Imagined Love (23 page)

Since Landon wasn’t going to the shower he told Jade that Levi could come over for Sunday football if he wanted. Landon’s Green Bay Packers were playing against the New England Patriots and he was anxious for his team to remedy their pitiful season of two wins and three loses. Levi was a little reluctant at first because he knew Landon wasn’t exactly his biggest fan, but they ended up having a good time. Four of Landon’s friends dropped by and they enjoyed the game as well as the beer and barbecue. Had Levi known what was going on with Jade, his attitude would have changed dramatically.

Throughout the Jack and Jill shower several men approached Jade hoping for the chance to date her. All she had to do was flash her engagement ring to get rid of them but there was one who captured her attention. It was hard not to notice him since he stood head and shoulders about everyone else. Jade guessed he was about 6’7” or so and easily three hundred pounds. He was huge but had the cutest baby face. In a way he reminded Jade of her dad which definitely made her feel weird, so she sat on the loveseat facing away from him.

“Excuse me, miss. I figured I should come over here and introduce myself since you been staring at me all day like a stalker or something.” They both burst out laughing. “I’m Reese,” the giant said, extending his hand to her.

“Jade,” she replied then shook his massive hand.

They stared at each other for a few moments before Reese took a seat beside her. “I guess you were waiting for my knees to give out before you asked me to sit down, huh?” he smiled. “It’s alright, though. I could see in your beautiful eyes how much you wanted my big butt to come smash you up in this loveseat. “Man, this thing is little, huh?” Reese asked, as he fought to get comfortable. The more he squirmed, the more Jade laughed. “Now what if I was sensitive about my size and you just over here laughing,” he chuckled.

“I’m sorry. You just look so big on this thing. How tall are you anyway if you don’t mind my asking? I’m sure you get tired of people asking you that.”

“Yeah, I do, but you can ask me anything you want, pretty lady,” Reese smiled big. “I’m six eight and I’ve never played basketball or football. I don’t have an athletic bone in my whole uncoordinated body. I’m just big for no reason at all.”

Again Jade burst out laughing and the two of them spent the next hour squeezed on the loveseat talking and getting to know each other better. She couldn’t explain it, but there was a natural comfort and ease with Reese that she

really liked. Jade felt safe with him as if nothing could hurt her as long as he was around. Out of the blue, Reese asked if she’d ever dated outside of her race. When she said no he asked if she was the type of woman who only dated Black men. Again Jade said no then explained that it just never worked out for her to date men of other ethnicities.

“And how did we get on this subject?” she asked.

“Well, I’m bi-racial. My mother is Black and my father is White. Most people look at me and assume I’m a light-skinned brotha and I guess that’s what I identify with. We were closer to my mom’s side of the family than we ever were with my dad’s so I grew up around Blacks my whole life. One of the big jokes in my family is that I’m Black in the summertime and White in the winter,” Reese laughed. “I don’t know what happens but when November rolls around all the pigmentation in my skin seems to go away and I look like a straight up White boy. It’s the craziest thing that I didn’t really even notice until I saw myself in pictures. I was about ten when I asked my mom who was the little White boy taking pictures with my brother and sister.”

Jade laughed then it dawned on her why Reese was asking so many questions about her dating history with other races. He was interested in her. So she figured it was time to tell him about Levi, although she was reluctant to do so. She didn’t want to admit it but Jade liked Reese too and didn’t want to ruin their budding friendship with talks of a fiancé.

“Hello, is anybody home?” Reese asked, as he waved his hands in front of her face.

“I’m sorry. I guess I spaced out for a minute.”

“Uh, oh, I did it again. I’m sorry to be talking so much. It’s just that I like you and . . .”

“It’s not that. I’ve really been enjoying our conversation.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

“Well,” Jade sighed. “I have this overwhelming feeling that I need to tell you something. I’m engaged.”

“Aw, man, I saw the ring but I was hoping you were just one of those women who liked wearing it on that finger. My sister used to wear a fake ring to get rid of guys she didn’t like and . . . hey, wait a minute. I’m not that guy, am I? Are you trying to kick me to the curb?”

“No,” Jade laughed, “there really is a fiancé.”

“Should there be a fiancé?” Reese asked, sensing sadness in Jade’s eyes.

“I guess that depends on who you ask. Everyone in my life seems to think there shouldn’t be.”

