Playing Around (5 page)

Then you had Grady, who was always worried they would get sent back to the orphanage. They seemed to constantly try to be the perfect kids. Jed for one didn’t want to seem weak, so his insecurities were always kept hidden. He smiled once more as the memory of that day flashed in his mind.

Whenever Jed needed to be alone, he would always seek refuge under the big weeping willow in the back yard. On that particular day Reina was under it alone and crying. He quietly made his way to her and sat beside her. “Why are you crying?” He had asked in a whispered tone.

With her head still down she asked him a question. “Jed, do you think if I had been a better daughter. My father wouldn’t have left us?” Reina asked as the tears continued to silently roll down her cheeks. When she finally looked up, all he could concentrate on were how big and lovely her green eyes were. At the time he had only been 12 and she had been 10. What the hell could he tell her, so he did the only thing that came natural? Jed opened his arms and she fell into them, and wept for what seemed like hours.

Once all the tears seemed to dry up Reina once again looked at him.  Jed figured she wanted a response to her question. “You’re asking the wrong person. My mom took me and my brother to the store with her one day. Then told us to sit on the bench in the front while she went to get something. She never came back. Sergio and I were four years old at the time. We didn’t understand what was taking her so long.” Even then as he told her his story. That little part inside his chest still hurt.

“Believe me, I asked myself the same question. Maybe if I had been a better boy? Maybe if I hadn’t made to many messes or fought with Sergio so much. Maybe then she would have wanted us.” Reina looked utterly confused after he opened up to her.

“Aunt Michelle loves you. She would never do such a thing.” Jed smiled because Reina was 100% correct. His mother Michelle wouldn’t have done that to them.

“If I tell you a secret. Do you promise not to tell anyone?” He had already said too much. Only telling her would make her understand, why he knew what she was feeling. When she nodded yes he continued. Not before taking a much needed deep breathe.

“I’m adopted and never knew my father. The woman who left us was my real mom. Sergio and I were living in an orphanage for two years. While living there, we were told kids our age never get adopted. They also said if by some miracle we did. It would only be one of us, so we would be split. I lived in constant fear until Grady showed up. He was like a big brother to us. Then Victor and Roger came and we made our own little family.” Yes, Grady had always managed to make it fun for them.

“Wait, are you saying all you guys were adopted?” Reina asked in disbelief. No one knew but his parents and his brothers.

“Yup,” He answered as he wiped the tears that had escaped his eyes without his permission. Tears were for weak people. He still remembered that.

It was Reina who hugged him this time. She even placed a kiss on his cheek. It smarted when he felt the flush. “Well I’m so happy you’re here. You made me feel better and I’m so happy that Aunt Michelle and Uncle Diego found you guys.”

That whole summer they managed to sneak time alone. Under their tree, she opened up to him and he in turn opened up to her. It was easy to tell her all he feared and loved. Things he could and would never tell another living soul. Not even his brother Sergio.

When Jed started high school that fall, football took up all his time. Their visits became few and far between. Then when Reina got glasses, he teased her by playing keep away with his brothers. He had just been playing around. She didn’t like it and eventually stopped coming with her mom. With a full schedule at school, Jed had just slowly forgot about her.

Jed shook his head to clear the memories as a frown marred his features. “Jed Diaz, you are truly a real asshole.” He muttered and looked up in time to catch Reina looking at him. The sadness that washed over him was so strong it hurt. He needed to leave and fast. After making his way to the back of the shop Jed leaned against the cold wall.

“Fuck, keep it together man. It’s been to fucking long since you’ve even thought of your mom. It’s been so long since you remembered the girl too.” Yet his heart was still beating fast and his breath was labored.

~*~*~*~*~*~

During Jed’s run through memory lane, Reina had been shooting daggers at him. She knew full well he had come out with the intention of making them drool over him. That only served to fuel her anger. Yet she couldn’t help but notice how he seemed to space while working on the bike.  He had looked lost for a while until the sweet smile she remembered made an appearance.

It had been directed at her once upon a time. Jed had always found a way to make her feel so special. She had opened up to him and had shared the deepest and darkest part of her thoughts. Well, they had seemed so dark to a 10 year old. To this day, she too had kept his secrets.

It had been a special time in Reina’s life. She had mourned the loss of the friendship for a very long time. Unfortunately, puberty struck at that time and the obsession was born. At first Reina fancied herself in love with him. Later it just became a need to make sure he was emotionally ok. Jed never even noticed that she lurked around him making sure all was right in his world.

Jed had been running with another crowd and there was no room for a geeky kid. Two years age difference always seemed more like a million years difference. Yet she was ok knowing he was fine. By her third year at Pen State she was dating regularly. Yet no one ever made her feel the butterflies Jed had made her feel as a child.

One guy even asked her to marry him. Sadly, she said no and they broke up. That was when the decision was made to come back home. The idea for the business came next and all her time had been devoted to making it work. It was important for Reina that she prove to herself that a father was not needed in order for her to become a success. Although it did help to have a great father figure in her life like her Uncle Diego has been.

