Infuriating - Onley James Page 0,51
know Day had a potential stalker if he didn’t flip out until after you loaded the sex tape?”
“Drop it, Della. I’m serious,” Jackson said.
“Fine. You’re the one who said to make Day feel welcome,” she muttered, taking a bite of her cornbread and chewing angrily.
“Excuse me. I’m not feeling very well,” Day said, bolting from his chair back into the living room. He didn’t know where to go, so he just headed out the front door. He stopped short on the welcome mat, realizing he had no idea where he was and that his phone was locked in Jackson’s car. He couldn’t even call an Uber. Without any other options, he took a seat on the front porch swing and buried his face in his hands, praying he didn’t do something even more embarrassing like start crying again.
When the front door opened, Day didn’t look up. “Look, Jackson. I’m sorry—”
“It’s me you should be apologizing to, young man.”
Day’s head snapped up at the sound of Bev’s voice. She walked towards him, her cane clicking on the wooden planks below as she moved. She took a seat beside him on the swing, using her good leg to set it swaying gently.
“I’m sorry,” Day muttered. “That in there…that wasn’t about you. Any of you. I was just… I was just trying to prove a point to Jackson.”
Bev made a noncommittal sound. “I believe you. To tell you the truth, I’m surprised you managed to get the words out at all. The whole time you were talking, you looked like you were gonna be sick all over my great grandmother’s lace tablecloth.”
“That’s why I came out here. Thought it might be better to throw up on your azaleas instead,” Day said, face hot with embarrassment.
Day jumped as Bev’s hand came to rest on his back. “No need for that, but if you do throw up, do it on the gardenia bushes. They like acidic soil.” Day couldn’t help but laugh. “You got my boy fit to be tied in there, you know.”
Day stared at his hands. “I know.”
“He texted me earlier that you were probably going to come here and act as outrageous as you could. Said you were just scared and I should ignore it.”
Day’s gaze shot to hers. “He did?”
“Yep. He didn’t want us thinking you were always this…outspoken.”
Day shook his head, frustration leaching into his voice. “I am, though. Maybe not as bad as I was in there, but I pop off on people all the time, and everything I said in there was true. My mom was a stripper who left me when I was four. My grandmother was a raging addict who hated me. I don’t tell that to everybody but it doesn’t make it any less real.”
Bev rubbed soothing circles on his back. “I know. Nobody can make up that kind of story off the cuff and sound believable.”
“I keep telling Jackson I’m not worth all this effort. We don’t even know each other. I don’t understand why he can’t see that.”
Bev smiled. “My boy is a romantic, just like me. I knew I was gonna marry his daddy the moment I laid eyes on him. I just…had a feeling. His daddy always said the same about me. He just knew. My Jackson’s been waiting almost thirty-eight years to feel that feeling, and he clearly felt it with you. He’s never brought anybody home to meet us before. Ever. You might not think you’re worth all this effort, but my boy does, and he’s rarely wrong. Don’t let fear cheat you out of something amazing.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?” Day asked, bewildered.
“Because we are all more than our past mistakes, and if my boy wants you, there’s clearly a reason why.”
Day dropped his head in his hands once more. “I can’t believe I mimed a blowjob in front of you.”
She laughed, pulling Day close in a side hug. She smelled like roses. She smelled like a mom. “Let me tell you a story. When I was young like you, I met Jackson’s daddy. I was a hot little number back then with my fancy beehive hair and my perfect figure and this down to there and up to here gorgeous green dress that would have made Jennifer Lopez blush. Jackson’s daddy was up for a promotion, so we’re having dinner with his lieutenant and his wife at this fancy supper club that has entertainment. Right up front by the stage. Now, I’ve had more