Labeled Love

by Danielle Rocco

  Sitting nervously in the waiting room, I look around as people come and go. There’s a lady with three kids in the corner, and one of them has been crying the whole time. The guy that is sitting across from me is coughing up stuff into a Kleenex. It’s making me feel sick just being in here. I sit for hours before someone calls me up to the nurse’s station. “Excuse me. Are you here with Grace James?”

  “Yes.” I yawn loudly.

  “What is your relation to her?”

  “I’m her son.”

  The nurse looks down, and in a quiet voice she asks, “Do you have any other family?”

  I look around nervously. “No.” I know what question is coming next. I don’t want to lie, but I’m scared that I will be put into a foster home if they think I’m not in a safe environment. I think of Shay. I won’t be taken away from her. “We don’t have any other family members. I’m all she has. Please, don’t say anything.”

  The nurse looks around, and then brings her sad eyes back to me. “Your mom had to have her stomach pumped. She has alcohol poisoning, and they found other substances in her stomach. She will have to be in the hospital a couple of days for recovery.”

  I nod my head. “Do you need me for anything?” I ask.

  “No. She’s on medical assistance. So, no, you won’t have any responsibility.”

  “I will be back tomorrow to check on her,” I tell the nurse. “Thank you.” She looks at me with concern, giving me a slight smile. As soon as I walk out of the hospital, the fresh air hits my lungs, consuming me with what happened tonight.

  What the hell?

  Running my fingers through my hair, I pull at the ends. There is no bus right now, so I start walking. It’s four o’clock in the morning, and I’m walking through one of the worst areas in Los Angeles. The only thing that keeps me walking with my head up is my girl. Knowing she’s probably sound asleep in her warm bed makes me feel better. She’s all I care about, and she’s safe. Keeping to myself, just hoping that no one messes with me, I walk fast with my hands inside my pockets. It’s so quiet that I can hear every single sound around me. Turning my head quickly in the direction of a passing alleyway, I hear a loud crash. Someone is going through a dumpster. My heart picks up, causing my adrenaline to heighten. I’m on edge.

  Shay.

  She’s my focus right now, and the fact that my mom really could have died this time. If I had just turned and walked away from her, she probably would have died. I really don’t know how to help her anymore since she won’t listen to me. We are like two strangers living under the same roof.

  TODAY IS MY birthday. I do a little happy sweet sixteen birthday dance when my parents open the front door to our house, exposing my birthday gift to me. Parked in the driveway sits a new white car with a big red bow on top. I’ve wanted an Audi A4 convertible for quite a while. My dad hands me the keys and says, “Happy sixteenth birthday, baby girl.” I jump up and down and give them both a big hug. They laugh.

  “You deserve it. You always work hard,” Mom declares.

  My smile is from ear to ear as I drive to school by myself for the first time. Because of my sheer excitement, the school day drags slowly like a turtle. I just can’t wait to get to Jace. My car is packed and ready to go with all my favorite essentials for a beach day. Jace and I have never gone to the beach together. We’ve never even driven together alone.

  This is a whole new chapter in our relationship, and I’m high fiving myself I’m so happy. It’s like we’re graduating from weekly hangouts. I’m taking him to the one place I have told him about for years that I love. We tried to go once before, but it didn’t work out, and he never makes it easy for me with the whole meet-me-at-the-center thing. Many times over the years he has made a point to attend my events, but he won’t ever let my family take him home afterwards. It drives me nuts, but now I can drive.

  Yay!

  While I was packing, I grabbed my surfboard, and after asking Beau, he said it was fine if I grabbed one of his old boards for Jace. I also grabbed a pair of Beau’s board shorts he keeps at the house for Jace to wear, as he doesn’t know we’re going to the beach.

  Jules is having a little beach bash for me. It’s going to be just a few of my friends from school, and then we’re going to my house for dessert, because I promised my mom. Singing “Happy Birthday” is a must. Even when Beau is on location, we sing it as a family. On the phone or in person, it doesn’t matter, as long as we do it as a family.

  When I get to the center after school, I see Jace standing there talking to a couple of guys. He looks so cute. Once he sees me, he walks away from them while I park my car. I get out just to give him a hug. He looks at me intently.

