“Yeah. We need to get across the bridges to pick up JR from school.”
Jackson’s eyes lit up at that comment. “Like together?” He turned to me again.
I felt my eyes bulge at that dual question. “No!” I whispered forcefully. “No. Well, we’re picking him up together today, but…Jenna’s out of the country and I wanted to come and pay my respects. And then you know…I know how close you guys are and didn’t want the big guy here,” I elbow Stenton in jest. “…doing this alone, so it only made sense that we came…” I cleared my throat. “Together.”
A slow smile crested Jackson’s handsome face. It was even more embellished after seeing his scowl all day.
“StentRo, looks like someone is over-explaining being with you. Let me find out, bruh. You must have worn Zo’s ass out. Got her stuttering, too.” Jackson broke out in laughter with Stenton right behind him.
Despite being the brunt of their joke, it was good seeing them both light-hearted.
When he was able to, Stenton mumbled something under his breath that neither Jackson nor I asked about.
“Glad to see you again, Zo. Make sure you keep an eye on my man. These are going to be rough days ahead for many of us.”
People don’t believe that I’m no good at the right words. I’ve never been the type to respond soothingly to death. So, I did what came natural. I stepped up and hugged Jackson. He immediately reciprocated, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. When Stenton cleared his throat, Jackson whispered to me loud enough for him to hear.
“Okay. I’m gonna let go, not because I want to, but because I don’t want to have to explain to the media why my client hooked off on me at my old man’s memorial.”
I laughed as I pulled back. When I chanced a glance over at Stenton, there was no smile on his face at all. The fellows said their goodbyes and Stenton and I headed out to lunch, then back to Philly. We picked up Jordan from school, something he was beside himself with glee about. Once back at my place, Stenton helped Jordan with his homework while I prepared dinner. At dinner, we again had great laughter and conversation while we ate.
Stenton bathed Jordan while I changed out of my clothes and prepared dessert. The plan was for us to roast s’mores at the fireplace, something Jordan had done with us separately, but never together. When Stenton came into the kitchen dressed down in sweats and a t-shirt, I peeked behind him for Jordan.
“Where’s the kid?”
“Passed the hell out,” Stenton muttered while walking into the pantry for a nightcap.
“Really?”
“Really.” He poured a glass of tequila. “First day back will suck a lot out of you.”
“And the excitement of having your dad staying the night at your mom’s place will exert a considerable amount of energy out of you, too.”
Stenton froze in place. I didn’t want silence to creep in. We needed to discuss this.
“When do you think you’ll be ready to resume life?”
Stenton angled his neck and asked, “Have I worn out my welcome, Elizabeth?”
Him singing my name like that had heat coursing through my veins. I grabbed his tumbler and downed the entire glass. The burn in my chest could rival the heat he caused between my legs. I still recalled the racy card game we played a few nights ago. But I kept it cool.
“Not at all. I just don’t want to enable you.”
He shook his head as he refilled the glass.
“When’s Jenna returning?” I attempted casually while putting the graham crackers back into the bag since Jordan wouldn’t be joining us.