“Do you have a problem?” Jace asks.
“No problems here,” Cole says as he pulls me to him. He lifts me over his shoulder and takes off running toward the water. I see Jace as I lift my head that’s bobbing against Cole’s ass.
Not good.
Jace is standing there with his arms crossed.
“Put me down, Cole!” I yell. He ignores me and runs into the water, dunking me under. I come up, gasping for air. “You’re such a jerk.”
“What?” he says, splashing water on me. “You used to love that when we were kids.”
“We’re not little kids anymore, Cole. And, you just did that to piss Jace off.”
“He’ll get over it.” He laughs.
I give him a dirty look and make my way to shore. Clenching his jaw, Jace hasn’t moved from where I left him. I blow it off by mustering up my best smile and saying, “He thinks we’re still little kids.”
With a low voice, Jace says, “Is this what I have to worry about when I’m not with you?”
I put my hands on my hips. “No, you don’t have to worry about anything.” I speak clearly with total honesty.
“Our families have known each other since we were practically babies.”
He tilts his head to the side as he talks directly to me, so the girls can’t hear us. “So, you hang out a lot?”
“No, Jace, we did when we were kids. Not anymore.”
Looking upset, he draws in a breath. “I don’t think he realizes that, Shay. I think he feels really close to you.” He stretches out his arms toward me.
“Well, he can think that, but we’re not.”
As Jace softens his face, Cole runs up with his board. Looking smug, he says, “Happy fucking sweet sixteen, Starkie.”
Seriously, did he have to say that?
Immediately, Jace steps in front of me. “Watch your mouth in front of my girl.”
“Excuse me,” Cole says bitterly with a sarcastic tone.
“I said, don’t talk like that in front of my girl. It’s disrespectful. And, while you’re at it, don’t touch her either.”
“I was just cleaning the sand off her. I got it all over her body.” Cole’s voice is stern, while his tone is definitely suggestive. Jace gets in his face, and I move to grab his elbow.
“Jace.”
Cole laughs out loud. “See you, birthday girl. I’ll have Mommy wash my mouth out with soap when I get home.” He takes off through the sand, laughing with Brett.
Jace turns to me with wild eyes. “I don’t like him, Shay.” Bringing his hand to my face, he wipes the sand off my cheek.
“Get me wet, baby,” I say to distract him.
Swallowing hard, he looks away from me and watches Cole walk toward the parking lot. I can tell he’s holding back. He brings his troubled eyes back to my pleading ones. Softly, he pulls my face to his. “Do you love me?”
I trace my fingers across his lips, down his chin, and then up against his strong jawline. He leans into me. “I love you more than anything in this entire world.”
When our lips meet, it’s not soft. He kisses me possessively, like he is trying to get as much from me as he can. He puts his forehead against mine, as he does often. During this time, no one else exists. “You have no idea how much I love you, Shay. When I finally have you…” he trails off.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, looking up into his troubled pale eyes.
He shakes his head with a frown. “I can’t put it into words.” With a cracked voice, he says, “I just knew the very first time I looked at you.”
“You knew what?”
Pulling his fingers through his hair, he bites his lip and stares straight into my eyes. “I just knew.” He gives me his megawatt smile, but I can tell he’s forcing it. “Right now, I know I want you wet.” He grabs me, throws me over his shoulder, and sprints into the water. We tumble into the cold Pacific Ocean, laughing. Grabbing me around my waist, Jace pulls me into him. In a low, sexy, watered-filled voice, he says, “Wrap your legs around my waist, baby. I want to feel you.” When I do, I feel him against me as he moves me up and down his length. We are submerged in the water, but he’s still able to stand. It’s so sexy. As cold as the water is, I feel the heat between my legs. “I’m going to touch you, pretty girl.”