  “Why are you in a bathing suit, baby?” He leans in, picking me up in his strong arms.

  Inhaling deeply, he says, “Mmm… you really smell like summer today.” I’m wearing jean shorts with a sheer white top, so my bikini top is visible, and I already sprayed a ton of my coconut-infused sunblock.

  “I’m taking you to the beach, in my new birthday present from my parents,” I tell him. He puts space between us.

  “The beach, huh?” He looks at my car. “This is a beautiful car, baby.”

  “Thank you. Yes, we are driving to the beach.”

  “Sounds like fun times, pretty girl. I need your lips, baby.” He pulls me in, and yup, best kisses ever. He groans and smiles against my lips.

  “Jules is throwing me a birthday beach party. You know, just some cute girls in bikinis carrying surfboards.”

  “You’re the only cute girl in a bikini I want to look at.”

  “You might change your mind when you see my friends. They are way curvier than I am.” I pout.

  He raises his eyebrows. “I love your curves.”

  “Curves? I’m a late bloomer.” I put my hands on my hips. “I hope that’s not a problem.”

  I stick out my bottom lip. He glances at me adorably after he gives me a once-over.

  “No problem here. I like when it takes a long time for a flower to bloom. You can appreciate its beauty before it opens up and—”

  “Okay, that sounded really sexual,” I cut him off. He chuckles.

  “Did it? I didn’t mean for it to.”

  “Uh-huh, sure, you didn’t.”

  “I’m serious, baby.” His voice gets that low, sexy tone. Leaning forward, he brushes his lips to my ear. “I’ve been watching you bloom since you were twelve and rolling sunshine all over those pouty lips. You’re the prettiest flower I’ve ever seen.”

  I sigh. “You always say the sweetest things, Jace. How did I get so lucky? You’re the sweetest boy ever,” I tell him, reaching up and squinting from the sun.

  Jace takes my face in his hands, like he always does. Dreamily and firmly, he brings my lips to his. He tastes like heaven. “Happy birthday, pretty girl.”

  I open my eyes and smile. “Mmm… now it’s a happy birthday.”

  “Oh, yeah, why is it so happy now?” He nuzzles against my neck.

  “You know why. I’m with my boy.”

  “That’s right, baby. I’m your boy. Forever.” Slow kisses are my favorite, and that’s what he gives me when he kisses my lips. Then he slowly grazes my neck with his tongue before kissing the corner of my mouth. “I love you, birthday girl.”

  “Boy, you’re full of kisses today,” I say happily.

  His voice is full of love when he says, “I just missed you, pretty girl.”

  WE LEAVE THE center a little heated. Jace puts his hand in mine, resting it on my lap.

  “This is different,” I say, glancing over at him. “I can’t believe how much we’ve changed.” He still has the same beautiful face, but he’s much more of a man now.

  “What’s different?” he asks.

  “You and me in a car. Like normal,” I tell him. As he starts messing with the radio, I look at the way his forearm flexes. Reaching up, I rub my hand over his smooth arm. He glances at me. “Sorry,” I say, full of sass
. “You just have really nice arms, baby.”

  He smiles with that adorable grin that tells me he’s up to something. Then he puts those pale blues on mine and pulls his shirt over his head while staring at me.

  Um… okay… Someone is being cocky.

  Leaning back in his seat, he turns his head toward me. I swallow hard and try to keep my eyes on the road. I can’t help it; my eyes betray me. The sun is shining on Jace, making his perfectly tanned chest glisten. His whole upper body is on display. He puts his arms over his head, gripping the back of the headrest, making his abs stretch and stand out. I look down, seeing that V-line all the girls rave about.

  “Do you like what you see, pretty girl?”

  I’m seriously trying to drive. I can’t keep looking at him without causing an accident. Giving him a sideways glance with a little smirk, I answer, “You know you look good.”

  Jace gets serious. “This is all for you, Shay.”

  “For me?”

  “Yeah, I work out to release all that pent-up energy I want to burn on you.”

  “Okay, you need to stop.”

  He starts laughing. “Give me your hand.”

