132. Primary Colors 💌

After eating, we made it back to the hotel. Even though I was tired from all the places we went to, I didn't want to depart from him yet. We held hands as we walked to my room.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" A.B. asked me.

I brightly smiled, "I am! What time are you waking up?"

"Your mom said to come over no later than nine o'clock for breakfast. I was gonna check out around 7 a.m. so I can go home and pack first."

I exhaled, "That means I gotta wake up early to ride with my parents."

"Nah, I can make it back here and pick you up."

"Really?"

A.B. completely turned his body to face me. He narrowed his eyes at me. "Why wouldn't I pick up my woman?"

I looked away. Stop blushing, Jamie. Stop it.

"Go inside and get some rest," he told me.

"Okay." I used my key card to unlocked the door before opening it.

Before I knew it, my feet had left the ground. A.B. had me inn his arms but he froze.

"Why are you carrying me?" I asked him.

He spun around. "Where's the bed?"

My eyes bucked. "Sir, what?!"

"I was gonna throw you on your bed, but there's a living room in here."

I chuckled, "I was rooming with the bride. She's supposed to have a room like this."

"True." A.B. took me to the bedroom and finally pretended like he was going to throw me on the bed, but he gently put me down.

I smiled, "Why did y--"

He lips instantly covered mine.

I don't know how much time went back, but it felt like time had stopped just for us.

A.B. slowly pulled away. "I had fun being engaged today."

I touched my lips to make sure they were still there.

He said, "Tomorrow, we'll just be girlfriend and boyfriend."

I sat up on my elbows. "You make it sound so basic. Don't you know that I'm the prize?" I teased him.

A.B. nodded his head, "You're more than a prize. You're the achievement."

The achievement? Was he trying to give me a big head?

He sat on the bed, looking at me. "I wouldn't agree to anyone waiting on someone else; especially, without talking to each other about it, but I thank you for waiting."

I finally admitted, "I said I waited, but honestly, I wasn't ready to be in a relationship either. I'm glad you had enough sense to call it out. Like you said, we were at different points in our lives. I was at the start of my career, you were figuring yours out, and we were living miles apart. With all the drama that was going on, I probably would've resented you and blamed you for not being present enough."

A.B. agreed, "True... Well, goodnight, beautiful." A.B. kissed my forehead before standing up.

"Goodnight!" I waved at him as he walked out. I fell backwards onto the bed. Oh, that man is fine! Does he know? Like, he has to know how attractive he is or is he more attractive, because he's all mine now? Hmmm.

Tomorrow came fast! With my bags in hand, I walked towards the front desk. The receptionist greeted me.

"Good morning! I'm checking out."

"I hope you enjoyed your stay. Name, please."

I smiled, "I had a good time. My name is Jamie Sawyer, but the room might be under--"

The receptionist interrupted me, "Oh, Mrs. Sawyer, you're husband already checked you out. He said you were bringing the keys."

"My husband?" I inquired.

"Mr. Sawyer. He's waiting over there."

I followed their eyes and turned to see A.B. sitting in a chair with his phone to his ear. I played along. "Yeah! Umm... here's the room keys." I gave the receptionist two key cards.

"Thank you, Mrs. Sawyer. Please come, again."

"Bye-bye!" I walked over to my husband. I struck a pose in front of him as if I didn't see him. "I would've thought I'd take your last name, but Jace Sawyer does have a little ring to it. No pun intended."

A.B. looked slightly embarrassed, "Uh, yes, that was your daughter."

My brows furrowed. I whispered, "Who are you talking to?"

A.B. stood up. "We're on our way now... Yes, ma'am... Bye." He hung up his phone before putting it in his pocket. "Your mom thinks we're gonna elope." He took my bags and walked away.

"Sir, don't play like that. Were you really on the phone with my mama?"

My eyes were scanning everything around me except for the stone cold look my mother was giving me.

