“Just one thing.”
“What?”
“I thought you said your parents only became jackasses after they won the money. It sounds like they’ve been jackasses your entire life.”
“They weren’t that bad before.” It blows my mind that she can say such a thing based on what she’s told me. “They just don’t think before they speak and they don’t understand I need them to love me differently than they do. But they are my parents and I know if I called them and said I needed to be bailed out of jail or something equally drastic, they’d be there for me. They aren’t always the best, but they’d be there when I’d need them. I’m sure of it.”
“How?” I can’t help but ask how she’s so sure. I can hear the certainty in her voice and I don’t understand it.
“Because when I found out about how I wouldn’t be able to have kids, my parents were fantastic and really supportive. I couldn’t believe how good they were. It wasn’t until way later that my mother started in about how I could always adopt or use a surrogate. I really needed them to be that way and they were. That’s how I know.” She rests her head against my chest again. “I know you don’t understand, and hell, half the time, I don’t either, but I still believe they try to do what’s best for me. As a parent yourself, I’m sure you can see that, too. Now, I’m deeming this conversation over.”
The thing is, I can’t see it. Because I wouldn’t force my kid to go to college. Would I want them to? Of course. But if they had such diversions as Jamie, I wouldn’t make a big stink about it. At some point, our kids have to make their own decisions, and mistakes, based on what they want. It doesn’t sound like Jamie gets that chance.
She doesn’t want to talk about it anymore, so we won’t. Instead, I bring up something else.
“Want to casually meet my brothers?”
Jamie lifts her head with a grin. “The younger, possibly hotter, or just as hot, brothers?”
I laugh. “They’re both married, hon. Sorry to dash your hopes.”
She frowns. “Then why make me think I could trade you in? That’s just rude, Brent.” She laughs a little at herself and then asks, “Why do you want me to meet them?”
“They noticed me hauling ass out of work today and suspect there’s a woman behind the reason why. It’ll be easier if you meet them and I get that over with so they’ll leave me alone. All you’d have to do is drop by the shop for lunch one day. Say hello.”
“Are they going to be happy or will I get disapproving looks?”
“I can always tell them beforehand and find out before you show up if you want, but I’m pretty sure they’ll be happy. My brothers care, but not to that extent, if that makes sense. They won’t give input unless they think I’m making a colo
ssal mistake and they won’t think that after meeting you.”
“Are you sure?” Jamie seems hesitant and I can’t say I blame her after what happened with Kayla. “If you’re sure, then I’ll drop by tomorrow. Does everyone like pepperoni pizza? I can’t show up for lunch and not feed them too.”
She’s too sweet and I tell her so. “You don’t have to do that,” I tell her, but she nods in disagreement. “Pizza will be fine then.”
She leans forward to kiss me. “I’ll be there.” Jamie grins. “Want to make out? That’s the only reason I came, you know.”
I laugh. We kiss and kiss, and grope a little here and there. Every touch and brush of her body against mine slowly drives me insane. Being with Jamie is like all the messy pieces of life coming together into something beautiful and making perfect sense. We move in sync, removing clothes, touching one another, and even our breathing matches. This right here is easily the best thing in the world.
Later, I grab the blanket off the back of the couch to cover us up. Jamie’s fingertips trail up and down my side while her head rests on my chest.
“I don’t understand,” she mumbles.
“Understand what?”
“How it is so good and gets better than the last every time. You blow my mind, Brent.”
I chuckle. “Not as much as you blow mine.”
“Now that just sounds dirty,” she says with a laugh. “We should get dressed. If we keep lying here naked, we’re going to have sex again.” She already wiggles her hips against me every few seconds.
“What’s so bad about that?”
“I don’t want to tire my old man out. Emphasis on old.” She’s able to hold in her laugh for about two seconds.
I grin and let her get away with her teasing. “Speaking of your old man, just so you know, I plan on introducing you as my girlfriend tomorrow. Any problems with that?”
She lifts her head with wide eyes and a big smile. “Really?” When I nod, she leans forward and kisses me with such excitement and so deeply that my hands reach for her thighs to make her straddle me. She was right that we’d probably have sex again.