Page 33 of Rebound

“Where’s Jasmine?” I ask. I don’t ask what he’s doing here. He dropped us off, and I assumed he left, but I guess not.

He points down the hall, and I see her chasing June Bug around. He’s pretending to run, and each time she bumps into his legs, she lets out a big belly laugh when she falls on her butt.

Seth takes me to the set of chairs on the other side of the room while June Bug and Jasmine continue their little game.

“So, we go to the courthouse in a few days.” I let out a gasp, but he continues, “You’d move in with me right afterward. The same day preferably. I need Jasmine to get used to you being there before the pre-season. We can figure everything else out before that starts.”

“Like what?”

“What we’ll do for childcare when you’re working. I’d prefer a nanny, but I would want you to find one. When you have it narrowed down to the last two, I’ll meet them then. We can set up the apartment however you want. You can redecorate or whatever. Everything I have is at your disposal. If you want to redecorate your old house, feel free. Do it as a gift to your mom.”

He speaks as if I’ve already decided, but I guess I have. The decision was made the moment I saw my grandma in that bed. She needs help, and this is the best way for her to get it.

“Why me? Is it because Jasmine is half black?” I ask him.

“Because she likes you, and you like her. That’s the most important thing. And you’re a good person. I can tell. But yes. She’s half black, and there are things that I will never understand about that, so I need you. Please. I promise I won’t do anything to jeopardize this. You can trust me. I would never embarrass you in any way or betray your trust.

Three days later, I don’t tell anyone that I’ve taken a day off. The hospital decided not to discharge Gaga for another three days. All the arrangements at the rehab center have been made. All I need to do now is tell my mother, but that will have to wait a few hours.

June Bug and Mom are at work, and Donna and my aunt are with Gaga. I look in the mirror at my reflection, and I think I look good. I’m in a short white lace dress with half sleeves. I curled my hair myself. My make-up is light and the pink lipstick makes me feel feminine and pretty.

My phone buzzes with a text from him telling me that he’s five minutes away. My heart rate picks up, and I ask myself if I’m doing the right thing. Yes, Gaga needs help, but is this the only way? Is this better than letting my mother mortgage this house? Where would my family go if they lost their home? This house has been in my family for decades, and we can no longer afford to buy in the city. We’d all have to move, and I can’t let that happen. Not when I can fix things.

I leave my bedroom to put on the stilettos I left in the living room, and by the time I put them on, there’s a loud knock.

I’m not prepared for what I see when I open the door. Seth Wakowski stands on the other side of the threshold, looking more handsome than any man I’ve ever seen. He’s in a gray suit with a crisp white shirt, and a blue tie. I’ve only seen him in a suit once, and that was on the day of Jasmine’s baptism. He looks better today than he did then. I clear my throat and look away.

He steps inside and looks me over. I wish it was the kind of relationship where I could spin to show him how good I look, and he’d whistle, but this is not what this is. This is a business arrangement, and I need to remember that. He clears his throat too and walks around me. When he stops in front of me, he nods, and I think it’s a nod of approval. I can’t think of a single thing to say to him right now. All the words get stuck in my throat. He doesn’t say a word either. I think we’re both afraid to speak until the deed is done. It feels too fragile right now. He takes my hand before leading me to his waiting Mercedes truck without another word and slides in after me.

The butterflies in my stomach won’t stop on the drive to the courthouse. It shouldn’t take long, but the traffic in the city on a Friday afternoon is ridiculous. My knee starts to bounce at the thought of what I’m about to do, but I can’t back out now.

I’ve given my word, and my Gaga needs me to do this. There’s also an innocent child who is counting on me to help her. I might not be ready to be a mother, but according to my mom and Donna, no woman is ever ready. I know I can do it. I have great examples of motherhood in my family. I was raised by two of them.

Seth puts a big hand on my knee. He rubs the top with his thumb, and I feel a surge of energy rush through me. I want to put my hand on top of his, but I don’t. I don’t push him away when he continues to stroke my knee either.

“Just so you know, I will cut it off if you don’t keep it in your pants. Not only that, but I’ll also leave you. I’m serious. And I’ll let June Bug deal with you.”

His driver looks through the mirror and smirks.

“I gave you my word,” he says. “And stop talking about cutting off my dick.” We don’t speak again, and a few minutes later, his driver has the door open. He holds my hand as we walk into the courthouse, and all I can do is hope and pray that no one notices him and that I get a chance to tell my family before someone posts about it on social media. As if a man who is almost seven feet tall won’t be noticed.

I have no idea where we are supposed to go. As far as I know, Seth got the marriage license yesterday, and all we must do today is show up. He takes us down a corridor, and we take the elevator to the top floor. I expected to go into a courtroom, but we go to a judge’s office. With a stranger serving as a witness, the judge has us recite our vows, and in less than ten minutes of entering the building, we are pronounced man and wife.

Seth’s lips land on mine before the judge finishes telling him to kiss his bride. The kiss is deep and more passionate than I expected it to be. He cradles the back of my head, and I open my mouth more, welcoming him in. I kiss him back with all thepassion that I have. I wrap my arms around his neck and press my body into his. It’s like a match on a puddle of gasoline. I feel my breasts swell, and my greedy body begs for him. Parts of me that are untouched are begging to be filled.

The judge clears his throat, and I reluctantly pull away. After some more paperwork, we return to Wakowski’s waiting car. This time, instead of putting his hand on my knee, our fingers remain intertwined.

“I guess I’m Layla Whorekowski now,” I joke. When he chuckles, I say, “I’m not taking your last name.”

His head whips around. “We’re a family now. We’re all Wakowskis.”

I sigh and put my head back on the headrest as reality starts to set in, and I imagine telling my mother that I’m married and moving out all in the same day.

“Are you packed?” he asks as if he’s just asking me if I have my purse. “I need to pick up Jasmine in a couple of hours.” I give him the side-eye as I sit on the couch and take off my shoes before rubbing my aching feet.

He surprises me when he sits on the other end of the couch and puts my feet on his lap. He starts to rub them as if he’s been doing this his entire life. I sit back and enjoy his big strong hands on me.

“I see Coach doing this for Jeannie all the time,” he says. If he plans on treating me the way Coach treats Jeannie, then I can definitely get with this. While he rubs, I pull my phone out of my purse and text Donna to check on my mom. After shesays she’s fine, I text my mom to tell her I won’t be home until tomorrow.

---