"Everybody got a plate and something to drink?" My dad asked as he took his seat between me and my mom at the kitchen table.

"Yes," A.B. responded.

"Let's say grace."

While my dad prayed over the food, I prayed over my soul. Father, please soften my mother's heart. Open her eyes and give her clear vision. Give her a clear mind. Help her to understand and not to assume or falsely accuse, God. Bless me with courage in Jesus' name.

"Amen!" Everyone lifted their heads and my mom was looking at me.

"How long are y'all staying at Yellow Sand Beach?" She asked us.

I quickly looked at A.B.

"As long as Jamie wants to stay." He smiled at me.

Wrong answer! If I could strangle him...

"I can't remember... Remind me. Isn't there a wedding chapel there?" She asked.

A.B. replied, "There's two."

My step-dad had the nerve to say, "Actually, there's three if you include that small church."

Who would've known my dad and my man were plotting against me. They ate their food like it was just another day in paradise.

My mom continued with the quiz, "When did y'all decide to wear rings?"

I looked at my hand, and I could've fell out the chair laughing. A.B. wasn't to blame. I had set my own self up by forgetting to remove the rings.

"I started to ask, because I don't remember y'all wearing them at the hotel," my dad added.

A.B. glanced at me. Oh, it's my turn to answer now? I cleared my throat, "Gotcha!" I shouted. "It's a prank. We wanted to see your reaction to these fake rings we got." I lightly laughed, but I was the only one.

"Fake? Those look very real to me," my mom continued, "Anyway, I hope y'all have a good time. Oh, I made some chicken and rice casserole. It can last y'all about two or three days."

"You didn't have to make that much food for us," A.B. spoke.

My mom smiled at him, "I wasn't gonna let you leave here empty handed."

We left my parents house with a full car. Bags in the truck, two people in the front. I was glad to be on the rode, again.

"Back at the hotel, did you think I was really on the phone with your mom?"

I looked at A.B.

He admitted, "I wasn't on the phone with anyone. Your guilt prompted your mom to ask those questions."

"A.B.!" I shouted.

He smirked, "It's easy to prank you, and you have the best reactions."

"That's okay. I got you." I pointed my finger at him.

He grinned, "What's the first thing you want to do when we get to the beach house?"

I looked out the window. "Sleep!"

"Then, you can sleep-in while I run a few errands."

I glanced at him. "What kind of errands?"

"Since we'll be staying there for some time, we'll need groceries and a few household items like detergent for washing clothes and more toilet paper for the bathroom."

I snapped my fingers. "You just reminded me. I forgot shampoo and conditioner."

"Make a list and text it to me," he told me.

I nodded my head as I thought to myself - is this how it will be if we got married? Are we past the dating phase?

"A.B.?"

"Yes, Jamie Jae."

I playfully rolled my eyes. "Only your mom can call me that."

"Baby?" He asked me.

"Yes, Bae," I fluttered my lashes.

"Bae?" He didn't seem to like it.

"I can come up with a nickname for you... How about... Abs?"

A.B. nearly lost control of the wheel as he laughed. "Abs? Woman, what? Let's stick to 'baby.'"

I crossed my arms. "Okay, baybeh!"

"I really like your company, Jamie. I can't believe I finally get to spend a lot more time with you," he admitted.

"Me, too," I agreed.

When we arrived in Yellow Sand Beach at the beach house, I was just opening my eyes. Apparently, I fell asleep and didn't even know it. I stretched as A.B. opened the passenger's door and helped me out the car.

After grabbing our bags, we walked to the front door.

"I'm so ready to lay down in the bed," I said. Then, my eyes caught a yellow envelope sticking out the mailbox.

A.B. grabbed the mail before unlocking and opening the door.

We walked inside and it was just like the first time I came here. Everything was still in it's place, and it filled me with joy. "I missed this place."