  “No, silly, I’m driving. I can’t get in a wreck on the first day I get my car.” But, I can’t resist when he takes my hand and places it on one of his toned pecks and runs it over his chest. Then he moves it slowly down to his stomach. I take my eyes off the road and look down as he rests my hand on the place right above the entrance to his pants. Lifting my eyes, I meet his soft, hooded ones gazing at me. In a low whisper, he brings me to my knees.

  “You are everything to me, Shay. Your touch is the only thing I will ever need to feel good.” I bite down on my trembling lip as Jace takes my hand and brings it to his mouth. Closing his eyes, his warm breath is all over me as he kisses my hand with little feather-like kisses. “Only ever your touch. You’re all I’ve ever needed, and the only girl I will ever want.” With his mouth against my hand, I reach over while I’m stopped at a red light and kiss him lightly on his lips.

  “I love you, Jace James.”

  His smile is so tender when he brushes my hair away from my face. Squinting his eyes shut, he mouths slowly to me, “Forever.” I take a breath as I watch him with closed eyes clutch my hand to his chest.

  What the heck am I going to do when he finally releases that energy on me? God, I hope I don’t disappoint him.

  AFTER PULLING UP to the beach, I jump out, excited to hang with two of my favorite things: my boy and the ocean. While Jace gathers the surfboards, I grab our bag. It only takes a moment to spot Jules. Off in the distance I see Cole.

  Why is Cole here?

  I hope he doesn’t flirt with me in front of Jace. That will not be good. Both Brett and Cole have their surfboards standing up in the sand, close to where Jules has a spot laid out for us. Some of the cheerleaders we hang with are here, including Devin.

  Why the heck is she here? Talk about curves.

  Jace grabs my hand as I stand staring at Devin. All of a sudden, I feel insecure. She’s really pretty, with her long blonde hair, round ass, and boobs bursting out of her bikini top. All the guys seem to like her. How can I compare? I’m taller and leaner. I have an ass, but it’s not the first thing you notice when you look at me. And my chest… I look down at my bikini top. My boobs are a small C-cup. My hair always curls at the beach with the salty air. Devin’s hair is always sleek and straight. She has that milky white skin that is flawless. Mine is sun-kissed. Taking a breath, I try to push down my insecurities.

  As we walk forward, Jace asks, “Did you forget something?” All I can think about is how I’ve never had to share him. This is the first time he is meeting most my friends. “Are you okay, pretty girl?”

  “Yeah, I’m sorry.”

  “What’s wrong?” he questions. I give him a full smile that reaches my eyes.

  “Nothing’s wrong. I’m with you.”

  He moves closer to me, taking loose strands of my hair out of my glossed lips. “I love you so much, Shay.” He raises his eyebrows and gives me a sly smile. “Let’s go get wet.”

  I laugh at his excitement. “I can’t wait to get wet with you,” I say.

  He stops dead in his tracks, kicking up sand. “Baby, you can’t say things like that to me right now.”

  “Oops.” I giggle. I didn’t realize how that sounded.

  Jace starts walking and glances over his toned shoulder. “By the way, I can’t wait to get you wet.” He laughs and drags me toward my friends.

  “That sounded super sexual!” I yell. He laughs.

  “That was meant to, baby.”

  Oh boy. I roll my eyes, but this time I smile, too. When we get to everyone, it’s like in the movies when something happens and people freeze. All eyes are on us. It’s the reaction you get when the new kid walks into the crowded classroom, and everyone stops and stares. You know that part, right? Girls start to whisper, the school slut licks her lips, and… like on cue, Devin looks up and licks her lips. Isn’t that classic? Yeah, that’s pretty much what’s happening at this moment. Jace is like the shiny new toy.

  “Everyone, this is Jace.” They all wave and say hello. Devin has a little more pep in her voice than the others.

  “Nice to meet you,” Brett says sincerely, walking over to us. Jace shakes Brett’s hand as Cole comes up behind us. Dripping wet, he rudely shakes his blond hair right over everyone and looks at Jace.

  “So, you’re Jace.” Cole looks Jace up and down while puffing out his muscular chest.

  Really, Cole?

  With narrowed eyes, he adds, “You’re the guy from that charity place Shay goes to.”