“Well, I’m asking you, Jade. Should there be a fiancé?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “But I do know I would never put someone else in the middle of it. That wouldn’t be right.”

“I can respect that,” Reese smiled. “But you can have a friend, right?”

Jade just smiled at him. Then a little while later when the party ended, Reese offered to walk Jade to her car. Her four-inch heels were obviously hurting so he scooped her up in his arms and carried her through the parking lot.

“Why do y’all women torture yourself with shoes you can’t even walk in?”

“They were cute,” Jade laughed then pointed to her car.

“Wow, lady, that’s pretty fancy,” he said of her Stealth. “You must be doing alright for yourself. I guess a regular guy that delivers Pepsi for a living would be out of his league with you, huh?”

Jade frowned at him. “Is that what you think? That’s the vibe you got from me in all the time we spent talking?”

“Nah,” Reese smiled, staring into her hypnotic eyes. He wanted to kiss her so badly but put her down instead. “So since we’re friends now, can I call you? Maybe we can go out for a friendly dinner or a movie or something.”

“I’m sorry,” Jade said, sadly. “As much as I would love to go out for a friendly dinner, I know it’s not right. And I’m certain Levi wouldn’t be too thrilled about it. But I really did enjoy meeting you, Reese. I honestly wish I had met you at a different time.”

“I understand. You take care of yourself, okay?” He kissed Jade’s cheek then smiled at her. “Maybe we’ll meet again at a different time.”

Jade wanted to cry when she pulled away. A part of her felt guilty for even talking to Reese. Yet, another part of her wanted to go back and at least get his phone number so they could stay in touch. She didn’t, though. Instead Jade drove back to Landon’s house where Levi was waiting for her.

“You okay, baby girl?” Landon asked.

Jade walked in looking so sad that it made him feel bad. Levi didn’t seem to notice. The only thing on his mind was having sex before he had to get on the road. He was angry and frustrated when Jade declined and began slamming things hoping she would respond to it. When she didn’t, he got even more upset.

“Tell me the truth, Jade. Are you cheating on me?”

“Bye, Levi, just go! I don’t feel like having this stupid argument with you again! If you’re so convinced I’m cheating then why don’t you leave me alone? I’m sick of defending myself to you for things I haven’t done!” She started walking away then turned back towards him. “Do you have any idea how many dudes I turn down out of loyalty to you? As a matter of fact, I met a really nice guy today that wanted to take me out for dinner and spend time with me but I told him no because of you. And this is the thanks I get . . . more stupid accusations because I don’t wanna have sex. But did you ever ask yourself why I don’t wanna have sex

with you? I’m sure it’s easier to lay blame on me and say I’m cheating rather than take a long, hard look at yourself. But if you ever grow up enough to hear the truth, I’ll be more than happy to tell you. For right now, though, you just need to go. I’m tired of dealing with this shit,” Jade spat, as she held the front door open for him.

Levi slammed it shut and stood glaring at her! “Who do you think you talking to like that? I’m a grown ass man and you not gonna belittle me and make me feel like I should be thanking you for turning down a bunch of dudes! That’s what you’re supposed to do when you’re engaged to marry somebody, Jade! And for the record, you ain’t the only one turning down propositions, sweetheart. So don’t act like you doing me some big favor, alright? I got you and I can fifty more like you should I chose to! I suggest you keep that in mind the next time you call yourself trying to hurt somebody,” Levi huffed. “You’re beautiful and I love you, Jade, but you’re not gonna disrespect me like that, you understand?”

“Oh, I understand perfectly. The reason you’re constantly accusing me is because you’ve taken a few of those propositions and you figure I must have to. But I haven’t cheated on you, Levi. Even through all the craziness with Nina and Levia and the doubts I have about your fidelity, I haven’t strayed. And I’m sick of being treated like I have. So as far as I’m concerned you can get the rest of your stuff, grab one of your fifty women that’s just like me, and gone about your business because I quit,” she said then opened the door, again.

Levi grabbed her hand and closed the door once more. “I haven’t cheated on you, Jade. It’s never even crossed my mind. All I do is go to work, eat dinner, and go to my barracks to wait to talk to you. There’s no way in the world I could find a woman that even compares to you and it was stupid for me to suggest I could. I love you so much , Jade, and I don’t want to lose you. Please don’t give up on me even though I drive you crazy. I’m sorry,” he said before kissing her cheek. Levi tried to kiss her lips but Jade moved away from him. “Please, baby, don’t give up.”

