In The Spur of Heath (The Spur Series Book 1) (31 page)

Then I heard Heath calling out to me which brought me back to reality and to the realisation of the fucked up situation I was in.

I dried my eyes and perked up before going to him in the living room. He kept watching me strangely, as if trying to read me, but I kept giving him a reassuring smile, and continued to watch TV. “You sure you’re okay?” He finally asked, breaking my attention from the new episode of How to Get Away with Murder. “Yes Heath, I am.” I rolled my eyes and smiled. “I was just thinking about life, you know how nostalgic I get sometimes.”

“Hmm, okay, but you look like you’ve been crying a bloody bucket drop of tears.”

“It’s nothing.” I brushed it off and redirected my attention to the TV.

The next morning, after I cleaned up and ate, I sat down to do a writing project I had for Heath’s dad. He had a booklet to do and as the writer, I had to come up with the content whilst Heath did all the design and artwork. I was completely swamped and by four-thirty I was done. “Shit.” I whispered to myself. I had to meet Jake at Charleston in half hour.

I cleaned up myself and organised to leave, clad in a hoodie, plain Tee and skinny jeans. I told Heath that I would be back and then left.

I drove up to the coffee shop near Alas bookstore where I often saw Kai, and parked my car in an available spot. I then went inside, the chimes on the glass door jingling as I did.

I brushed past the palm trees that stood on either side of the door, the scrumptious scents of whip cream, coffee and Paninis enveloping me. Paintings of Java and coffee beans hung on the vanilla coloured walls. I made my way to the long cocoa-coloured counter and ordered a Bacon and Mozzarella Panini and a Caramel Latte – I think my cravings were kicking in. I was eating less, and when I did eat, it would be a lot of unusual stuff, I couldn’t believe I didn’t catch on sooner.

I looked over to the sea of tables and chairs on one side, and the coffee-coloured bean bag seats on the other, opting for the table to the far corner that stood near the heavily tinted floor-to-ceiling windows.

I waited, anxiously, rehearsing in my mind what to say and how to say it as the calming sounds of
Hypnotise by Dystopia
played over the radio. I began to feel that burning in my throat that I would get when I’m choking up my tears. I didn’t want to cry – not here, not in front of Jake.

I then heard the jingle of the chimes on the door. I looked up and there he was, looking dapper and gorgeous as usual – long hair, stubble and all. He was dressed in a cream V-neck, long-sleeved T-shirt, brown jeans and brown hard-soled shoes.

He gave me a once over and headed to the counter and ordered a Vanilla Frappe and of course, a bagel. He strode up to my table and sat on the chair opposite of me. He just stared at me, his eyes penetrating my soul. He looked concerned, as if he could tell what was bothering me – of course he didn’t know what was to come.

“Reese.” He said finally breaking the silence, taking hold of my hand. “Jake.” I replied when I looked up at him, gulping, trying to culminate the words. I closed my eyes and the tears began to spill again. He reached over and brushed them off with his thumb. “Reese, talk to me.”

As I was about to talk, we were interrupted by the waitress. She brought both Jake’s and my order. “Thank you.” We chorused and she smiled and nodded before scurrying away. He gave me a small smile and took a sip of his coffee. “Reese, whatever it is, just come out with it, please. I’m worried about you.”

“I’m pregnant.” I broke down. My body trembling, my eyes spouting even more tears, I palmed my face. Jake paused, as if processing the information.

“You’re what?” He asked in a whisper, his face full of apprehension.

“Pregnant. Yesterday, when you saw me, I had an appointment to do an ultrasound, and…” I paused, trying to control my breathing. “And, I wanted to see how far along I was to, you know, determine who the father is, and… I’m eighteen weeks.”

Jake’s eyes widened. “Eighteen? Meaning you were pregnant since we were…” He trailed off and I nodded. He placed his palm against his mouth in awe. “Wow.” He smirked.

“Wow?” I raised an eyebrow. His eyes changed, a glimmer of happiness in them and a small smile spread across his lips.

