Chapter Twenty-One (Jameson's POV)

Ethan: “Damn man what’s gotten into her? She’s never like that when we come over.”
Jameson: “I don’t know. I think it may have to do with her finding a place. It hasn’t been going too well and she has until the end of the week to get all of her things out of her house. You see she owns the house that she has in Louisiana but she couldn’t find one that she liked out here to buy in the timeframe that she has to move out. She’s been looking for a place to rent but that hasn’t been going well.”
Daniel: “Why doesn’t she just stay here with you? I mean you own your house too and the money she got from selling her place could be used to keep this place up or for savings.”
Jameson: “I don’t think she wants to live with me.”
Ethan: “You mean you haven’t even asked her?”
Daniel: “What do you mean you don’t think she wants to live with you? What the hell do you think she’s been doing this whole time?”
Jameson: It’s different. We both knew that this arrangement wasn’t permanent. At some point she was going to go back home but then things happened with her job that we didn’t anticipate and now I’m afraid to ask her not to move out. What if she says no? Some women like to have their own space.
Daniel: The way she moves around this house, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say she always lived here. Look, just ask her. She may surprise you and say yes.
Ethan: I agree with Daniel.
Jameson: Alright I’ll ask her later tonight.
Ethan: Okay now can we get out of here before she kills us? She’s small but frightening when she’s angry.
We all laugh and start to head out the door to meet up with Micah to play some basketball when I turn in the other direction heading towards the bedroom.
“Hey doll?”
“Yes baby.”
“I’m about to go play basketball with the guys. I love you.”
“Did you finish eating?”
“Yes doll. Hey can you do something for me?”
“What baby?”
“Can you make me some salted caramel chocolate chip cookies?”
“You’ll have to leave me your car and ride with them because I’ll have to go to the store to get the ingredients.”
“That’s not a problem baby. Thank you so much.”
“You’re very welcome and I love you too my little cookie monster.” I kiss her and give her a big hug before running out of the house like a kid on Christmas morning and get into the car with them. They both look at me like I’ve lost my mind but I don’t care. I have a wonderful girlfriend. Now I just have to figure out a way to keep her from moving out just in case she says no to living with me.

End of Jameson’s POV
I stare after him as he runs out of the house and I hear the door close behind him. What just came over him? It isn’t unusual for him to hug and kiss me before he leaves, but asking me to bake him cookies and that look that he had before he left means he’s up to something. He either did something or is going to do something that he knows I won’t like so he’s trying to distract me. I shake my head and get up, put on some old grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt with my tennis shoes then grab his car keys and leave the house heading to the store for ingredients. He’s lucky I love him, because after the day that I’ve had all I wanted to do was sit in bed and eat my comfort food while watching television.
Once I get to the store, I park as close to the entrance as I can then get out and take out my shopping list. I figure that I may as well get the shopping for the house done while I’m here instead of waiting later to do it with him. I head to the back of the store where the meat is and pick up a roll of ground meat, a few packs of pork chops and steaks, a pack of chicken breast, a pack of legs and thighs, and a bag of chicken wings. Then I move on to get some rice, potatoes, apples, oranges, bread , bananas, peanut butter and jelly, fish, french fries, broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes(for him because I’m allergic), spices and other seasonings, but when I turn down the aisle to get the spaghetti and sauce, I bump into someone and automatically say “excuse me” before I look up and see who it is and instantly frown. Of all the people in this damn city to run into why did I have to run into the obnoxious waitress from our first date night.
“Watch where you’re going….oh it's you. Where’s your fiance? Did he dump you already cause I don’t see a ring on your finger?” If I slap her right now would I be wrong? I decide to ignore her and walk away but she decides to follow me.
“You aren’t saying anything so he must have let you go. Well you can tell him that when he’s ready for a woman that’s worthy of being seen in public with him, he should definitely give me a call.” Why is this woman trying to make me act a fool in this store? I just want to make my groceries and go home. I’ve already had a very tiresome day and now I’m in this damn store to get groceries that he’s just going to let his friends eat up as well as ingredients for those damn cookies that he wants. I should be in bed watching television, not in this store ready to fight because she obviously doesn’t know who she’s playing with and where I’m from at all.
“Look! I suggest you go back under whatever rock you crawled out from before they’re carrying you out of here in a body bag. My relationship is none of your damn business and he hasn’t left me.” I try to walk away again when she starts yelling.
“Bitch I don’t know who the hell you think you’re yelling at but I’m not the one. And I know you’re not threatening me because if anyone gets carried out of here in a body bag it’ll be you and not me.” She pulls her hand back and slaps me across the face. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t sting but it wasn’t enough to do damage. I grew up in Louisiana and I’ve been fighting since I could walk. When most of your cousins are boys, you learn how to fight really quick. I’ve taken down men bigger than her before so that little slap did nothing but make me laugh on the inside.
“Big mistake sweetie.” I pulled my hand back to punch her dead in the nose and just when I was about to knock her the hell out, someone grabbed my hand and spun me towards them. It was Alicia. She’s one of Jameson’s friends.
“Alicia let go of me please.”
“She isn’t worth it Renee and besides do you really want to have to call Jameson to come and bail you out of jail?” I thought about it for a second.
“Yes.” I try to get out of her grip but she holds my wrist tighter and looks at me.
“You know that’s not true. The last thing he needs is to be stressed out right now while he’s still healing.”
“You’re right. Okay fine I’ll let it go but she slapped me first just so we’re clear. It would have been self-defense.” She smiles at me and before I can blink she slaps the woman across the face. I stand there in shock while she holds her face and runs off to another aisle.
“Do you feel better now?” I burst out laughing and put a hand over my heart.
“Oh my hero, how will I ever thank you for saving me?” She bursts out laughing and links our arms as I push the cart.
“Well you could start by letting me have some of whatever you’re cooking tonight for dinner. The guys wouldn’t stop talking about what you cooked the other night.”