Love Like Crazy (Crazy Love Book 1)

by Carmen DeSousa

  “True,” I said. Not that I could argue with her, of course, because Kayla would do anything to have her mother attend her graduation.

  Kayla dropped her arms and grabbed my hand. “Guess what! My dad flew in thirty minutes ago. He’s on his way from the airport now to pick up Gram, and then he’ll meet us there.”

  “Your dad flew in just for my graduation?”

  She shrugged. “Well, it’s his niece’s graduation too. But yeah, between you and me, he came to see you. He really likes you.”

  “Wow! It’s turning out to be an awesome day. Enough about them, though.” I gestured my hand to the stunning woman in front of me. “You look amazing. Not that you don’t always, but do you ever clean up nice, Kayla M’Lynn.”

  Closing the few inches between us, I forgot about everything else. I trailed my fingers over her bare shoulders, wondering what was holding up the silky blue gown she’d chosen for my special night. The dress clung effortlessly to her beautiful curves. I glanced down at her shoes. Sandals of course, but the matching thin blue straps with tiny rhinestones showed off the silver ring she always wore and her painted toes. The shimmering deep purple polish almost looked black against her suntanned feet.

  “Let’s go, beautiful. I’m going to have to help you up into the truck. It’s high, and there aren’t any running boards on it yet. Not that I mind carrying you.” As soon as we stepped off the last step, I scooped her up and carried her to the truck.

  She draped her arms around my neck. “It doesn’t bother me either. You can carry me anywhere you want.”

  I pulled her tighter and afforded myself one more kiss before setting her inside. “What do you think? Nicer than my old Ranger?”

  “Hmm … I’ll miss Sir Dents-a-Lot.”

  I laughed. No surprise there. “I could keep the Ranger and return the F-150. I really didn’t want to accept it.”

  “Don’t be proud, Jesse,” she scolded lovingly. “I know what you’re feeling, but it’d still be rude.”

  Kayla was smart. She acted silly sometimes, but when it came to the serious discussions, she knew what to say and do. “I thought the same thing. But just so you know, I didn’t want to accept it, but I knew you’d advise me on the right thing to do.”

  She looked pleased with my confession and that I had trusted her to lead me along the right path.

  For the first time in a long while, I felt like I had a family. When I looked into the crowd from the enormous stage, I saw my dad and mom, Kayla, John, Gram, and even Charity’s parents cheering for me. Kayla was smiling from ear to ear, and I could almost read her thoughts: one step closer to forever. Maybe everything would work out for me after all.

  After the graduation ceremony ended, we all congregated in the lobby over snacks.

  Charity’s parents were there alongside her and, surprisingly, I didn’t feel the waves of animosity that usually rolled off her. Maybe she was growing up since we were graduating.

  John invited everyone to dinner at a family-style Italian restaurant. His treat. I started to balk, but Kayla squeezed my hand, stopping me in my tracks.

  My mom explained that she had a flight to catch, but John was having none of that. “Catch the next flight; it’s your son’s graduation,” he commanded. “The restaurant is only five minutes from the airport. I’ll take you myself if need be.”

  I cringed. John had a powerful, demanding presence, but I’d never seen him use it, so it shocked me when he used it on my mother. Kayla squeezed my hand again, turning her head slightly to wink at me. I wasn’t sure how I felt about this. Had Kayla told her father that my mother didn’t plan to stay for dinner?

  “Okay then,” my mom acquiesced, shocking me. “I’m sure I can catch a later flight.”

  My father stepped next to my mother. “But she won’t need a ride. I’ll drive her.” His bold declaration stunned me. I’d never seen that side of him.

  My mom gazed at my father with awe, as if she still loved him. Maybe she left because my father had never demanded anything of her, never took control of a single situation. He had let her leave. Was it possible she still loved him, even though she’d remarried? At least, I assumed she was married. Maybe something happened, and she was using my graduation as an excuse to test the waters. And my dad had stood up for himself. Adults were so ridiculous, the games they played. I promised myself I’d never do that with Kayla.

