Baby (Laundromat Chonicles Book 3) (6 page)

“Yep, gonna go watch the game and stuff. Man stuff,” I joked.

“Good for you, dear. Jase seems like a good man. Don’t you worry about Lena, she’s in good hands,” Ruby assures me, but there is no need.

Offering her a smile and a brief hug. “I have no doubt.” I return my attention to Lena, leaning in to kiss my girl’s cheek, resting my hand on her belly. “See you later, babe. Have fun. I’ll pick you up around five?” I asked and glance back at Ruby for confirmation.

“Make it six. We’re going to go to dinner after shopping.”

“I don’t have much money, Miss Ruby,” Lena admits quietly, and I felt immediately like an asshole. I wish I had money to spare for her to have fun, but what I make goes to bills and saving for the baby.

“My treat, don’t you worry about a thing today. This whole day is my treat,” Ruby says, rubbing her hands together. “Now, you go and leave us to do girl things.” She shoos me to my car just as Jewel and Amanda pull in. Yeah, all the women have arrived which is definitely my cue to exit.

“Thank you again, Miss Ruby. I’ll see you a bit later, babe, have fun.” With a nod of my head to Miss Ruby, another kiss for Lena and quick wave to the approaching women I say goodbye and slide into my car.

***

I’ve lived in the area my entire life so the directions to Jase’s place are simple enough. The house I pull in front of is a modest ranch style house with a well-kept yard and truck in the driveway that I immediately recognize as Jase’s. I’m almost to the front door when it flies open and Jase steps out.

“What’s up, man? You made it. Did you have any trouble finding the place?” His hand juts out to mine in welcome.

“No trouble at all,” I reply as our hands shake.

“Good, come on in.” He invites, breaking our hands and turning back into his house. Once inside I’m surprised by what I see. I’m not really sure what I was expecting, a bachelor pad maybe but instead the house is furnished and decorated for a family.

“Well, welcome,” he begins and I can hear the nerves in his voice. “This is the living room. The kitchen is around the corner, and the bathroom is down the hall, first door on the right. Help yourself. I have some grub over on the table. Mi casa es su casa.”

“Thanks, bro.”

“Yeah, you want a beer or something?”

“No thanks, Coke maybe.”

“Pepsi okay?”

“Perfect,” I reply, not wanting to remind him that I’m not of legal drinking age.

“Coming right up,” he says before disappearing for a few minutes. He returns, handing me my Pepsi with his beer in his hand. “Game should be starting soon.” He plops down on the couch using his remote to turn the TV on, then finding the right channel. There isn’t a lot of conversation in the beginning. Both of us clearly have not hung out with anyone in a while. I glance around the room and notice photos of Jase with a woman and a little boy. More photos of the child and woman littered the room. The more I look around the more I’m convinced that Jase is married. Fuck. Is he cheating on his wife with Amanda? All the knickknacks around the room reminded me of Lena’s mom’s house, a womanly touch, not that of a bachelor. Jase must have noticed me looking around because he breaks our silence with a loud throat clearing.

I look back at him, trying not to look confused or judgmental. What people do in their own lives is none of my business, although I really thought he was more of a man than one that cheats on his wife. The photos tell the story of a happy family, not a broken one like Amanda seems to live in.

“Where’s your wife and kid today? Are they going to be back soon?” I ask carefully. The look on his face changes from slightly uncomfortable to completely broken. His eyes cloud over, and his mouth turns down. He sucks in a sharp breath of air before letting it out forcefully.

“Uh, no actually they’re not coming back at all,” he admits, running his hand through his hair.

“Oh, okay. I’m sorry, didn’t mean to pry was just curious,” I admit, ready to move the conversation forward. Maybe he’s not a dick after all. Maybe she left him. Who knows, not my business.

“It’s all good, bro. After all this time I should be able to talk about it without turning into a pussy.” His voice is shaky yet there is a hint of desperation in his words.

“You don’t have to tell me anything, dude. We can just watch the game.” Darn, I should have kept my mouth shut.

