by Aja Cole
It’s crazy to me to think about what my mindset was before Sienna, and what it is now. Here I am caring about if her mom likes me or not, when before, I’d have told her I don’t care what she thinks about me since I’m not dating her.
I think getting the approval of her mom is important to her, so…it’s important to me. If I try, and she’s just closed off - at least I tried.
I finish up press stuff for the day, and pull out my phone, ready to see where Sienna is.
“Jax, let me grab you for a second.” Tommy comes up, and I walk with him through the doors, giving him my full attention for the moment. “So…how serious are you about Miss Davis?”
“Why do you ask?”
“An opportunity has come up, and I want to know where your head’s at before I waste my breath.”
“It’s early, but…I like her a lot. I don’t see myself being interested in anyone else anytime soon.”
“Hmm,” He puts his hand in his pockets, turning to me. “So you wouldn’t be interested in declining the endorsement deal with H&S and going with Gatorade?”
I stop in my tracks, facing him.
“Why would I do that?”
“It’s a little bit more on brand. They’re offering more for less, really. H&S wants you exclusively for three months, no new deals in that initial time period. Gatorade isn’t asking that.”
A contract with Gatorade is on the same tier as one with H&S.
“How much more are we talking?”
“$3 million more. Then there’s the potential for licensing, which means even more. We’re talking percentages off everything sold.”
I whistle, and he nods. “Yeah. So, it’s up to you. I’ll back you in whatever choice you make, it’s not like you can’t afford to go with H&S. Other opportunities will come along.”
“But Gatorade isn’t asking as much, and they’re a sports drink company, not as lifestyle/personal product oriented like H&S.”
“Right. But…your girlfriend works for H&S. Somehow, I see it being a point of contention. She’s great by the way, much less scary now.”
“I agree. And that’s pleasure…this is business.” I pause. “Let me have some time with it and I’ll get back to you.”
“Alright, Nikki will be heading that up. I’m taking a little personal time soon, so I don’t have to buy my wife some outrageous gift to apologize for being so busy.”
“Nikki?” I echo dumbly.
“Yeah, we decided to bring her onto the team for good. Finalized yesterday, actually.” He claps me on the shoulder. “I’m only one man, you know. It takes a village.” His phone buzzes and he looks at it. “I’m supposed to be picking Tia up from track practice, so let’s chat later.”
“Great.” I give a small wave and walk back inside, shaking a few hands and signing things for fans. I pose for a few pictures and talk to my brothers a bit, making plans to get together with just the team before the parade Thursday. The high that I was feeling from rehashing everything from yesterday is decreasing a bit at the prospect of telling Sienna that I’m considering taking another deal. That, and knowing that if I go with Gatorade, Nikki will be running point.
I highly doubt I’m her favorite person right now, and I don’t want things to be messy. If I’d known she’d be coming onto Tommy’s team for good, I wouldn’t have started anything with her at all.
A call comes through and I check the screen, seeing Sienna’s picture pop up. I hesitate for a second, then send the call the voicemail.
I need a little time to think.
Her main concern about us being together is changing how she’s seen and basically diluting her brand. A deal with Gatorade is an opportunity to strengthen my brand, put even more opportunities together, and yet I’m hesitating just because of a woman. Is this were her, would she give it a second thought just because she’s seeing me?
I put my keys down in the bowl by the door at my parents house, slipping my shoes off on the mat and setting them by the others. Jamie’s coming down the stairs, focused on his phone, and almost runs into me.
“Watch where you’re going, kid.” I ruffle his hair as I step aside, avoiding the collision, and he smiles sheepishly.
“Sorry.” He gives me a quick hug. “Lena’s here, but I think she’s on her period.” He wrinkles his nose. “She’s in a bad mood.”
“I heard that, you little shit!” She calls from the kitchen and he blanches.
“Told you.” He whispers, before scurrying back up the stairs.
I shake my head, amused. You’d think there was much less than 12 years between the two of them. Jamie was the product of my mom forgetting to get her birth control shot, apparently.
I walk into the kitchen, where my mom’s chopping up fruit and Lena is stealing pieces every so often.
“Didn’t think we’d see you for a few days.” My mom rubs her hands on a towel and comes around to hug me.
“Hey Ma, is dad around?” I hug her back. Her thick, dark hair is lightly streaked with silver. She really pulls it off.
“He’s down in the basement, tinkering with his planes.”
“I’m gonna go talk to him for a bit.” I snag a few pieces of strawberry and pat Alena on the head as I walk by her.
“Where’s Sienna? I like her more than you.”
Hearing her name sends a little bit of guilt through me. I didn’t answer her call initially, and I told her I was going to be a few more hours but I’d see her later tonight.
“She had some stuff to do.” I throw out, leaving the kitchen and heading for the basement.
“Dad?” I call out when I’m nearing the bottom, because I don’t want to startle him. He gets really engrossed in his planes.
He used to be an aviation engineer, that’s where Alena got her smarts from. My mom is a psychiatrist with her own practice, so it was a little surprising that I wanted to do sports.