  My jaw drops, and I look at Cole, letting him know he’s being a complete ass. I turn my head slightly to see Jace’s reaction. I’m mortified. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see him tense up. His jaw tightens, and he rubs slow circles on the top of my hand. I think it’s safe to say they won’t be buddies. Jace might not be training for football like Cole, but my boy’s body is ripped, and he doesn’t have to puff his chest out the way Cole does.

  “It’s a community center,” I say to the boy that I’ve grown up with.

  “Yeah, that’s what I meant,” he says rudely. “I’m Cole.” He says his name like he’s the most important person on the damn planet. Jace holds my hand tightly.

  “I figured that.”

  “Oh, my girl talks about me, huh?” Cole says.

  “No, my girl never talks about you.” Jace’s voice is straight to the point. Cole looks over at Brett and laughs.

  “Looks like someone’s staking claim.” Brett looks over at a fuming Jace. I don’t know what to do. Jules jumps in quickly to diffuse the tension.

  “Last time I checked, Cole, Shay has never been your girl,” she says. I hear Jace take a deep breath. I look between the two of them.

  “Jace,” I say softly. He squints his eyes, lowering his gaze to mine. That’s when Cole decides to mumble something under his breath. I feel Jace loosen his grip on my hand.

  “What did you say?” Jace asks him. Cole just grabs his board, ignoring Jace’s question.

  “Let’s get back out there, Brett,” Cole says. I see my boy swallow, and his neck muscles tighten. Cole walks away while Brett looks over at us.

  “He’s just messing with you,” Brett says, but I know Jace is seething.

  EVEN WITH THE rough start, Jace and I still have the best day ever. I pretty much stay out in the water with him the whole time. Not wanting Cole to bug us again, I make sure we stay further over than him.

  Deciding to take a break, I leave Jace to go rest on the beach with Jules. I lie back on my towel and watch as Jace continues to surf. He’s never surfed before today, and he’s already like a pro. He is having a blast, and I am having the best birthday ever just watching him.

  While trying to catch some sun, I take in the sounds of the ocean, when a devious voice chimes in. “So, Shay, I bet it’s exciting spending time with your
boyfriend away from the south side pits.” I sit up quickly. Jules looks over at me.

  “Did you really just say that?” I say, shocked by her brash words.

  Devin continues, “I mean, don’t get me wrong. Jace is super hot. You know what they say about the boys from the other side of the tracks?”

  “No, Devin, I actually don’t know what they say about the boys from the other side of the tracks.”

  “Come on, Shay. Don’t be so naïve.”

  She puts her gaze on Jules. “Jules, your dad is the king of writing scripts for this shit. Haven’t you warned your best friend?”

  “Devin, if you are here just to be a bitch, you can leave.” Jules’ voice is stern.

  “I’m not being a bitch. I’m trying to look out for you, Shay.”

  “You don’t even know Jace,” I tell her. Inhaling a deep breath, I look out into the ocean and see my boy catching a wave. He rides it all the way to shore. I smile, not letting Devin get to me. She doesn’t know Jace. Nobody knows him. Even Jules has only met him a handful of times over the years.

  I see Jace talking to some surfers. I’m sure they’re telling him how good he looks out there, so I lie back down and ignore Devin. She already has her earbuds in with her eyes closed anyway. People can try to put a label on us. Jace and I know who we are and how we feel about each other. Trust me, Devin can say what she wants, but if she could sink her teeth into Jace, she would.

  Settling back into my zone, I calm my uneasy nerves with the tranquility of the sounds of the ocean. My chest is sprinkled with cold water, making me suck in a breath. I take my sunglasses off and look up. Jace is standing over me. His hair, that I love, is hanging in his face. As he sits down beside me, I push it back, allowing his blue eyes to find mine. They dance with excitement. “I love surfing,” he says, leaning down and pressing his lips to mine. I hear the girls sigh. His lips are cold from the water, and he tastes salty. I don’t feel anything but heat radiate through me when he whispers against my lips, “I love you so much. Happy birthday, pretty girl.” I’m lost in Jace when I hear Cole’s voice next to us. He kicks sand, getting it all over me. Jace squints his eyes and gets up, standing eye-to-eye with Cole. I jump up quickly.