#xd30

[sawthingsiimagined]

THANK Y’ALL SO MUCH FOR READING MY STORY. I had a goal to write a short story this year and a guy on Twitter named Xavier D'Leau‏ @XavierDLeau challenged his followers to a 30 Day writing challenge. We could write whatever we wanted. I decided to tell a story. I’m sort of sad for the story to end. If you’re interested in MORE and want to see what happens next, message me, comment or let me know somehow. I would love to continue writing stories. I actually have more I want to add... but only if you want to read....

[sawthingsiimagined]

#XD30 THIRTY | DOUBLE TROUBLE

[ Tough Love - Jace ]

It’s the day of our last show. Luckily Jada received clearance from the doctor to perform at the show. Our soundcheck was smooth minus a few bumps Jada had trying to keep her energy up. 

We agreed to not continue to tour. This meant that we would return home to Georgia and finish working on our project. The label was not happy at all but we had to do what was best for Jada and the baby. With fear, Jada broke the news to our family. As expected that were disappointed and agreed that we should return home. I wasn’t sure what this meant for us as a group. Did we have enough momentum with this tour to come back after a few months of the baby being born? I guess we would have to see. 

We only had a few hours until the show so Mona asked us to stay at the arena until show time. My head was all over the place so I decided I would take a nap when I got back to my dressing room. No one on our crew seemed too upset that we wouldn’t continue touring. Most of the crew was aware of the possibility and had already lined up other jobs and tours. I hadn’t spoken to Demarion face to face since the night we confessed our feelings to each other in his hotel room. I had stayed over that night. He held me the entire time with his head buried in my hair. After that night we texted all day and night revealing to each other in depth the feelings that we had. My heart skipped every time my phone notified that there was a message from him. I went from fighting to see him as just a friend, to now having a full on crush on him. During soundcheck, I tried to avoid looking at him to keep people from reading our vibe...if it was obvious. I didn’t want to take any chances. 

I laid down on my couch before Mona barged into my room. She didn’t even knock. 

“Jace get up. I have to share something with you,” Mona said. She had never spoken to or addressed me like she just did. I immediately grew nervous and my mind raced thinking that something was wrong with Grandpa. He was home now but we were still handling him with care. 

“What’s wrong Mona?” I asked while my heart was racing. 

“This is where we are. Listen closely,” she began. “The label just called. The sent over a proposal. The agreement said that they would amend FLAME’S current contract. Y’all won’t have to deliver an album but Y'all will have to repay the current cost and fees associated with the production of the debut album so far. That’s awesome news because we’ve only spent a little over $15,000 so far on production and you guys have brought in more than that on the tour. So you won’t be bound to them or have to deliver an album. They even offered to look into resigning a new contract with you guys when Jada is ready. The catch is...they want to sign you as a solo act,” she said. 

I almost fainted. I laid back down as a rush of thought swarmed through my head. 

“Miguel is about to start his tour in a couple of weeks and they want to set you up to open for him. I know you don’t have any solo music recorded but if we work really hard we can have you ready. You can sing a couple of FLAMES’ songs. We will work out all of the details but in order to not have to get buried in debt with FLAME and for you to continue working hard while Jada takes care of herself during the pregnancy, I think this is the best option. It’s actually a blessing,” she said.

“Have you talked to Jada?” I asked.

“Not yet. I was going to let you do it,” she said. “They want an answer by in the morning. I need to go let them know I told you. Think about it, talk to Jada and let me know.”

---------------

I walked to Jada’s dressing room trying not to fall or turn around. My knees were shaking. We started this together and it was both our desires to finish this together. I received a text. 

The text read: “Kill Vegas tonight. Show them what you got.”

It was from Demarion. I smiled. I would text him back after I talked to Jada. I knocked on the door. 

“Come in,” I heard her say through the door. I walked in and she had her head down on the vanity tabletop. She was wearing a white cotton robe and there were wadded tissues next to here. 

“Sister, can we talk,” I said.

“Yes,” she said. “Look. I’ve finally faced the fact that I will be a mother. I have to take care of business now. I’m bringing in a new life. I can’t handle it like it’s a problem. This baby didn’t ask to be here. I’m sorry but until I can figure out how to be a mother, I may have to put FLAME on hold,” she said putting her head down.

“Well. Jada. The label offered to let us out of our deal....if I go solo,” I said. 