Jade gave Levi a hug just to get rid of him. She honestly didn’t know what she was doing anymore. So she called Landon who’d been waiting anxiously to hear from her. He knew something was wrong when she returned from the shower and listened intently as she told him about Reese. Jade admitted wanting him to kiss her which only made her feel more guilty.

“You didn’t, though, baby girl. And I know I give you a hard time about it but I actually admire how loyal and devoted you are. I don’t think Levi deserves it, but it speaks to your character. Not all women are like that, Jade, and I’m really proud that you are. I imagine it’s getting harder to resist, though. Remember that night you ran into Richard? That dude was working hard to get you back to his place . . . offering to cook for you and reminding you how good it used to be. Shoot, I almost went home with him,” Landon laughed loudly. “But for real though, girl, I couldn’t really blame him. Anytime a woman can make you call her

name the way you had Richard calling yours, you’ll beg, plead, and grovel to get it again! He was slick but you still . . .”

“What are you talking about, Landon? I always stayed at Richard’s place.”

“Not always, baby girl. Remember that time you brought him to the apartment? Well, I never told you this, but I forgot my wallet that night and had to come back to get it. I heard . . .”

“Uuuugggghhhh, stop! Don’t say anymore!” Jade cringed as she screamed for Landon to shut up when he kept going on about what he’d heard that night.

“Girl, why you tripping? You’ve heard me plenty of times. Besides, you obviously got skills to make him go crazy like that! Bow chicka bow bow . . . okay, okay,” he said when she threatened to hang up on him. “My point is that it would’ve been real easy to go with Richard because he pleased you in a way Levi doesn’t. But even still, you didn’t. And you didn’t kiss Reese even though you really wanted to. So don’t beat yourself up about it. We all get tempted but it’s how you handle it that matters. You hear me?”

“Yeah, I hear you. So you still get tempted?”

“Girl, please, every damn day! Being married doesn’t make you blind. And I know you think our brides are innocent and sweet but I promise you they’re not. Some of those devious heifers come here with their breasts hanging all out and skintight clothes that reveal everything! Then they flirt and say stuff to me that would make their men call off the wedding! And I can’t lie, it’s hard to resist sometimes. I’m not attracted to all the ones who hit on me, but there have been a few that if we’d met a little earlier in life . . . man it would’ve been on! So I keep my distance and only deal with them when I have to. I don’t attend their parties or involve myself in their personal lives. Gabrielle is my heart and I’m not trying to lose her over no mess.”

Being the nosey person she was Jade asked which brides Landon had been attracted to and which ones had hit on him.

“Let me start by saying most of them come in thinking I’m gay! Apparently a straight man can’t plan weddings. They always wanna convert me. Then once they realize I’m not gay they want me to be their last fling before the big day. So I just do my job and keep myself out of situations that can only lead to trouble.”

Jade was absolutely stunned! She knew a lot of their brides found Landon attractive but she had no idea they were offering themselves to him! “Well, I’m proud of you, bro, and I love you.”

“I love you too, baby girl. I’ll see you in the morning.”

The next Saturday, October 8th, Jade was busy working Lisa’s reception when Reese approached her.

“So is this a different time?” he smiled then gave her a bear hug. “I’ve been waiting all week to ask you that.”

“Jade, they need you in the dressing room. Nobody knows how to do Lisa’s bustle and it’s almost time for the father, daughter dance. Can you help her?”

“Okay, I’m going. I’ll be back . . . oh, Landon, this is Reese Beal. Reese, this is my brother Landon Campbell,” she said before rushing off to the dressing room.

The two men shook hands. Landon, a big guy himself at 6’5” couldn’t get over Reese’s massive size. So he asked the usual question and was surprised to learn he hadn’t played any sport. Landon laughed too when Reese said he was big for no reason at all. Then they joked about how the little plates of food they served at weddings were nothing but snacks to them. In the few minutes they spoke, Landon understood what Jade had liked about Reese. He was a cool, really down to earth guy that seemed to genuinely care for her. When Jade returned, Landon suggested the two of them dance and spend a little time together.