In The Spur of Heath (The Spur Series Book 1) (11 page)

“Oh. I haven’t been called that in a while.” She laughed amiably. She had dimples as deep as mine. “Call me Charlotte.” She turned to Jake. “So this is the student that got your heart, huh?” My eyes almost popped out of my head.
He told her I was his student. Oh my goodness!
“Very pretty.” She turned to me.
Okay, I guess not all mothers in law are demons from hell – thank God.

“She’s one of the best students in my class.” Jake intervened, his thumb finger pressed against his bottom lip. “She and her best friend are the overall best.” He watched me with a faint smile.

“Well, at least you didn’t put up with Lena’s nonsense. She was very crass. Jake, I have something to tell you, I don’t know if it would be okay to tell you in front of Reese.”

“Uh, it’s okay, I’ll give you two some privacy.” I got up from my stool.

“Reese, it’s fine.” Jake replied. I paused and he gave me a reassuring nod and I sat back down.

“I ran into Jai yesterday.” His mother continued. Jake’s face turned, he looked mortified, his breathing increased and instantly the air felt very hostile. He clenched his jaw and licked his lips and paused in thought.

“What’d he want?”

“He wanted to know how you were doing.”

“You didn’t tell him, did you?” He asked hopefully.

“No, of course not. He doesn’t need to know a damn thing.” His mother responded and took a swig of her coffee. I suddenly felt so clueless and uncomfortable. I just pursed my lips and bent my head.

“Jai is his father.” Charlotte informed me and I shot up and looked at Jake. His face so resentful at the mention.

“Correction, sperm donor.” He interrupted.

Charlotte supressed a grin. “Jake, behave. He wants to see you.”

He hawked, “See me? Please. I don’t even understand how you could stand to look at him after all he has done to you. Left us with nothing.”

“I forgave him a long time ago son, you should too.” His mother replied.
What the heck was happening here? Just last night I was begging for him to open up to me and now I am front row to all of this bloody Intel. Agh!
His mother was so relaxed and graceful with her movements. “Are you okay, honey?” She turned to me.

“Uh, I am fine.” I looked up at Jake and he gave me another reassuring nod.

“You want some coffee?” His mother asked getting up from her stool.

“Mom, it’s fine.” Jake interposed.

“Nonsense, Jake. You two sit, I’ll make breakfast. In fact, we’ll have breakfast out back.” His mother’s face lit up.
Wow, she was really nice
. Now I understand why he is the man he is.

Jake and I walked out through the back door onto the deck. I’ve never been to the back before, always inside. The deck was huge and made of a dark wood – not sure of the kind – but it was strong and rich looking. In the middle of the deck stood a small wooden dining table.

A blue and white sectional along with the Entertainment centre were located near the stairs to the yard. A kitchenette with a mini bar and a barbecue pit were to the other side of the deck.

The back yard was cordoned off by large palms and landscaped with a well-kept lawn. The pear-shaped pool, surrounded by stone-patterned tiles, sat in the middle of the backyard. Its blue waters glistening from the rays of the sun, and about six blue and white lawn chairs were lined perfectly to its side.

“Wow. How come you never brought me out here?” I asked as we walked down the stairs, toward the pool.

“I don’t know, I’ve been so busy with the indie film, you and other things.” He smirked.

“So, about what happened in there?” I pointed my head towards the house.

“Yes, you have now been given a glimpse into my past. My mother came by unannounced, it won’t happen again.”

“Hey, no. I don’t mind. She is very sweet.”

“Lena didn’t like her, much.”

“Lena is a bitch.” I deadpanned. “And Jai?”

“He beat and cheated on my mother endlessly,” I gasped.
Oh my God! His dad used to abuse his mum! That’s horrible!
“I grew up watching her cry for years. I begged her to leave him but she was afraid. Without him, she wouldn’t have been able to send me to college, which in turn happened.”

“So she left?”

