Zach
Jade moved into Max’s almost two weeks ago and I’m growing impatient as ever to see her. I’m itching to feel her, to kiss her lips. She’s this fucking close to me and I can’t do shit about it but hear the distance growing in her voice over the phone.
I’ve kept myself busy at the house doing little odds and ends to keep myself sane. Easton and Zoey have come over a few times to shoot the shit, but I’m mainly at home alone.
Jade started with Max this week and it killed me not to wish her luck and send her out my front door for her first day. But I did send her flowers. I debated on heading to the winery, but I thought twice. She doesn’t need the extra stress with just starting, so I’ve laid low.
She was able to get a doctor’s appointment for next week and I’m stoked. It’s the appointment—the one where we find out what we’re having. Thankfully when she called to see about switching locations, they had an opening.
It’s late. I’ve been working around the house trying to keep Jade off my mind, but that shit isn’t happening. The girl is permanently there even if she’s not here. I grab my phone and drop to the couch, kicking my feet up on the coffee table.
Zach: So…can I take you out on a date tomorrow night?
Jade: You’re asking through a text? How chivalrous ;-)
I laugh, grinning at my phone.
Zach: I’ve always wanted to text you out. Let me have my moment.
Jade: You aim high, don’t you?
Zach: My 17-year-old self thought so.
Jade: Your 17-year-old self was hawt!
My brows raise and suddenly I’m transplanted back at my dads’ house, lying in the bed and texting my crush.
Zach: I’ve always been hot. But you? You used to be pretty. Now you’re a bombshell.
Silence…Yeah. Just like old days. She’s always struggled with compliments from me.
Zach: Come on, Jade. It’s been weeks since I’ve seen you. Let me take you out tomorrow night.
Jade: What do you have in mind?
Zach: For starters, something to eat. Do you still like Japanese?
Jade: You’re talking very dirty to me. I think this may be inappropriate.
I’m at home alone, laughing like an idiot into an empty room, but I’m loving every minute of the old feelings.
Zach: I haven’t begun to talk dirty to you. It’s amazing what I can do with my mouth.
Jade: Oh. I’ve heard the rumors.
Zach: I’ll pick you up at nine thirty tomorrow. That gives you enough time to get off work and change, right?
Jade: I haven’t agreed to a date.
Zach: Oh, you have, you just don’t know it yet. While you lie in your bed tonight, you’ll think of my tongue riding every dip and curve on your body, tasting everywhere, and bringing you to heights only I can take you. You’ll beg for me.
Jade: Beg you for what?
My brows shoot up. She’s frisky tonight and it’s turning me the hell on.
Zach: In order for you to find out, you’ll have to join me tomorrow.
Jade: Fine. You have me curious. But instead of some fancy Japanese restaurant, can we settle for a super sloppy cheeseburger?
Zach: Anything you want. I’ll be there after you get off. But you’ll have to meet me outside.
Jade: See you then.
I’m grinning like a bastard for many reasons. One, I get to see her and two, I’ll get to see her scream for me. It’s been a while and I’m ready to drive into her while driving her insane.
I’m leaning against my car in front of the building when Jade comes walking out in a burgundy dress showing off her cleavage and long sexy legs wearing nude open-toe heels—I’m fucked.
Grinning like an idiot, excited to finally land my eyes on her, I open the car door. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
She flashes a coquettish gaze at me and pulls the side of her lip through her teeth. “You’re pretty hot yourself.”
Shutting the door behind her, I stride around the car, crank it, and pull out of the parking lot. “Are you still in the mood for a cheeseburger?”
“God, yes.” She drops her head back, closes her eyes, and moans. Yup. Fucked. “So bad. I’m already drooling for one.”
“Good,” I say with a strained voice, peering at her neck. “Then you’ll love where I’m taking you.”
We drive several blocks as I steal peeks of her legs, her thighs as her dress rides up, her tits, her glossy lips… Holy fuck. I’m on an actual date with Jade Lauder, the only girl who has truly stolen my heart. I chuckle, inwardly as I pull in front of BurgerFuel, the small restaurant close to our old high school. It used to be the hot spot, other than the pizza place down the road. If you weren’t at one, you were bound to be at the other. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve wasted here.
