Jason
Knocking on Mallory’s door, my emotions are turbulent. I’ve missed her so much over the past two days—miss spending time with her, miss her laugh and smile. But it’s my fault. I had texted her to make sure her therapy went okay on Monday and to confirm she was still going to Houston with me on Wednesday, but there’s been a distance between us that has been wearing me down.
Her footsteps sound louder as she gets closer to the door, and I lean against the doorframe, trying to look casual. The locks on the door are turned one by one, and my breath catches as the door opens, the urge to pull her to me and kiss her breathless so powerful, I have to consciously stop myself from reaching out. Her beautiful eyes meet mine, and the uncertainty I see there makes my heart hurt.
“Mornin’. You ready to ride?” I say, casual, like I’m completely unaffected and nothing is different between us.
“As ready as I’m going to be. Are you sure you want to take me to therapy first? You’ll probably be bored.” Casting her eyes down, she tucks a stray piece of hair behind her delicate ear before looking back up at me from under her lashes.
“It’s not a problem. We can get some breakfast after you’re done and get on the road. Or did you eat already?”
“I’ve had coffee, but that’s it.”
“We have a plan then. Let me grab your bag and we’ll get this show on the road.”
She hands me the little suitcase she pulled behind her. Pushing my duffle up higher on my shoulder, I grasp the handle on her navy-blue case, and she leads the way down the stairs, ponytail swaying against her back.
There’s not a lot of traffic on the way to the therapy center, the parking lot nearly vacant aside from a few cars parked toward the back of the lot. After helping her out of the truck, she leads me into the building. Watching her move to the receptionist’s desk, I can’t help but wish her white top was not covering her amazing ass. A door opens in the back, and a tall, redheaded guy comes into the area. His face lights up when he sees her conversing with the receptionist. I hope he isn’t her therapist, but that thought is quickly dashed when he moves to stand beside her. She glances up at him and flashes him a smile, and my chest tightens. I covet those smiles. She hasn’t smiled near enough since she came home. I should be grateful she’s smiling that way at all, but envy courses through my veins. She turns toward me, that smile still gracing her sweet face, and hurries over.
“Can I leave my purse with you? I know some guys are weirded out by a woman’s purse.”
“Of course, Mal. I think my manhood is safe, purse or not.”
“Thanks, Jase.”
As she turns away, my eyes move back to Big Red, finding him staring in our direction. I give him a small nod, letting him know I see him. As she reaches him, he speaks to her, but they’re too far away for me to make out what they’re saying. Throwing a glance over her shoulder, she shakes her head, and my eyebrow raises in question, wondering what that was about.
Pulling my phone out, I try to distract myself, but it’s pointless. My eyes are drawn to whatever she’s doing, and every time that damn therapist places his hand on any part of her, I clench my fist, just waiting to knock him out for touching what should be mine. Not that he’s doing anything inappropriate, I just don’t want his hands anywhere near her. After what feels like an eternity, she’s moving in my direction, Big Red trailing behind her, checking out her ass.
“Done already?” I ask her while glaring at him. Eyes up, fella.
“All done. Jason, this is Daniel, my physical therapist. Daniel, this is my friend, Jason.”
We shake hands, gripping tight. “Nice to meet you. Thanks for helping Mallory get back on her feet.”
“It’s my pleasure. Mallory said you were heading to Houston for the holiday.”
“Yeah, to my sister’s house.”
“Well, you have a safe trip. Mallory, I’ll see you next week. Make sure you’re set up for three times a week. And don’t forget to do your exercises the rest of the week.”
“Thanks, Daniel. I will. Y’all have a Happy Thanksgiving.” After giving him a small wave, she strolls over to the receptionist’s desk.
“It was nice to meet you, Jason. Take care of her. She’s special.”
“Don’t worry, I will. She’s more special than you’ll ever know.”
It was smooth sailing on the drive to Houston. My sister lives just on the outskirts north of the city, thus saving us from the Houston traffic. Parking in front of the small brick home she shares with my niece, I exit the truck and Emma’s laughter floats to me from the backyard.
“Come on. We’ll get the bags out later,” I say, glancing down at Mallory. Her hands ball up the hem of her shirt, and I furrow my brow. “Hey. You okay?” A nod is all I get in response. Placing a fingertip under her chin, I force her to look up at me. Once her eyes meet mine, the uncertainty from earlier shines bright.
“Talk to me.”
“I don’t—what if they don’t like me?” she blurts out, her eyes averting again before coming back to mine. “They’re going to be stuck with me for a couple days. I don’t want it to be awkward.”
“Why wouldn’t they like you? You’re great. I’ve told my sister about you. I’m more worried about Emma bugging you to death. That girl is like the Tasmanian Devil. She never stops.”
“I like kids, so that won’t be a problem.” Closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out. “Okay. Let’s go.”
Reaching down, I lace my fingers through her and draw her close to my side as we walk around the side of the house. I spy Emma jumping on the trampoline inside the safety screen, dark hair flying in all directions. She gets a few more bounces in before she spots us walking toward the fence.
“Uncle Jase! He’s here, Momma!” she exclaims in her excited little voice.
We halt outside the gate to wait for one of them to open it, knowing it will take a while for Emma to stop bouncing and get out of the screen.
“Wait, Momma. Wait! I wanna open it!”
“Well, hurry it up, Curly. He may disappear before you get out of that thing.”
“No, he won’t,” Emma giggles, and I swear it’s one of my favorite sounds in the world. The heavy wooden gate swings open and a flurry of dark, curly hair launches toward me as I drop Mallory’s hand to catch the little dynamo.