  “So it’s settled then,” John said, his face devoid of any emotion, perfectly smooth and blank. “I assume you kids want to drive yourselves.”

  Kayla looked to me for my answer. I wasn’t sure what she wanted, but decided quickly. “We’d like to ride with you, if that’s all right?” Kayla wasn’t going to see her father for three months; the least I could do was share her for one evening.

  John’s answering nod and smile confirmed that I’d made the right choice, the mature decision. And I wanted to please this man who could clearly teach me so much.

  Chapter 19 - Jesse

  It’s hard not to be relaxed when you have to decide as a group what to eat for appetizers, salad, dinner, and dessert, and then spend the meal passing around plates of food, as I imagined large families did for special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

  Conversation never lulled. When my parents had nothing to say, John quickly filled the air with anecdotes about business and politics. John had my father talking more than I’d heard him speak in the last nine years. John quickly discovered my father’s interests and had no trouble making conversation around them.

  Although John wasn’t a plumber by trade, he knew practically everything there was to know about plumbing. In fact, I realized John knew a little about everything. As a mass real-estate proprietor, he owned apartment complexes, commercial properties, houses, and even some hotels.

  “I learned young in my career,” John continued, “to make most of my own repairs. Now I have my own maintenance people who handle the majority of the work at each of my properties, which saves me from calling in businesses and paying the markup.” He paused for a beat. “No offense, Tom,” John said to my father. “I understand you have to mark up your services, and I still need your expertise for the big jobs. Fixing drains and leaky toilets, though, those are jobs not worth calling out experts like Jess here, but I’m sure glad he’s here for Gram. I wouldn’t trust anyone else to take care of her. You have a bright young man here.”

  John squeezed my shoulder, and I was sure my face had turned beet-red.

  “No doubt, John,” my father responded. “I wouldn’t trade Jesse for ten workers. He’s the best man I’ve ever had.”

  Now I was sure my mouth had fallen open. Kayla squeezed my knee, clearly as excited as I was by my father’s proclamation. I never would’ve believed those words had come out of his mouth if I hadn’t heard them personally.

  My mother scooted back her chair. “Excuse me, gentlemen, as entertaining as this is, I’m going to take a quick break while you discuss business.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Kayla said, standing up, even though I knew she had plenty of interest in our conversation. Gram followed, as did Charity and her mom.

  I jumped at the opportunity to speak with John privately. “Thank you for dinner, Mr. Jordan. For everything,” I reiterated.

  “Jesse,” John said through a chuckle, “please call me John.”

  I shot a look at my father across the table.

  “That’s my fault, John,” my father said in my defense. “I’ve always insisted that Jesse refer to his friends’ parents and teachers respectfully as Mister, Sir, or Ma’am, even if they requested otherwise.”

  “Thanks,” I said to both of them. “John, I was just curious. How long will you be in town?”

  “Till tomorrow morning. Why?”

  “Well, I was hoping to speak to you about something important. Do you think we could speak tonight … after dinner?”

  John looked at me with sharp eyes, and I was sure the man could read my thoughts. “Th
at’s a good idea,” he said, his voice low and intense. “I want to speak with you, too.”

  Had Kayla already mentioned camping? I wondered. Did John want to give me the my-truck-bed-will-hold-a-body speech?

  “We’ll get coffee after we drop off the women,” John continued in his authoritative tone.

  My father watched the interaction between John and me. I’d never thought to ask my dad’s advice on anything before tonight. We’d never been intimate enough to discuss delicate situations.

  When dinner ended, I said goodbye to my mom and dad. They were going to the airport together and would just wait for the next available flight. It’d give them time to talk. I hoped that whatever happened, it’d help my father move on in one way or the other.

  Kayla looked forlorn when I explained that I was going with her father to get coffee. She couldn’t stand to be away from me any more than I could bear to leave her.