Her eyes light up, staring up at the brick facade of the old building. “Oh, my god.” She beams back at me and it makes my chest swell. “Seriously?”
I wink. “Seriously.” And I push out of the car.
Not a lot has changed over the years. It still bears the industrial feel, the open ceiling with overhead beams and exposed duct work. And like a blast from the past, the large chalkboard sign—Please Seat Yourself.
“This place hasn’t changed a bit,” she says sliding into the booth and looking around. “Except the booths have shrunk.”
We order our drinks and the exact same thing we use to eat all those years ago, when Jade tucks her chin as her shoulders shake.
“Are you laughing?”
“I’m on an actual date…in public with you. As stupid as it sounds, I used to dream of you bringing me here. Just you and me and none of the other crazy people in our lives.”
“You fantasized about going on a date with me?”
Her glossy lips purse. “Of course, I wanted to go on a date with you. I was young and stupid.”
“Ouch,” I say with laughter. “But I always thought you were pretty smart.”
“It’s only because I had a crush on you.”
I rap my knuckles on the table. “Again. Smart.”
“I told Max what I was doing. He said for us to have a good time while doing a marginal job at hiding his disdain.”
“He’ll come around. I betrayed him, broke a solid trust. Ever broken a glass? You can glue it back together, but it’s still broken. We’ll get back on track. I’m working him the best way I know how.”
“By dropping out of his life completely?”
“I’m not out of his life. In fact, it’s the opposite. I could easily send Ethan to check on the progress, but instead I go. And trust me,” I smirk. “That gorgeous baby bump is a constant reminder that I’m still around. He’s still processing. I’m giving him space and pressure by being around just enough.”
She runs her hand over her belly. “It’s starting to show more and more every day.”
“And it’s sexy as fuck.”
She rolls her eyes in disbelief. “I’ll be working next Thursday, so I’ll meet you at the doctor’s a quarter til.”
Not a fat chance. “I’ll pick you up.”
“I’ll be at the winery. It’s out of your way.”
“And I’ll still pick you up. Are you as excited as I am?”
Her face pinches up. “That’s a stupid question. Of course. I’m so sick of looking at things but not being able to buy anything because I have no clue what we’re having. How are you going to handle it if we’re having a girl?” She gleams with amusement.
“Very carefully.”
She belts a cackle. “You’ll lose your mind.”
“Only when she starts noticing boys. I’ll cherish her, just as I do her mother.”
She sighs, ignoring the compliment. “I don’t know if I want a boy. A little Zachary Calloway. That’s actually pretty scary.”
My lips twitch. “And why’s that?”
Her playfully narrowed eyes cause a tug in my chest. I’m so damn in love with her. “Because one Zach in this world is enough. He’ll have player already running in his blood and I don’t want him to be like that.”
“Be like that…” I repeat, tasting her words. “And what’s so bad about being like that?”
She arches her left brow.
“As long as he’s honest and follows the rules, he’ll be just fine.”
“Oh my god,” she puffs. “You’re already pruning our son to be a player,” she snickers. “I do not want to hold the hands of the hearts he breaks.”
“With our looks, you’ll have to do that anyway.”
“You know if we have a girl, our daughter will be blessed with our looks too.”
Her words sink into my stomach and I choke on fucking air. Our daughter with our looks. I’ll be in prison the first time a boy breaks her heart or…touches her.
“Mmm…the player didn’t think about the tables turning, huh? Are your player skills dulling? You’re normally very attentive to the big details.”
“You’re dirty, you know that?” I quip.
A smile flickers. “I’m pretty sure that’s the reason we’re in this predicament.”
We laugh together as the waitress sets our burgers in front of us. My gaze is on Jade, her face light and happy. Crinkles are outlining the edge of her eyes. I’m certain my imagination isn’t playing with me. She’s sincerely having a carefree time. For the first time in a long while, my Jade is ebullient.