Page 27 of Where Is the Love
That only made me laugh more. When the doorbell rang, I knew my ride was here. I went to it and opened the door for Brix.Damn!If he didn’t look good, my name wasn’t Jessica. We were damn near matching. We wore the same blue. Had I known, I would’ve brought my maroon shoes and maroon clutch to match his shirt.Shit!“Damn, Brix. You look amazing.”
“I was about to say the same thing about you. Fuck. Who you tryna impress? I was impressed seeing you in your overalls and a ponytail in tenth grade when you had to go work with your grandfather after school.”
I giggled as he extended the roses in his hand. I invited him inside then kissed his lips. I left his side to go put my flowers in water, but I still heard him say, “Hey, Mrs. Jenahra and Mr. Henderson.”
“Hey, Brix. How are you?”
“I’m good.”
When I came back, Uncle Storm was just staring at Brix. Finally, he said, “Be good to her. She don’t deserve no bullshit.”
“You got my word on that.”
Uncle Storm leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Have a good time, Ace.”
“Thanks. I will.”
Brix grabbed my hand and escorted me out of the house to his truck. When we got to the door and he opened it, he lifted me in his arms to put me in the seat. “I didn’t want you to mess up your heels on the running board. I didn’t realize they were dirty. We’ll go to the car wash before we get to the restaurant.”
I nodded at him then he closed my door. Although he was being a little looser, I could tell something was bothering him. I just hoped he would choose to talk to me about it so I didn’t have to keep pretending I didn’t know.
CHAPTERTEN
BRIXTON
The ride to Beaumont was somewhat quiet. I was in my head big time, and I believed she was trying to figure out what my issues were. I knew I had to tell her something so she didn’t think I was pushing her away. When we got to the carwash and I put the truck in neutral, I grabbed her hand. “I can’t get over how beautiful you look.”
“Thank you, Brix. You look very handsome.”
I brought her hand to my lips and kissed it as the different color foam coated the windshield. “I know you’re wondering what was going on earlier, and frankly, I’m surprised you haven’t asked yet.”
“I wanted to give you time. Had we gone through dinner and you hadn’t brought it up, I definitely would have asked before you dropped me back home.”
“Well, we’ll talk about it. I’m just hesitant about saying anything because I don’t want you to feel like I need you to help me. I want you to know so you’ll understand why I was the way I was earlier. This shit is stressing me the fuck out.”
“Brixton, why wouldn’t you want my help?”
“I suppose I’m saying I didn’t want you to think I was asking or hinting around for help by telling you. However, the look on your face earlier, hurt me. Knowing that my distance was the cause of that, I knew I had to tell you more. You’re the woman I want a life with. If I can’t tell you this, then something is wrong.”
She smiled slightly as I pulled my hand away from hers to put the truck in drive to head to Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen. “I’m listening, Brix.”
“Mr. Jeffcoat came to the house earlier today with documents, giving us thirty days to pay forty thousand dollars. After looking at the paperwork, I saw that my parents had borrowed fifty grand years ago and put the house up as collateral. No one told me. I found out about it this morning. I’ve been spending money trying to put a house and property back together that may no longer be ours next month. I filled out an application online with my bank to see if I can borrow the money.”
She was staring at me intently as I told her the real, feeling like I was about to break into a sweat. I turned up the A/C a bit then continued. “My gym hasn’t been doing the greatest for the past two years since competition moved into the area. So my debt to income ratio isn’t looking the greatest right now. I’m afraid the loan will probably be denied. I’ll either have to sell my gym, turn it into something else, or offer some new service to attract clients in order to keep my dignity. I have to do something now, or I’m gonna be sinking within the next three months.”
“That’s a lot to carry alone, Brix.”
“Tell me about it. That’s why I wasn’t in the greatest mood earlier. I didn’t feel like being around anyone but you, but I didn’t want to take you away from your people. That was why I went back home. I would have talked to you earlier than now. Nothing has changed about the way I feel about you or the way I see you. You didn’t do a thing, and I definitely missed you, baby.”
“I’m so sorry about all of this. Is there anything I can do or help you do?”
“You can spend time with me. I know you have to spread yourself thin when you’re in Nome, but I hope to spend as much time as possible with you. I have to make a trip to Austin to handle business once you leave, and I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone.”
“I can do that. Maybe I can help you brainstorm ideas for your gym too.”
“I’d appreciate any ideas you can come up with.”
When I turned in the parking lot, I noticed a spot up close, so I parked up there. When I got out and walked around to help her out, I saw a frown on her face. After opening her door, she smiled slightly. “You good, Jess?”