Unexpected Encounter (Singleton)

by Taige Crenshaw

“Wait a minute. Don’t you dare call me a coward.” Lila stepped toward him. “Let me explain, damn it. Listen to me.”

  “Listen to what? Excuses that we’re too different, and let’s just have fun?” Driscoll made another cutting motion with his hand. “I don’t even want to hear it. It’s been fun and lots of sex, but you’ve never once opened yourself emotionally to me. Made yourself even a little vulnerable. You keep up this wall and I can never scale it since you keep making it higher and higher. You left today to see your family and you never even thought to ask me to come along. For me to meet them. Did you even think to ask me to Thanksgiving? That I’d want to spend the holiday with someone I care about—you. Someone I love. You know what? Never mind. I don’t even have to hear your reply to know it never crossed your mind.” He turned away.

  “Dris, I—”

  “Get out, Lila, before I say something I might or might not regret.”

  “Why won’t you listen to me?” she yelled.

  “Actions speak louder than words.” Dris lowered his head, rubbing his fingers over his eyes.

  “You know what? You’re right.” Lila sighed. “I’ll go.”

  He didn’t reply. Just listened to her footsteps as she left. Clenching his fists, he closed his eyes and tried to not let the pain fill him. He failed and let out a ragged gasp, pressing his hand to his chest.

  “Dris?” Irene called. “Lila said you needed me. She looked weird—like her heart’s been cut out. What happened?”

  “Nothing.” He kept his back to her.

  “Don’t you tell us that.” Aida came to stand before him. She studied him then said, “Fuck. I’m gonna scalp her.”

  “Aida.” Irene came beside her looked at him then muttered, “I’ll hold her down. Dris?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” He walked out of the room.

  He heard them behind him and went up to his bedroom. Driscoll closed the door and locked it.

  “Dri—”

  “If any one of you comes in here I’ll—” His voice broke and he cleared his throat.

  “Okay, we’ll leave you alone.” Their footsteps retreated.

  Driscoll went to the windows and sat facing the balcony door, staring out at the night. He didn’t know how long he was there before he heard the door opening behind him.

  “I told you to leave me the fuck alone,” he roared.

  “No need to act like an ass,” Spencer said.

  Driscoll glanced toward the door. Surprise filled him as Spencer, followed by Stuart then Dakota came in.

  “He has the right to be a little asshole-like,” Stuart said then lifted the bottle he held. “We’re drinking.”

  “And if you want to curse even meeting Lila, then we’re good with that. Or if you want to plot how to get her back, we can plan detainment.” Dakota pulled his hand from behind his back and showed him the cake box. “I have the strawberry and coconut cake.”

  “There is no hope of getting her back. So planning detainment is useless.” Driscoll laughed bitterly then blinked, refusing to cry. “I can’t make her love me.”

  “Why not?” Spencer sat in the chair facing him.

  “Huh?”

  “You’re the same one who told me to not let Reggie go when we had our problems. That I needed to do anything to keep her if she is the woman I love. I wouldn’t have gone after Reggie to try again if it wasn’t for you.” Spencer stared at him. “So, brother of mine, are you gonna put up or shut up? Are you all talk and giving advice to others but don’t follow through yourself? Love isn’t easy. Hell, sometimes it’s downright painful, at times ripping you up emotionally, but in the end it’s worth it.” Spencer leaned forward. “What are you gonna risk to get the woman you love?”

  Driscoll sat forward and held out his hand. “Everything.”

  Spencer gripped his fingers. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”

  “Let’s do this.” Dakota set his hand on top of theirs.

  “I love planning shit that might get us arrested.” Stuart snickered then set his hand over everyone else’s. “I almost feel sorry for Lila. She has no idea what she is in for. Hell, I can’t believe my buddy is in love.”

  “I’m wondering what happened to controlling the chemical imbalance,” Dakota said.

  “When you fall for someone, you’ll understand.” Driscoll let go and they all did too. He sat back, feeling more in control. “Now give me some cake.”