I hold on tightly to his neck as he twirls me in the water. I feel his hands grip my butt before he slowly dips them under my bikini bottom. Both of his hands cup my bare ass. I grab his face and kiss him; he doesn’t kiss me hard, but soft and slow as the waves rush over us. Remember when I said our tongues got married? Well, rest assured. They are happily making sweet passionate love every chance they get. Is it possible to make love from kissing? As slow and steady as Jace is with his tongue, I just can’t even imagine how his… um… You know what I mean. He’s just so swoony right now.
As I press harder against him, he groans into my mouth. “I think you and I are going to love being wet together.”
“Are you talking about wet in the ocean or…”
“I’m talking about every single way we can get wet together is going to be amazing,” he says. I hug him tightly as the water flows between us. He whispers into my ear, “Baby, you are mine. I don’t want anyone else picking you up. That was really hard for me to see. If anyone ever hurt you —”
“Cole didn’t hurt me, and just for the record, baby, I’ve heard cuss words,” I interrupt him.
“I know. It’s just… You’re too good for that. It’s one thing to be around it, but another for someone to say it directly to you.”
Trying to relax him, I say, “You’re stronger than Cole. I think you gave me a concussion when you threw me over your shoulder. I’m feeling a bit dizzy.” He gives me a concerned look.
“I’m just kidding.”
“You’re my girl. All you’re wearing is this little bikini, and Cole was touching every inch of you.”
“Come on. It’s time for birthday cake, and you haven’t given me my birthday present yet,” I say, trying to ease his painful expression.
WE ARRIVE AT Shay’s house for her birthday dessert a little later than she had planned. Her whole family is waiting on us. I forget how well off Shay’s family really is, but one thing about my girl is the fact she never acts as though she has money.
But, she does have money… a lot of it. Strangely, I never feel out of place, though.
“They’re out on the terrace,” Shay tells me as we make our way to the laughter that fills the air. I look out into the city lights. Their entire backyard is lit up. It’s times like these that I notice the small differences. Shay calls it a “terrace,” while I call it a “backyard”.
Her warm hand holds mine perfectly as we walk past huge glass jars with candles flickering, leading the path to her family. Everyone is sitting on large, white couches with pillows. I didn’t even know you could put couches like these outside. The only time I see couches outside is when they are placed on the side of the road for trash pick up.
Shay’s backyard looks as if it’s straight out of the movies. You know, the backyards where the high-class people party. The only difference is, it’s not full of bikini-clad, high-heeled girls prancing around poolside. It’s actually warm and cozy. The Starks are all about family.
Shay gives my hand, which she hasn’t let go of since we got out of her car, a little squeeze. Leaning over, I kiss her cheek. She finally lets go when her mom calls her over to her. I waste no time pulling Jules aside and take my present for Shay out of my pocket. “Can you give me Shay’s phone number? I want to put it in my phone.”
Jules’ eyes go wide, and she smiles at me. Trying to contain her excitement, she says, “Oh my God! She is going to be so excited.” She grabs her phone and gives me Shay’s number.
“Does she know that you have a phone now?”
“No, I wanted to surprise her. This is her birthday present.”
“Aw, that’s so perfect, Jace. Now she can talk to you all the time.”
; “That’s the plan. Even though it’s my phone, I wanted to make it like my gift for her. So we don’t have to wait to talk.”
“This is going to be her best gift ever, Jace.” She sighs all girlie, just like Shay.
“Don’t tell her, okay?” She nods her head. “I just hope she doesn’t ask me for her present now that we’re at her house. I want to wait until I get home and then surprise her by texting her. I gave her the birthday card I made her as soon as we got here, so I think she’s content that was her gift. Of course, she always loves my cards.”
Jules smiles. “Seriously, Jace, that is totally book-worthy swoon.”
“Yup, you and Shay are definitely best friends,” I tell her, chuckling.
“Why do you say that?” she asks.
“Because you both talk about the ‘swoon.’”
