Chapter Fifteen

Just after their meal arrived at the table, Jayme looked up to see Steve enter the restaurant. Instantly, she felt embarrassed and put on the spot. Looking around the room, Steve located her in the loft and she was looking directly at him. He smiled and slightly waved as he started walking between chairs and tables to make his way to her.
Jayme stood up when he approached the table. “Please excuse me for a few minutes.” Jayme said and walked toward him. But he continued straight to her parents. “You must be Simon… and I can see that she gets her looks from you, Paige.” Steve said and held his hand out for Simon to shake.
Simon shook his hand but looked at Jayme with an inquisitive look on his face. Jayme knew now she had to introduce them. “Steve… this is my mom, Paige and my father, Simon. But you already knew their names, didn’t you?” Jayme said, displeased by his sudden appearance. “Come on, Steve…” Jayme said and tugged on his arm.
Leading him to the small hallway that led to the bathrooms, Jayme knew they were out of her parents sight. “Steve, what are you doing here, how did you know I was here?”
“Because I followed you. I just wanted to see you.” Steve said. “I want to take you for a drive. Can you meet me outside ten minutes after you guys get home?”
“Alright.” Jayme said.
With a kiss on her cheek, Steve turned and walked away from her, going toward the exit. Jayme waited a minute or two before walking back to the table she shared with her parents. She knew they would immediately ask questions about the strange man.
“Jayme…” Her mother started as soon as she returned to the table.
“Mom…” Jayme started as she sat down. “Steve is just a friend. Someone who was a good friend to Scott. We’ve just grown closer since Scott’s death.” Jayme offered only a simple explanation.
However simple in Jayme eyes, in Paige’s eyes, there were more questions. Who was this mysterious man? How much of a friend is he? The thoughts were turning in their minds and Jayme knew it. She knew there was more to explain. But she would wait for them to ask, she didn’t want to freely offer any information.
For long minutes, there was silence between them as they ate and the awkwardness settled. “Jayme, it really is no business of ours, we just want you to be careful. We don’t know how well you know this man named ‘Steve’.”
“I know, I understand.” Jayme said. “I understand you’re worried about me. But don’t be. I’ll be fine. Steve is a very nice man.”
“Ok… we know someone else who won’t like that very much.” Paige said.
“What? What do you mean?” Jayme asked her mother.
“Rex. He’s rather smitten with you, if you haven’t noticed.” Paige said. “He always has been.”
“You really think so?”
“I know so. And now is no different… he looks at you the same way he used to. Jayme, he’s a good man...”Paige encouraged.
“Look mom, they both should know that at this present time, I’m not interested in any relationships like that. I’m grieving over my dead husband.”
“Yes, we all know that, but personally, I think a lot changed within your heart once you found out about his cheating. Your acceptance of his infidelity is reliant on your acceptance of his death. You said the police believe his lover’s husband is the suspect in Scott’s murder.”
“Yes. I have no reason to believe any different.”
“But who is the husband?” Paige asked.
“Some man named Jimmy Taylor.” Jayme said. “The police showed me a picture of him but he didn’t look familiar. And neither did she…”
“Just remind yourself that your heart needs time to heal. In order for that to happen, it needs to beat peacefully. Without distraction.” Paige said.
“I know, mom. He is aware of what is happening. But he seems insistent on seeing me. I’m not sure if that’s sweet or if that’s a red flag.”
“To me, it’s a red flag. Just keep your heart closed and your eyes wide open.” Paige said.
“I have to agree with your mother.” Simon said.
Jayme knew to listen to her parents. She wasn’t trying to become intimate with anyone. Steve was just there to comfort her when she needed a shoulder to lean on. He felt genuine and safe. But Jayme was naive at times.
Leaving the restaurant, they returned home. Jayme went upstairs to use the bathroom, then went toward her bedroom. Grabbing the ring Steve had given her, she slipped it on her finger and headed for the front door. Without her parents knowledge, Jayme slipped out the front door and waited at the end of the driveway.
For ten minutes she waited until she finally saw headlights. But as the vehicle came closer, she realized it was a truck and not a car. Then she realized it was Rex when the truck stopped beside her and the window rolled down.
“What are you doing standing outside?” Rex asked through the open window.
“Oh, hi Rex. I was actually waiting for someone.” Jayme said.
“Well, that’s suspicious.” Rex smiled. “Who are you waiting for?”
“A friend of mine.” Jayme said and looked to see a car coming.