She sat up and turned to look at me. I couldn’t read her expression. 

“Jace, that would be awesome. This whole time I’ve been here dreading to tell you my decision but I didn’t to stop you. I prayed and then you walked in. Oh, my God. Please tell me you told them yes,” she said. 

My heart was so relieved. A heavy weight had lifted.

“I haven’t told them anything. You know I would want to ask you first. We’re in the together.” I said with a shy smile. 

“Well call them and tell them HELL YEA,” she said. “Ooops sorry.

I rushed over to hug her. 

“Fix your face. Just because we are putting a pause on FLAME right now doesn’t mean that we won’t start again. Let’s go put on one HELL of a show,” I said.

“Lord have mercy, they got my baby cussing,” she said with laughter. 

“I’ll explain more of the terms later but I’ll see you backstage in a few,” I said. 

I literally ran back to my room. I was so excited. Moreso because Jada was happy for me. 

When I got back to my room I texted Mona.

The text read: “Tell them I said that I’ll do it” 

She immediately replied with smiley emojis. 

I laid on the couch processing all of my thoughts. I started thinking of the songs I wanted to right. I would be opening for Miguel in a few weeks. I’m so excited! 

I remembered I needed to text Demarion back.

The text read: “Thank you *heart eyes emoji*. I’ll kill as long as you’re back there beating those drums.”

He replied back with the wink gif. 

That night was our best show yet. We performed with such ease. It was as if everything that happened needed to happen in order for us to come to this point. It felt like destiny was happening. I wasn’t sure what was going to be next. Demarion and I needed to talk more, I needed to revamp into a solo artist and I needed to be there for my sister and new baby nephew or niece. 

Whatever the road ahead, I was ready to ride. 

[sawthingsiimagined]

#XD30 TWENTY NINE | DOUBLE TROUBLE

[ Baby What You Doin - Jada ]

Our last show with SASSY was tomorrow. We had a bid to continue the rest of the tour with them but waiting to get the final news from Mona. I sat in the upper level of the arena watching SASSY perform. I wanted some time alone. I wasn’t feeling well. I texted Adrienne and asked her to bring me some water. 

While I waited on her to bring the water I opened my phone to scroll online. I found out earlier that day that Q had been released from jail on bail. He would have a court date within a few weeks. I wondered how long it would be before I heard from him. As far as I know, no one had tried to come do harm to me. I had security everywhere I went. Even now a new security officer named Davis was standing at the top of the stairwell so that he could have the perfect view of me and my surroundings. 

Adrienne arrived with the water and sat next to me. 

“Girl are you alright. You look flushed and tired. You sounded winded up there in rehearsal as well. Did you find out some bad news? How’s grandpa?” she asked. 

“Everything is fine. I think I’m just exhausted. All I want to do is get back to my room and sleep,” I replied. 

“Well, y’all are done. Jace is in the back talking to Mona but I can call a car so we can go,” she said. 

“Talking to Mona about what?” I asked. 

“I don’t know. I think he’s anxious to see if y’all will continue the second leg of the tour,” she said. 

“Hell, I want to know too,” I said standing up. Adrienne got up to join me and good thing she did. She was able to brace my fall. I felt my knees weekend and I fell into her arms. 

---------------------------------

I woke up to bright lights. I adjusted my eyesight to the light in the room. I looked over and saw Jace sitting beside me on his phone. From the looks of it, I was at the hospital. I immediately panicked. Jace heard me ruffling the sheets out of panic. 

“Shhh baby girl,” he said trying to calm me. My mouth was so dry that I couldn’t speak. 

“We’ve been waiting for you to wake up. Let me go get the doctor,” he said. 

He returned with Mona and the doctor, a slender, white older gentleman in tow. 

“Ms. Jada, we are glad you’re up. There is no need to panic. I want to go over the tests we ran and our findings. Would you like to go over it privately or do you want these two to stay in the room?” he asked. I couldn’t speak but I nodded that it was fine if they stayed. I didn’t expect anything to be wrong. I was in perfect health besides feeling exhausted the last couple of days and I trusted both Jace and Mona to take care of me through this process. 

“Well, we checked out your heart and blood pressure and all of the levels are normal. We also did a brain scan and the tests came back fine. I was curious to why you suddenly passed out. I found out you are a performer so my first thought was that it was just exhaustion,” he said. He was telling me something I already knew. 

