Tested Love: A Christian Romance (The True Love Series Book 2)

by Juliette Duncan

  Harrison raised his eyebrows and without saying another word, spun on his heels and left her office.

  Chapter 24

  That evening, Jayden walked into the living room, head down and shoulders slumped. Tessa knew it was necessary, but she hated the times when Ben called a sit-down meeting with Jayden to discuss his falling grades and less than acceptable behaviour and attitude. She sat on the edge of the sofa beside Ben, clasping her hands over her knees.

  Jayden slouched in a seat opposite, arms folded and glaring at his dad. “What have I done wrong now?”

  Ben held up Jayden’s latest school report. “One B, two Cs, and the rest are Ds. How do you explain that?” Ben’s voice was measured and controlled, but could easily escalate at any moment.

  Jayden stared straight ahead, his eyes vacant. His foot bounced restlessly as if he’d rather be anywhere else other than here. He didn’t respond.

  “I’m still waiting for an answer.” Ben leaned forward.

  Jayden lowered his gaze until the hair hanging over his forehead covered his eyes. He shrugged carelessly. “I’m doing my best.”

  “You can’t be, Jayden. You’ve always been a straight A student.” Ben let out an exasperated sigh. “I’ve a fair mind to ground you until you improve.”

  Tessa’s heart fell. Here we go again. She touched Ben’s arm lightly.

  Ben shot her an annoyed look before turning his attention back to Jayden.

  “Have you got anything to say for yourself? Look at me, son.”

  Jayden lifted his head slowly but only met his father’s gaze for a second before fixing it on the coffee table.

  Tessa sighed quietly. Her heart was breaking for Jayden. If only Ben would show a little more compassion and less aggression. There’d been odd moments when they’d got on better, but not nearly enough, and it grieved Tessa no end. Oh Lord, please intervene in this situation. Please help Ben and Jayden talk with each other in a reasonable manner, without all this angst that’s not doing anyone any good.

  A minute passed, then two. Tension filled the air.

  Jayden finally lifted his gaze. His eyes had watered. “There is something, but it’s not to do with my grades. If I tell you, will you be angry?”

  Tessa held her breath.

  Ben pursed his lips. “Depends what it is.”

  Tessa grabbed Ben’s hand and gave him an angry stare. Her heart rate increased. Enough was enough. She wasn’t going to let Ben ruin this opportunity. She shifted her gaze to Jayden and leaned forward. “We won’t be angry, Jayden. Whatever you tell us, we’re a family, and we’ll find a way through it. Won’t we, Ben?” She gave Ben’s hand a hard squeeze.

  Jayden’s gaze flickered between the two of them. Tessa didn’t dare look at Ben, but she could feel the tension in his body. She kicked his foot. More seconds passed.

  Ben blew out a long breath. “Yes, Tessa’s right.” His voice had softened a fraction. “We’re a family, and we’ll work through it together. Whatever it is.”

  Jayden wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “I…I’ve been dumped from the Rubgy team. I won’t be playing any more this season.”

  “Oh Jayden. I’m sorry.” Tessa moved to the couch beside him and placed her arm around his shoulder. “It’s not the end of the world. It’s okay.”

  Jayden blinked and sat still.

  Ben leaned his elbow on the arm of the couch and rubbed his temple. “I’m not surprised after seeing your game the other week.” He narrowed his eyes. “But I don’t understand why you’re suddenly failing at everything. First your grades, and now your sport.” He paused, settling his gaze on Jayden. “What’s next?”

  “I knew you’d be angry.” Tears ran down Jayden’s cheeks as he pushed Tessa’s arm away and jumped up. “It’s obvious I can’t do anything right.” He knocked a chair over and ran upstairs to his room.

  Ben ran after him. “I didn’t mean it like that, Jayden.” The door slammed in his face.

  Tessa had followed Ben up the stairs and grabbed his hand. “Leave him, Ben.” Her heart thumped. “Let him cool down for a while.”

  Ben turned around and ran his hands through his hair. Tessa’s heart went out to him. He looked so distraught. She held her arms out and stepped closer, drawing him close.

  He leaned his head on hers and wrapped his arms around her. “I always get it wrong, Tess. I’m sorry.” His voice was broken.

