Page 85 of Seasoned
“It’s something that I’ve been thinking about.” Kendrick shrugged.
“I thought you had given up any thoughts of becoming a model.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “Not completely, but this isn’t about modeling. I might have a shot at acting. I wanted to share my good news with you a little later.” He glared at Tyson. “I shared my decision with my father, but since he brought it up, I’ll share it with you, too. I landed a small role in an indie movie and have been thinking about moving to New York permanently.”
Jackie set down her fork. “This is quite a surprise. I had no idea.”
“I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. We can make it work. I was going to tell you.”
“I heard you,” Jackie said tightly. She sipped her wine.
Tyson interjected into the tense back and forth. “Listen, I’m sorry I said anything. I assumed that you’d shared the news with her, but I’m sure this won’t change your relationship.”
“We’ll see,” he thought he heard Jackie say.
Initially, Tyson had regretted mentioning Kendrick’s move, but now he couldn’t help feeling a little pleased that he’d prematurely relayed information his son hadn’t shared. That probably made him a piece of shit, but he couldn’t help himself.
He’d met Jackie during a period in his life when he was still enjoying his freedom and sowing his wild oats. Married young, he and his ex realized they weren’t right for each other early in the marriage. When they divorced, she remarried, and he spent a lot of time partying, getting laid, and figuring out what he wanted to do with his life.
He hadn’t been much of a father then. Basically, he’d sent money and visited his kids—three girls and Kendrick—on occasion. Despite not being around much, his daughters loved him and he had a good relationship with them. Kendrick, however, had grown into a sullen, resentful young man. The two only recently repaired their relationship.
So this situation with Jackie put him into a little bit of a dilemma. Jackie had left a deep impression on him, and seeing her again awakened ideas of what could have been. If she hadn’t left Atlanta after a week. If she didn’t live on the west coast. If he had been willing to pursue a meaningful relationship with her instead of chasing ass and dreams throughout the southeast. So many ifs.
He still ached for her. Still recalled in vivid detail the silky texture of her sex on his tongue. The only problem, the competition.
His son.
3
“Bye, have a good night.” Jackie waved at her employees leaving for the night. The Fourth of July sale had been a smash hit. The store was closing early and she had plans to spend the rest of the day over at Adelaide’s house.
As she turned the lock in the door, a familiar face approached and stopped on the other side. Her heart leaped in her chest and she froze.
She hadn’t seen Tyson or Kendrick since the three of them had dinner four days ago. An inexplicable tugging sensation in her chest left her with an uncomfortable feeling. And when he flashed his brilliant smile, that tugging manifested between her legs. She was intensely attracted to Tyson and had to tread carefully.
He was once again dressed in a three-piece pinstriped suit, this time black, one hand casually placed in his pants pocket. The other hand hung by his side and he wore a gold pinky ring. From the other night, she recalled he wore his nails cut short and manicured. A neat freak, his Atlanta apartment had been spotless, and he took care of his body the way he did his possessions. Good grooming and dressing well were all important to him.
“Can I come in?”
She stared at him through the glass, happy for the barrier between them. “Why?”
“I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes.”
Letting him in was a bad idea, but she felt foolish for forcing him to have a conversation with her through a glass wall. Jackie opened the door, and Tyson strolled in. She relatched the door before turning to face him.
“What are you doing here, Tyson?”
“I came to buy a piece of lingerie. This is a lingerie store, isn’t it?”
“We’re closed.”
“But you let me in, so…” He shrugged.
She rolled her eyes, knowing his explanation was simply an excuse to talk to her. One trait she remembered from back in Atlanta—Tyson was persistent.
“Yes, this is a lingerie and sleepwear store.”
“Good, let’s see, the woman I’m shopping for likes bold colors. Red, purple, even orange…”