“No, he did. He just never came back one day. Left us, just like that! Thank God he did because I would have eventually killed him.”
Wow! He sounded dead serious. But I don’t blame him. I’d have felt the same way. I feel shitty for wanting to know this.

“What the fuck.” I whispered. “I can’t believe he abused your mum? That’s so messed up. I’m sorry you had such a rough childhood.”

“Don’t be. It’s not your fault.”

“No, I’m sorry for prying. Now I understand your reluctance to tell me. I really am sorry.”

“It’s okay, Reese. Really, it is. It made me to be a better man.”

“Wow. Was he always like that?”

“Drugs. Some chick got him heavy in it and it made him crazy. I think that’s the reason my mom stayed. She knew who he was and hoped he would be that person again.”

“Jesus, I don’t even know what to say. You really are upstanding.” I smiled.

“She taught me to be that way.”

“That’s sweet.” I chewed on my lip. “Your mum’s really nice.” I smiled.

We went back to the deck when his mother was finished with breakfast. Jake helped her set the table and we all sat down to eat.

While I munched on the blueberry muffins Charlotte made, she told me cute stories about Jake when he was younger, then the not so cute details. I finally knew about his life growing up; his accomplishments, struggles, downfalls, how he got through college. Everything. He seemed a bit uneasy when she talked about his end-of-high-school and college years, maybe because of the fact he was with Kin during those times. His mother never mentioned Kin much either. We ate French toast, baked beans and waffles with sliced fruit, and after that I was extremely satisfied.

I helped his mother clear the table and was about to wash up the dishes when she stopped me. “It’s okay, Reese. Go on with Jake, I’ve got this. It’s been a while since I have taken care of anyone but myself.”

“You sure?”

“Yep.” She flashed her all-white teeth at me. “Don’t worry.”

“Thank you.” I smiled. “Breakfast was really good.”

“No worries.” She nodded politely and turned to the sink.

I walked up the stairs and into Jake’s bedroom. He was laying on the bed with his head hanging off the edge. “Hey.” I whispered.

“Hey.” He mouthed.

“Well that was interesting.” I crossed my arms and walked up to him. I knelt down and held onto his upturned face and kissed him. He then rolled over and was now lying right side up, staring straight at me. A thousand emotions flickered across his face in a second – I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. “You ok?” I brushed my thumb gently on his cheek and he grabbed onto my hand, closing his eyes as if relishing in my touch. He then reopened them and with a faint smile replied, “I just had a wonderful breakfast with the two most amazing women in my life, what do you think?”

His phone began to ring and he watched the phone quizzically. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“It’s your boyfriend.” He teased and showed me the incoming call from Heath. With that, he answered the phone. “Andrews? Yeah, we’re shooting our first scene at one. Yep at the school. Awesome. Later.”

“We’re shooting this afternoon? Holy shit, I totally forgot it’s Sunday!” I bugged out.

“Relax, Reese. You’ll be fine.”             

After lunch, Jake and I made our way to the school in his panel van that he transported his equipment around in. When we arrived, Heath and other students participating in the film were there, along with the student crew members for the film.

The movie was called Genesis and was about a young, popular boy, Chase, in a small town where a serial killer was rampant. Chase got every girl he wanted except Genesis. She was not like everyone else, rather peculiar, she entranced him and he befriended her. She was into drugs and partying and that’s when he began to realise who she was. She was the serial killer, only at the same time she wasn’t – she had a split personality and he was caught between his uncanny love for her and reporting her to the authorities.

I thought the film sounded really cool, very twisted, I had to be a part of it and naturally I played the part of Genesis, and Heath was Chase. We were going to shoot as much scenes as we could that took place at the school at this time of day before we moved on to our next location.

The crew member in charge of wardrobe had his trailer with all of our clothing and everyone got into their appropriate wear for the scene.

Jake was directing, producing and co-editing the film so he had a lot on his plate. He also was going to play a teacher in the film – of course.