  Dakota opened the box. Driscoll settled in to plan to convince the woman he loved she was meant to be his.

  Chapter Nine

  Driscoll drummed his fingers on the desk. He was waiting for the others to arrive. He had no idea what had happened after the first night, but their planning had stalled and he was impatient to get back on track. First Spencer had been busy at work, which had put them back a day. Then Dakota had got a call that had delayed him, which had caused another day. After, he hadn’t been able to get Stuart on the phone and even when he’d gone to his house across the street, he’d always been out. Three days he’d wasted and he was through doing so.

  The door for his office opened.

  “It’s bout damn time you are here, Sp— Lila.” Driscoll rose.

  “Sit down, Driscoll,” Lila said.

  “I—”

  “Shut up,” Lila growled. “You had your say the other day and wouldn’t let me get a word in.” She ran her fingers through her hair, which was loose except for his mother’s hair comb holding up one side. Lila came to the desk and dropped the backpack she held on the surface. She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “You said some really harsh things to me the other day.”

  He nodded.

  “They were partially true.”

  Hope filled him and Driscoll leaned forward.

  “I have been keeping up a wall, but not for the reason you think.” Lila breathed deep. “My friends said that I was living in delusionville and they were right. I used the excuse of our being in different worlds to protect myself.” She set her hands palms down on the desk. “I didn’t want to get hurt, Dris. Hurt if you didn’t love me.” She stared at him, her hazel gaze soft. “I couldn’t even admit it to myself that was what I wanted.” She gulped. “That I needed to hear you say it as much as I needed to breathe. I do keep an emotional distance from things. It’s just how I am, so if you expect me to effervesce with shit then you are out of luck.” She shook her head. “I show how I feel in ways you might not have realized. Every time we made love—and that is what we were doing—and I took you inside of me, I was letting you know how I felt. When I shared things about me, like Lancelot and how he came to be called that, I was giving you part of me. I took you to my job, Dris, and I don’t do that with just any man I’m with.”

  “Lila—”

  “Shut up,” she said softly. “I’m speaking and you will sit there and listen until I am done.”

  He inclined his head, a small smile on his face.

  “You made a lot of accusations and supposition of what I was going to say. Called me a coward, Dris. But you know what, I can own up to that. I was a coward, letting fear of the possibility of losing you rule my actions with you. But you are a coward too, Dris.”

  “What?”

  “I’m not done speaking yet.” Lila pointed at him. “You also hid what you were feeling and didn’t say anything. Not until you got in a snit—”

  “Snit.”

  “Snit,” she enunciated it deliberately. “A full-on snit about supposedly I would say such and such or something or other, most of which was wrong. I will admit I didn’t think of asking you to meet my family when I went to see them. You haven’t mentioned wanting to do so since the first time you stated it. I also didn’t plan to ask you to Thanksgiving because of the same reason—I was keeping walls up. All of that would have been moot if you had let me speak a few days ago and we wouldn’t have wasted time, Driscoll.” Lila lowered her eyelids then sighed before lifting her gaze to his. “I love you, Driscoll J
acobs. Every eccentric inch of you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  “You’re asking me to marry you?” Driscoll whispered.

  Lila blinked, startled. She hadn’t even thought that was what would come out. But now that it had, she felt at peace with it.

  “Yes.” She licked her lips. “I didn’t plan it so I don’t have a ring for you, but I want you to be my husband.”

  Driscoll’s wide-eyed gaze made her chuckle.

  “Are you gonna say something?”

  “Yes.” Driscoll rose and rushed around the desk then lifted her off her feet.

  Lila hugged and kissed him. Driscoll returned it and she leaned against him, enjoying being in his arms again.

  “Skin.” Driscoll moaned.

  “Wait.” Lila stepped back and opened the backpack. “I have something for you.” She pulled out the first T-shirt. “You’re going to need this. I also have a few more in there, since I know you’ll be wearing it often.”

  “Yes, I will wear it often.” Driscoll held up the T-shirt that said ‘No one can control love even when they think their mindset is more powerful. I’m in love and I embrace the chemical imbalance’.

