Chapter 186: Chapter Twenty-Four

Priscilla

“Thanks for coming out tonight, even though you were tired,” Smith said, leaning over the console and unbuckling my seatbelt for me like I was an invalid.

“Thanks for asking,” I said through clenched teeth. For some reason it was forced with him. Like I had to remember to be polite.

He smiled, that same confident smile that had attracted me to him in the first place. “I think it's time.”

“Time?”

He leaned closer. “For the kiss.”

“So now it's the kiss?”

“Makes it sound so important… besides, I think every kiss with you will be that way, important, epic, amazing…” His fingers grazed my cheek as he cupped my chin and pressed his lips to mine.

They were warm, somewhat intoxicating as his mouth moved slowly against mine.

It was nice.

The kiss.

But it wasn't Jaymeson. It wasn't possessive, it wasn't — devastating.

It was just a kiss.

But kissing Jaymeson? Even if he hadn't meant it to be anything more than a lesson… it had wrecked me.

So when Smith's tongue entered my mouth I honestly just fought through it, knowing that for the rest of my life my kisses would be like this. They'd be good — never great.

There was only one great.

And he was a self-proclaimed whore.

Lucky me.

“Goodnight.” I pulled back and reached for the car door, but Smith grabbed my hand and pulled me back into the seat, kissing me harder.

I tried to return his enthusiasm, thinking I could escape if I kissed him more, but his hands moved to my hair, and then down my shoulders.

With a nervous laugh I pulled back. “I really should be going.”

His breathing was ragged. “I know, sorry. I don't know what came over me.”

“It's fine,” I whispered. “See you later?”

“You can count on it…” With a wink he grabbed my hand and kissed my fingertips. “I'll be dreaming about that kiss tonight.”

“Me too,” I lied. “Night, Smith.”

“Night, beautiful.”

With another tight smile, I jumped out of the truck and walked up to the condo. As I shoved the key into the lock, one thought replayed in my head over and over again.

I didn't want to go home.

I wanted to talk to Jaymeson. I wanted to run over to his house and jump into his arms and tell him that the kiss wasn't good and that it was his fault. I wanted to tell him he was my downfall.

My phone rang.

“Dad?” I answered as I opened the door. “What's up?”

“Pris!” He sounded excited. “Lots of sunshine down here, how's the rain?”

“Awesome. I only contemplated suicide like twice today.” I locked the door behind me. “So what's up?” I winced as I realized I'd already asked that and now probably looked like a nervous teenager.

“That's my girl, always looking at the positive.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Are you rolling your eyes right now?”

“It's like you have cameras on me.”

His warm chuckle made me feel immediately better, like my date with Smith was peanuts compared to everything else going on in my life. I was fine.

I would be fine with or without a guy or a stupid kiss because I had my parents. They were my rock. Everything.

Dad cleared his throat. ”…the damage to the house is pretty severe. It's safe to live in.

We can afford to do the damage cleaning, but as far as fixing the basement or the electrical, well, it's going to be a process, sweetie.

I know you hate asking, but do you think you can stay at Alyssa's house for a while?

The clean-up crew should be going through everything to make sure there isn't any smoke residue — legally you can't stay there while they do that.

“But you'll have no electricity!” I argued.

“Oh, sweetie!” He sighed. “It's fine. The church has showers and a kitchen, we'll just be sleeping at the house.”

“But can't you stay—”

“Pris, honey, don't worry about us, okay? Everything's going to be fine. We just want you girls to be safe and warm, alright?”

“Alright,” I croaked.

“We'll be home in a little over two weeks. Maybe a miracle will happen between now and then, right?”

“Right.” I tried to keep my voice high. “Miracles happen.”

“That's my girl.” He sighed again. “Love you, sweetie.”

“You too, Dad.”

The phone went dead. Dizzy with stress, I walked out onto the balcony and leaned against the railing, allowing the sea breeze to calm my nerves.

I had a guy that liked me. And I didn't like him.

I had a guy who wanted to be my friend — whom I liked — whom I couldn't have.

And my parents were hiding something from me. They didn't have the money. They were basically going to live in poverty.

I was ashamed to ask Demetri and Alyssa if my parents could stay at their condo too. I mean, they hadn't even lived in their new place yet. The last thing they wanted was for a family to move in.

Plus, as much as I donated, I hated charity. I hated receiving it. I'd received it all my life.

Growing up as a pastor's kid, you're thankful for everything, the hand-me-down clothes, food on the table. I didn't take anything for granted, but that didn't mean I didn't have pride.

Besides, I knew if I offered to have my parents stay with me, they'd just say no. My dad hated putting people out. It made him uncomfortable.

I leaned my head against the railing and told myself not to cry.

Dread pooled in my stomach when I realized that if they had no insurance, if they couldn't fix the house…

I wasn't going to be able to go to school this year or next year.

I'd managed to save ten grand over the last four years of working, but half of it had gone to get a car that actually worked.

And now I'd give it to my parents. Because they needed it more than I did, and I could go to school any time, right?

“Hey,” a voice called. “You okay?”

