Bliss
I am so much in love with this guy, he makes my heart beat so fast, it feels like it will jump out my chest at any moment. Lunch could have gone to shit with the news of my parents getting back together, but all he had to do was say a few words and it all seemed silly to get upset. They were happy, and I’m happy for them even if it took them twenty years to figure it out. I wonder what my mom will do with the house. She knows I want it, since I plan on moving back once I finish school, and hopefully land a teaching job in Palm Springs. I haven’t exactly told Cuba of these plans. I just want to enjoy this time and think about it later. We might not last, we might never get married, and college sweethearts are basically a myth these days.
Cuba navigates through the streets of L.A. the sun setting behind us. He’s holding my hand over the console and I love the warmth of it. I was with Dex for six months and never fell in love with him. I never felt even an ounce of what I feel for Cuba, not even close. I just hope his family likes me. Not only did I break every one of their rules, I fell in love with him.
I knew Cuba came from money, but I wasn’t expecting a house in the hills type of money. We come to a white metal gate and he hits a button on his steering wheel, now that’s fancy. We drive through once the gates are open and a large one-story house comes into view. My nerves are coming back as I pull on the hem of my shirt. I hope I’m not under dressed. I look over to Cuba and remember he’s just wearing a pair of dark grey shorts, a plain black T-shirt, and chucks. He’s dressed casually but then this is his home.
I just need to take a deep breath and calm down. It will be fine. I will be fine. Cuba lets go of my hand and gives me a smile, and I feel a little at ease.
“Ready?”
Taking another breath, I nod and smile back. “Yeah.”
He looks at me like he wants to say something, but he opens his door and gets out, shutting it behind him. I watch him walk around the front and open my door, holding a hand out for me. I take it and slide off the seat.
“So charming.”
He slaps my ass and pulls me in for a kiss, his lips hot against mine. “Only for you, Arrow.”
Only for me. Insert happy dance here.
I let him lead me to the front door, looking back at me before opening the door. Again, he looks like he wants to say something, but he doesn’t and now it will be in the back of my mind all night.
The smell of BBQ and something baking fills my nose, it smells amazing in here. I expected the home to be very modern but it’s actually very cozy for such a large space. The living room is off to the left with large, plush brown sofas and two tan recliners. A big flat screen hangs on the wall and is playing highlights of a game.
A movement catches my eye and I turn to see who I assume is his mom. She is beautiful with creamy dark skin, almond shaped eyes, and high cheekbones. Her curvy body in a pair of leggings and oversized t-shirt. I’m definitely not over dressed and that makes me feel a little better.
“Mom.” Cuba smiles.
She pulls him in for a hug as soon as she’s in front of us, “Baby boy, it’s so good to see you. God, I missed you.” She holds him back to get a look at him. “You look good.”
Her dark eyes move to me, her smile never wavers. “This must be the girlfriend.”
“Mom, this is Bliss,” Cuba introduces me.
I smile and hold my hand out. “It’s great to finally meet you Mrs. Knight.”
Surprisingly, she pulls me into a hug too, her warm arms wrap around me tightly, and I can’t help but hug her back. “Please, call me Monica.” She lets me go and looks to her son. “She’s gorgeous.”
Heat spreads through my face making me blush. “Thank you.”
Cuba shoulder bumps me. “She’s okay. I think I’ll keep her.” He laughs.
Something passes over Monica’s face, and I can’t pinpoint what it is, but her eyes start to gloss over before she blinks quickly, looking away.
“Your dad is out back, why don’t you give him a hand.” She turns, and we follow her down the hall to the large kitchen.
There is a couple sitting at the island, glasses of wine in front of them. Both with smooth white skin and blonde hair. The man stands up as soon as he sees us, and I feel my boyfriend tense up.
“Cuba,” he barely says. “It’s been a long time.”
Cuba shifts next to me and laces my fingers through his and squeezes. The simple motion catches their eyes.
“Hi, I’m Bliss,” I say with a light smile.
Monica takes three beers out of the fridge, setting them on the counter. “This is Cuba’s girlfriend,” she says. “Honey, this is Sarah and Edward Emmett.” I give a small wave.
Oh shoot, Jackson’s parents. Did he know they would be here? Here I was worried about his parents not liking me when he has to face them. I know how hard it has been for him to face Jackson’s grave and now his parents.
“Mr. and Mrs. E.,” he manages to get out but his voice cracks.
I want to take him away, but he squeezes my hand, he’s okay. He needs to do this, and I’ll be right here to support him. I’m the arrow to his bow, he needs me to function.
Sarah slowly stands, tucking her short blonde hair behind her ear, her blue eyes watering. My heart goes out to her, this is going to be one emotional night.
