CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
“Well, two calls in less than two weeks. I’m flattered.”
Maureen’s drawl made Jack feel instantly better. He had been moping around, trying to work out what he should do about Desiree. Was Steve right? Would she disappear as soon as they got physical together? Jack didn’t want that from any relationship, so he had been trying to sort his thoughts and decide what to do.
But he hadn’t managed to come to any conclusions, so he called Maureen. She would know what to do.
“Why wouldn’t I call my favorite sister?”
“I’m your only sister. And you never call, then twice in two weeks? Is this still about your teacher lady?”
Jack had to grin. “Course it is, Maureen. I only call you when my love life’s all bowed up. You know that.”
“All bowed up? That’s not a good sign, honey. What’s happenin’?”
Jack hesitated. How did he explain Desiree to Maureen?
“So I went on a date with the teacher lady. And it was good. So we went on another.”
“All good so far then.”
“Hold your horses. On the second date, one of her ex-boyfriends or somethin’ comes up to her and calls her all kinds of things a man should never say to a lady.”
“Like what?” Maureen sounded far too interested.
“Do I really have to say?”
“Well, if you want my help, honey, you’re gonna have to tell me the worst.”
Jack hesitated before replying. “Like one-fuck-wonder. And warnin’ me that once we sleep together, she’ll take off. And sayin’ that she had a reputation for it.”
“Sounds like a sweet man.” Maureen’s tone was dry and Jack chuckled.
“Yeah, a real charmer. But when I tried to ask Desiree about it, she clammed up and brushed it off.” He gave a frustrated sigh. “Should I be worried, Reen? Should I press her for an answer?”
“Will it make any difference?”
“Any different to what?”
“To your blossomin’ relationship?”
“Honestly? I don’t know.”
“Honestly? You know as soon as someone says that they’re about to tell a big ol’ lie, right?”
“That’s not true.”
“And neither was your answer to my question.”
She had him there.
“Alright, fine. I’m worried why she didn’t want to tell me. I mean, the first few dates, you’re tryin’ to get to know each other, and ‘cause I know she’s hiding stuff, it’s makin’ me nervous as a whore at church.”
“You’re hidin’ stuff too, Jack,” Maureen’s words were soft, but Jack’s ears turned red with embarrassment.
“Maybe.”
Maureen sighed. “Jack, she’s going to have her secrets. Like you do. If you push her, she’ll be off to the hills in a second. But if you take a tater and wait, well, if it’s meant to be, she’ll come to you.”
Jack’s brain knew Maureen’s advice was sound. But his heart still hated to hear it. “What if she never tells me? What if in twenty years’ time she still hasn’t told me? Do I spend all that time in limbo?”
“If it’s twenty years later, honey, and you’re still together, it was never a worry in the first place,” Maureen said wryly. “Don’t sweat on it. Maybe it’s nothing and you’re just creatin’ a tempest in a teapot.”
“And maybe she’s got secrets that would seriously affect whether we take our two dates further.”
“Well, maybe she does. But every new relationship has to find it’s feet in trust. Trust her, Jack. I bet she’s not doin’ this to make you crazy.”
“Whether she is or isn’t, it’s sendin’ me crazy. Hell, Reen, I can’t sleep for thinking about it.”
“Then you’re over thinkin’ it, brother, and you should let it go.” Maureen was firm.
“You think so?”
“Absolutely. And when she’s ready, she’ll spill all the beans. Then you’ll wonder why you turned it into such a big deal in the first place. But Jack?”
“Yeah?”
“She needs to hear your secrets too, you know.”
Jack grimaced. “Yeah, I know. It’s not time yet, though.”
“Uh huh. Well, you make sure it gets to the right time, and sooner rather than later. That kind of thing can come back to bite you in the ass in a big way.”
“Yeah, I know.” Jack heaved a huge sigh. “Well, I better let you get back to work.”
“Alright, baby brother. Give your kids a big kiss from me.”
“Yeah, I will.”
As they hung up, Jack reflected. He wondered if he was just being overbearing, insisting on Desiree telling him everything immediately. God knows he had some dirt of his own that he would need to share sooner or later.
He dialed another number.
“Howdy, Desiree? It’s Jack.”