“The final test I ran revealed the issue. Looks like you be welcoming a baby soon,” he said. He kept talking but I closed my eyes. I basically blacked out. 

-------------------------

I was shocked but not surprised. I thought about how I hadn’t used condoms with Q. I was so excited and caught up in the moment that I didn’t even consider the repercussions of my actions. Damn. I didn’t know how to feel. Here I am on the brink of a budding, promising career while on tour and I was about to bring everything to a halt for me and Jace. I immediately felt guilty. Jace never left my side. I heard Mona outside on the phone. I was anxious to learn how we would handle this but I suppose this finalized whether we would continue the tour. I messed it up for everyone. The entire crew depended on us to have a job. I began crying. 

“Sister, don’t cry. We’re going to figure this out. Like we always do,”  Jace said in a comforting tone. 

“I just have one question. Do you know who the dad is?” he asked. I was almost insulted. He knew about Q. What else did he expect? Wait a minute. I began crying harder. 

I also slept with Ernest multiple times. Many times we didn’t use a condom. I said I would be a hoe on this tour but I should have committed to being a smart hoe. Now I don’t know who soon to be baby’s father is. I was only a few weeks pregnant. I was dreading the phone call home. Hopefully, Mona hadn’t called home to break the news. 

Mona waltz back in a room with a serious look. 

“Well, guys. We have two options here. Y’all won the bid to continue the tour. We can try to get through the rest of the dates in hopes that Jada doesn't’ start showing. Because of the tour’s audience demographic, they don’t think it would be a good look to have someone pregnant on stage, especially the star. The other option is we can stop the tour and y’all can finish up the debut album and prepare for your own tour after the baby. The only issues are that all pregnancies are different and we can’t project how long it will before Jada is ready to hit the road again. I have my opinion on this but I will let y’all decide. I’m going to make a few more phone calls to see if there are any more options but let me know what y’all want to do,” she said with an awkward smile. 

“I know there are mixed emotions about everything but we’ll get through it. Congratulations Jada,” she said while leaving the room.  Bitch was that shade or sympathy because it didn’t feel celebratory. I didn’t even care. I honestly wasn’t happy. How could I be so dumb? 

“I’m so sorry Jace,” I said.

“What do you want to do?” he asked. “I’m in full support.”

“Well my first choice is whether or not I will keep the baby,” I said.

“ARE YOU SERIOUS?” he said with sudden anger. “I know you aren’t considering THAT option.”

“And I know my brother won’t judge me. We’ve been preparing our entire life for this. I’m not ready to cause this hurdle for us,” I explained. 

“This isn’t a hurdle. This is a result. When you have sex there is a chance you’ll have a baby Jada,” he said with a frown on his face.

“I know but...I didn’t plan to have a baby. What will people think?” she said. 

“People will think what they want to think. The only thing we need to figure out is what we will do,” he said. 

I pondered for a moment. In my head, I began creating a to-do list. I knew for sure that I would have to figure out who the father was, I would have to speak with Q and I would have to decline on continuing the tour. The way I felt the last few days lead me to believe that touring would be too strenuous while pregnant. I didn’t want to ruin our reputation of great performances by getting on stage and passing out or singing badly. I had to do what I had to do. 

[sawthingsiimagined]

#XD30  TWENTY EIGHT | DOUBLE TROUBLE

[ Coming to You Straight - Jace ]

I stepped out of the car at the hotel. We had just arrived in Las Vegas after what seemed like at least a 12-hour flight from Georgia. There were so many delays and issues with our flight. That only fueled my anger more. I had not talked to Demarion at all. I ignored his texts and phone calls because I felt what I needed to say would be taken better in person. 

I was still upset about the post that had now gone viral online of me sleeping in his bed. Good thing I was fully clothed. I’m even more grateful that it wasn’t the night I was drunk. After talking to Mona, she told me that I probably shouldn’t say anything online or in interviews in reference to the pictures. She also encouraged me not to look at the comments. I tried my best to stay off of social media altogether. Jada was taking a while to get out of the car. She hadn’t been feeling well all morning so she told me she would catch up with me later. She asked if I wanted her to accompany when I talk to Demarion but I told her it would be best if I came to him alone. 