The car slowed as it passed them and Jayme could clearly see Steve in the driver’s seat. She didn’t understand why he didn’t stop. She watched as his car disappeared around the curve. Standing for a few minutes, chatting with Rex, he never came back. She wondered if it was because of seeing her with Rex.
“What are you doing now, it doesn’t look like your friend is going to show up.” Rex said.
“I don’t know…” Jayme said, not feeling like explaining that her friend just passed them by and never came back.
“Come on, get in. It’s getting cold outside. You can at least wait in the truck.” Rex said.
Opening the door, Jayme climbed inside and shut the door. “I don’t think they’re coming.” She said.
“Well, it’s only seven, it’s early, what do you want to do?”
“I just ate, what about you?”
“Yes, I just ate too. So dinner is out.” Rex smiled.
“I don’t feel like doing much, wanna just hang out?”
“Ok. Where?” Rex asked.
“Let’s go back to your apartment. We’ll chill and watch some TV.”
“I’ll get the snacks, you pick out a movie…” Rex suggested.
“Yes, I could do that.” She said.
Backing into the driveway, Rex turned around and headed back towards town. Stopping at the local grocery store, Jayme went to the movie rental section while Rex picked out some snacks and drinks.
Arriving at Rex’s apartment, Rex gathered some ice for a glass of pop while Jayme attended to the movie rental and DVD player. Meeting each other on the couch, Jayme started the movie. Scooting toward each other, Rex put his arm around Jayme and she cuddled herself against him.
From the start of the movie, the action drew in their attention and kept it through the entire movie. They both enjoyed the movie as it came to an end and Rex turned on the TV, turning the DVD player off.
Settling on an award show, they watched the popular singers as they won awards for different categories. There were a few performances by popular performers that they showed before the ceremony was over. Standing to her feet, Jayme went toward the bathroom and shut the door. As she came back out, she saw the candles that he had lit. It gave his apartment an air of romance and serenity.
As she stepped back out into the living room, Rex took Jayme into his arms, leading her into a slow, close dance. “I can’t hold this back anymore…” Rex mumbled as he looked into Jayme’s eyes.
“What are you talking about?? Jayme responded.
“I thought I loved you years ago, when we were kids, but looking at you now, all I can say is those feelings have only grown. I love you, Jayme, but now… I think I’m in love with you.” Rex said and stopped moving. The look on his face nearly gave Jayme chills as he leaned toward her and pressed his lips to hers.
“Rex, I’ve waited so, so long to hear you say that. You should know there has never been anyone to fill your shoes… I loved you back then but now… I…”
“Shh…” Rex said.. “I don’t want to hear words… I want to taste your kiss that I’ve waited so long for.” Rex said and pulled her closer, leaning in for a kiss.
Jayme pulled back, “Rex… I’m sorry, I don’t think I’m ready yet… I’m sorry, it’s not that I don’t want you, but I’m still grieving over my dead husband… The same husband who cheated for the entire length of our relationship. Dammit…” Jayme said and simply looked deep into Rex’s eyes. “Oh to hell with it… I can’t tell you no, I never could…” Jayme said and pulled him down for a kiss.
Both Jayme and Rex responded with matched desire, and Jayme felt herself slipping beyond the point of no return. Rex’s hands slid across her body, feeling the need to touch her. Suddenly, Rex pulled away and looked at her, wiping his mouth. Turning his back, he reached to pick up her coat, handing it to her.
“I think I should take you home now…” Rex said.
“But Rex…” Jayme started to argue, until Rex spoke again.
“Look, you’re moving back here. It’s not like we’re not going to see each other. It’s not like we don’t have time, there’s no need to hurry. You said it yourself, you’re not ready. I don’t want anything to happen that we may regret… I don’t want anything to happen where it would lead to losing you. I can have patience. You go do your grieving, and when your done, then come see me.” Rex said as he slipped on his coat.
Jayme merely gazed at him for long moments, feeling let down. But she knew he was right. She knew she needed to complete the grieving process before she could move on. And moving on without doing so could eventually cause distance between them.
There was hardly a word spoken on the way to Jayme’s house. Both were feeling the same thing and neither knew how to deal with it. Pulling into her driveway after a quiet ten minute ride, Rex put the car in park and waited for her to exit. But she sat there for a moment.
“Rex, please don’t become a stranger. Check up on me from time to time. I don’t want this to get weird. It should be the norm.” Jayme said, then leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll see you soon.” Jayme finished then got out of the car, then walked into the house without looking back. There were tears in her eyes and deep down inside, she felt rejected.