She moves closer until she is a few feet away, she wants to reach out but keeps dropping her hands, so I decide to help. I take a step forward, pulling him with me then I let go of his hand and place mine on his back, giving him a little push. Thankfully, he wraps his arms around her and she sobs, clinging to him.
“I’m so sorry,” Cuba chokes out. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.”
I blink back to stop my own tears from forming because I can’t imagine what either of them are going through. Taking a step back, my hand never leaves his back but allows Edward to join in on the hug. I can feel eyes on me, and I look to see Monica with tears in her eyes.
“Thank you.” She mouths, and I give her a small smile with a half nod. I barely did anything but give him a small push.
But pride swells in me, being able to be part of his healing means a lot to me. He has come a long way, and for him to come back to open arms is amazing. He needed this.
I watch Cuba through the sliding glass door, a beer in his hand. He looks happy, smiling while he talks to Edward and his dad, Samuel, who insisted I call him Sam. His son looks just like him only with darker skin. I see where he gets his hazel eyes and sexy smirk. I can admit, for an older man, Sam is handsome, with light tanned skin, and sandy brown hair. Sam laughs at something Cuba says while he grills chicken and ribs.
After the very emotional moment with Jackson’s parents, I could see the weight lift off his shoulders.
“How’s our boy doing?” Monica’s voice grabs my attention, and I turn to face her and Sarah right as she sets a glass of wine in front of me.
“He’s doing good,” I say carefully. “He’s come a long way since we met. He still has his moments but mostly he has good days.” I don’t want to lie to them and say Cuba is all fixed up, because he’s not. He is still figuring out and trying to live again.
They’re both quiet for a moment, taking in what I said. Processing it. Sarah is the first to speak.
“I think you may have a lot to do with that, Bliss.” She wipes her eyes quickly. “He has never brought a girl home, and here you are bringing him back to us, smiling.”
I fan myself with a quick hand, tears forming. “Please stop, and don’t make me cry. I can’t take any credit for this.”
Monica comes to my side and wraps her arms around me, her chin rests on my head. “Honey, you can take some credit. He didn’t let anyone in after Jackson, but he let you in. Our boy wouldn’t be here without you,” she says. “He hasn’t been home in almost a year, you brought him back, and we will always be thankful for that.”
I’m shocked to hear this. They haven’t seen him in almost a year? Granted, he never talks about going to see them, but I just thought he was being private. Because, even with him being more open, there are still things he doesn’t talk about, and I took his parents as being one of those things. I learned early on not to push him.
My hands grasp her arms. “I’m so sorry, I had no idea, or I would have dragged him here myself,” I try to joke, and they chuckle. “You guys are going to ruin my make up with all these tears, and your son doesn’t like to see me cry.”
Monica pulls back and smiles down at me. “I bet he doesn’t.” She glances out the window and back to me. “Want to help me finish up?”
“I would love too.” I gulp down some wine before standing up and cough, that is horrible.
Sarah laughs. “Not a wine drinker?”
I laugh. “I’m a fake wine drinker, as in I like sweet wine that gives me a headache.”
“Spoken like a real college girl.” She smiles.
Monica ties a dark blue apron around me and motions me to the counter. I am on salad duty while she checks the mac and cheese in the oven, the smell makes my mouth water because who doesn’t love homemade mac? And I don’t miss the smell of corn bread. I am so gaining weight tonight and it will be so worth it.
Sarah and Monica get the wine pouring and there are no more tears, just laughs. I was so worried that his mom would hate me but there has been nothing but love since I walked through the door.
“We’ll have to pull out the baby pictures later, they were so adorable when they were toddlers.” Sarah finishes off her glass of wine. “They would run around naked with just their super hero capes.”
I laugh as I chop the vegetables. “I would love to see that, so I can mess with him.”
The sliding glass door opens and Cuba comes in. “They put you to work already?” His lips twitch.
“I’m helping,” I correct. “Shouldn’t you be helping?”
He opens the fridge and grabs another beer. “I am helping.”
“Watching your dad do the work doesn’t count.” His mom and Sarah laugh under their breath, and he narrows his eyes at me.
“I feel so attacked right now, babe.” He mocks hurt and comes up to me, his arm snaking around my waist.
I smile. “Stop it, you know I love you.” It comes out before I can stop it, and I feel him tense. Shit, shit.
Monica and Sarah look away, pretending to be preoccupied. Awesome, I let it slip in front of his mom. I can’t back track now, so I just continue my task, acting like I never said it.
He presses a kiss against my cheek and slips away, heading back outside. I refuse to think about him not saying it back, that I just told him I love him, and he replies with a kiss. Is he regretting this now? Bringing me home?