“How’re you feeling?” He asked.

“How does it look like I’m feeling, and why are you smiling?”

“‘Cuz I’m fucking happy.” His mouth spread into an even bigger smile. He reclined into his chair.

“Jake?” I paused. I would have been so happy too, having a baby with the love of my life – only there were way too many complications. “Are you forgetting our circumstances?”

“Fuck it, Reese. I love you, and we’re having a baby. I fucking missed you and you’re carrying my baby – I can’t help but feel really happy, right now. Like I can’t contain it.” He said and suddenly he bent his head, tears spilling down his eyes. I was so confused. Actual tears were coming from his eyes and he was smiling – he was crying tears of joy. That was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

He got up from his seat and came over to me, stooping down and hugged me. “Reese, please don’t do anything. You know what I mean.” He pleaded.

“I never wanted to. I actually came here today to tell you that I can’t go through with that, but I really wasn’t expecting this reaction.”

He smiled, “Is it a boy or a girl?” He asked, resting his hand on my stomach. This moment made the hairs on my body shot up. In all my sadness, I began to smile. “I don’t know yet, the way the baby is lying, couldn’t tell.”

“I love you.” He paused, looking into my eyes.

“I love you, too.” I cried. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I did. He kissed and hugged me.
Back to square one again, I see, Reese.

“Come on, let’s get out of here. We can go to Pasadena and take a stroll.” He said and stood up.

“What about my car?”

“I’ll ask Sven to see about it. We need to talk out a few things.”

“Yes, we do.” I exhaled, feeling a great sense of hope of better things to come as I raised off the chair.

I followed Jake to his Aston Martin that was parked near my car. I looked around before getting in. He started the ignition and backed out, heading onto the main road. As we made our way out onto the Interstate, I felt his eyes glimpsing at me. I faced him. “What?” I asked. My hand pressed against my temple. “Have you been eating?” He asked.

“As much as my body permits.” I answered.

“Taking vitamins I hope?”

“Not yet. I only found out like two days ago.”

“Well, I’ll give you some money to see about your health and for whatever cravings you get.” He smiled.

We finally made it to Pasadena, a couple minutes before 6 o’clock. Jake pulled into Paseo Colorado, one of the malls there, parking near a string of other cars. He switched off the ignition and looked over at me. He paused, just staring at me with a smile across his face. “I can’t begin to describe how happy I feel. Thank you.”

“For what?” I stared back at him.

“The best gift in the world.” He then got out and opened the door for me. He slipped his fingers into mine and began walking. “Does he know?” Jake asked, breaking the silence. The air was cool and the sky had a beautiful orange glow. “No. Of course not. I wanted to be sure first before I told anyone.” We made our way to the Theatre court. I looked up at the huge ‘Arclight Cinemas’ sign. This mall reminded me a lot of Kings Mall. I gazed at it all, pretty lights were strung up above our heads, following him as he entered Cold Stone Creamery. He ordered ice-creams for us both and after we received them, we left. We sat on one of the tables outside.
Castle in the Snow by Kadebostany
was playing over the radio. He kept staring at me, as if he were in awe. “Why do you keep staring at me like that?” I asked taking a scoop of ice-cream into my mouth.

“This was the best news I got since you left me. I’m so happy it was this and nothing else. And I’m just in shock.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re happy, that makes me happy, but what about – err – Kin?”

“Fuck her, Reese. She can threaten all she wants, but this time I’ll fucking kill her with my bare hands if I have to. Not my baby or the mother of my child.” He replied in the scariest tone I ever heard him speak in. “I love that baby already.” He smiled sweetly, totally turning from his cold demeanour. When it came to Kin he was as cold as ice – very mercurial of him. “I want us to get married and to be a family, Reese. Are you okay with that?”

“I am. But, what about Dillcaster and Mr. Greyman?”

“Baby, fuck all of that, nothing is more important than you and our baby.” He reassured me.
Wow.
It stunned me hearing him talk this way. It assured me that he would be a fantastic father and husband. He was ready to take care of all the irrelevant people and me in whichever way necessary.

