Your Heart to Keep: Holly and Jax (21 page)

Chapter Thirty Four

Holly

My parents both greeted me when I stepped inside.

“Hey Hols, how was your day?” My mother queried.

“Judging by that grin on your face, I’d say you had fun,” Dad chimed in.

Pulling my gloves out of my jacket pocket and placing my backpack on the table beside the door I took the eight steps towards the sofa and sat down.

“My day was amazing! We stopped at Golden first for a coffee and then ended up at Evergreen where we had lunch.”

“Two very pretty towns. It was nice of Jaxon to take you,” added Dad.

“Actually, because of the great day I’ve had, there’s something I want to discuss with you both.”

I could feel both sets of eyes on me, waiting on me to elaborate. “I want to initiate another corneal transplant.”
My mother leaned over and took me into her arms, excitedly claiming, “Oh honey, that’s wonderful! I was hoping you would try again one day. What made you change your mind? Was it Jaxon?”

Rubbing the fabric on the couch with both hands, I wasn’t sure how much to tell her about Jax’s influence. It wasn’t totally his doing. I wanted my sight for all sorts of reasons now. Jax was only a part of my decision. “Not totally, no. Being out today, not being able to see the beauty around me, brought everything home. How much I’ve been missing out on. I always knew that was the case but now that my health has improved so much, I feel like I need to really start living and make the most of this second chance I’ve been given.”

“Pumpkin, you don’t know how proud of you we are. Hearing you talk like that lets your mother and I know that we did something right when we raised you. You’ve matured into an astounding young woman.” Dad’s voice wavered slightly.

“Aww, thanks Dad. It means a lot to hear you say that.”
“We’ll get in contact with Dr. Simons first thing tomorrow to get you on that waiting list.”

Filled with a new sense of excitement, I scooted out of my mother’s arms, retrieved my cell from my backpack and made my way to my room to call Leah.  I had so much to tell her.

***

“Eeeek!” Leah screamed. You did what? In a café? What have you done with my friend?”

I held my cell out from my head so my eardrums wouldn’t burst. “It was crazy. I don’t know what has come over me. It’s so out of character!”

“So what does he kiss like?”

“Not that I have anyone to compare him to but he is such an awesome kisser. And he has this tongue stud…”

“Wait? What?”

“He has a tongue stud…”

“I heard you but I’m just in shock because Micah definitely has one too. I wasn’t sure but now I know.”
“You kissed Micah?”
“Ah, kind of.”

“Kind of? You either did or you didn’t. And I thought you were so drunk you couldn’t remember much?”
“I remember that.”

“Okay you so need to fill me in on everything but first, I haven’t finished my story.”

“I’m sorry, go ahead.”

I continued to relay the rest of the day’s events trying not to leave anything out. She listened without interrupting, the only sound was the occasional intake of breath, up until the part where we were at Jax’s house.

“Holly Jenkins! OMG! You had your first orgasm! I’m so happy for you! And you blew Jax? This is going down in history! I told you he has the hot’s for you. I see the way he eye fucks you.”

“Leah!”

“It’s true. I know it. Micah knows it and now you know it. Why sugarcoat it?”

Truth be told, I didn’t know what was happening between Jax and I. It was still new. We definitely had serious chemistry. It was such an odd thing to have that with a guy and still not know what he looked like. I mean, really looked like. Other people’s descriptions didn’t count.

“There’s something else too, Leah!”

“More? Crap!! Please don’t tell me he’s asked you to marry him.”

That got a laugh out of me before I changed to my sarcastic voice, “That’s funny. You’re a real riot. No. He did not ask me to marry him, thank you very much! This has nothing to do with Jax. Not really. Okay, maybe a little.” I took a long breath and revealed to Leah what I knew she would be really happy about, “I’m applying for another corneal transplant.”

“Oh, Hols! That’s fantastic! When did you decide?”

“Today.”

“After your orgasm?”

“No! It was while we were riding on the open road on his bike. It gave me time to think about what I am missing out on, you know?”

“Yeah, I do know. I’m so excited and happy for you! Wow, girl. We are going to have so much fun when you are seeing again. Not that we don’t now, but having been where you are, I know you’re going to marvel at everything for a while. I mean everything. People will think you’ve gone stark-raving mad but let them think that. I’m telling you, I walked around my house for a whole day, just taking everything in. And going to the mall? Don’t get me started on that!”

The more I talked to Leah about it, the more excited I became.

“It’s a pity you probably won’t have it done by your 21st birthday in two weeks. Speaking of which, have you even planned anything?”

I’d almost forgotten about my approaching birthday. My coming of age. With Jax and work and the gym, I’d been so busy.

“Not really.”
“You mean your folks haven’t planned anything?”

“You know they’re not really into that kind of thing, Leah.”

“Still, it’s their only daughter’s 21st. You’ll officially be allowed to drink, go clubbing and run amok. That’s worth celebrating.”

I hoped Leah wasn’t planning on getting me drunk or putting on some wild party. After Micah’s birthday, I wasn’t ready to be man-handled by a raging drunk any time soon.

“I don’t know. I’d be quite happy just to go for a nice quiet dinner somewhere with my folks and you, Micah and Jax.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll organize everything.”

I groaned into the phone. “Please, I just want it to be small and intimate.”

“I promise it won’t be over the top but I want it to be a night you’ll always remember.”

Inside I was cringing. She was going to pull something off whether I liked it or not. I didn’t want to think of it yet. Time to change the subject.

“You haven’t told me about your kiss with Micah yet. What was it like?”

