Statistic (19 page)

I smile thinking about the reality of our relationship taking on new meaning. Going on to the next level. We were no longer just dating. We were actually embarking on the whole boyfriend-girlfriend thing.

“Of course. I would love to come with you and meet everyone. You met the most important person in my life. I guess it is only fair right?” My phone starts ringing in the kitchen, I am startled by the sudden shrilling and run to the kitchen to grab the phone before the rings can wake Liam up from the second floor.

As I silence the rings, I notice Brent’s name on the caller ID and I realize that he never texted me earlier in the day. I hold the phone up in Jackson’s direction and say, “I have to take this.” and mouth the word sorry.

“Hello?”

“Hey, I hope it’s not too late?” Brent asks.

“No way, I’ve been worried about you all day. What the heck is going on?”

“I have no idea. The police were here most of the day asking me questions about Megan and our relationship. We only had gone on two dates so I wasn’t very helpful to them. I guess she was seeing quite a few guys.” He admits as he lets out a long breath. “I just can’t win, A. Every time I get involved with someone, some bullshit like this happens.” I can hear his voice cracking and have no idea how to reassure him.

“I’m sorry, Brent. I wish I knew what to say. Or how I could help. This must be really hard for you.” I am honestly at a loss. I just don’t know how to go about handling this at all. Heck, I’ve never even known anyone who has died.

“Do you think we can meet up for lunch tomorrow?” Brent asks, and I let the question hang for a couple minutes before I answer him.

“I will give you a call in the morning and see what my schedule looks like. I will try and make it work. I know you need someone to talk to. Get some sleep. It sounds like you need it.”

“Sorry about that. My friend Brent is having a really hard time. The girl he was dating turned up strangled to death. The poor guy is falling to pieces now that he learned he was just one of a bunch of guys.” Jackson listens carefully, taking in every word and nodding.

“I heard about that on the news this morning. Seems like the town is really shaken up.”

“Hell, I am shaken up by it. It is just a little too close to home. I wonder if the met her killer on Fish in the Sea. That is where I met Brent.” I let my thoughts come out of my mouth before I actually realize what I am saying.

“They aren’t the safest sites, but Aurora… bad things happen every day, whether it started on an internet dating website or not. If you never signed up on there, we would have never met.” He winks at me, and I feel somewhat better about everything.

“You close with this Brent guy?” He asks, and I can see the tiniest bit of jealousy begin to surface.

“Jealous, Mr. Revere?” I tease him.

“Oh, not at all. Just like to know the men in my lady’s life, that’s all.” He smirks and pulls me back down on the couch. “I know you only have eyes for me after the way you looked at me this afternoon.” He adds and I wonder what the hell he means.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what I said. Don’t think too much about it, Aurora. So, how did you meet him?” He turns the conversation back to my friendship with Brent.

“We met on Fish in the Sea. He is a single parent, widow. We went out on a date but we are better just as friends. But our boys have actually become very close friends. If you hear Liam talk about Max, that is his son.” Jackson sits quietly, taking in everything I say.

“So just friends?” he asks.

“Yup, it was like kissing a cousin. We both agreed on that one.” I laugh and I can see a bit of Jackson’s body start to relax.

“And you are all mine?”

“Only yours, Jackson Avery Revere. Only yours.”

The rest of the week flew by without a word from Brent. No phone calls, no text message, nothing. I wondered if he was arrested for something to do with that woman’s murder, but I could see the read receipt on all of my test messages so I just figured he was hanging low and didn’t need my support right now. If space is what he needed, I would give it to him.

Today is picnic day. Last night, after Colin picked up Liam for the weekend, I packed up a small overnight bag and walked down the street to stay at Jackson’s house. It seemed silly to pack stuff like shampoo and body wash since I only lived a handful of doors away, but I didn’t plan on going back to my house until Sunday night rolled around and Colin would be bringing our son home. It was fine by me, because Jackson and I were still in our little honeymoon getting to know you phase.

Since the night he met Liam, he hasn’t mentioned Brent again. No questions, no prying, and life has gone on very uneventful. Working, being mom, a little time here and there when we could sneak it in… and now I am standing in front of his bathroom mirror carefully putting makeup on and getting ready to meet his family.

The short floral print sun dress falls around my knees, and my long strawberry blonde hair is pulled into two braided pig tails on each side of my head. After a little light makeup and lip gloss I am ready to rock n’ roll.

“You are ready already?” Jackson asks as he steps out of the shower and wraps a towel around his waist. Water dripping from every deliciously chiseled inch of his body. I really should stop looking or we are never going to make it out of the house on time.

“Yup, I’m not very high maintenance.” I say, turning to walk into his bedroom. Leaving him very naked in the bathroom.
Must not go back in there. Must not go back in there. Must not go back in there.

“How could you leave me in there. I thought for sure you wouldn’t let me out of that bathroom without making me a happy boy.” He winks at me and I laugh at him and roll my eyes.

“So, I didn’t make you a happy boy… twice this morning already?” I sass him back. I remember the long morning we spent in bed exploring every inch of each other’s bodies. No interruptions. No worries about time. Well, until noon when we finally had to get out of bed to make the picnic for 2 p.m.

“You always make me happy, Aurora.” he takes a couple steps in my direction, cupping my chin with his big, rough hand. “Don’t ever think you don’t make me happy. I haven’t been
this
happy in a very long time.”