“Hey there, Curly. You’ve grown a ton since the last time I saw you. What are you, twelve now?”
“No,” she laughs. “I’m six.”
“Are you sure?” Tickling her ribs, her contagious laughter echoes through the air, only to stop when she notices Mal behind me.
“Who’s that?”
Glancing over my shoulder, I notice she has taken a couple steps back from us and grasp her hand, drawing her back to my side.
“This is my friend, Mallory. She lives in the apartment next to mine. Mallory, this is my niece, Emma.”
“Hello, Emma. It’s nice to meet you.”
Emma mutters a soft response and buries her face in my neck.
“Gonna act all shy on me, Emma girl?” She nods her head against my shoulder.
We walk through the gate into the backyard, one arm holding Emma to me and the other pulling Mallory behind me. My sister is standing next to the house rinsing her hands off with the water hose. Noticing the tools and mulch sitting on the ground, I assume she’s been working in her flower beds again. After turning the water off, she wipes her hands on her jeans to dry them off.
“Hey, sis.”
“Damn, Jase, it’s good to see you.”
Releasing Mallory’s hand, I pull my sister into my chest for a hug. Her arms wrap around my waist as Emma’s close around my neck. Right here, in this backyard, is my world. All my girls in one place. A sense of peace settles in.
“Jess, this is Mallory. Mallory, this is my sister, Jessica.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for the letting me tag along”
Mallory has her hand extended, and Jess grips it and draws her into a hug. The surprised look in Mal’s eyes as she flounders for what to do is comical as my sister holds her like a long-lost friend. Jess is a hugger, always has been. Jess whispers something to Mallory too softly for me to hear, but whatever she said has Mallory closing her eyes and hugging my sister tight. She nods her head, and my sister steps back with a smile on her face.
“I’m so glad you guys made it. Jason, I am going to put you to work. I bought stuff to grill out burgers, and you’re manning the grill.” My sister just gives me the biggest smile. How could I say no?
“No problem. When do you want to cook them?”
“If y'all are hungry we can do it now or wait for supper. I didn’t know if y'all ate on the way down.”
“We just ate breakfast before we left Dallas and grabbed some snack stuff for the ride. I could eat. How about you, Mal?”
“I am getting hungry.” And at that moment, her stomach growls loudly before her cheeks flush.
“Great! Jason, you get the grill ready, and I’ll steal Mallory and have her help me in the kitchen.”
Jessica grabs Mallory before she can protest, and Mallory throws me a helpless look over her shoulder that makes me chuckle. She has nothing to worry about with my sister. If anything, spending time with Jess is the best thing for her.
Relaxing in the recliner, Street Outlaws droning in the background, it’s been a wonderful day. I got to play around with my niece. Mallory spent a ton of time with my sister. Jessica and Mallory moved over by themselves to a corner where my sister has two loungers and a table set up. I’m not sure what all they talked about, but it looked very serious at times before the two of them would break out into laughter. The couple bottles of wine may have helped. Knowing my sister doesn’t get a chance just to be Jessica and not a mother very often, I didn’t have any problem entertaining Emma all afternoon. It’s been so long, I forgot how much chasing a six-year-old can wear you out. Emma passed out on the couch right after supper, and Mallory wasn’t far behind. Glimpsing movement out the corner of my eye, Jess walks out of the hallway toward the living room.
“Mallory get settled in?” I ask quietly.
“Yeah. I gave her Emma’s room and Emma’s in my bed. Not that I don’t love my daughter, but she is a cover hog.” Jess flops down on the couch.
“Hopefully I wore her out today.”
“I think you did. She hasn’t crashed that early in a long time. She’s missed you.”
“I’ve missed her too. I can’t believe how big she has gotten.”
“You blink and the years fly by. Mallory seems very nice, Jason,” she replies in a serious tone.
“She is. Thank you for making her feel welcome today. She was nervous about it.”
“I wanted her to feel like she belongs. I know what she means to you. Even if you don’t know it yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“Jason, every time we talk on the phone, you talk about her. What y’all did that day, something she said—I don’t think you even realize you do it.”
“I guess I don’t. I know she means more to me today than yesterday. I’m afraid to push her though after what she’s been through.”
“Good. Be there for her. Talk with her. She’s gonna have freak outs. That’s just the way it is. It won’t be your fault, but you will feel like shit when it happens with you. A quick movement will make her duck. It’s instinct now. Don’t take it personally and keep your cool. Don’t react to it. Drawing attention to what she does will only make her feel worse. She’s going to realize how she reacted and will take cues from you.”
“Damn you sound like a therapist,” I reply, smirking.
“Sorry. Sometimes it just comes out.”
“Did y’all talk about any of it?” I ask, peeling the label of the beer bottle.
“She was very standoffish when I first brought it up. And a little pissed off.” She chuckles. “After a glass of wine, she opened up. Alcohol has a way of doing that. I’m sure I didn’t hear it all, but I got enough of the story.” She pauses to take a deep breath before letting it out. “It’s not the worst I’ve ever heard, but that doesn’t change anything. Abuse changes you, whether it’s physical, verbal, or emotional. She’s going to struggle, but she’s strong. With the right support and counseling, I believe she will be just fine.”
The relief I feel at her words is indescribable. Every time I’ve tried to talk to Mallory about therapy, she’s blown me off. She has been improving, the light returning to her eyes, her self-confidence starting to reemerge, but I’m sure talking things out with a professional would be beneficial for her.
“Don’t give up on her, Jason. I think what you two have could be the real deal. And when it’s real, it’s the most wonderful thing in the world.” God, I hope so.