Chapter 25: Not for Anyone

*Zain*

Zain loved the idea of Jasmine staying with him at his mother’s house for the rest of the summer. But convincing his mother was going to be another story. he just hoped his mother didn’t make a scene in front of Jasmine. If that were the case, then they could head off to Las Vegas tonight and spend the rest of the summer there. He was sure they could get jobs and go off to college when the summer was over.
Zain had a little savings left over from his student loans and from working in the cafeteria when he wasn’t playing baseball or studying. Although it wouldn’t be enough to support them indefinitely, it would be enough to support them for the rest of the summer.
But Jasmine seemed excited at the prospect of working at his uncle’s food truck. So, she wasn’t opposed to hard work. Together, they would make it work.
Maybe they could get summer jobs at one of the hotels. Then, they wouldn’t have to get a divorce so soon. They could get married when they got there, work, and then spend the whole summer together married. But if they did that, Zain knew he wouldn’t be able to divorce her.
“What are you thinking about?” Jasmine asked, snuggling against his arm.
Zain shook his head. “Nothing. Just thinking about telling my mother and what we would do if she says no.”
Jasmine’s head snapped up, her eyes wide. “I’m so sorry, Zain. I don’t want to cause any trouble between you and your mother—”
“It’s okay.” He leaned his head against hers. “I’m sure she’ll say yes. But if she says no, how do you feel about going to Las Vegas tonight? Then we could get married as soon as we get there and stay married all summer until we have to go to college.”
She nodded. “That’s a little soon, but it would work. We could get jobs in Las Vegas and then go off to college in the fall.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Zain smiled. “It could be a fun summer.”
Jasmine chuckled. “Oh, yes, it would!” Then her smile faded. “But let’s try and stay here first, if we can.”
Zain nodded. “Sounds good.” Then his smile faded. “But do me a favor. When we get to my house, let me go inside and speak with my mother about it alone first.”
“No, that’s fine.” She let out a deep breath. “Zain, I’m sorry about all this—”
“Don’t worry at all! I’m glad you texted me first before anyone else.” He sighed as he thought of the alternative. “But if you would have left and not even said goodbye, it would have broken my heart.” Then a devilish smile spread across his lips. “I probably would have had to track you down at UT Knoxville in the fall.”
She laughed. “You would have done that?”
He shrugged. “Sure! Why not? It would be the only way I could get in touch with you.”
“I still have my cell phone.” She smirked.
He shrugged. “But what if they had your number changed?”
“Then I would just have called you.” She nuzzled against his neck, sending cold chills over his body.
He turned his head, his lips a breath away from hers. “You promise?”
She nodded. “I promise.” Then she laughed. “You’re not going to get away from me that easily, Zain Perez!”
He burst out laughing. “Good! I hope not.” Zain’s smile faded when they pulled into the driveway, leaving the engine running and the air conditioner on. In Miami, it was hot even at night. Back home in Maine, it cooled of fat night. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” But he laced his fingers around her neck, pulled her to him, and gave her a passionate kiss. “For luck.”
Zain got out of the truck, closed the door behind him, and headed inside.
A broad smile spread across his mother’s face. “Mijo! I’m glad you’re here. I was just about to watch a movie and pop some popcorn. Would you like to join me?”
He perched on the edge of the sofa next to his mother clasping his hands. “Madre, I have something to ask you. You can say no, if you like. It’s okay.”
A crease formed between her eyes as she reached for her son’s hand. “What is it? Tell me.”
Zain told his mother the highlights of what had happened and that Jasmine was waiting in his truck. “So, I was wondering if she could stay in Carmen’s old bedroom for a while.”
“For how long?” Maria asked, her eyes filled with concern.
Zain shrugged. “Maybe until the end of the summer.”
She let out a deep breath. “Zain, I hate you getting mixed up in their family business—”
“I know, but she’s eighteen, so her father can’t have me arrested for kidnapping or anything.”
“Who said anything about kidnapping?” Then her eyes grew wide as Zain cringed internally. “Did her father threaten to have you arrested if she went with you?”
He nodded. “But that’s not going to happen.”
“I’d say it’s not!” she huffed, rising to her feet. “I dare him to come here, starting trouble! He’ll be the one arrested!”
“Madre, if this isn’t okay, then just tell me.” Zain smiled as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “We have a plan.”
“And what is this plan?” she asked skeptically.
Zain shrugged, not about to tell her their plan for Las Vegas. “We’ll just go to USC early. Then if she wants to go to UT Knoxville as she had planned, I’ll send her on a plane.”
“Absolutely not!” his mother’s voice bellowed, filling the room. “I refuse to miss out on what will probably be your last summer at home!” She let out a deep breath as she gently patted his hand. “Okay, but I want her to call her parents and let them know that she’s safe. I don’t want them worrying or having the police out looking for her.”
“Neither do I,” he replied.
“And another thing,” she leaned in conspiratorially. “There will be no hanky-panky going on under this roof.”
“There won’t be.” Zain laughed, shaking his head. “She promised her parents she would wait until she gets married.”
“Then don’t you get any ideas of marrying her instead of finishing your degree.” She gave him a stern look.
“I won’t, Madre.” He sighed. “I’ve worked too long to give it all up now.” He almost said “to throw it all away,” but for Jasmine, he wouldn’t be throwing anything away. She was worth any sacrifice. But he had promised his father that he wouldn’t give up, and he didn’t intend to... for anyone.
“Then, yes. She can stay.” His mother shook her head. “I just hope there isn’t any trouble over this.”
“Neither do I.”