“Ultimately,” Jukes continues, thumb stroking my shoulder in approval of speaking his language, “I knew your ‘Screaming for Vengeance’ Judas Priest style wasn’t really aboutme. It was about feelin’ like you failed the job of keepin’ your baby sis away from budslikeme, but I swear, I ain’t like any of the pylons that might’ve made a move in the past. I’d rather slice out my own heart with my blades than ever hurt her. And while the d-man in you screams she needs someone to protect her, the truthskies is…Gillybean stays on her Gloria Gaynor shit.”
“’I Will Survive’,” I inform just in case the reference missed him.
“You really do know a shit ton of music. Why did I think coffee was all you knew?” mutters M before getting back on the topic at hand. “But yeah. You’ve got a gino. I wasn’t pissed it wasyou. I was pissed it was any pylon who puts on skates. I always wanted better for her. She alwaysdeservedbetter. The best, ya know?”
“Yeah, except it’s notyour callwho that is, M,” defensively leaves me.
“Yeah, I…” his lips momentarily pull to one side of his face, “I…get that now. And I guess I never realized how much I make everything aboutme.Or how much you’ve sacrificedfor me.Orkeepsacrificing. Or how much I don’t make the same playsfor you.” Sadness leads to him bouncing his shoulders once more. “I need to do better.You deserve better.”
“She deserves the best,” Jukes lovingly insists.
“And between you both, I’ve got it.”
Thayne leans over to plant a sweet kiss on my cheek, washing away the last of the animosity lingering in my system.
“Uh…” M light heartedly begins, “anything else you wanna get off your chest?”
“Just one thing,” I good naturedly start, “and it’s pretty fucking huge.”
Two sets of nervous stares latch onto me.
One very loud, dramatic sigh, shakes my seat. “Jukes smokes a better Sunday brisket than you.”
Thayne lets his head dip back in raw, unfiltered laughter while my brother disapprovingly shakes his head. “You’re just sayin’ shit to be hurtful now?”
“Ask Mom.”
“Oh, I’mma ask Mom,” he sniggers out. “And Dad.”
More laughs leave me as well as my boyfriend showcasing the outcome I always hoped for.
Iwantedthem to get along.
This whole thing to beeasy.
And maybe it didn’t happenwith ease, but I now know without a doubt, our time together doesn’t have to be awkward or uncomfortable or something worthy of multiple seasons in a telenovela.
“Text me later, aye?” M’s requests precedes a big yawn. “I need a couple winks pre pracky.”
“Def,” I retort with ease.
“All the love.” He lets his gaze oscillate between us. “For the both of you.”
“You too,” we reply in unison.
Our ending the video chat prompts Jukes to stand and announce, “I’m gonna go grab us some brew.” The early morning sunshine capturing his smile swells my heart further. “They’ve got a full service LMC here meanin’ I can grab you your favorite peppermint mocha.”
It’s impossible not to swoon. “I’ve missed having coffee with you, Jukes.”
“And I’ve missed bringin’ it to ya.” He dismisses himself on a loving wink.
Getting my laptop along with my other work materials tucked away occurs faster than Thayne’s return; however, I don’t mind.
Ilikewatching him linger.
Iloveadmiring how incredible his ass looks in his gray sweats and how delish he looks with facial hair fuzz littering his jaw.
Gahhh,I know it’s wrong – timing considered – to be thinking of how much I miss that scruff between my thighs, but who could blame me?!