  I kissed her lightly, squeezing both her hands gently as she’d done earlier. “Just an hour or so, and then we have all summer, cowgirl.”

  She reached up on her tiptoes. “Okay, but don’t let him scare you. He likes you, but he also thinks he needs to play big bad protective father. Feels it’s his duty to scare you.”

  “Thanks for the tip.” I kissed her again, then trotted off to John’s waiting truck.

  I wasn’t a coffee drinker at night, so whatever I ordered would keep me up. Not that I would be able to sleep tonight anyway.

  John ordered his coffee black. “Doesn’t matter if I don’t drink a drop. I hardly sleep anyway. Can’t seem to turn off my brain.”

  Kayla had said John had fought insomnia as long as she could remember, and that he’d literally go until he crashed. She’d find him sound asleep in the recliner sometimes and knew not to wake him, even if he stayed there all night.

  John leaned back in the wingback chair, crossing his legs. “So, why don’t you start?”

  I found it hard to interpret his expression. I couldn’t tell if he was pleased or angry to be here. He simply held his posture as he waited for my request, which now felt like a confession of guilt. I sat motionless, my back ramrod straight, refusing to allow John’s expression, which was calm but otherwise unreadable, to deter me.

  “John,” I started boldly, “as you know, based on our last conversation, I’ve worked for my father as a plumber’s apprentice for three years. Because I have no expenses, I’ve managed to save practically every penny. By this time next year, I expect to have close to thirty-five thousand dollars saved. Enough, I believe, to put a large deposit on a house. I have high expectations for my career and where I see my business going in the next few years, and believe I can provide a comfortable life for Kayla.” I paused, but noticing John had not changed his posture, I continued, “I know we’re young, but I’ve been practically taking care of myself for the last nine years, and I know without a doubt that Kayla is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. With your permission, I would like to ask her to marry me privately when she turns eighteen, and then I’d like to have an official wedding when she graduates next year. And so you know that I have nothing but good intentions, I will further suggest that even though I want to marry her immediately, I wouldn’t expect to consummate our marriage until she graduates next year and we’re on our own.”

  There, I’d said my piece. Heart pounding, I sat back and took a deep breath. What would I do if he refused his blessing? Would I retreat graciously? Could I wait a year to ask Kayla to marry me?

  John nodded, holding his mouth in a firm, tight line. “I want you to know I admire you, son. You know what you want, or at least you think you do. Just like I did when I was your age, but I’d like to make you a counter offer.” He arched a brow, then steepled his hands beneath his chin. “Did you buy a ring?”

  I gulped, but tried to hold my own with John. At least he hadn’t booted me out of the café. “Yes, sir.”

  “May I see it?”

  I pulled the small black velvet box out of my pocket and set it in front of him.

  “So, if your parents and I hadn’t shown up tonight …” he trailed off.

  I cleared my throat. “Yes, sir, but I still planned to ask for your blessing.”

  “And you think this is what Kayla wants?”

  “I certainly hope so.” I couldn’t help but grin. “If not —”

  John flipped open the box, but didn’t take out the ring. He closed it and set it on the table between us. “That’s some ring. Must have set you back plenty.”

  “I’ve had nothing I wanted to spend my money on till now. I’m pretty simple.” I swallowed a lump in my throat. “May I ask what your condition is, sir?”

  John sat back again and inhaled deeply. He looked like he was ready to do business. He pulled one leg up and rested it on the other, looking as comfortable as if he were discussing the last Steelers game. “Kayla can do whatever she wants when she turns eighteen in a few months, so I appreciate you asking for my blessing.” His mouth twisted in thought as he nodded. “When Brooke and I married, we were determined to do everything on our own. We struggled for the first ten years to make ends meet. But we were happy. I worked a full-time job, then continued with my own ventures, putting in nearly eighty hours a week. She never complained, but I know it caused her great stress. We finally made it. Had everything we wanted. More than we wanted. Four years later, I lost her. Now all I have of her is Kayla, and I don’t want to lose her too. I know you have your life planned out, but I’d like to save you a few years of backbreaking work and keep my daughter at the same time.”