After dropping my luggage off at my hotel room, I decided to go to the bar on the first floor. Demarion’s room was on the first floor and they were due to return back from rehearsal any moment now. I hoped that he would come straight back to the hotel and that I would catch him as he walked to his room. I ordered a drink called a ‘Lemon Drop’ to calm my nerves. After about 20 minutes I noticed some of the band members walk in. None of them noticed me sitting at the end of the bar. I adjusted myself, sitting straight up so I could prepare for what would happen next. Demarion walked in through the automatic doors with his head buried in his phone. I waited to see if he would noticed me. He walked past the bar. Something inside of me began to melt. I know he didn’t try to cause everything that has happened over the past week. Luckily, the rumors were dying down but I know that the next time FLAME was visibile online someone would bring up the incident. 

Should I really be upset at him. Looking at him walk past the bar in his grey Nike Joggers with crisp, white air max and fresh haircut made my heart flutter. I finally said it for the first time to myself, Demarion was sexy. He wore a fitted white v-neck that hugged his chest causing me to envy because I wasn’t the one to hug him. His cap covered his brow but I could tell he was concentrating on whatever was on his phone. He looked so good. 

I decided to get up and follow him to his room. I walked a several steps behind trying to figure out if I wanted to even confront him about the matter. Even though he has toured before I doubt he has ever been this close the artists he played for. We were both learning as we go. As he approached his door I accidentally dropped my phone. Not sure if I was tipsy or just clumsy but the noise caused him to look in my direction. 

“Jace,” he said with wide eye. I couldn’t read his expression. Was he happy or nervous about seeing me. I stared him. 

“Can we talk?” I asked. He nodded. He opened his door and I followed him into his room. After the door shut he immediately turned to me with a look of sorrow on his face. 

“Man look, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what got into me that night to post that picture of you on snapchat. I didnt’ expect anyone to screen shot it. I have been getting more followers since we’ve been hanigng but I didn’t know people were that thirsty. I’m sorry. I know you hate me...,” he said before I cut him off.

“Demarion. Stop. I don’t hate you,” I said in a soft voice while putting my head down. I was on the verge of tears. This is why I wanted to talk to him face to face. I needed to feel his sincereity, something you can’t feel through a text or phone call. I needed to see his eyes. He looked like he hadn’t slept much. 

“I came here to say alot. Now that I’m here, I don’t have anything to say. One thing I know for sure is.. I don’t hate you....actually,” I begin saying before growing silent. 

The silence was cold and Demarion was hanging on my every word. 

“Actually what Jace,” he said trying to look into my eyes. 

I looked up at him and we locked eyes. His brown eyes felt so soft. I immedieatly felt my body get warm. A single tear dropped from my eye onto my left cheek and I saw Demarion step forward cautiously before stopping. I knew he was still confused. At this point it was all or nothing. What I wanted to say next may cause offense but he has caused offense this week. This was my turn.  However, I wanted to be totally honest even if it cost us our friendship. 

“Man, look. I don’t even know how to explain this because I’ve never had to. But if you need explanation after I say this then just let me know and I’ll try,” I began. “I’ve never had these feeling but.......I have feelings for you and I don’t know if it’s just admiration, lust or love but I do,” I said. I paused to wait his response. He put his head down. I turned to walk out of the room. I grabbed the door knob and I felt a hand lowering my arm and another hand on my waist pulling me to turn around. I turned around trying to read his blank expression. I lowered my head.

“I don’t mean to come at you like this. I know you’re straig...,” I said before he cut me off.

“My man, shhh,” he said. “I’ll take it from here.” 

He lifted my chin and brought himself down to place his lips on mine. His eyese were closed but mine were open out of shock. He kissed me in a way I had never been kissed. I hadn’t kissed anyone since freshmen year in High School and that was a girl. His kiss was strong yet tender. I closed my eyes and let myself go. It felt right. Something that felt this right just couldn’t be wrong. He put his hands on the side of my face and pulled me further into the room away from the door. He sat on the bed. To continue kissing I now had to lower my head to him. He broke the kiss and laid on his back. He patted the side of the bed as if he was commanding me to sit or lay beside him. I decided to lay on my back. We both stared at the ceiling. It felt like all of time had froze and there was no need to rush to say anything. He finally broke the silence. 

“Jace. I got you. I don’t understand it either but I got you,” he said in a soft voice. The depth of his voice since chills down my spine. He reached over to grab my hand. He slipped his fingers in between mine and we silently stared into space. 