  “It’s okay, Ben. He’ll calm down and then we can talk again. Let’s go back down.”

  Ben let out a worried sigh as he plodded down the stairs. “What if he’s on drugs or something like that, Tess?” He paused mid-stair and turned to her. “What else would have caused such a big change?”

  “I don’t know, Ben, but we can try to find out. His teachers might have some insight when you meet with them next week.”

  Ben nodded and inhaled deeply. “You’re right, Tessa. We need to get to the bottom of it. Something’s happened, and I don’t like it.”

  Tessa filled the kettle and turned it on. “By the way, did you know Jayden doesn’t love rugby as much as rowing or tennis?”

  Ben cocked his head. “What do you mean? He’s never said anything to me about that.”

  “He told me when we were at the dog park a while ago. He was playing because he thought you’d be disappointed if he didn’t.” Tessa took two mugs out of the drawer and smiled to herself. They weren’t in orderly rows anymore.

  “He should have told me he didn’t want to play Rugby.” Ben raked his hand through his hair. “I’ll go and talk with him about it.”

  Tessa lifted her eyes and met his gaze. “Not yet, Ben. Might be best to let him cool off some more first.” She filled the mugs with boiling water and handed one to Ben before they returned to the sofa.

  “I’m sorry for getting angry, Tess. I just don’t know what to do with him.”

  The worried look on Ben’s face concerned her, and she leaned in to him and squeezed his hand. “He’ll be fine, Ben. He’s just going through a rough patch at the moment. I’m sure he’ll come through it.”

  Ben rubbed the back of his neck. “I hope you’re right, Tess.” He kissed the top of her head. “Maybe we should take a holiday and get away from everything for a while.”

  Tessa’s eyes lit up as she straightened. “That’s a great idea, Ben. Let’s do it!”

  After a few days of discussion, they made the decision to take two weeks off over the next school break and go skiing in Queenstown, New Zealand. Tessa had always wanted to learn how to ski and Ben had always wanted to visit Queenstown, so it was a win-win for them both. Jayden also brightened up when he was told about the trip and that he could invite Neil to come as well as a kind of birthday present since he’d be turning fifteen just before they left. He promised to try harder at school, and apologised for letting his grades go. His teachers had also been concerned about his falling grades, but had no explanation for the sudden change. Tessa convinced Ben to lay off him for a while.

  Time flew, and before they knew it, they were lining up at the check-in counter for their eagerly anticipated holiday. Tessa had left the clinic in Harrison’s care, a decision she’d made on the spur of the moment, but somehow it had felt right, and Bindy and Sparky were staying with her parents.

  Tessa’s phone rang as they sat in the boarding lounge. Ben had just handed her a coffee, so she took a sip before answering. It was Margaret, and she was so emotional, Tessa could hardly understand her.

  “Tessa, you…you aren’t going to believe this.” Margaret’s voice caught in her throat. “I… I can hardly believe it myself.”

  “Margaret, what’s happened?” Tessa’s heart pounded. Could it be? Could it really be that Harrison had finally contacted his mother? What else would make Margaret so emotional? Tessa could think of nothing else that would touch her friend so deeply. She hoped that it truly was the breakthrough they’d both been praying for.

  Margaret sucked in a breath and continued. “Tessa, Harri
son called this morning.” She began to sob.

  Tessa’s eyes blurred with tears. “Margaret, that is such great news! I’m so happy for you.”

  Margaret sniffed. Gradually her sobs subsided, allowing her to continue. “Thank you, Tessa. I’m so happy, I hardly know what to do with myself.” Margaret’s voice held such excitement that Tessa imagined her jiggling on the spot, and it made her smile.

  “God really is good, isn’t he?” Tessa let out a contented sigh.

  “Yes, he is. I’d almost given up hope.” Margaret took a deep breath. “It was wrong of me, I know, but it’s been so long.” She paused, sniffing once again. “I somehow have a feeling he might have used you in some way, Tessa, so thank you. I’m so glad we became friends.”

  “Me too, Margaret. Me too.”

  A short while later, as she and Ben, and Jayden and Neil settled into their seats for the three and a half hour flight to Queenstown, Tessa couldn’t help but think that things were finally starting to look up.