When Heath and I were ready, we ran a quick rehearsal and then on to the actual shot. We walked up to the scene location and Jake came up to us. I could see hate in Heath’s eyes. Why was he so repulsed by Jake, besides the fact that he is our teacher, it’s not like I’m a minor. I am an adult and this shouldn’t be such a big deal.

Jake gave us his directions and when he walked away, Heath just stared blankly at him. Contempt scorching in his eyes. “Heath.” I whispered through gritted teeth. “What’s wrong with you?” He turned to me with his jaw clenched. “Nothing Reese.” He replied coldly.

“Action.” I heard Jake’s First A.D. call out, and within an instant the loathing in Heath’s eyes and the plight in mine disappeared. We masked our true identities so well and now I was a weird Goth girl that had dark secrets and Heath was the young, hot popular boy that was going to fall for me. Oh how I wished that ending really did happen, then I wouldn’t be in this fucked up situation right now. Fighting with myself if to let Jake in or hold out for Heath. I sound like a stupid high school girl yet I was a sophomore in College.

I gave my best, take after take, until Jake was fully satisfied with our first scene. We took a quick break and moved on and completed a few other shots at the school before we called it a day.

The crew members began packing everything and I noticed Heath walking away toward Tang. I followed him but he just stopped at the side of the building and pulled out a cigarette and a lighter. “Heath?” I asked utterly shocked.

“Reese.” He spun around with a quickness. “God, you scared me.”

“When did you start that back?” I asked pointing to his lit cigarette.

“Tough times, Pieces.” His eyebrows furrowed as he puffed out smoke and leaned against the wall.

“What could be so tough in your life, Heath?”

“A lot of things.” He trailed off into thought. I stood there watching him as he stared into oblivion, wishing I could just hold him and be his comfort, not as a friend. He was obviously hurting and I didn’t even know why because I was so busy with Jake. He seemed pretty fine yesterday when we went out, in fact it was the happiest I’ve ever seen him in a while.

“Heath?” He looked up at me. “I’m coming home with you, okay?” He gave me a half smile, nodded his head and flicked away his cigarette.

“You know, Pieces,” He leaned off the wall and strode up to me, “you don’t have to do that. I’m a grown man.”

“Yeah and you’ll be a grown man with cancer too, so I rather come home. I love you too much to see you struggle.”

“Yeah, well I love you, too.” His green eyes locked to mine. He put his hands on my shoulders and my pores raised instantly. He was way too close to me.
God, I hope he didn’t realise that he made my skin prickle.
I managed a smile and I looked back to make sure Jake didn’t see us. He knew how I feel, felt, feel –
ugh whatever
– about Heath. I didn’t want to make him feel insecure or hurt about us.

I eased away from Heath’s hold and told him that I’d be right back. I walked up to Jake who was busy reading something. “Jake?” He looked up and smiled when he saw me, took off his glasses and instantly took notice of my apologetic scowl.

“What’s wrong?” He asked.

“I, uh, I gotta go home.” I bent my head.

“Why?”

“Heath is going through something, I wanna be there for him.”

“Heath? Are you kidding me?”

“What do you mean, he is my best friend, you know.”

“Yes I do, I’m sorry but, I just… never mind. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“What? What were you going to say?”

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it. Oh, don’t forget we’re shooting after school tomorrow.” He replied and bent his head.

“Jake?” I pleaded.

“I just wanted to make sure you spend your birthday with me, is all. I have something really special for you.”

“Of course.” I smiled, wanting to kiss him so bad but we were in public. I just shook his hand and then walked up to Heath who was a few feet away talking to a girl named Grace who was in the film portraying Heath’s best friend, Emma.

Jake and Heath had a slightly odd exchange of stares when I approached him. I just ignored it and got into the car. What weirdness was transpiring? Heath was beginning to frighten me with his unusual behaviours.