Chapter 38: Home

*Jasmine*

My father’s face turned every shade of red and finally settled on pink as his temper cooled.
“What are you doing here, anyway?” Jasmine pulled her arm away from him and glanced over at her mother. “Mom, I thought it was over between you two! That you were starting your life over again—”
“I am.” Her mother finally found her voice as she rose to her feet, glaring at her soon-to-be ex-husband. “Your father came to spend time with you before you leave for college.”
“Well, not tonight. I have plans with Zain and his family. He’s leaving tomorrow.” Jasmine let out a deep breath. “Besides, tomorrow’s my last day here, and I was going to spend it with Mom.”
“No, tonight you’re going out with Holly and me—”
“What?” I cut him off. “Please tell me your mistress isn’t Holly Barrett!” I rolled my eyes. “Dad, she’s a spoiled rich girl who’s just out for your money and a good time—”
Before she knew it, he slapped her across the face, shaking Jasmine to her core as pain rushed through her. But the pain of the slap was nothing compared to the pain in her heart. “Never speak about your future stepmother that way again.”
“Over my dead body.” Jasmine stared him down. “Father, I never want to see you again.”
He reared back his hand to slap her again, but this time, her mother stepped between them, pulling Jasmine behind her as she stared down William. “Get. Out!”
“You can’t order me!”
“I just did,” Hannah replied. “And you can forget getting your hands on our joint assets because I already had them frozen, and I’m filing for divorce as soon as I get back to Maine. But first, I want to spend some time with my daughter before she goes away to college.”
“So do I!” her father’s voice bellowed.
“No, you wanted to spend time with your mistress!” Jasmine yelled.
“How dare you?” her father bellowed.
“Father, if you wanted to spend time with Mom and me, you wouldn’t have brought Holly… on OUR family vacation!”
“That’s enough, little lady.” Her father grabbed her arm. “You’re coming with me!”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Jasmine ripped her arm away, glaring at her father. “And I’ll kill you if you ever touch me again.”
“Do not threaten me, young lady!”
“I just did,” Jasmine replied. “The days of you using my mother are over.”
“Don’t you dare take that tone with me!”
Suddenly, the front door swung open, and Zain was standing in the doorway. He took one look at Jasmine and her mother and stormed toward her father, pulling Jasmine behind him. “For your sake, I hope to God you didn’t touch her!”
“Get out!” her father’s voice bellowed. “You have no right—”
“He has every right to be here!” Jasmine cut him off. “Dad, it didn’t have to be like this, but I’m leaving for college now.” She started toward her room. Her father grabbed her as she passed, but Zain grabbed him up by the shirt collar and pulled back his fist, ready to punch him. “Zain, no! You’ll ruin your career!” Jasmine was careful not to say anything about his baseball career because she didn’t want to give her father any ideas of ruining him. In the state her father was in now, he would.
Zain stared at him for a long moment and then threw him away, his eyes wild. “Jasmine, go get your things. You’re coming with me.”
“You’re not going anywhere with him!” her father yelled. “Can’t you see he’s just using you?”
Jasmine took a step toward him. “He hasn’t even touched me. But it’s good to know you think so highly of me… Father.” Then she let out a deep breath as she stared into her father’s eyes. “Zain, give me a minute, and I’ll be right out. Just let me get my things—”
“No,” her mother said, cutting her off. “Go with Zain now and come back tomorrow for your things.” Then her head snapped toward William. “And I promise you, your father won’t be here.”
Jasmine nodded and grabbed her purse off the counter, and Zain held her behind him as they walked out, closing the door behind them.
“Let’s go.” Zain took her hand, and they ran around the corner, headed toward his truck.
“Zain, I’m glad you came back, but you risked your baseball career… for me! You can’t do—”
“Nothing is more important than you.” He flung open the passenger door, and she slid in. Zain was in the driver’s seat a moment later and pulled out onto the main road.
“How did you know I needed you?” Her body started shaking as the realization of what had just happened sank in.
Zain saw her shaking and pulled her to his side, then he pulled off the side of the road and held her close as she leaned against his chest. Then he pulled back and brushed her hair away from her eyes. Then he froze, his eyes filled with rage as he quickly turned her head to look at her cheek. “Did he hit you?”
“Yes, but—”
“I’m going back there to kick his ass—” He threw the car into gear and was about to turn back when Jasmine stopped him.
“No, Zain! Don’t!” Tears ran down her cheek as she shook violently. “Please, I can’t let you throw away everything you’ve worked for... for me!” Sobs racked her body as he pulled her into his arms, holding her while she cried.