We both dozed off. When I woke up, I looked at the clock near the TV and it read 9pm. I could have sworn I walked his room at 5pm. We were knocked out that long. I looked over and Demarion was still laying on his back with his eyes open. I wonder how long he had been awake or if he had ever fallen asleep. 

I turned on my side to face him hoping that he would speak. He didn’t. I sat up and grabbed my phone. I was going to leave him there in his thoughts. He finally spoke. 

“I think I fell for you the night you took your first shot at the diner. I wasn’t sure if I just admired you or was having a fan moment. I’ve never hung with any of the artists I play for. I knew who you were before I met you. I watched all of y’alls videos, looked you up online, followed you on social media and when I saw you in person I felt my heart beat differently. You were so beautiful. I mean, you still are but the first time I saw you I felt something I never felt before. I admit the night I brought you back to your room and put you in bed I stared at you until I got sleepy. From that moment I knew I wanted to be around you as much as I could,” he said. 

I could not believe what I was hearing. His voice was low and timid. I had never heard him speak so nervous before. 

“But...I’m not gay. At least I’ve never had feelings for another dude before. I’ve only been with girls. I’ve never even been curious..until I met you. But I quickly dismissed the feeling as we grew as friends. Well, I’ll say that I fought the thoughts. I never thought we’d come to this moment. The night I took the picture of you on Snap Chat, you looked like an angel. I just had to capture it but I didn’t think about the repercussions. Please know I didn’t do that to hurt you or out of spite,” he said.

I took in everything he said and pulled my body over to his placing half of my weight on him. I reached down to kiss him again. This could become addicting. His full, soft lips massaged mine. I sat back up. 

“Everything you’re saying is what I’ve been preparing to say to you. You know my background. You know where I am. I don’t know what any of this means but I say... let’s figure this out together,” I said. 

He placed his hand on my lower back. “I’d really l like that,” he said. 

[mochachelle]

#XD30- THIRTY- SCENT

I held your pillow It smelled like crushed cotton Misted with lavender Wrapped in musk Pressed my fingers to my lips Inhaled deeply single tear rolled down my cheek Rocked back and forth Repeated I love you over and over Waited to hear you Said my final goodbye before I let go I held your pillow

[sawthingsiimagined]

#XD30

Today is the final day for this story. The hardest part so far has been to end this story. I will post the remaining chapters all at once (my best friend Ashley who is probably reading this and rolling her eyes...she's been rushing me to post. Thanks for getting to know my characters. This is the first story I've ever written and I appreciate you for checking in and reading. I also appreciate the messages. I bet you're wondering how the story will end. Here's a hint...the FLAME is about to be put out.

[blanchelfields]

#XD30 - Day 28 - “Be not dismayed...”

Rest assured where you are is where you’re supposed to be. Thank Him for his Light He has placed in your life. Thank Him because though others would deem you unworthy of your place, He has been faithful to your destiny. He is invested in you. He believes in you. He will keep you. He has never left you. He will walk with you every step of the way.

[sawthingsiimagined]

#XD30 TWENTY SEVEN | DOUBLE TROUBLE

[ Secure The Bag - Jada ]

I could not get Jace to talk to me the rest of the night. I felt so bad that this was happening to him. He wasn’t the type that dealt with scandal or conflict well. This was a first for both of us. We rarely received negative comments from people on social media but hateful words were racing in by the hour over the post of Jace. 

My mother called out to me from downstairs asking me to join her. I throw on my pink Ivy Park Hoody and pull m y hair into a messy bun. 

“Ma’am?” I said. 

“Hey honey, will you keep an eye on this cornbread in the oven? I need to go to the store. I forgot to pick up more eggs. I need more eggs for the dessert I’m making. I’m going to make you and Jace’s favorite, Lemon Drizzled Pound Cake,” she said with a big grin on her face. My mother was a soft spoken woman who was very submissive to my father. She held the family together with her soft words, strong wisdom and great cooking. We rarely ate out growing up because my mom believed that good home cooked meals produced loving families. She was a beautiful woman with thick curly hair. My dad really did marry up. 

“Ok. So does that mean you want me to sit in front of the oven and watch the cornbread bake?” I said with a playful voice as if I was insulting her request. 

“Yes you silly girl,” she said using a kitchen towel to hit me on my butt. She grabbed her keys and walked out of the house. 