  John paused, allowing me to process his words. He hadn’t told me no, but he wanted to make me a counter offer. I didn’t want to interrupt him, so I just nodded for him to continue.

  “I’d like to offer you a partnership, Jesse. Not just as an employee, but as an actual partner. My business has grown entirely too large for me, and I think that with minimal training, you could take over the reins in no time. You could get your business degree in Charlotte if you wanted, but you’d get on-the-job training and be taking over an established company. As far as a house goes, I have plenty of properties to choose from. I’d give you one as a wedding gift. That way you can keep your nest egg for emergencies.”

  Shocked, I studied him, and it was clear he spoke nothing but the truth. I could understand the grief he’d have at losing his daughter. I’d never thought of that aspect. As much as it would kill me to lose Kayla, I could understand the grief John would feel if I took Kayla six hundred miles away. But that meant I had to leave my father, who’d looked so proud of me tonight. He’d said I was going to be a businessman. I had told my father what I’d planned to do for the company, and he had actually seemed interested. John was offering me something greater, though, and it came with Kayla. If I turned down the offer, would I also lose his blessing? Would Kayla be willing to leave her father, knowing that he’d made me this offer?

  “Thank you, sir — I mean, John. I’m honored. Please don’t think for a second that I’m not completely grateful, because I am. You’ve given me a lot to think about, though. I think you can understand my hesitation because, as you said, you wanted to make it on your own. Then there’s my father. I’ve told him what I have planned for his company — our company.” I took in a deep breath and rubbed my head. “Wow … I wasn’t expecting this.”

  John patted my shoulder. “No rush, son. Why don’t you talk to Kayla? You have three months to decide what you wanna do. If you decide to accept my offer, you could move up to North Carolina right after the summer. I have plenty of apartments you could move into until Kayla graduates.”

  Lost in that thought, I nodded. I’d never be separated from Kayla again. We’d spend the summer together while I worked. I could help my dad as much as possible, give him plenty of notice, help him find a replacement, and then be close to Kayla for the entire year while I waited for her to finish high school. There wasn’t much to think about; this was what I want
ed. I remembered Kayla’s words not to be a snob. John was offering me my dream of owning a business — well, a partnership in a business, really, and I’d see Kayla every day.

  “John, I really don’t have to think about it. You’re right. This makes so much sense. I never thought about how you’d be alone. And although it’ll be hard on my dad, I’ve been nothing but a worker for him for the past three years. If this is what Kayla wants, I can’t see why I should want anything different.”

  John flashed a broad smile, the same smile Kayla had. He reached out his massive hand, then pulled me into a tight grip. It was authentic, so much more than the hugs I’d received earlier. I hated to disappoint my father, but this was my new life, my new father, and my wife-to-be.

  “Come on. Let’s go!” John said. “Kayla’s probably already angry with me. I’m sure she thinks I instigated this meeting.”

  “Oh, and, John, one more thing I forgot to request. I don’t know if Kayla already asked you, but I was hoping to take her camping this summer, and I wasn’t sure if you trusted me enough to keep her out overnight?”

  John slapped me on the back. “Son, you’re truly one of a kind. I wouldn’t have trusted myself when I was your age as much as I trust you. Just don’t let me down.” He glowered at me, then winked.

  John dropped me off at my truck, and I followed him back to the house. Kayla was sitting on the front steps when I pulled into the drive, but lurched to her feet. She didn’t wait for me to get out of the truck, but instead ran around to the door. I jumped out of the truck, but led her to the opposite side of the cab. “Let’s go for a ride.” I lifted her into the cab, and she assented without a word.

  Kayla sat immobile and completely silent — an unusual occurrence. Obviously, she wasn’t sure why we were taking off so late. I pulled up the middle console, and she slid over next to me, relaxing a tad.

  “Where are we going?” she asked, apprehension threading her voice.