Page 18 of Filthy Commitments
Asia lit up like a Christmas tree. “Oh my God! Really!”
My parents stopped and turned to look at us. Mom’s left brow was cocked. “What’s so exciting?”
“I just gave Asia another surprise. She hasn’t seen the house yet. I told her I had a stylist fill the closet for her.” I wrapped my arm around Asia. “She’s got a whole new wardrobe.”
“That’s sweet of you, Jett.” Mom turned around and kept walking. “You’re just so different.”
Asia leaned into me and put her hand on my chest. “That’s nice to hear. I like that.”
“What, that I’m different?”
“Yes. It means I bring something out in you no one has ever seen.”
And she was right about that. Asia did bring things out of me no one ever had before. Though, I was on a high from it, I knew there’d come a time when I’d hate it. I’d want to be the old me. The hard as nails man who no one could hurt. I hadn’t avoided love, but I certainly hadn’t sought it out. I purchased subs to fill the void I’d feel at times. Other than that, I didn’t like to date anyone for very long. Asia would be the one woman I’d spend more time with than I had with anyone else. She and I were getting along better than I’d anticipated. But it would have to come to an end, like all things.
We sat at the table, Asia beside me. I held her hand on top of the table and saw my mother looking at our hands. “You said something about getting started on a family soon. I hope you two think long and hard about that. You’ve rushed into this marriage. There’s no reason to rush into having kids. They really change your life. Why not take a year to get to know one another before you start trying to add kids in the mix?”
“Maybe Mom’s right, Asia.” I said, quite happy mom said this.
“Anything you want, I want, Jett. You know that. I love you.” The words came out of her mouth so naturally, it was like she really meant them.
“I love you too. We’ll talk about it more later.” I turned my attention to Mom. “Thanks for the advice. We’re just so in love; we might not be thinking straight right now.”
“I can see that,” Mom said as she looked from me to Asia. “You both are glowing.” Were we? I had no idea.Was I actually falling in love?I couldn’t let that happen. I wasn’t out to hurt Asia. I also wasn’t out to fall in love with her, either.
I crossed my fingers that something would appear soon that I couldn’t stand about her. It happened all the time with other women. One snored, one had ugly feet, one had an annoying laugh. I’m sure something Asia did would bother me, eventually. Love wasn’t in the cards for me. I didn’t want it. Love made you weak. It made you vulnerable. I wanted no part of it.
“The family vacation is in a couple of weeks. Did you tell Asia about it, Jett?” Mom asked as Daisy brought in a tray of smoked meats and cheeses along with a bottle of red wine.
“I did, Mom. Hello, Daisy, is there any coconut rum and a lemon lime cola in the house?” I asked her as I remembered that Asia wasn’t fond of wine.
“Yes, sir. Should I mix you up a drink?”
“Mix one for my wife, Asia.”
Daisy’s hand went to her heart as she gasped. “Your wife, sir?”
“Asia, this is Daisy, the kitchen maid. Daisy, this is my wife.”
Daisy came and shook Asia’s hand. “Oh my goodness, you’re so lovely. How lucky for Mr. Jett to find a woman like you.”
“Thank you.” A blush covered Asia’s cheeks. “I think I’m the lucky one.”
“I’ll get you that drink, ma’am. It’s nice to meet you.” Daisy ran off to make the drink, leaving Asia looking at me with a curious expression.
“She seemed quite surprised. You’re only twenty-eight, not quite a spinster.” Asia laughed.
“See, Mom. I’m not so old.”
“His lifestyle is what had everyone worried about him never marrying.” Mom picked up some meat and cheese. “He’s never even had a steady girlfriend. That’s why you’ll see a lot of the family be in shock by this marriage. No one saw it coming. Not with how Jett is.”
“Was,” I corrected her. “I was that way. Asia changed that.”
“Let’s hope so.” Mom took a drink.
Dad shook his head. “Let’s not jinx them, darling. People can change.”
I was beginning to wonder if he was right. Could I change? Could I become a man who only wanted one woman and wanted her around almost all the time? I didn’t think I could be that man. Yet, I had tied myself down to one woman for a matter of three months, just to avoid being setup by my friends and family.Why would I do such a thing?
It was out of character for me. I was that guy who’d tell everyone to fuck off and leave me the hell alone. Instead of doing that, I intentionally set myself up with a woman I’d have to be with for the longest time I’d been with anyone. Had I subconsciously created a situation, I intentionally avoided at all costs, to prove something to myself? Was Asia in the right place at the right time? Or was it bigger than that? Things were falling into place a little too well. Was serendipity stepping in to take over my life?