“Good, I’m glad. Now go get dressed before we never leave this house. Then I am going to make you late and nobody is going to like me!” I laugh as I push him back into the bathroom. When my bare hands push against his still wet chest, I can feel my body starting to overheat. I want him like I’ve never wanted anyone before. The attraction between us has entered atomic levels and if we didn’t have this huge family picnic today which could be a huge make or break thing for me with his family and friends… I would say screw it and drag him to bed for the rest of the day.

“I hate how you can resist me, Aurora.” He laughs as I close the door in his face. “Damn you woman! Damn you!” I laugh and lay back on the bed scrolling through all my Facebook posts. Wondering maybe Brent has said or posted something on Facebook.

That is when I see the post on his wall.

Heading to Florida to spend some time with my mom after her fall Friday morning.

If you need me, call me or message me and I will get back to you when I can.

I guess that explains the lack of messages he has replied to. Family comes first and that is one hell of a long drive.

“Ready to head out?” Jackson comes out of the bathroom with a freshly trimmed beard, and his hair is messy and wet. God he looks good. Damn it. This whole picnic thing is just unfair when he looks
that
good right now.

“Promise me something, then we can leave…”

“Anything…” he teases me.

“When we get home later, you will take another shower so I can get that messy, fresh shaven look in bed with me tonight…” I let out a laugh as I turn for the hallway.

“If that is what you want. But, I have one stipulation.”

“Uh huh…”

“You have to join me in the shower.” Jackson laughs.

“Now that is a deal I can make.”

“Relax, everyone is going to love you.” Jackson whispers in my ear as we walk hand and hand to the front door of his brother’s incredibly large house. I can’t help but notice all the cars parked up and down the small dead end street.

“I hope so. I hate this whole process. Meeting all these people. I’m not going to remember anyone’s names.” I find myself rambling and I smile because I know exactly where Liam gets it from. I can see him and his million questions for Jackson the other night when they first met. I guess the apple really doesn’t fall too far huh?

The door opens before we reach it and a slightly older carbon copy of Jackson stands in the doorway with the most petite blonde woman I have ever seen.

“We were beginning to think you weren’t going to make it, Jack!” The man booms in a deep voice as he makes his way onto the porch. “Well this must be the Aurora we all have been hearing so much about. I guess I would be late too, brother.” the petite blonde elbows him in the gut and he lets out an
ooooof
noise. Sounds like it hurt. I try not to laugh.

“Don’t listen to my idiot of a husband.” the small blonde says as we make our way up the few steps to the porch. “If you stick around, you will see the Revere men never know when to keep their comments to themselves. I think it’s genetic.” she laughs and wraps her arms around me in a welcoming embrace. “I’m Laura, that is my bonehead of a husband Jeff.”

I stand there, smiling politely and exchange greetings. The boys go back and forth about some sports team scores, and then I see him out of the corner of my eye. A man I had spoken with on more than one occasion on that stupid Fish in the Sea website. I should know his name off the top of my head, but as I am standing here holding onto Jackson’s hand for dear life I can’t recall it.

The man comes closer and closer, and my heart leaps up into my throat. I am starting to have trouble breathing, but I am also trying to hide my nerves from Jackson. The man slaps Jackson on the back in greeting, “Jackson, whats up big bro?”

Did he just say bro?

“Hey Jeremy. I want you to meet my girlfriend, Aurora.” and as his eyes meet mine, they go wide with recognition of who I am.

“Oh, I know this beautiful lady already.” Jeremy replies as he presses a kiss on my cheek and wraps his arm around my shoulder in one of those half hug type things. I am instantly uncomfortable and Jackson begins to pull me closer to his body.

“Back off little brother.” He warns.

“Jack, I’m not kidding. I know her.” and Jackson looks at me for confirmation. By this time, his older brother Jeff and his wife have beat feet and left us alone for this uncomfortable meeting. I really know how to fuck up meeting family for the first time, huh?

“I met her on that Fish in the Sea site. We never actually met, but we chatted a couple times. I couldn’t forget that face.” Jeremy says, and I am almost positive Jackson wants to lay him out right here on his brother’s porch.

“We messaged a couple times before we started dating.” I admit to Jackson. “But, we never actually met. No biggie.” I shrug my shoulders and hope that the whole issue is resolved.

“Well, I mean… at least you know she is attracted to good looking guys.” Jeremy cracks and Jackson actually smiles for the first time since the awkward meeting began. A big wave of relief starts to wash over me, but I won’t really be comfortable until I get the meeting of the mother out of the way.

“It’s okay. He’s just a dick,” Jackson whispers into my ear as Jeremy begins to walk away. “He’s had a lot of problems since my father was killed. I feel bad for my mom since she has had to deal with most of it. When his fiancé skipped out on him, that was a real doozie for all of us.”

I feel bad for Jeremy, and his mother. I can’t imagine the kind of stress that has caused for the family over the past couple years. I am almost grateful I don’t have any family or family drama to deal with. But, it certainly does make for a pretty lonely existence sometimes.

“My mom is coming this way. You ready?” Jackson warns me and gives my hand a tight squeeze. I see her from afar at first, a little lady almost as petite as the short blonde I just met. Her long grey hair is natural, braided in one single long braid down her back. She is wearing a long flowing hippy type skirt. Not exactly what I envisioned as the mother of a brood of military men. She is happy, smiling from ear-to-ear, and everything about her screams calm and nurturing. She is the kind of person you would want to be your mother or a grandmother to your child. She is that friend’s mom that growing up, you wished would have adopted you.