Unbreakable (12 page)

I notice Jess yawning, and realize that it’s after eleven. We’ve been sitting here for hours talking and catching up. Leaning toward her, I wrap her hand in mine and whisper, “Ready to call it a night?”

She nods, and I notice how tired she looks. “So what time should we pick you up tomorrow?” I ask my sister, who’s playing on her phone, probably texting Adrian. Without even looking up she answers.

“Ten-Thirty. We have to get tickets and the game starts at Noon. Don’t be late or you won’t be seeing shit tomorrow,” she says so eloquently. God I miss my snarky sister.

“You two ready?” I ask, knowing damn well Jess is going to fall asleep if we don’t leave now.

Walking to the car the girls are whispering to each other and giggling. I swear it’s like they’ve reverted back to being twelve years old. I can’t help but smile as I watch those two. The car ride to Ava’s dorm is quiet as Ava is still playing on her phone and Jess is trying to stay awake. We pull up to the large brick dormitory and Ava hops out. “Thanks for dinner,” she says sticking her back in the car before shutting the door. “Remember, 10:30. Don’t be late.”

I pull into a parking spot at the hotel and kill the engine. Jess fell asleep just minutes after we dropped Ava off. Her head hangs slightly to the side against the headrest. I love watching her sleep. Leaning in, I press a light kiss to her soft lips which wakes her.

“We’re here baby.” I whisper against her lips.

“Mmm.” She hums against my lips, kissing me back.

“Let’s get you to bed. We have a big day tomorrow.” I say, unbuckling her seat belt. She rubs her eyes and reaches for her purse before opening the door. I meet her in front of my truck and take her hand to lead her inside. She curls herself into my side as the late fall air is cool and damp and we walk briskly to the entrance of the hotel.

Settling into our room, Jess heads immediately for the bed. She kicks off her shoes before throwing herself on top of the comforter. I unpack our overnight bags and finally settle in to bed, wrapping myself around her. I feel her wiggle out of my arms as I notice the sun peaking through the curtains.

“What time is it?” I ask with a groggy voice.

“Eight-Thirty, I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m going to take a quick shower, go back to sleep for a bit.” She disappears into the bathroom juggling her clothes and toiletries in her arms. A small wave of anxiety rolls through me when I think about watching my old team mates hit the football field today, and I can say I’m slightly jealous that I’m not on that field.

Reaching for my phone on the nightstand, I turn it on and numerous e-mails and text messages fill my screen. Clearing most of them, I hear Jess finishing up in the shower that I was hoping to join her in. I knock on the bathroom door and wait for her to answer.

“Come in.”

“You’re done already? I was hoping to join you.” I say, opening the bathroom door and entering the small bathroom. She is wrapped in a towel that just barely covers her tall frame, with another towel wrapped around her wet hair.

“I would have liked that.” she says with a smile, pulling the towel off her head and letting her long hair fall against her shoulders. She leans in pressing a kiss to my lips. Her shoulders are still beaded with water, and I brush my hands over them to wipe away the small beads.

“So, Coach just texted me. He wants me to stop by the stadium early too see the guys. Are you cool with that?”

“Really? That’s great. Of course I’m fine with that. I’ll just hang with Ava until you’re done.”

I pull her into my arms and kiss her cheek and neck. A little mewl sounds from her throat and she places her hands on my chest giving me a slight push, breaking my contact with her neck.

“Hey, what was that for? I didn’t get you last night.”

“And you’re not getting me this morning either. We’re going to be late if you don’t hurry up and shower, and I do not want to piss off your sister by being late.”

I don’t disagree with her, but I want to take advantage of that short towel and her naked little body underneath it.

“Tonight. You’re all mine.” I whisper into her ear.

“Tonight, we’re going to a party with your sister.” She laughs and grabs her clothes off the bathroom counter and walks out into the hotel room to change closing the bathroom door behind her.

“After the party, you’re mine.” I yell through the door.

The bathroom door inches open slightly, and she peeks her head through. “I’m always yours, I’m not going anywhere. Let’s just enjoy this weekend with Ava. When we get home, you can have me anytime you want.”

She’s right. This weekend isn’t about Jess and I, it’s about visiting Ava, and spending time with her.

“Fine, but when we get home…”

“I know, I know…” she interrupts me.

Standing outside the football stadium, my stomach flutters with excitement like it used to on game day. It’s a cool, sunny, fall day, perfect football weather. There are crowds of people already tailgating, and I’m waiting for Jess and Ava by the main entrance.

Catching up with Coach and the guys for the last hour made my weekend. I definitely miss football, but I have no regrets on my decision to move home and pursue my career as a fire fighter. I twist the red UA t-shirt that Coach gave me for Jess in my hands, when I happen to see her and Ava heading in my direction. They are walking arm in arm each carrying a large Starbucks coffee.

“How was it?” She asks, pulling out of Ava’s arm and planting a kiss on my cheek.

“It was great. So good to see the guys and just catch up in person for a little bit.”

“I’m really glad you got to see them.” She smiles at me and laces her fingers through mine.

“Should we go watch some football or do you two want to stand here chit-chatting all day?” Ava asks sarcastically.

The rest of Saturday was spent watching football, with Arizona taking home the win, and stopping by several parties with Ava. I will say that I do not miss the days of drunken house parties. Waking up Sunday morning, I reach for Jess and find that she’s not in the bed. Sitting up, I see her sitting in the bedside chair reading on her iPad.