Jesse, my 18 year old brother is about to head off to college and major in biochemistry. Jamie will probably do something with kids, maybe pediatrics.
Basically, I’m the only dumb jock of the family if you don’t count my brother-in-law.
When I quit football for that year, I convinced myself that I was going to be a veterinarian. My mom has some wide connections, and I got to go to work one day with a vet.
It happened to be the day that a dog came in that was hit by a car, and I knew immediately that I couldn’t do a job like that. Humans were out because I get a little squeamish. There were other jobs, but I liked science the most.
But then I started playing football again, so I just didn’t let myself think about any other alternatives.
And here I am.
I round the corner and see my dad sitting on the floor, pieces laid out all around him. He looks up when I get closer, pushing his glasses up on his nose.
“Son number one,” He gets up with the ease of man much younger, pulling me into a tight hug. “Figured you’d be partying for a little longer.”
“Yeah, well, reality intrudes.” I drop down to the floor next to him, handing him a piece when he points to it.
He likes to group everything together before he starts building.
“So, what’s on your mind? Anything to do with the nice young woman we met?”
“Sort of.” Together, we sort the pieces into different areas, like we used to do when I younger. “I have an opportunity to sign a pretty great endorsement deal. Money is good, I like the company, and there’s potential for licensing later on.”
“And?”
“And taking it would mean backing out of another deal. The deal with the company that Sienna works for, and a deal she supported me on when she initially didn’t want to.” I admit.
“And you think accepting what you think is the better opportunity for you would be a slight against her?”
“Yeah, I think that’s how she’ll see it.”
“Yada yada something something about only worrying about what works best for you.” He teases
, taking his glasses off and rubbing his eyes. “Is it serious? I liked her, and I liked the way you two looked at each other. But is it long-term, or heading there?”
“I mean, I hope so. I can’t see the future, but I mean, I don’t want to stop seeing her.”
“Well then, I guess it’s time to see how the two of you communicate with one another. That’s the key to any working relationship, and I’m sure if you lay it out for her, she’ll understand.”
I’m not so sure about that at all, but my dad has a point about communication.
It’s time to put my money where my mouth is. Or would it be mouth where my money is…
Whatever it is, I owe it to her to be upfront and honest, or she’ll never take me seriously. She has to hear it from me first.
Sienna
I pull into the driveway of the home in Peachtree City, parking away from the basketball hoop and peering out my window.
This is a family home. There was a gate and it’s a little secluded, but I can still see other homes not too far away. It’s private, but it’s not a mansion or overly extravagant.
Grabbing my bag from the passenger seat, I walk up the white steps, trailing my hand over the smooth wood railing. The door to the screened in patio isn’t locked, and I take in the wicker patio furniture with deep blue cushions and accents.
The inside door isn’t locked either, and I step inside gingerly, wondering if I should take my shoes off or not since I don’t see Jax. There’s a stone grey jeep outside that I assume is his.
Up until now, I’ve only seen him when Malcom was driving.
There’s a lot to learn about each other, clearly.
Going with caution, I toe off my shoes and sit them neatly away from the walkway because the hardwood looks far too nice to potentially scuff. The ceilings are extremely high with windows to match, and I bet the natural light is amazing when it’s daytime.
I sit my bag down on the deep cream colored arm chair that matches the rest of the furniture, and cross my arms, taking everything in as I walk through.
Baby I see you working hard, wanna let you know I’m proud, let you know that I admire what you do…
The music gets louder and clearer as I walk down the hallway and around the corner, and I lean against the open doorway of the kitchen area, smile spreading across my face.
Don’t know if I need to reassure you, my life would be purposeless with you…
Jax is at the stove, his shoulders, head, and hips moving with the music. He’s singing the words too. I walk closer.
Never did I think I’d walk in to Jax jamming to Destiny’s Child. And he actually has a really good voice.
“You’re not bad.” He whirls around with alarm on his face, voice trailing off and wielding a large spoon. “I didn’t know you could sing.” I try to peek but he blocks me with his body.
Something’s sizzling and smells amazing.
“Only in the privacy of my home. Go sit, I’ll make the plates. It’ll only be about 5 more minutes at the most.”
I decide not to protest. I go to the table in the open the kitchen, and start to pull out a chair.
“No, not that one,” He doesn’t turn around. “Theres a dining table through that doorway.” He dips his head to his left and I pad across the floor, peeking around the wall and seeing a dark wood table with candles lit and a basket of bread on the table.
Makes sense.
I sit where there’s a place setting, and check emails on my phone, resisting the urge to check out the rest of the house. I’m sure he’ll give me a grand tour if he wants to.
Walking in here, I could see a piano in the room that connects to this dining room and everything is carpet in here, then it turns into wood again when you leave the room.
He comes into the room, holding two plates, and sets them down on the table. He disappears again and brings back a small serving bowl with broccoli and another with roasted potatoes. One more trip to the kitchen and he brings back a bottle of Heinz, a bottle of A1, a bottle of ketchup, and a bottle of wine.
He’s so thorough that I’m getting suspicious.
