Lucie manages a half-smile then nods. She pulls Jensen away from me for one more hug, then we say our goodbyes to the rest of the group.
Callie hugs me from the side. “Round of pool when you get back?”
I find a small laugh. “Game night at our place.”
Will’s hand lands on my shoulder. “We’ll be there. Call us if you need anything, okay?”
I give him a nod then get our goodbyes out as they all load into the car to take them to the airport.
My hold tightens around Jensen and I press a small kiss to her temple. “I want to take you somewhere.”
Jensen tilts her head back. “Beck, you need rest, you’re exhausted.”
Spinning her around slowly, I bring her body against mine. “No more of that. I appreciate all you’ve done for me these past few days, baby, but please, no more. If you’re exhausted, I’ll take you back to the house and we’ll sleep with no alarm. Just sleep as long as we need.”
Leaning slightly, I meet her eyes. “But if you’re up for it, I’d love to take you somewhere.”
Jensen’s eyes fall closed as she lets out a deep exhale. When her eyes open again, I can see that bite in her coming back just a bit. “Where are we going?”
Taking her hand, I start to pull her to my rental car. “It’s a surprise.”
Her steps drag a bit. “Don’t we need to say something to your dad?”
“Nope, I talked to him already. This is for just us, Jen.”
Her feet drag for a few more steps until I finally feel her hand relax in mine and her steps lighten.
Opening her door, she slides into the passenger seat. Rounding the car, I take my seat, and the moment I put the car in drive my hand finds her thigh. There’s not a single hesitation. No pull to bring it back. It stays there firmly until we pull into the parking lot of my high school.
Jensen sits up in her seat. “Beck…” Her tone weak. “What are we doing?”
“Come on, Killer, we have something to work out. There’s only one place that I know delivers every time.”
Getting out of the car, I take her hand in mine then send a text with the other. When Lucie took Jensen for a break, my old principal walked in and I knew what needed to happen.
He meets us at the door, still in his suit from the reception. “Beckham,” he greets with a soft smile. “I think you know where to go. Mrs. Henry hasn’t moved it.”
I give him a nod. “Thank you, I appreciate this.”
“Of course, take your time.” When he goes back into his office, I take Jensen up the stairs then down to the back hall where my mom’s old classroom was.
Jensen stays quiet, but by now I’m sure she knows what we’re doing. When I hit the lights in the classroom, we see it at the same time—my mom’s electricity ball.
“I had to bring out the big guns, Jen. I can’t risk it.”
Jensen squeezes my hand and as she turns a tear glides down her cheek meeting this smile on her beautiful face. “Well, come on then, let’s work it out.”
Moving to the little ball, I flip it on then set my finger on one side. I watch as the electricity links to my finger then watch as Jensen puts hers on the other side.
At that moment, I know that everything I’m about to say to her will hold no fear, no anxieties for what our future will look like. I want that love my parents have with her. I didn’t get to tell my mom about Jensen, but right here, right now, I’m changing that.
I pull out the note I left her a few days ago and drop it on the table. “Instead of reading this, can I say it?”
Jensen pulls her eyes from her finger to meet my eyes. “I think that would be better, yes.”
“Growing up, I always wanted the life my parents had…the love that they had, but when she got sick—it was like nothing made sense anymore. I was so heartbroken for my mom, my dad…myself. I started mourning her before she was even truly gone, and with that, the life I thought I wanted.
“It wasn’t until you walked into that bar ten months ago that I felt this spark to want to have someone in my life again. With everyone, I kept this mask up of this happy, carefree guy, but with you it didn’t feel forced. You challenged me. You blew me off countless times, but it didn’t deter me because I had convinced myself that being around you was okay. You didn’t want me as much as I didn’t want a relationship so why not seek you out? Why not put all my energy into being around the person who made me actually feel something real? Even if I was lying to myself about it, I knew somewhere deep down that I couldn’t let you go.”