“Morning beautiful.” She smiles and sets the iPad down on her lap.

“Morning sleepyhead. I wasn’t sure you were ever going to wake-up.”

“What time is it?”

“Nine. We have to bring coffee to Ava, she’s not feeling well after the party last night and she has a huge exam she has to study for.”

“Ok, we should probably get on the road anyway, we have a long drive.”

Standing up, she starts pulling clothes out of the dresser. “Go shower and I’ll get us packed up,” she says. True to her word, she has everything packed by the time I’m done showering. We haul our bags to the truck and stop at the Starbucks just off campus. Jess juggles the coffees as I pull the truck into the visitor parking in front of the dorm. Ava exits the main entrance just as we pull up carrying a large book bag on her shoulder.

“There you are,” she sighs reaching for the large cup of coffee Jess is holding out to her. “I owe you.” She says sipping the hot coffee with caution.

“You always owe me.” I joke with her. Ava continues sipping her coffee and we stand in silence for a few seconds before Jess finally speaks.

“I suppose we should get going,” she says quietly.

“Yeah, you have a long drive. Please drive careful,” Ava’s voice cracks. “You know I hate goodbyes, so I’m just going to go, okay?” She reaches out and pulls Jess into a tight hug. “I’ll see you guys in just a few weeks for Christmas break.” I see Jess wiping a few small tears from her eyes as she nods at Ava.

Ava walks backwards away from us. Opening the door to my truck for Jess, she climbs in.

“Drive careful. Love you guys.” Ava yells again and waves, this time turning around completely and walking down the sidewalk toward the library. I watch my little sister disappear into the sea of brick buildings. Jess leans her head back against the seat and closes her eyes, and I know that it’s going to be a quiet ride home.

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is already upon us. I finished my last class and now officially have my degree in Fire Sciences. The physical aptitude test was last week, and I passed with flying colors. I interviewed for a fire fighter position and am now just waiting to hear from Chief to see if I’m hired.

Jess finished her first semester at Santa Ruiz State University, and in true Jess style, she completed eighteen credit hours. Nothing like piling on the classes her first semester; she’s always been an overachiever. I spent the last week looking for the perfect promise ring to give Jess for Christmas. This was singlehandedly, the most stressful thing I’ve ever done. I chose a vintage style ring, with a small princess cut center diamond and smaller diamonds circling around it in the shape of a square. The band splits from all four corners and is gorgeous. It’s a smaller version of what I’d want to give Jess when I actually propose to her.

Today is Christmas Eve, and as usual it’s always busy. Mom made our traditional Mexican dinner: tamales, green chili enchiladas, rice, and beans. Jess and Ava always help mom prepare the food. After dinner, all the women baked traditional American desserts: cookies, brownies, and fudge, followed by us all going to midnight mass. Leaving the church I see Jess leaning her head against the passenger window, and I can hear her faint breaths. I run my knuckles down the side of her cheek, which wakes her, and she offers me a small smile.

“Tired?” I ask.

“Yeah, it’s been a long day.” She rubs under her eyes with her fingers.

Pulling into her driveway, she starts opening the car door when I say, “I’m going to run home and grab a change of clothes. I’ll be back over in just a couple of minutes, okay?” Chief is working again tonight, so I’m staying with Jess. I hate leaving her alone.

“Okay,” she offers quietly.

“Don’t fall asleep.”

Sighing, she looks at me and says, “Not tonight. I’m too tired.”

“That’s fine, just don’t fall asleep.”

It’s almost two in the morning, and the adrenaline coursing through my veins has me wide-awake. I say a small prayer that she doesn’t fall asleep before I get back. Shoving everything in a backpack, Dad is arranging gifts under the tree that we’ll open in the morning. It doesn’t matter that we’re all adults, Santa is alive and well and delivers gifts to the Garcia household every year.

“See you in the morning, Dad,” I whisper as I open the front door to leave.

“Night, Mijo. Don’t be late tomorrow.”

“We won’t.”

I can see the light is on in Jess’ room as I jog across the street and up her front lawn. Warm air hits me as I enter the living room and I can hear the bathroom sink on, and assume Jess is getting ready for bed. Opening the bedroom door, it’s dark with the exception of a small bedside lamp that is on. I quickly take the ring out of my bag and hide it under the pillow. Climbing into Jess’ bed, I wait for her to return.

“There you are,” she says, as she enters the room, closing the door behind her. Walking to the bed, she crawls in beside me and snuggles up with her head resting on my chest. She runs her hand up and down my chest, spreading a small chill across my flesh. Her eyes are closed, but her hand is still rubbing me slightly.

“Hey,” I whisper, shifting slightly under her.

“Yeah,” she says quietly without opening her eyes.

“Do you have any idea how much I love you?”

Smiling with her eyes still closed, she rolls her head slightly, pressing a kiss to my chest.

“Yeah, I think I know. Do you know how much I love you?” she asks me in return opening her heavy eyelids.

“I’m hoping I’m about to find out,” I say, pushing myself up. “I’ve known you for almost fifteen years. Every day that I’ve known you, I’ve cared about you and wanted to protect you.” Sitting up, she looks slightly scared, and her tired eyes are now full and tense.

“I want to be the man that loves you, forever. I know we’re young, and I know we have a lot to do before we commit to anything more permanent than what we have already, but…” I pull the small package out from under the pillow and hand it to her. “Open it.”