"Me, too." A.B. went to the kitchen and tossed the mail in the trash before putting our bags on the sofa. "There's some cold drinks and sandwiches in the cooler. I'm gonna bring that in. Text me your list."

Right! I pulled out my phone while A.B. went back to his car to get the cooler.

My list: shower gel or body wash, shampoo, conditioner, Tylenol or Ibuprofen, black rubber bands for my hair, chocolate milk, sweet tea, Animal Crackers, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, kiwi, and a sand bucket with shovel.

That should keep him busy so I can sleep longer. My plan is in full effect. I sent him the list just as he walked inside and sat the cooler on the kitchen floor. Then, I set my alarm for two hours.

"I just sent you my list," I told him.

A.B. pulled out his phone and looked at it. "I got it. Text me if you need anything else."

"I will be sleeping. Thank you very much." I started to walk away, but A.B. stopped me with his arm blocking my path.

We looked at one another.

A.B. pulled me into his arms. "Get some rest. I'll be back soon."

I hugged him back.

Then, he hit me with those words. "I love you... Jamie."

I slowly nodded my head. "I know."

We separated before saying our good-byes. As soon as he closed the door, I dropped my head. Why do those words hold so much weight? I turned around and my eyes landed on the trash can.

I walked over to it and stepped on the foot pedal as the lid came up. Inside was the mail A.B. threw away. There were two white envelopes that looked like junk mail and a yellow envelope with a handwritten addresses on it. It was too pretty to be in the trash, but it could be junk mail, too. Why else would A.B. throw it away?

I hesitated before being led by curiosity to reach in and grab it. In my hands was a letter from a PO Box addressed to J.C. at the Beach House in Yellow Sand Beach. I flipped it opened and slowly opened it. Then I pulled out a folded sheet of expensive paper. I opened it up and in was a hand-written letter. I found myself walking up the stairs to get in bed while I read it.

To the one and only J.C.

I hope you're doing well. To be honest, I miss you. It's taken me weeks to write this letter and almost a year to finally tell you that I'm sorry. It's not that I'm looking for your forgiveness or anything, but I just want closure.

Being married to another man has opened my eyes a lot. Some days I'm happy and some days I'm sad. Sometimes, I think what if it was you instead of him? What if we were married? I know I'd always have someone to listen to me even when I'm talking just to talk. You were the best listener, a gentleman with a kind soul, and you gave the best advice. I miss how you always opened my door for me and complimented me. Even when you were mad at me, you would still do things for me just because you knew it would make me smile. Those are the things he doesn't do.

Sometimes, I ask myself how could I be so dumb? You were the perfect man in every way, but we weren't a perfect match. I hate that I lied to you and told you things to make you feel like you were to blame. The truth is that I was afraid. At the time, I didn't understand why you were so religious. I didn't understand your faith, but now I think I do. If I was given a second chance, I definitely would have done things differently. You didn't deserve what I did to you. For that, I am deeply sorry.

In the end, the past is the past. No matter how many great memories we had together, the few bad ones diminish them. I hope my actions didn't hinder you from living your life and finding love again. I hope the next woman is nothing like me and that she treats you like you should be treated. You're a good man, J.C.

Don't worry about me. I've accepted my punishment, and I won't take anything less. You don't have to write me back. I no longer have the PO Box. As much as I would like to hear from you, I know it's best to leave things as is. Feel free to throw this letter away, burn it or never read it.

P.S. We'll always be "Primary Colors" - you are blue, I am red, and the sand is yellow. I heard you kept the beach house. Please make new memories there. You will always be my first love ❤️ Take care.

I folded the letter back up and put it in the yellow envelope. I don't think I should've taken it out of the trash, because now I have more questions like who is J.C.? My two hours of sleep just turned into two hours of mind games.

Finally, I went downstairs to the kitchen and threw the letter in the trash. At that moment, it became clear as day as I thought about Baby Monica. She wasn't saying "Jacey." She was saying "J.C."

Where is A.B.? I need answers!