“Nah, I need to. I don’t want you thinking I’m a dick because I know you’ve noticed Amanda and me together.” I nod in response. He stands from the couch and goes to the family picture of them. “I also knew inviting you over would mean I’d have some explaining to do. It’s time anyway.” Removing the photo from the wall he sits back down on the couch, handing the frame to me.

“This is Britanny, my wife and Daniel, my son. They were in a car accident a year and a half ago. Drug addict on the run from the police. She didn’t even see him coming. Crashed into her car going over 100mph, killing both Brit and Daniel instantly.”

“Oh shit, I’m sorry, man. So sorry. I had no idea.” His words hit me like a ton of bricks. I understand now why he always has a pissed off look on his face–because he is. He’s pissed that life would take his wife and child. I immediately think of Lena and the baby, knowing if I lost them my world would crumble.

“It’s okay. I really struggled for a long time, but I’m learning to live without them, though as you can tell from the chick touches of my house, I’m not quite in bachelor mode yet.” He tries to chuckle a little, lightening the mood.

“I can’t imagine that kind of loss. My mom died when I was a kid, and it destroyed my father. Turned him into a violent alcoholic up until a few years ago when he realized I was big enough to hit back. I can’t imagine losing Lena or the baby.” I hand back the photo to him. I’ve never told anyone other than Lena about my father. Jase seems trustworthy and maybe letting him know my own past will help him to know he’s not alone.

“It’s rough and I had my dark time but I’m getting better.” He glances at the photo again before going to place it back on the wall.

“I really am sorry for your loss,” I say, and I mean it.

“Thanks, man, I appreciate it. I don’t talk about them much but I don’t want you thinking I’m a cheating bastard. I’m not that kind of guy.”

“I’m figuring that out.” I tip my Pepsi to him and offer a smile. “So not to pry but you and Amanda? Are you like a thing?” I ask, not sure if I’m pushing my luck but figured fuck it, might as well get it all out while we’re being honest and shit.

“I don’t know. I mean, she’s the first woman I’ve looked at and not seen Brit. We click. We get along. If she were single I’d be interested in seeing where it goes, but she’s married. To an asshole, but married nonetheless. So, I just don’t know.” He leans back against the couch taking a swig of his beer.

I felt sorry for the guy. He lost his wife and kid and when he is finally interested in another woman she’s married. What a fucking mess.

“Want advice from an eighteen year old kid, who knocked up his girlfriend, got her kicked out of her house, has a fucked up past with his own father, but works his ass off to provide for his girl and unborn baby and tries his damnedest to be a good person?” I ask, mimicking his long swig with my Pepsi. I’m not sure why Jase is cool with opening up to me. Maybe he thinks we’re friends now. I don’t know maybe we are, but I doubt he’s going to want my advice. Spilling your guts is one thing, advice from a punk kid another.

“Hit me with it, I need any advice I can get,” he says with a sigh, surprising me.

“Well, I’m no homewrecker but I can tell when a man is in love with a woman and dude, you have it bad for Amanda. Thing is, she looks at you the same way. Even Lena has noticed it. She’s fucking miserable in her marriage. I mean the guy must really be a dick to let his hot ass wife hang out in a fucking laundromat every Saturday, alone.” I pause, taking another drink and popping a little smoky in my mouth.

“True,” he puts in, nodding.

“I say fuck it. Go for it, bro. You only have one life. She only has one life. Be her knight in shining armor. Save her from the prick that clearly doesn’t deserve her.”

“So break up a marriage?” he questions, unsure if my advice is good or not.

“Dude, that marriage is already broken. Save the girl before it breaks her.” I shrug, more sure now than before that Lena is right, Amanda is miserable. If her longing glances at Jase isn’t enough, getting to know the guy sure as hell is. If he’s as cool to her as he’s been to me then why wouldn’t she want his kind of chivalry and not a man who doesn’t seem to give a fuck about her? Seems fairly cut and dry to me, but then again I don’t see things in gray. Black and white. Right or wrong. That’s my one big flaw that Lena helps balance. She forces me to think outside the box sometimes. We balance each other out perfectly.

“How the fuck did you get so wise in your young years?” he asks with a slight chuckle.