My dad was at the hospital with my grandfather and from the sound of Kirk Franklin blasting from upstairs, I knew that Jace was still locked in his room. I decided to sit on a bar stool in front of the island in our kitchen. I heard a knock at the back door and got up to see who it may be. We weren’t expecting anyone else from the church today and all flower deliveries were sent to the hospital. Only people who were familiar with our home knew to come to the back door. 

I looked through the peephole and to my surprise it was Ernest. 

“Come in,” I said. “What made you come knock at the back door?”

“I was instructed to cause as less of a scene and abnormality as possible. I figured this huge house had another entrance,”  he said. 

“You’re correct,” I chuckled. “Thanks for coming. I know we leave in the morning and this probably feels like a waste of a trip but we really needed you guys after being attacked by the mob today,” I lied. 

“No problem. Just doing my job,” he said flashing a smile. He looked so good. I I immediately thought about the ‘cleaning closet escapade’ we had the first night we met and I felt my nipples growing hard. I wanted to whisk him up to my room and have him on my bed but knew I needed to make sure my mom’s famous cornbread didn’t burn. 

“Would you like something to drink?” I asked. 

“Sure. Do you have bottled water?” he asked. 

“Coming right up,” I replied. I went over to the fridge and grabbed a Smart Water for him to enjoy. I placed the water in his hand. I wanted to offer him a seat but he looked so good standing there in all black. His security shirt hugged his muscles in a way that sent shivers up my leg. 

I hopped up onto the island countertop facing him. 

“So I can show you to your room once my mom gets back. She asked me to watch the food while she ran to the store to pick up some items,” I said. 

“That’s cool,” he replied with a slight smile. 

The mood was a little awkward. Here standing in my childhood home is the man who works for me, whom I’ve been fucking for the last couple months. 

“Ernest. Do I make you uncomfrotable?” I asked. I wanted to break the mood in the room and see if we could possiibly have a conversation. 

“Very. But it’s fine. Life wasn’t designed for comfort,” he replied scratching his nose. 

“Well, how can I ease your comfort? I can tell you’re uncomfortable now. Is there something I can do?” I asked. 

“Ummm,” he said. 

“Come here,” I commanded. 

Ernest walked over to me. When he was standing right in front of me, I used my legs to pull him in closer to me. I could feel his body tense up as I’m sure he was nervous about being in this position at my house. I had made sure to lock the door after I let him in. I checked to make sure I still could hear music coming from Jace’s room. Check. Check. 

I put my hands on the sides of Ernest’s face and pulled his mouth down to mine, slipping my tongue in his mouth. I begin wrestling with his thick tongue. I could feel the growth in his pants. For a split second, I thought about the fact that I was in my parent’s kitchen getting frisky with my security guard. I was wearing bore shorts but didn't’ have on any panties. I unbuckled his black slacks and opened the front pulling down his underwear to unleash his manhood. He took his hand and grabbed my hand while still kissing me. 

“I want you, now,’ I said. 

He took his hands and pushed my shorts to the side to reveal my entry way. He slid inside of me right there on the counter. I stopped kissing him as he stroked slow strokes inside of me. Our breathing grew heavier. I looked him in the eyes and around the kitchen to make sure no one walked in. I’m not sure what I would have done if someone would have walked in. It took all of my powers not to moan or make any noises. He began to grunt and I shook my head to tell him not to climax. I wanted to get mine. This was hot to me. He grabbed the back of my neck and begin to grind deeper into me. 

I heard a door shut upstairs and as I was about to break away from him, he climaxed, wasting his load onto the hardwood floors. I hurry and went to grab a napkin and cleaned up his mess and he buckled his pants. We both shared an out of breath laugh as we went to stand on opposite sides of the kitchen. I waited on Jace to walk in but he never did. Oh well. 

My mother walked in with her store bought items. 

“Oh this must be the security office here to look out for you?” she asked me. “Hi, I’m Jada and Jace’s mom. It’s nice to meet you,” she said extending her hand. Ernest returned the greeting and shook my mom’s hand.

“There are some more bags in the car. I’m going to have Jace come down and get them,” she said reaching for her cell phone to call Jace.

“I’ll secure the bags for you, ma’am,” Ernest said politely. 

Mom smiled at him and then at me. Ernest left the room and I’m glad he did because I was melting over the replay in my mind of what we had just done. I’m glad the guest room was across the hall from my room. I was going to make sure I got some more of that tonight.