After we finished eating, he discarded our trash into the nearby bin, and we began walking, my hand in his. “Stay with me tonight.” He faced me.

“What?” I asked with a confused smile.

“I missed hugging you and smelling your hair in the night. Stay with me tonight, Reese.”

“Where? Isn’t Kin at your house?”

“I have an apartment not too far from here. I recently bought it – to escape from you know what. Let’s go.”

“I have no clothes or anything.”

“I’ll buy you something in Victoria’s Secret. And I’ll even give you one of my jerseys to sleep in. I have missed seeing you in them anyway. Please?” He pleaded playfully. His protruded incisor caught my attention. I missed seeing it. I missed seeing him. His boyish smile that contradicted his masculine face. His sweet innocence that contradicted his menacing, controlled demeanour. His calculated mannerisms that contradicted his erraticism’s. He was a walking contradiction in itself, but it made him beautiful and real, and not as perfect as portrayed which I found endearing.

“Fine.” I relented. “I’d stay.”

After we went into Victoria’s Secret, we got into the car and made our way to his apartment building that was a couple blocks away.

As we neared, I could see the tall white building overlooking its surroundings. Jake pulled into a low-lit underground parking garage. The lights flickered on as he did, revealing other expensive cars. He pulled into a reserved spot near the elevator. 

We both got out of the car and walked towards the elevator. I looked around at the other cars, noting the different models of BMWs, Audis and Mercedes Benz. When the elevator dinged open, we got in. He entered what seemed to be a password into the keypad and slipped his hand in mine as the elevator ascended.

Moments later were in the large black and white foyer.  I followed him as he padded up to the black double doors, taking into account the red abstract paintings lining the walls on either side. Two long, black and white floor vases sat on either side of the double doors with red decorative branches sticking out of them. Two wall lanterns hanging neatly above them.

We entered through the double doors and a strong waft of vanilla tickled my nostrils.
Mmm. Jake’s usual scent.
An all-white theme continued through-out the suite. I stepped down onto the white granite floors. I scanned it all, the majestic beauty. 

Ahead of us was a white three-piece sectional sitting on top of a dark grey rug. A black rectangular coffee table stood right before it. Beyond the sectional, was a massive three panel floor-to-ceiling window with the most picturesque view of the pool glowing outside on his balcony, and the city lights beyond. A glass sliding door leading to the balcony stood to the side.

I turned my head to the right where his open concept kitchen was, appreciating the sleek, black flat-panel cabinets and appliances. The flat glossy surface of his wide breakfast bar. The maroon backsplash. And the dark cabinet of alcohol.

He pulled me towards the low-lit corridor to the left where four doors lined the walls.

We entered the first door on the right – his bedroom.

We entered the room, soft grey carpeting under my feet. His low-lying King sized bed stood to the right of the room against a dark grey accent wall. Its frame was sleek and dark with a matching ottoman at its foot. The black high-gloss bedside tables both adorned a small white lamp.

Another three panel floor-to-ceiling window and glass sliding door stood ahead of us, allowing the view of the other end of the pool and the city ahead. The 60 inch flat screen TV hung on the wall, opposite of the bed, where two flat-panel doors stood on either side.

Jake placed the Victoria Secret bag on top of his neatly made bed. “Go ahead and take a shower.” He took the lingerie out of the bag, “I’ll be there in a minute, I’m just gonna pop these in the washing machine for you.”

“Sure. Which door’s the bathroom?” I asked standing in front of the two doors beside the TV.

“Right.” He responded before leaving me.

He stepped out of the room and headed to the door at the end of the hallway. He entered the brightly lit room, it smelt of fresh linen. Shelves lined the walls packed with fresh towels and bed sheets, along with cleaning supplies and detergents. Two laundry baskets stood near the shelves. He padded up to the wall-mounted ironing board, pushed it back into its holding space and turned on the washing machine. He got some detergent from his shelf and threw it in the machine, along with the lingerie. He then returned to the bedroom, joining me in the shower.