“I’m not wise. Just call things like I see them.” Call it being abused by your alcoholic father for years after losing your mother, but I grew up fast. I’m somewhat cynical, but I try not to let my shitty childhood dictate my future.

“Thanks, Hap. You’re a good kid, err a good man. You’re going to be a great father.” He reaches his beer out for a cheers.

“Thanks. I appreciate hearing that.” I clink my soda against the beer bottle and drink. We sit around bullshitting for a while, not even watching the game. I don’t mind, the teams are shitty anyway.

“You fish?” Jase asks, downing his fourth beer.

“Not in a long time. My old man used to take me fishing all the time until Mom died. We went a few times over the years after but it wasn’t the same, he wasn’t the same.”

“Well, looks like we need to get you out on the water. Come on, check out my boat.” He sets his beer bottle on the table with a loud clink before he stands up. I follow him to the garage where he reveals the most bad ass boat I’ve ever seen.

“Wow, sweet boat.” Admiring the vessel I maneuver around the tight space to check it out.

“Yeah, haven’t had her out on the water since Brit and Daniel died. I used to take him fishing and she’d sit and read. Since then I haven’t had any desire to be out on the water.” His words are full of sadness yet I sense a hint of hope behind them. After seeing my father struggle, I can only imagine what Jase is going through, at least my father still had me, even if having me around reminded him too much of her.

“Climb on up, check out the deck.” He encourages as he climbs the ladder onto the boat. I follow behind him and am in awe of what awaits me. The deck has enough seating for ten with a small cuddy cabin. The white and blues of the boat sparkle as though it’s never been used.

“Very nice, man. You should definitely get this beast out on the water,” I say, admiring the beauty.

“Well, now that I have a new friend I think I will. Maybe we can get Cash’s uptight ass to come.” He laughs, sitting in the captain’s chair.

“You think that dude fishes?” I ask with a laugh, highly doubting it.

“Eh, one thing I’ve learned about people over the years is not everyone is as they seem and money doesn’t mean shit.”

“Touché.” I glance at my watch. It’s almost time to get Lena. “Well, let’s plan a fishing day then. Just the guys, although Lena would die to get on this thing,” I admitted, still admiring the nicest boat I’ve ever been on.

“Hell yeah, once the weather gets warmer we’ll all get out on the water.”

“Cool. Hey, I gotta get outta here. I have to pick Lena up at six.”

“Alright, man, let me walk you out.” We get off the boat and head back inside where I grab my keys and toss my empty soda can in the garbage.

“Hey, Jase, thanks a lot for today, bro. It’s nice having a friend. Lena and I don’t see our friends at all anymore.” I push my hand out to shake his.

“Of course, thanks for coming. I don’t see many of my old friends since the accident. It’s too awkward for all of us so it’s nice to have someone to hang out with that doesn’t see me as the poor bastard that lost his wife. We’ll have to do it again soon. Maybe next time bring Lena.”

“Funny how the world changes isn’t it? One day your lost and grieving and the next your chilling with a punk ass kid.” I smile as I walk out the door.

“Life is full of surprises but you’re not a punk ass kid, Hap. Talk to Lena, let’s get the whole group together outside of the laundromat.”

“That sounds great! See ya later, man.” I drive away with a feeling of excitement at the new beginning Lena and I may have found with our new friends.

***

I pull up outside of the steakhouse just as the ladies are coming out. They’re all giggling as they make their way to the car. Stepping out I walk around to my girlfriend who quickly throws her arms around me. “Hey, babe, missed you.”

“Missed you too. Did you have a good time?”

“Yeah, so much fun,” she begins before turning to the three women. “Thanks again so much. I don’t know if I can thank you enough actually.” She lets go of my hand freeing herself to hug each one of them.

“You’re more than welcome, dear. We’ll have to do this again soon. It’s not often this old lady gets out of the house.”

“Yeah, I haven’t had this much fun since, well hell I don’t remember when. We will definitely get together outside of our little laundromat again soon.” Amanda exclaims, hugging Lena tight. “Meet me over at my car so you can get your new things,” she says as she lets my girlfriend go.