“Damn girl! He is such an intense kisser. I know that I was full of alcohol but I will never, ever forget it!”

“Hahaha! So do you think you guys will kiss again?” I loved both her and Micah so if they were to get together again, I would certainly not complain.

“I hope so. I hope he didn’t just kiss me because we were both drunk.”

“I can’t believe one of the only things you remembered about last night was kissing Jax’s best friend!”

“Selective memory, my friend.”

“Hmm, anyway, all your clothes are still sitting here. When do you want to come pick them up?”

“How about I come pick you up for work in the morning and I’ll grab them then?”

“Cool. Well, I can smell dinner cooking so I’m gonna go. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Bye chica.”

***

The next two weeks must have been on fast-forward because before I knew what hit me, it was the Saturday of my 21st birthday.

Jax had begun taking me to the gym which I had increased to five days per week. I was enjoying it that much and really was starting to notice a difference.

He had explained the importance of eating the correct diet to compliment the exercise routine and therefore I was now eating six smaller meals a day with protein in each to help me increase muscle mass. I didn’t want to be overly ripped but I liked the idea of looking fit.

I felt like I was constantly eating and had to garner my mother’s help to prepare the days meals in advance but at least I was never hungry. It just meant that while I was at work, I was having to eat at every break, which I normally wouldn’t do. Coffee had always sufficed to get me through till lunch.

Jax and I had kissed a few times but done nothing like we had at his house after our day on his bike. He was either picking me up from work or dropping me back home so there hadn’t been a whole lot of opportunities. His kisses left me gasping and craving for more though.

Dad had arrived home an hour ago and was leaving again on Sunday night on a late flight. I was happy that he’d been able to celebrate my birthday with me but disappointed Ty wouldn’t be able to make it. He had an important game to play and so was stuck in LA but he had promised to call me.

Leah had been up to something, planning and avoiding me, probably so she didn’t accidentally spill the beans. Everyone had been in on it I’m sure because when I tried hinting in any way whatsoever, I was ignored. Micah had been absent from the gym yesterday afternoon so my mind was buzzing as to whether he was with Leah, organizing my night.

Mom and I had visited Dr. Simons and I was put on the waiting list for a double corneal transplant. It would take days or weeks for suitable corneas to become available from the eye bank. I was back to playing the waiting game. It was explained that even after surgery it may take some weeks for my vision to improve greatly while the graft was healing. I prayed that I wouldn’t reject them like I had last time.

It was 3pm and time to get dressed. I was using my mother’s help tonight because Leah couldn’t come over. She had something important to tend to. I knew what that something was but hadn’t let on.

“Did you want to wear a dress, Honey?” Mom asked, from within my walk-in closet.

“It depends on where we are going.” I could only keep trying to squeeze information out of her in the hope of getting a hint.

“I think the knee length blue one would be nice. You haven’t worn it yet.”

“Won’t it be too cold though? It’s got thin straps and cuts quite low at both the front and back.”

“You can wear a jacket but once we get to our destination it’s going to be warm inside.”

Hmm. Hint one. It’s going to be inside. Warm. Where would I be going that was warm inside where I’d celebrate my birthday? A restaurant perhaps?

“Are you sure I can’t just wear my skinny jeans and a jacket?”

“Not for your 21st, Holly. This is a special occasion.”

I balked at that because it was Leah that had taken on the role of event coordinator, not my parents. If it had been left to them we would have been sitting at home the same as any other birthday with a homemade cake and candles after dining on take-out.”

“Whatever, Mom. Fine. I’ll wear the dress.”

“Good. Now undress so we can put it on you.”

“Just hand it to me please. I am able to dress myself.” Knowing I had taken a sharp tone with her, I apologized. I knew she was just trying to help and was probably quite excited now that something had actually been planned.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. I’ll put the dress on myself and then you can do my hair and makeup.”

“Just think, soon you won’t need me to do all this. You’ll be able to do it yourself. I’m hoping the doctor calls soon with some more good news.”

I knew I’d been a burden for so long. Having to rely so heavily on my family. I’m sure they would rejoice when their lives had been restored to normal again.

“Mom?”

“Yes, sweetie?”

“Thank you. I mean, for everything you’ve done for me. I know it can’t have been easy, especially with Dad away so much and Ty gone now.”

She moved in and ran her hands over the top of my head, before kissing it. “I would do it all over again for either one of you if I had to. That’s what parents do.”

“I know but not all parents would have handled it as well as you and Dad have and I’m grateful for that.”

“You’re very welcome, darling. Now get dressed so I can have some fun getting you ready.”

***

Stepping out of mom’s warm car into the chilly night air, I was filled with nerves. The drive to wherever we were going had seemed familiar. I had memorized bumps, turns and stops to certain places I went on a regular basis and tonight was somewhere I had definitely been before.

“Have you worked out where we are yet, Pumpkin?” Dad asked.

“I think I have an idea but I’m confused as to why we are here so I’ll just wait and see.”

“Let’s go in then.”

The moment we stepped through the doors I was greeted with singing.

“Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday to You…”

It sounded like there were at least fifty people in the room. What had Leah done and why did I feel like I was at work?

“Surprise!” Came my friend’s screechy voice once the singing had died down. She took me in a big hug. “You look beautiful!”
“Thanks Leah. God, we’re at work aren’t we?”

She laughed. “I knew I wouldn’t get that past you. It was the perfect venue on such short notice. Micah helped me clear all the desks to the side so that we’ve got plenty of space. There’s helium balloons hanging everywhere and most of our students agreed to come.”
“They did?”