  “Also got you these. That way we can start building memories of our time together that you can have with you when I am away from you.” She pulled out more T-shirts.

  “You got me shirts with all the things I said that you thought should be on a T-shirt.” Driscoll looked at the design of each. “Wait, I know this logo. Dakota designed these.”

  “Yes.”

  “No wonder he was suddenly too busy for planning a detainment.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” Driscoll slid his arms around her. “I love you, Lila.”

  “Ditto.” Lila put her hands on his waist. “You know, when I tasted the food you made your brother, I said something that is coming true now. I told Spence ‘If your brother is single, I might just have to marry him so I can get his food, or kidnap him for his recipes’.” Lila grinned. “Marrying you is better than my going to jail for kidnapping you.”

  “Detainment,” Driscoll said.

  “Same thing and still is jail time.”

  “I told my friends something a few months ago when the quote for this shirt came up.” He held up the embracing love shirt. “That if I found a woman who can put up with my eccentricities and everything else that involves being with me, I’d marry her before she came to her senses. I’m gonna do just that. We’re going to get married on Thanksgiving.”

  “What?”

  “Your family will be here. And my friends and family will be here. It’s a perfect time.”

  “But we need to plan the wedding and take time to get used to being engaged.”

  “Why?” Driscoll cupped her cheeks. “I know I want you and I want to make sure you’re married to me before you change your mind.” He winked to show he was teasing.

  “I can’t possibly plan a wedding in a little over two weeks.” Lila shook her head.

  “I’ll plan it. All you need to do is show up and take my crazy self as your husband.” Driscoll leaned his forehead on hers. “Say you’ll marry me on Thanksgiving.”

  “No, I won’t.”

  He sighed. “Okay—”

  “Let’s do it the day before Thanksgiving so we can be husband and wife on that day. Give thanks for us being married and celebrating our first Thanksgiving as husband and wife.”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes.” She nodded. “And I’m going to let you take care of the plans. But my dress and bridesmaids, I’ll take care of.”

  “Yes!” He hugged her then lifted her into his arms and walked rapidly out of the room. “Irene and Aida,” he yelled then listened. “Where the hell are they when I need them?”

  “Dris, wait—”

  “Nope, you said yes.” Driscoll went down the hall. “Irene and Aida,” he yelled again. “There you are.”

  Irene came into the hall from the family room. Lila’s eyes widened as she realized why Irene was there.

  “Dr—”

  “We’re getting married.” Driscoll said carrying Lila down the hall then he asked, “Where is Aida? Oh there you are…ummm, hello.”

  Lila put her head against his shoulder and groaned.

  “Did I hear right? You’re marrying my daughter?” Lila’s mother asked.

  “That’s what the man said, honey,” her dad answered.

  “Leave it to Lila to bring her family to meet her beau and he is actually her fiancé,” her older sister said, laughing.

  “She knows how to shake things up,” her younger sister added, joining in the laughter.

  “Lila?”

  She lifted her head off his shoulder and gestured. “Dris, I brought my family that is in town to meet you. Mom, Dad and my sisters who I, after today, will not claim anymore.” She glared at her still giggling sisters. “Family, this is Dris. I asked him to marry me. He said yes and we’re getting married the day before Thanksgiving.”

  “Nice to meet you, everyone.” Driscoll set Lila on her feet and shook everyone’s hands. “I want to have a long talk with each of you, but I need to make a call before Irene or Aida does.”

  Lila glanced around and noticed that neither woman was in the room anymore.

  Irene came in and held up the phone. “Spencer is on the phone.”

  Aida followed hanging up her cell. “Stuart is on his way.”

  “Give me a moment.” Driscoll took the phone from Irene. “Spencer, how quickly can you and Reggie get here? Okay, see you in a few.” He handed the phone back to Irene then faced Lila and her family.

  Driscoll slid his hand around her waist. “I know you don’t know me, but I love your daughter and will make her happy. If you could just give me a few more minutes, you can meet part of my family.”