Yes, she truly has had a good life, filled with a lot of friends and family. Reina had looked up at the exact moment a look of horror crossed Jed’s features. It worried her that he left as if the devil himself was on his heels. Who knows how long she stood staring after him, but it was Roses grunt that snapped her back. “Reina, just go and see if he’s ok. He’s a jerk and all. That look on his face, had freak out written all over it.”

That was all she needed to go find him. This way it was not Reina looking for him, but Reina following Roses orders. She walked out, but didn’t see anything. Then it came, a sound from the back. Reina walked really quietly not sure who was there. There Jed was, banging his forehead on the wall softly. Since the wall was made of steel panels. They rattled with every hit.

Reina quietly stepped closer. “Can you really afford to lose the last of the brain cells you have left in there?”

He stopped and slowly turned to face her. The look in his eyes broke her heart. She didn’t know what to do or what to say. They just stared at each other. Neither of them uttered a single word. After what seemed like hours Jed cleared his throat, but still said nothing.

“Stop thinking about her. Shit happens, you have good parents now. Man up and be happy already.” Reina told him, knowing very well her words and tone would make him mad. A mad Jed was better than a very sad one. She saw the moment his mood changed.

“Still giving out lame advice I see.” She smirked knowing he was trying to get his brain set right again.

“I decided it was time to forget the past a while ago. Now I live for the future and so should you.” Reina told him as she walked away. She heard the crunching gravel as he followed her. He was getting a little to close because she could smell him now. The scent was manly and just plain unadulterated Jed.

Reina needed to literally concentrate on each step as she feared her legs would give out. Jed always had that effect on her, but now they were older. It seems her feelings had doubled. Just as they reached the door, he pressed his body against her back. “Oh shit, oh shit” was all her mind could think at the moment. He moved in closer and smelled her hair.

“Damn, you are one sexy wild thing.” he whispered in her ear.

Reina could still not form a coherent thought. He must have assume it was a go or something because he put his hands on her waist and spun her around.  When his head lowered her brain kicked and her hand made contact with his face. The sound of the smack echoed around them. His eyes widened in disbelief.

“That will teach you to respect women.” Reina said, then opened the door and ran inside.

Chapter Five

Jed touched his stinging cheek and looked on as she ran into the building. "Damn, I'm going to marry that fucking wild thing." He yelled out loud and took off after her. Just as he was catching up to her, his father yelled for him.

"Jed Diaz, get your ass in here. I need to see you in my office now." Jed looked as Reina continued to run. Then he looked at his father who was impatiently waiting. Then the tone came, "now Jed." Shit, there was no choice now. With his head bowed he went to his father.

Jed entered his father’s office and closed the door. "What the hell was all that about?" When his father turned his eyes widened. A roaring laugh came out from deep within him. Jed looked at his father confused as tears started rolling down his eyes from the laughter. Had the old man finally snapped?

Once Diego Diaz caught his breath, his finger pointed over Jed’s shoulder.  "Go look at yourself in the mirror." Jed did as instructed and headed to his father’s privet bathroom. Once in, he turned the light on. The reflection showed a perfectly formed red hand print right across his cheek. Jed walked back out to his father who was still laughing. 

"Son, you have a lot to learn when it comes to dealing with women. Not girls’ son, but real women. I'm guessing you tried to be smooth and she put you in your place." Jed smirked because his father knew him really well. “You will get nowhere with that attitude. Be yourself, she will not be impressed by you otherwise." Jed looked at his father knowing full well he was a happy man. His mother made him happy, and Jed wanted what they had too.

"I want her dad. If she’s still anything like she was when we were younger. I think she might be worth settling down for." Jed’s words made Diego stop laughing.

"Listen to me son and listen good, those girls out there are as much my daughters as you are my son. Do not play with Reina. Do you understand boy?" Jed took no offence, on the contrary. He was happy Reina had someone like his father looking out for her. It eased the guilt he felt for not being there for her.

"Dad I'm not really like this. The person you read about in the papers is all an act," Jed tried to explain while putting his shirt back on. "My agent said that a sex symbol sells. It turned out to be true. Now everyone thinks I'm superficial. In truth, I haven't dated in over three years. All the women you’ve seen me with have been for exposure. It was a mutual benefit to be seen together. No dating, just a one event thing.”

The look his father gave him was priceless. "Thank the powers that be. Your mother has been going crazy thinking that you turned into a male gigolo." Dad says making him laugh. Yet he felt bad his mother had worried for nothing. The agent thought it was best no one know the truth. If the truth leaked out all their hard work would have gone to waste. That was why his dates had to sign a confidentiality agreement.

"Truth be told dad, I haven't had a serious relationship in a long time and I don't do the casual sex thing. If a woman is that easy, she's not for me. You and mom taught me that." His hand reached up to touch his cheek. It was still warm.

"Well it seems like you found one that will be a tough nut to crack." Dad said gesturing to Jed’s face.

"She loved me once and we were really good friends once too. I think I have what it takes to crack her shell. It just seems like I have to go slow." Jed smiled and walked out leaving his father chuckling and shaking his head.

As Jed made his way out, he found Reina leaning against the wall lost in thought. He slowly crept up on her. "You have a mean right hook." He whispered in her ear before place a quick kiss on her supple neck. He moved fast and out of her way. "That was payback for this." He said pointing at his cheek.