I wanted to question his reason for the rush to get Jacolby out, but then the rapid beat of my heart reminded me why. “It’s cool. However long she needs, that’s fine. I’m going to my office.”
Walking out the room with him on my heels, I thought of Jacolby. Long ago I knew without a shadow of a doubt she’d be Mrs. Paxton Reid. Along the way, life had a different course for both of us. Our time together had come and gone.
At the elevator, he and I shook hands before I got on. “Thanks for understanding, man. I’m heading out to lunch early. All this bad energy made my nerves bad and I’m going home to make me a sandwich.” All of that was code for he’s going home to smoke. Kameron has had a medicinal medical marijuana card since he was seventeen. His doctor prescribed it to him to help with his anxiety attacks instead of pumping him with pills.
The coolness of the mirrored elevator walls cooled my rising temperature as I rested my head. I’ve waited years for her to come to me. Catch a glimpse of her smile. A whiff of her citrus-oiled coils. The sound of her sweet laughter. What type of game was God playing? I caused my beautiful baby so much pain. If I could rewind time, I’d do so much differently starting with putting up more of a fight for us. Yes, I loved Heather. She had a piece of my heart that Jacolby never had and vice versa. Two different loves but one that always stuck and that’s my Jacolby.
* * *
“Now, that’s some nice muscle.”Trent, one of the paralegals, whistling stopped my feet.
I’d just got back from getting breakfast across the street at the local bakery. Today was the day Jacolby was supposed to report to the office and my nerves had me anxious unable to concentrate on anything. He and I were in the parking lot admiring the bright yellow and pink 55’ Chevy Bel Air. Observing the vehicle I spent my last college summer riding in, my heart responded to the memory, thumping hard and off kilter against my chest.
The yellow and pink exterior matched the interior and custom wheels. The letters Jr. were sewn on the headrest of the seats. A purple feather and sunflower hung from the rearview mirror. Without looking inside, I knew the carpets were customized like the headrest. Jacolby’s father gifted the antique car on her twenty-first birthday.
Leaving Trent to drool over the classic, I headed inside and headed up to the sixth floor where Kameron’s office was. Any other day I’d bypass all communication with those who weren’t my brothers. Something told me Jacolby would seek me out or Kameron would pull some stunt that would force us together. To avoid having her alone…in my space, I sought her first. Figured I might as well get it over with before I headed up to my private sanctuary.
The minute I stepped off the elevator laughter and chatter echoed down the halls. No receptionist or employees scattered around. Break room empty. Conference room empty. I followed the voices and found the answer to my question. People stuffed shoulder to shoulder inside Kameron’s office. The closer I got the more I became nervous. Sweat drenched my hands. I rubbed them on my slacks hoping to shake this feeling before I saw her.
Purple and grey.
I saw her hair before I saw her face. My eyes tightened as her laughter taunted my ears. My anger built as I watched the faces of the male employees stare in lust.
“Well, look who decided to come down from the dark tower.” Kameron teased as he stepped back. The moment he moved I wanted to shove him back in his spot. There, in all her colorful glory, stood the woman who had the power to make me do anything. Seven years later I’d still bark like a dog and hop on one leg if she asked me to. No one existed when it came to Jacolby. Even my memories of Heather seemed far away.
Uncaring of the looks shot my way I tilted my head and stared at Jacolby Jefferson Jr. from head to toe. Purple and grey wild curls sat on top of her head. Her hair had grown a lot. Looked thicker. Hmm, my fingers itched to tangle themselves in her coils with my nose teasing that sensitive spot under her ear. Listen to her botchy breaths and pants that would turn into moans.
Those auburn hazel eyes with tiny green flakes sparkled at me. A sparkle I claimed as my shooting star. High cheeks bones that were once my favorite place to nibble on when she slept in my arms. Cute little button nose with a gold stud. That’s new. Sexy mole above her lip. Those lips. Lips that once cured all my aches and pains. Same slim, thick frame with those sinful hips that had gotten their grown woman homage to spread. I’d bet all my money that her behind had grown. Her hips told me so.
“Like what you see, Paxton?” She placed her hands in the pockets of her wide-legged high waisted yellow pants. The red silk spaghetti strapped blouse she had tucked in had my hands ready to risk it all to wrap around her waist. Yeah, that body had definitely changed since college.
With a chuckle, I ran a hand over my mouth. “Time has done the body good…Triple J.” Avoiding my eyes, she ran a hand down her neck. My chest swelled with pride. I may not be able to have Junior the way I wanted to, but at least I knew I had the same effect on her as I did back then.
Kameron cleared his throat, adjusting his tie from the serge of sexual energy bouncing from her and me. “Jacolby, get settled in. Don’t forget we have a staff meeting after lunch.”
She turned her attention from me to him. “Thank you again, Kam. All of this wasn’t necessary.”
He waved her off. “Non-sense. You’re helping us out and it's short notice. I’m indebted to you.” I’d volunteer as tribute to endure whatever debts she wanted him to pay.
I had to leave. My feet needed to move.
I was thinking like she was mine.
This is what I feared would happen seeing her again. Feared becoming repulsive and doing anything because my heart wanted its first lover back. First time seeing her and I wanted to do nothing but bury myself so deep in her veins that she had no choice but to cling to me as she once did.
The longer I stood there, the more tempted I became to touch her. “Good seeing you, Jacolby.” I turned before she or Kameron could say another word.
I did what I said I was going to do, speak and make it clear I had no ill feelings towards the woman who walked out of my life.
By mid-afternoon, the entire building was flooding with the news of Jacolby’s arrival The gorgeous bubbly accountant. It took me by surprise to see her sitting in our board meetings that were only for those on the board. Kameron felt it was necessary to have her sit in on the meetings that involved numbers of any sort, purposely leaving Kandon out.
Each meeting she bounced from conference room to conference room with a purple and yellow fur thing she referred to as her ‘bible of notes and a sunflower pen.
One, how was I the only professional in this building who thought that was past unprofessional? Two, who jokes in the middle of a meeting about Riley and Huey Freemen, comic book characters, running for the next presidential election? And third, she turned each meeting into a comical hour. There were two more meetings on the schedule, but I wasn’t sure I could endure another.
Jealousy had settled in my stomach. Becoming a large cancerous mass of regret. Letting Jacolby go was the hardest thing I ever had to do, even harder than burying my wife.
That said a lot.