I watch his face intently when he dims the lights and sits down, low music still playing. He glances up from where he’s spreading a napkin in his lap, catching my eyes.
“What?”
“Are you okay?”
His blue eyes dart to the side, then back to me. “Why wouldn’t I be? Let’s say grace.” He holds out a hand, and I take it, something unpleasant settling in my stomach.
I don’t know what’s up, but something is. You don’t grow up with Deidre Maxwell for a mother and not learn how to 1) control your own expressions and 2) read everyone else.
“Bless this food that we are about to receive. Thank you lord for blessing us to see another day. Thank you for allowing me to put food on the table, and thank you for blessing us with good company, full hearts, and continuously showing your grace. Amen.”
“Amen.” I echo, admiring the sear on the steak and the way that the lobster tails are glistening on the plate. I almost shiver at how good this food looks.
He uncorks the wine and pours some in my glass, then his, serving both of us vegetables and potatoes. He seems to want to do it, so I don’t bother berating him about being able to serve myself.
I’ve been doing things for myself for so long that it feels weird letting someone else do it.
“Oh my god.” I chew the tender steak, spearing a piece of broccoli.
“Good?” He grins, the first full smile I’ve seen since I got here.
“So good.” I sigh, closing my eyes. Food is the way to my heart, there is no doubt about it. I eat a piece of the lobster and put a hand to my heart. “So moist, melts in my mouth.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it.” I tell him sincerely, and pride shines in his eyes, but then he drops his gaze to the table and I decide to give him a little more time before I demand he tells me why he’s done all this.
I’d rather enjoy my food now, in case he wants to tell me that he’s decided it’s best we don’t see each other. That’d be great after I’ve just realized how much I like him and told my mother about him.
I could’ve saved myself the grief.
When the silence is too awkward to let go on anymore and I’m on my second glass of wine, I turn to him.
“Jaxon.”
“Hm?” He looks up guiltily from the plate he’s been paying a ridiculous amount of attention to.
“Don’t keep me in suspense any longer. Why all of this?” I motion to the table, turning towards him in my chair and pulling a leg under me.
“I wanted to make you dinner.” He eats another piece of steak,, swallowing before he speaks again. “Wanted you to see my place.”
“And that’s why you’re being so weird?”
“Wierd?”
“Yes. You’re being weird.”
“I’m being weird?” He drinks from his wine glass and I glare at him.
“Would you like to keep repeating what I say or are you going to stop bullshitting me?” He cracks his knuckles, staying silent and I pour myself more wine.
He leans on the table, hanging his head before he meets my eyes.
“Okay, I’m just…I’m just gonna say it and I don’t want you to say anything until after I’ve explained. Okay?”
I press my lips together, dismayed. But I nod. “Okay.”
“An opportunity has come up,” He takes a deep breath, looking like he’d rather be doing anything else but having this conversation. “And if I took this opportunity, it would mean that I move away from the endorsement deal with H&S.”
Remembering my agreement to not say anything until he’s finished, I close my lips against all the questions that immediately come to mind.
“Gatorade is offering an endorsement deal, with the potential for licensing down the road. They’re offering more money, and they’re already heavily involved with sports and less lifestyle. I wanted to ta
lk to you about it before I do anything.”
He looks at me expectantly, and I raise an eyebrow.
“You can tell me what you think now.” He says.
I take a sip from my glass, then swirl the wine, staring as the deep red liquid rises around the rounded sides of the glass.
“I love red wines. Especially ones that are round and full bodied, hints of dark berries and a little smokiness in every sip. Aged well.”
“Sienna.” He starts. “What do you think?”
“Why did you want to talk to me first? If you think I’m going to go to them about upping your offer or changing any terms, you’re sorely mistaken. You’ll have to find someone else to use.”
“Use? I’m not using you. That didn’t even cross my mind. I wanted to talk to you about it because it’s not just about me, it doesn’t just affect me and I want to really know what you think.”
“You want to know what I think?” I twist my lips, staring at the deep cream label on the bottle.
“Yes. I do.”
“I think…that I don’t know what I think right now. I’m feeling…like I want to go home.” I stand, dropping my napkin on the table. “Thank you for dinner. It was lovely. Be sure to give my number if you need a reference for the next, shiny new thing.”
I stalk through the house, grabbing my purse as I walk by the table, and shoving my heels on my feet.
How fucking naive of me.
I crank up my car and turn on my lights, glancing in my rear view mirror quickly. My eyes swing back to it when I realize Jax is standing behind my car with his arms crossed.
I’m not quite mercenary enough to run him over and potentially affect his career and my freedom.
I rev my engine in warning, keeping my car in park and the brake on, but he doesn’t budge.
Narrowing my eyes, I gauge if I can simply pull off a turn in the driveway and grass.
I might just make it.
Sienna
I’m not confident enough in my driving skills to try to make such a maneuver, and I don’t want to scratch my baby.
Jax better be damned glad I value this car, because otherwise, I’d be halfway down the street by now.
I turn off my car and step out into the driveway, holding my door open.
“Mr. Blake, I would appreciate it if you would kindly remove yourself from my path.”