  “Go ahead.” Lila touched his chest.

  He kissed her before going out of the room.

  “Lila.” Her mom came closer.

  “Dris has a lot of friends who he views as family.”

  “Good, family is important.” Her dad stood behind her mother.

  “Yes.” Her mom stopped before her and stared. “And I’m wondering why you didn’t bring him around before.”

  “Hell, I want to know why you didn’t tell us you were dating Driscoll.” Her younger sister approached her to stand to her left.

  “She actually did say she was dating Dris.” Her older sister stood to her right. “We didn’t put it together who Dris actually was.”

  “Who is he?” Her mom widened her eyes innocently.

  “Please, honey. We all know you have all his music.” Her dad patted her fondly. “In a few weeks, you can claim him as your son-in-law.”

  Lila heard the door open then Stuart call, “What’s up?”

  “You asshole. You couldn’t have just told me Lila was coming to me,” Driscoll replied.

  “Ohh… Stuart.” Her younger sister tried to see outside.

  Lila yanked her back to her side. “Give them some privacy.”

  “What the hell is going on?” Spencer’s voice came.

  “Now, Spence, Irene said it was important, not anything bad,” Regina said.

  Lila couldn’t see any of them but could imagine they were wearing confused expressions.

  “I’m getting married,” Driscoll said.

  Silence followed then a loud female shriek came.

  “Ummm… Who is that?” her mom asked. “She has a set of lungs on her.”

  “Driscoll’s sister-in-law.”

  The sound of congratulations reached them.

  “Where is Lila?” Regina demanded then footsteps came toward the living room.

  Regina stopped in the doorway, a wide smile on her face. “I’m gonna enjoy planning your wedding.”

  “Reggie, I’m getting married the day before Thanksgiving.”

  Regina pivoted. “Next year, right?”

  “Nope, this one,” Driscoll said cheerfu
lly as he passed her.

  Lila’s older sister moved to give him space. He stopped to stand beside Lila. “Wait for it.”

  “I can’t possibly plan your wedding by then.” Regina rubbed her fingers down her nose. “Spence, talk sense into your brother.”

  “Nope. Not getting in the middle of it.” Spencer came over and put out his hand. “I’m this one’s brother. Just so you know, he’s the only crazy one.”

  He shook everyone’s hand and went to sit. Stuart followed and introduced himself. He winked at Lila’s younger sister and she laughed throatily. He joined Spencer on the couch. Regina still stood in the doorway.

  She put her hands on her hips. “Dris, you’d better be kidding me.”

  “Watch this.” Driscoll winked then went to Regina. “No worries, Reggie, if you can’t handle planning my wedding by then.”

  Regina narrowed her gaze then looked at Lila. “You better get your man out of my face before I hurt him.”

  “Ahh… Reggie mine.” Driscoll slid closer then hugged her, swaying. “I’m getting married to a woman who loves me. And I love her deeply. As my sister-in-law, you’re gonna plan my wedding with me. I told Lila I’d take care of everything.”

  “I’ll help,” Irene said coming to stand beside Regina.

  “Me too.” Aida went to Regina’s other side.

  The women stared at Lila and uneasiness filled her. She’d been around Regina enough to know Regina in planning mode was a force to be reckoned with. Add Irene and Aida to the mix with a dash of Driscoll, she wasn’t so sure if them planning her wedding was a good idea.

  “Umm… Dris? You said you’d plan the wedding.”

  “A wedding planner has helpers.” He gestured to the women. “These are my helpers.”

  “Helpers,” the three women said simultaneously then snorted. “As if.”

  They turned and left the room chatting.

  “I think you just lost control of your helpers, son,” her dad said, his voice filled with suppressed laughter.

  “Don’t mind them.” Driscoll shrugged. “I’ll rein them in later. For now, did you have any questions for me?”

  Driscoll came back to Lila and led her to the loveseat and they sat together across from everyone. He placed his hand over hers and squeezed gently.