  Chapter 25

  Standing atop the north-facing slopes of The Remarkables ski area, Tessa’s gaze swept across Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding alpine resort of Queenstown and her jaw dropped. “I knew it would be amazing, but it’s… it’s breathtaking.” Sun-kissed alps pierced the whiter than white clouds hovering over the peaks, and stood in stark contrast with the brilliant blue sky stretching as far as the eye could see.

  Tessa shivered slightly as the fresh mountain air lightly brushed her face. Shifting unsteadily on her skis, she turned to the three males standing beside her and couldn’t help but grin. Jayden and Neil, so cool in their ski outfits, were eager to tackle the slopes. Ben’s day old stubble gave him a slightly rugged appearance, and she loved the way his designer ski clothes sat so well on his tall, lean body.

  A male instructor slid to a stop in front of them, sending a spray of powdery snow into the air. He dug his poles into the snow and removed his goggles. An easy grin sat on his deeply sun-tanned face. A neatly trimmed moustache gave him a slightly European look, and his crystal-blue eyes sparkled.

  “Pretty cool, huh? I’ve been skiing these slopes since I was a kid, but I don’t think I’ll ever tire of their beauty.” He pulled off his gloves and extended his hand first to Ben and then to Tessa and lastly to the two boys. “Eversley Scalet. Nice to meet you all. Is this your first time?”

  Ben replied first. “I’ve skied before, but a long time ago.”

  “This will be our first time.” Tessa stretched her arm behind the two boys, drawing them closer.

  “No problem.” Eversley smiled easily. “The Remarkables are perfect for beginners and pros alike. You boys ever been snowboarding?”

  “No,” Jayden replied.

  “But we can skateboard, if that helps any,” Neil added.

  “Not exactly.” Eversley laughed. “Skateboarding and snowboarding do have some similarities, but they’re completely different sports. I’m going out to the back country this afternoon to do some snowboarding. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to teach you some moves.”

  “That would be cool,” Neil said. “We’d love to come.”

  “Great, but first things first,” Eversley said. “I suggest we start on the learners’ slopes instead of up here.” He raised his ski pole and pointed away to a set of lower mountains. “A chairlift will take us over there. Beginner runs aren’t as steep, so you won’t run into as many obstacles and hopefully you’ll also take fewer tumbles.”

  “Tumbles?” Tessa’s jaw dropped. “I’m petrified of falling down a precipice.” She grimaced as she glanced over the side of the mountain that disappeared into oblivion.

  Eversley chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’ll show you how to fall so you don’t hurt yourself. You’ll be right if you stay away from the edges and take it easy.” He grinned, revealing a row of even, white teeth. “The most important thing after you take a tumble is to get back up and try again...and again and again.”

  Tessa gave him a half-hearted smile. She didn’t know why she was so nervous, after all, she could ride a bicycle; she loved snorkelling and hiking and most other sports, but there was something about the slippery snow and the long pointy skis that made her unsteady on her feet.

  Despite Tessa’s initial concerns, all morning long, the four of them practiced skiing down the beginner slopes under Eversley’s expert instruction. True to his word, they took a lot of tumbles, but not even Tessa minded too much. Their time was full of fun and laughter. It felt so good to be out of New Farm and away from the everyday pressures of work and school. There was a certain spirit of freedom on the mountains and Ben and Tessa especially relished it.

  When their lesson was over, they thanked Eversley and headed back to The Remarkable Mountain Lodge where they were staying.

  After changing clothes, warming up, and eating lunch, Ben and Tessa settled into the lodge’s movie room with two steaming cups of hot chocolate topped with puffy marshmallows.

  “Would you like to join us?” Tessa asked Jayden and Neil.

  “Maybe another time,” Neil replied, tucking the striped blue and white board he was holding more securely under his arm. “We’re off to do some snowboarding with Eversley.” He nudged Jayden who was blocking the doorway, engrossed in his phone.

  “What?” Jayden snapped.

  Neil took a step back and stared at him. “Did you forget? Snowboarding with Eversley? He’s waiting outside for us now.”

  Jayden shrugged. “I’m not interested anymore. You can go by yourself.”