“I won’t,” he breathed, kissing her cheeks and head, virtually anywhere his lips could reach. “Come on. Let’s go.” He threw his truck into gear again and pulled out onto the road.
“Zain, I can’t go to your parents looking like this. I have nothing to wear.” She shook her head as she looked down at the shorts outfit she was wearing. “And your mother’s having a party for you tonight. Just take me to a hotel, and I’ll—”
“No way.” Zain turned right onto another road. “You’re staying at my house with me.”
Jasmine’s head snapped up. “But your mother will never let me sleep in the same room as you—”
“My sister’s old bedroom is empty,” he cut her off, “and I’m sure she has some clothes you can borrow.”
She nodded, smiling sheepishly. “Are you sure she won’t mind?”
Zain chuckled as a smile lit his lips. “Well, she’s pregnant now and can’t wear them, so I’m sure she won’t mind you wearing her pre-pregnancy clothes....” He looked into Jasmine’s eyes, smiling. “Especially since she can’t wear them right now.”
She laughed, shaking her head, trying to calm down. “I promise not to tell your sister you said that.”
He lifted one shoulder. “I’d say the same thing to her face. I tease her all the time but don’t worry. She gets even.” Then he quickly glanced into her eyes. “But never get her angry. She fights dirty and can be vicious.”
Jasmine burst out laughing as she wiped the tears away from her eyes. “Thank you.”
Zain’s head snapped up. “For what?”
“For coming back for me, but also for this.” She let out a deep breath as she looked out the window. “I needed a good laugh.”
Zain pulled down his street a few minutes later, the houses close together. Although Jasmine didn’t know why, it felt like home. “Leave with me tomorrow.”
Jasmine’s head snapped up. “Zain, I can’t. I have to go back and get my things and say goodbye to my mother. She’s taking me to the airport the day after tomorrow. But after what happened, I’m tempted to leave early—”
“Do it.” Zain’s eyes were wide, clearly excited. “Leave with me.”
Jasmine sighed as she thought and then nodded. “I’ll text my mom to see if we can switch my flight.”
“No, you don’t have to.” Zain pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine. “Just buy a ticket straight to Las Vegas, and your mom can cash in the ticket to Knoxville.”
Jasmine let out a deep breath, wishing it were that easy. “Then she’ll know. I’m buying my ticket on the credit card she gave me.”
He nodded as he glanced over at me, arching an eyebrow. “Would that be so bad?”
“Zain!” A shorter woman jumped down off the front porch and headed toward us, rubbing her very pregnant stomach.
A man about the same height as Zain followed close behind.
“It’s about time you got here. Mama has been cooking all day....” Her voice trailed off, and her smile faded when she saw Jasmine. “Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you brought someone.”
Zain slid out of his truck, helped her out, and closed the door. “Jasmine, this is my very nosy sister, Carmen, and her husband, Juan.”
Then an adorable little girl wearing a frilly blue dress ran out the open front door and jumped off the porch. “Uncle Zain!” She ran toward him and jumped when she got close. He caught her in mid-air. It was obvious that they had done this many times before.
He smiled proudly at the girl. “And this little demon is my niece, Sylvie.”
“Silvia,” she corrected, “and I’m not a demon.”
“No, but she is very smart.” Zain laughed.
“Oh, I can see that.” Jasmine held out her hand to his sister. “Carmen, it’s a pleasure to meet you—”
Before she could say more, Carmen pulled her in for a huge hug. “I’m so glad I finally got a chance to meet you!” Then she glared at Zain. “Even if it is the day before he supposed to leave.”
Everyone laughed.
“The pleasure is mine.” Then Jasmine turned to Carmen’s husband. “Juan, it’s nice to meet you.”
To her surprise, he pulled her in for a hug, too. “It’s a pleasure.” Then he released her and took his wife’s hand. “Let’s go inside and see if Maria needs any help.”
“Carmen!” his mother’s voice bellowed from the open door. “Could you help me with—” She appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on her apron. “Zain and Jasmine! You’re here!”
“Yes, I hope you don’t mind, but Zain invited me—”
Maria pulled her in for a hug, too. “I’m glad you’re here. I was hoping you’d come. If you don’t mind, I need help in the kitchen....” Her voice trailed off as she led Jasmine into the house. She gave Zain a pleading look over her shoulder, but he just laughed.
When she walked through the door, Jasmine knew she was home.
***
**A/N: If you'd like to read ahead, I have a Ream subscription platform where you can read nearly all of my stories! Click here for more info: https://reamstories.com/page/ldv0c7lij1
More Chapters on the way! **