My head snapped up to discover Jaymeson leaning against the railing, wearing a baseball hat that looked a lot like the one Jamie Hudson wore in his picture. It seemed all of LA had the same taste.

“Yes,” I whispered, barely able to get the words out. “I'm fine.”

“So is this our first lie?” he asked softly. “As friends?”

Tension hung in the air. It was the first I'd voiced. But the entire friendship had been a lie because I would always want more.

“Maybe.” My lower lip trembled.

“Come over.”

“No, I can't. I—”

“I'm not asking.” His voice was stern. “Get your ass over here. Now.”

“Sensitive, aren't you?” I snapped.

“I will freaking jump this three-foot gap if you don't get over here within the next five minutes.”

He looked serious.

I backed away from the railing and shut the door, then ran out of the house and up the stairs to his beach house.

Lifting my hand to knock, I almost fell over when the door gave way and Jaymeson lifted me into his arms, pulling me in for a tight hug.

“What's wrong, love?” he drawled in my ear. “Bad date? Do I need to kill him? Have you eaten? Is it about the house?”

“N-no,” I lied again.

He squeezed me harder, his lips grazing my ear. “Stop lying to me.”

“It's—” I felt the sob in my chest, the need to actually rely on someone and spill my guts, but the someone I wanted to tell most was the someone that could also hurt me the most.

“The house,” I finally admitted. “My parents don't have insurance, so I'm just… upset, and I think I'll have to stay home from school longer than I thought… you know, to help.”

“To help.” He placed me back on my feet. “Because you're suddenly an electrician?”

“You know what I mean.” I managed a small smile.

“No.” He crossed his arms. “I really don't.”

“I'm going to help.”

“How is your staying home from school helping?”

“It just is… okay? Drop it.”

His face flinched, like I'd just slapped him. He took a step back and turned around. “And the date?” Jaymeson started opening cupboards in his huge kitchen.

“It was fine.”

His hands froze on the cabinet door, without turning around he asked, “Did he kiss you?”

I stared at the floor.

“Pris…”

“Yeah.” I walked slowly into the kitchen. “He kissed me.”

He was silent a moment then said, “Good.”

Good? I wanted to throw a dish at his perfect head!

“How was it?” He refused to make eye contact and started pulling chips from the pantry and opened the fridge, tossing salsa onto the countertop.

“Different.”

“Hmm, so it's him.” He finally looked up at me. “Because we both know you kick ass at kissing.”

And there he was. Good humor returned, and we talked for another few hours. He told me about movies. I told him about growing up in the church.

We watched reruns of The New Girl.

And somehow I fell asleep on his chest.

His arms were wrapped around me so tightly, it was almost hard to breathe. His chin rested on my head.

It made me want to cry.

“Jaymeson…” I whispered. “We fell asleep.”

“Hmm?” He groaned and opened his eyes. “Shit… I'm sorry, Pris.”

His eyes looked lazy and unfocused. I don't know what possessed me to touch his face, but I did.

The minute my fingers grazed his cheek, he closed his eyes as if my touch pained him. And then he placed his hand over mine, pulling it away from his face, and intertwining our fingers together.

With a sigh he kissed my hand. And then kissed it again.

I shuddered.

“Let's go to bed, it's too late for you to walk back to the condo.”

“It's a few feet,” I argued.

“That's all it takes to get kidnapped. Statistics prove that most people get abducted close to home.” He gripped my hand tighter. “Up you go.”

With a grunt, he picked me up off the couch and walked me across the hall into a giant master bedroom.

Gently, he placed me on the bed, and pulled off my shoes, then snapped his fingers at me.

I sat up, and his hands moved to my long-sleeve shirt, lifting it over my head, so I was only in my tank top.

He placed my shirt and shoes on the floor, then pulled his own shirt off.

I would never tire of catching glimpses of his perfect body. Jaymeson stretched, then went over and turned off the light.

But he didn't get in the bed; instead, he walked to my side and pulled me to my feet. Slowly, his hands moved to my jeans. I slapped them away.

His warm chuckle made me even more nervous.

“Not seducing you, love. Just want you to be comfortable.”

“I'm not taking off my pants.”

“I'm giving you something to wear.”

His hands left, his shadow moved through the darkness, then returned with what looked like boxers.

“There,” he said, voice hoarse. “Now you can sleep. Night, love.”

He walked toward the door.

“Aren't you sleeping here?” I blurted.

His body tensed as he gripped the door frame with his hands. Light from the kitchen spilled onto his head and shoulders.

I counted at least ten muscles I'd never seen in real life on any man before he answered. “I don't think that's such a good idea.”

“Why?”

“Because.” He turned and gave me a sad smile. “I may be your friend, but I'm no saint, Pris.”

With that, he left and closed the door behind him.

Part of me was invigorated that I tempted him while the other half of me was mad that even though I tempted him, I still wasn't tempting enough for him to take that leap.

Sure, he'd date skanks.

But when it came to something real — he so easily resisted.

Maybe I was too plain? Or not exciting enough. Either way, it was just another reminder that Jaymeson wasn't forever.