“Of course, we do. That’s like the must-have boyfriend requirement. We keep a movin’ if they’re not a swoonin.’” She puts her finger up to her mouth like she’s shushing someone. “I won’t tell. I can’t wait for you to surprise her.” Jules walks away, but then walks back to me. “Here, put my number in your contacts, too. Text me after you text Shay, so I know I’m in the clear to call her and gossip about you.”
“Um, okay.” I put her number into my phone next to Shay’s and then put my phone back into my pocket. After telling Jules good-bye, I walk over to where Shay’s dad and older brother, Beau, are sitting and try not to be intimidated by them. It’s hard to sit next to one of the most successful music producers and one of the biggest movie stars, especially when I don’t even know if I’m going to have a roof over my head half of the time. They both turn and look at me at the same time. With a strong grip, I shake Beau’s hand first. Shay adores Beau, and I know he watches out for her. I never thought I’d meet a movie star, but you would never know it by looking at him. I’ll admit, I see why fans and tabloids “follow his every move,” as Shay puts it, and I can’t imagine what that would be like. It probably isn’t as fun as one would think. Shay and Beau look a lot alike: both dark wavy hair and bright blue eyes. Though, right now, his hair is dyed much lighter for the movie he’s filming, making him favor their younger twin siblings.
“Nice to see you, Jace,” Mr. Stark says, shaking my hand. His voice is deep and very controlled, but at the same time, I see the softness in his expression. I know he’s a good man and loves his family just by the way Shay talks about him.
“Nice to see you, too, Mr. Stark.” I don’t really know what he thinks of me. I know he knows where Shay and I met, and he knows I have nothing. What he doesn’t know is I’m going to try my best to give his daughter everything.
Looking up, I see Shay in the distance. She glances at me, giving me a big smile. God, I just want to be able to give her the world. I don’t know if I could ever have all of this, but I will promise to give her all my love.
“So, I heard you went surfing today, Jace,” Beau says, taking a drink from his beer. I can tell it’s one of those expensive kinds, not like what my mom drinks.
“We did. Thank you for letting me borrow one of your boards.”
“No problem. You’re welcome to use it anytime.”
As we’re talking, Shay comes up behind me and puts her hands on my shoulders.
“You would never know it was his first time, Beau. He’s already ready for the pros.”
I look back at her. “I don’t think the pros, but surfing was a lot easier than I thought it would be.”
Beau sets his beer onto the glass table. “Well, you look like a pretty athletic guy, so I’m sure it was easy staying up on the board. Do you play football?” Both Beau and Shay’s dad look at me, waiting for an answer.
“No. I wish I could, but I… We can’t really afford for me to play.” I hate having to admit that to them. Here they are with no money issues, and I’m going home later, hoping I can find something to microwave. I have to buy food with food stamps while they swipe their gold cards. The way they look at me tells me they feel sorry for me.
“Beau was the stud quarterback in high school,” Shay says, trying to break the sudden mood change. “But, you know that. Since the day you met me, I pretty much ran the field.” Her brother laughs.
“She did. She scored a touchdown,” I tell him.
“I bet she did. Shay loved watching Beau play. They used to always throw the ball together when they were little,” her dad says proudly.
“I think she played with Cole enough to learn the ropes. He’s turning out to be pretty good,” Beau smugly says with a smile. His words make my jaw tighten. “I mean, not as good as I was, but he’s decent.” Shay wraps her arms around me and kisses my cheek. My jaw relaxes, but I hate the thought of her playing ball with Cole. Beau drains his beer and stands up. “Excuse me. I’m going to tell Mom I need to leave.”
Shay yells over to him, “You can’t leave until you sing to me.” She pouts.
“That’s why I’m telling Mom to get the cake.”
Shay moves to sit on my lap, and I instantly try not to act nervous with her dad sitting next to us. He’s too busy watching Beau walk away.
Turning back around, his eyes land straight on his daughter, and then he gives me a pointed look. His face softens with a smirk. “You know, son, there are programs out there to help with the cost of playing sports.” I know he means well, but at the moment I feel like I’m two feet tall.