“I think I’ll take that wine now.” I try to laugh but it comes out forced. Sarah fills it up and slides it across the island, she gives me a small smile, and I try to return it.
I focus on the salad for what feels like forever as the ladies talk, and I hop in every few minutes. I want to text India and Patrick so bad, but I left my phone in his car. Also, if I tell them they’ll think I need saving, which I don’t. What did I really expect? This is the guy that has never had a girlfriend, he hasn’t even brought a girl home. Why would I even think he could be in love with me after a few months together?
Monica lets the guys know everything is ready to go while Sarah sets the table. The meat is done, and Sam is setting the tray filled with grilled chicken and ribs in the middle of the table, while Monica brings over the mac and cheese and corn bread. Grabbing the two bottles of dressing and the salad bowl, I head over to the table.
“Need help?” Cuba walks up behind me.
I just shake my head and set my items down, taking a seat across from Sarah and Edward. Cuba slides in the seat next to me and his hand brushes mine, I start to pull my hand away but don’t. I can’t be mad, and I don’t want to ruin our day by being petty because I’m in my feelings.
We take turns making our plates and Cuba offered to make mine, which I let him. He also gets me a beer instead of wine. I guess he noticed I wasn’t a fan. He loads his plate with ribs, chicken, and all the trimmings while I go for the chicken, corn bread, and mac. If I eat anymore, he’ll have to roll me out of here.
“So, Bliss, what are you majoring in?” Sam asks, wiping his mouth.
“Education.” I set my fork down. “But I specialize in history, mostly ancient history.”
“You want to be a teacher?” Monica sounds surprised, but not in a bad way.
“That’s the plan. My dad isn’t too happy about it, but I’m not in it for the money, I just really love it. It’s fascinates me.” I shrug.
Edward leans forward. “What does your dad do for a living if you don’t mind me asking.”
“He’s an attorney.” I smile. “He keeps trying to get me to go to law school, but I would be horrible at it. My mom just wants me to be happy.”
Cuba nudges me. “She’s a great tutor too, and that’s how we met. I actually learned something.”
Sam smirks. “I’m sure you did.” Monica slaps his chest and waves her off. “Like we were never their age.”
Blush spreads through my cheeks, oh my God. Cuba chokes on his beer. “Dad, come on. Don’t scare her off.”
And dinner goes just like that, everyone making him embarrassed. By the end, I think we’re both a little tipsy and his parents insist we stay the night. Cuba doesn’t argue, he’s totally against drinking and driving. I’m even surprised he drank at all tonight, ever since he started playing basketball he’s avoided alcohol.
Cuba shows me to his room before saying he has to get something out of his car, leaving me at the open door. His room is huge, way bigger than the one at his condo. Although it’s bigger, it’s decorated almost the same, a huge bed with dark blue covers, and matching curtains cover the floor to ceiling windows. A flat screen hangs on the wall facing his bed. Walking over to the desk underneath it, I see a few picture frames. It’s Cuba and another boy, they couldn’t have been older than fifteen, both skinny, holding basketballs. This must be Jackson, he has his mom’s big blue eyes and his dad’s smile, along with their golden blond hair. The next picture couldn’t have been taken more than three years ago, Cuba has tattoos, and he looks just a little bit younger, both of them are taller and muscular. Jackson has a goofy smile going on, he has the whole California surfer look down, and I wouldn’t be able to tell he ever played basketball a day in his life by looking at him.
“So, I figured we would probably stay the night, I packed us a bag.” Cuba’s voice makes me jump back from his desk, turning toward him. He’s carrying a black duffle bag and two water bottles.
“Think of everything,” I muse, smiling up at him.
He sets the bag on the bed. “You want to take a shower?” He’s giving me that look and I have to laugh.
“Don’t even think about it, we are in your parents’ house.” I take a step back shaking my head. “No.”
He’s giving me serious puppy eyes right now. “Baby, their room is on the other side of the house, and they won’t even hear us.”
Pushing past him, I go to open the bag, but he pulls it away. “I’ll get it.” He takes out a pair of my pajamas and my phone. “You forgot that.”
Narrowing my eyes, I look at the bag, he’s being weird. “Thanks,” I say slowly. “I’ll be back.”
He rocks back on his heels. “I’m going to use the guest bathroom.”
“Or you could just wait for me to get out.”
“Or I could just meet you back here.” He gives me his boyish grin, and I don’t even care anymore.
“Fine.” I give in. “I’ll meet you back here.”
Leaning down, he kisses me softly. “I’ll be here.”
What am I going to do with him?