  Neil gave him an annoyed look. “Oh, right, I forgot you’re no longer interested in the things you used to be.” His voice held a hint of sarcasm. “You’re not interested in making music with our band anymore. You’re not interested in playing rugby anymore. You’re not interested in hanging around your own friend, who just happens to be me. And now you aren’t even interested in learning how to snowboard.”

  “We don’t have to hang around each other all the time to be friends.” Jayden shifted his weight to his other foot. “Besides, I’m not really not interested in any of those things anymore.”

  “Jayden, that’s enough.” Ben sprang out of his seat and stood over Jayden. He was breathing heavily and the muscles in his neck tightened. “We didn’t come all the way to Queenstown for you to stay stuck inside with your eyes glued to your phone screen. You’ll go snowboarding with Neil and Eversley or I’ll take your phone off you.”

  Tessa held her breath, her heart pounding. This wasn’t meant to have happened.

  Jayden rolled his eyes and slipped his phone into his pocket. “Whatever. These lessons better not take long. I’ve got other things to do.”

  Ben narrowed his eyes. “Like what, exactly?”

  Jayden shrugged offhandedly as he turned to follow Neil. “Just stuff.”

  As soon as the boys were out of sight, Tessa pulled Ben back down beside her. His chest was still heaving and his body rigid. She slipped her arm around his shoulder and snuggled close.

  “Come on, Ben, relax. He went, that’s the main thing.” She leaned up and kissed him.

  Ben let out a huge sigh and his body relaxed a little. “Yes, you’re right, Tessa.” He kissed the top of her head. “I just don’t know what to make of it. He annoys me so much sometimes.”

  “I know. He was super excited about being here in the beginning, so I don’t know what’s happened to make him so touchy now. Hopefully an hour or so with Eversley will help.” Tessa rested her head on Ben’s chest and drew in a slow breath. She really hoped that would be the case. They needed this holiday, and could do without hassles with Jayden.

  Ben flicked on the screen and pulled her closer as he placed his feet on a footstool. “I hope you’re right, Tess.”

  Everyone awoke the next morning looking forward to another day filled with fun, snow, and sunshine—everyone except Jayden. He dragged around the slopes behind Ben, Tessa, Neil, and Eversley as if he didn’t want to be there. He periodically stopp
ed to check his phone.

  When Eversley left to attend another group of skiers, Neil had an idea. “Let’s race. You versus her.” He pointed to Ben and Tessa. “And me versus you.” He pointed at himself and Jayden.

  “Let’s do it,” Ben said, placing his goggles over his eyes. “You should be warned, Tess. I’m quite the competitor. Are you ready?”

  Tessa gave a mock haughty shake of her head. “Are you? Because I’m no pushover either.” She strapped on her skis and hurried to get in position.

  Neil waved for Jayden to get in line with him, but Jayden wasn’t paying attention. His back was toward them and he was on his phone again. “Hey, Jayden, are you ready?” Neil called out to him.

  “For what?” Jayden asked without turning around.

  Neil frowned. He scooped up a handful of snow and packed it into a ball before flinging it at Jayden. It splattered squarely into his back. “Will you put down that stupid phone and pay attention to what we’re doing for a second?” Neil yelled. “We’re about to have a race.”

  Jayden spun around. “Did I say I wanted to race? No!” he yelled back.

  “Boys, stop it!” Tessa said.

  Jayden ignored her. “Stop telling me what to do,” he told Neil. He shoved his phone into his pocket, bent to scoop up a handful of snow, and threw it straight into Neil’s face. Neil barely ducked in time. He recovered quickly, and rushed at Jayden.

  “Enough,” Ben shouted. Forgetting her skis were already strapped on, Tessa ran to keep Jayden and Neil apart. She tripped over her skis and started falling. Tessa tried to remember what Eversley told them about falling sideways instead of backwards or forwards, but it was too late. She crashed onto her back with her leg bent into an awkward position underneath her and began sliding forward down the slope.

  Tessa screamed and her heart skipped a beat as she plummetted further down the slope. I’m going to die, I just know it… Her heart pounded. She tried to grasp onto something to slow her slide, but she was moving too fast and all that surrounded her was snow. Dizzying whiteness blurred past, blinding her sight and stinging her skin as it scraped against the cold powder. She sucked in a breath, but snow slid down her throat almost choking her. Her body jolted as she came to a sudden halt.