“I know,” I say, because I do know that. It’s just I have no support. Maybe I’m full of excuses. There are plenty of kids that make it out of the area I live in. Besides, I need to work after school. Shay still doesn’t know that.
Shay wiggles on my lap, making it harder not to be affected with her dad right beside us. I pull on her ponytail and whisper against the back of her neck, “Stop moving on my lap, baby.”
She leans into me just as her mom yells, “Time for cake!”
Thank God.
Her mom walks over and sets the cake down onto the glass table. My mom has never made me a birthday cake. The brightly glowing pink candles are ready for Shay to blow out. They flicker, lighting her pretty face. She looks back at me. Her big blues eyes radiate with happiness as she mouths, “I love you, baby.” I mouth it right back to her as my heart beats blissfully in my chest.
Bliss. That is the word I would use to describe this moment. Every moment I get to be with her.
She is my bliss.
We’ve come a long way since she was twelve, and I’m completely head over heels in love with her. I’m devoted to her, plain and simple. I will be the richest man in the entire world if this girl smiles at me for the rest of my life like she just did. I swallow down the emotion that I feel bubbling up inside me.
Shay’s whole family, Jules included, gathers around the cake. She puts my hand in hers, and I hold it, rubbing my thumb gently across her soft skin. Mrs. Stark starts the birthday song, and we all follow. It’s really the first time I’ve ever sat around a birthday cake like this. Her mom is beaming while snapping pictures of Shay as she blows out her candles. I wonder what she wished for. She’s still on my lap as I rest my chin on her shoulder, looking up at her as she smiles at everyone around her.
As I glance around at all the happy faces, never did I think people like this would surround me. There is so much love here: all because I went to the community center all those years ago and met this beautiful girl on my lap. I rub her back, and she leans into me. For a moment, I picture us just like this, but older with our own family around us. I picture Shay fussing over our child’s birthday cake. I picture the love I have for her, like the love I can clearly see on her dad’s face right now. It’s beautiful to see the love this family has for each other. Then I look at her twin siblings, Tatum and Tristan. They make me laugh. They are totally bugging each other, not paying any attention to what’s going on around them. Tristan is holding Tatum in a headlock, and she’s pinching his side. When Shay wiggles on my lap again, I give her back a little pinch, and I know this is the
life I want to have.
AFTER A BIG piece of chocolate cake, it’s time for me to go back to reality. Shay runs into the house to get her car keys while I say the dreaded good-byes. I hate this part. Mrs. Stark gives me a hug while Tristan and Tate wave good-bye. As I shake her dad’s hand, he says, “If you ever need help with anything, you can always come to me. I mean that, Jace.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I remember being a young kid starting out. It’s not easy, especially when you have to work for everything you have.” He looks around to see who’s near. “All this… everything you see… I’ve had to work my ass off to have this. My wife knows. She’s been by my side since the very beginning, and it was tough. A lot of nights away… That’s why I love that woman so much. No matter what, she has been there for me, even when she should have kicked my ass to the curb. But, I knew the life I wanted to give her, and she was faithfully by my side through it all. As far as my kids go, this life is all they know. They haven’t seen the struggle to get them all of this.
“Remember, Jace. It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish. If I can give you any advice, it’s to never give up on what you want. When you find what makes you happy, push through until you get it.” I just stare at him. Never has anyone said something so profound to me. Like what I dreamed a father would say to his son. Something I always dreamed someone would care enough to say to me. I clear my throat.
“Thank you. That means a lot to me. Mr. Stark… your daughter… She makes me happy. I really love your daughter. I just want you to know that.”
He slaps me on the back. “ I can tell, son.” Shay runs up as her dad slaps me one more time on the back. I nod my head, thankful for his words. Then, like always, my eyes find hers, and I stare at her as she smiles. I know exactly where I want to finish.
Labeled Love Page 11
