked in pajamas.” He rubs his palms together. “I’m in.”

“Not happening, dude. I don’t want to interrupt them or have Jazz think I don’t trust her.” I park my truck in front of Jax’s building and get out. I head up the stairs while fighting the temptation to check on my girl.

Ryan quickly catches up and slaps my back. “Come on, man. I won’t mess with her. I want to check out some of the others.”

“Only Jax’s girl and her friend Cory are there. It’s not like they are running around naked. I’m not even sure they will be drinking. Tru rarely does and Jazz is pregnant.”

After I knock, David opens the door with a beer in hand. “Hey, dipshit. I see you brought another pussy.”

Ryan gets flustered but I place my hand on his chest to hold him back. “Not tonight, David.”

Ryan smiles and I can tell he’s about to be a smartass. “You know what they say. You are what you eat. So I guess that’s why you’re a dick.”

Jax and I bust out laughing while David looks Ryan up and down ready to kick his ass. After bumping chest with him he finally joins in and they shake hands. “Hey Mason. I think I like this motherfucker. Even if he is ugly.”

Ryan shrugs and takes the beer I hand him. After I sit down Jax’s new dog Hero runs over and jumps in my lap. He’s only four or five months old but heavy as hell. These dogs are bred to attack lions in Africa, so I can only imagine the damage he’ll do to an intruder. The police have been worried about some drug dealer in Atlanta coming after Tru since her attack a few months back. So far nothing has turned up and sometimes no news is not good news.

We turn on the TV and watch some SEC football bowl game that’s on. I really don’t care for sports, but I’m enjoying the guys bantering back and forth. We order pizza a bit later, and soon Jax walks to the back with his phone in hand. Bet he’s calling Tru. Does that mean I can call Jazz? What the hell! I’m going to do it anyway. Making my way to the bathroom I notice I’m feeling loose and I have a buzz. I guess it’s justified since I drank a six-pack on my own and I hardly ever drink. Pulling out my phone, I see blurry numbers so I squint to see them better. After a few minutes of trying to dial my girl’s number I get it by just pushing talk twice. When she picks up I hear laughter and music in the background.

“Hey, you. Having fun with the guys?” She sounds breathless and it reminds me of our post-sex state.

“It’d be better if you were here.” At least I think that’s what I say. I’m not buzzed, I’m drunk. Geez! I am a pussy.
Ha! I said pussy.
 

“Yes, you did say pussy. Are you drunk, Mason Reed?” She laughs. I’m surprised because she hates that word. However, I’m also horny from hearing it leave her mouth. The background noise fades and the sound of her breathing is all I can hear on the phone. Maybe she walked away from the noise and wants to be alone while talking to me. My dick starts to strain against my jeans with each exhale. “Mason!” she says, and my name sounds so damn erotic.

I swallow before I can answer. “Yes. But not too drunk. Because now I have a hard-on.” I rub my palm over it and notice how sensitive it feels, like every nerve has surfaced and are causing shock waves to shoot up my spine and down my legs. I sit on the commode before I fall over.

“Really?” Her breathing becomes deeper and her voice becomes sultry. “How hard are you?”

A growl bubbles up from my chest. The thought of her on her knees before me clouds my vision. “Very. So fucking hard.” I rub my palm over myself again and again. My hips start to thrust up from the sensation.

“Good. Can you feel my hand as I touch you? Can you feel me stroke you? Do it, Mason. Touch yourself and think of me doing it.”

What the Fuck? I think we’re going to have phone sex. A total first for me. And as hot as it would be, it’s just not good enough. I need more. And she’s close by. Only a building over in fact. Making a quick decision that I know will mostly piss her off, I take a deep breath push end on my phone. Hanging up on her was the only way to walk over and surprise her. At least that’s what I think in my drunken state. Walking through the living room I see the guys are into another game. Ryan catches my eye and sees something in my stare. Maybe it’s my need for Jazz or my hard-on tenting my jeans, but he knows where I’m headed without me saying a word.

He jumps off the couch and runs my way. “Whoo hoo! Titty time, boys!” He runs past me out the door but comes back in and grabs his beer. “Can’t forget my friend, can I?”

I’m unaware of Jax and David following behind until I get to Jazz’s door. Looking at Jax, I see he’s carrying Hero like a baby. For someone so strong and mean looking it’s weird seeing him holding a puppy, regardless of whether it’s a gigantic one.

My phone has been vibrating since I hung up, but I plan on making it up to her. Knocking on the door I brace myself for her wrath, but when it opens I’m caught off guard. Her hair in pigtails with pink tipped bangs falling to the side of her face. The background noise of Ryan yelling some shit disappears, and I can only hear the blood rushing in my brain as I stare at my girl, who happens to be standing there in tank top and pink superman pajama pants with her hand on her hip, giving me a death glare. Without words, I wrap my arms around her waist and bring her flush to my body while never breaking eye contact. She smiles and wraps her arms around my neck. I know instantly I’m forgiven.

“Surprise.”

She laughs. “Hi.” I love it when she says that one sweet word. It reminds me of New Year’s.

“Hi to you, too.”

Noticing how cold it is, I move her inside and shut the door. Before I can do anything else she places her cold hands at the base of my skull and pulls me down so I can taste her lips. She tastes of all the things I love: fall weather, Christmas time, and hot chocolate. Mine! The word whispers in my brain and I deepen the kiss. Then Ryan interrupts. Asshole.

“Hey, ass wipe. Stop kissing my bay-bay’s momma.”

Jazz pulls away due to her giggles and I join in. Hers are contagious, especially when she snorts. “Let’s go get him before he destroys your place and humps your friends.”

“I don’t think Cory will let him near her unless he wants to get shanked. That girl is lethal and can wave a lightsaber in a pair of six-inch heels like no one’s business.”

We sit on the couch beside Cory, who is sporting a princess Leia hairdo and giving Ryan a “what the hell” look as he tells everyone how he and Jazz are getting married, but she wants to wait until after Ryan junior is born.

Cory quickly cuts him off. “Hey, it’s a girl, you weirdo. Besides, it’s my baby not yours.” She winks at Jazz.

“Whatever! Like anyone will believe that. You couldn’t get her knocked up because you don’t got the goods. And, baby, I got plenty of the goods.” He takes a swig of his beer and fist pumps David. Those two are going to cause some major trouble.