Page 12 of Fever: Love In Scrubs

J axson and I sat in a quiet corner of a cute little cafe in the downtown area.

The place had to have been built after I left Silver Run because it was unfamiliar to me.

I nervously sat across from this man like I hadn’t spoken to him almost every day for the last two weeks.

It amazed me how well he listened and paid attention when I told him things about myself.

Sometimes I’d forget I even told him something, then boom… he brought it up.

I smiled nervously as he took a sip of his water, eyes trained on me.

“You good?” he asked.

“Mmm hmm. So…” I said, picking up the menu. “Can you recommend anything good here?”

“The breakfast sampler is always good. So are the steak and eggs, the sweet potato pancakes, and any of the omelets.”

“You eat here often?”

He chuckled. “More often than I should. It’s my go to spot when I don’t cook breakfast in the morning.”

“How is being a single dad for you?” I asked, curiously.

He smiled. “A journey, but rewarding. Jamari knows how I’m coming behind her at any time. I have to remind her of her beauty and worth cause kids can be cruel as fuck and I’ll fight about mine. If I could get her mama on board, things would be great.”

“Is it that bad?”

He sighed heavily. “This morning, Jamari told me her mother has a man over when she’s there. Not only that, he walks around naked and she’s seen him.”

“What!”

“Right. Because what the fuck makes him think that’s okay?

Jamari said this happened twice. She’s talking about ‘it was a mistake.’ Then!

And get this, she said if it did happen, why didn’t Jamari say anything to her.

You’re basically calling my child a liar about something serious and I don’t play that. ”

There was a harshness in his voice that I hadn’t heard before. It was warranted, though. If he didn’t protect his kid, nobody else would.

“I’m sorry you’re dealing with this,” I said sincerely.

“Me, too. She’s not going back over there. If she wants to see her, we can agree on a mutual location, but Jamari is done going over there right now.”

I couldn’t blame him for that. There were some sick people in this world.

I thought the most vile person was someone who would mess with kids.

I’d seen it too many times in my profession.

There is nothing that should make a grown man comfortable walking around naked in a home that didn’t belong to him when children were present.

“Hey,” I said. I grabbed his hand, not thinking twice about it. “You’re doing the right thing in protecting her. Somebody has to look out for these babies. I mean, I know she isn’t a baby, but she’s your baby. You have every right to protect her how you see fit.”

He squeezed my hands, then brought them to his lips and kissed them.

“Thank you.”

For a minute, we stared at each other, goofy smiles on our faces. It wasn’t until the waitress returned to get our orders did we part. It was crazy how comfortable he made me. His touch was so soothing.

“So, you used to being back here yet?” he asked.

“I’m getting there. It still feels weird, but I’m sure the longer I’m here, the more comfortable I’ll get. I swear, hanging out with you makes me feel like I’m seeing a whole new town.”

“We’ll, I’m happy to reintroduce you to our beloved city.”

“Beloved is a far stretch.”

“Not too much now.”

I giggled. “Seriously, so much has changed. Even my neighborhood. It was nowhere near that big when I was growing up. I don’t even think the same people live there anymore. Well, that Karen of a neighbor I had still does.”

Stupid bitch , I thought.

“Karen?”

I elaborated. “She called DCFS on my father. The day they showed up was the last day I saw him alive. The last time I saw her, things got heated.”

“What happened?”

“I um… I might have slapped her.”

His eyes widened. “Not you! I can’t see you putting your hands on anybody.”

“I’m not that much of a punk, you know. I was bullied during school, so I quickly grew thick skin. I’m just not really a fighter. If I have to, I will, but trust and believe I will call the police on your ass.”

He laughed out loud. “I don’t blame you.” He cupped my chin. “This face is way too pretty to be all bruised up.”

I blushed. “You love to compliment me.”

“I just give credit where credit is due.”

He leaned in to kiss my cheek. I don’t know where the boldness came from, but I turned my head just in time for his lips to land on mine. Immediately, I pulled back, realizing what I had done.

“I’m… I’m sorry,” I said, sliding away from him.

“Don’t be.”

Grabbing the seat of my chair, he pulled me closer to him. Reaching out, he tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear as he peered into my eyes.

“I’ve wanted to kiss you,” he admitted.

“You did?”

He nodded. “Since I laid eyes on you.”

My face flushed with heat as he leaned in once more, this time aiming directly for my lips.

When they connected, my body relaxed as I leaned into him.

His hand came around the back of my neck and he deepened the kiss by slipping his tongue into my mouth.

Right there in the middle of the diner, he devoured my mouth like it was his last meal.

The kiss was slow, sensual, and so damn sexy that I had to stifle the moan threatening to spill from my lips.

It wasn’t until someone cleared their throat did we finally part.

“Excuse me,” the server said with an awkward smile. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I have your orders.”

Jaxson and I grinned at each other as we moved apart, and she placed the food down. My body tingled with excitement. We had a date this weekend and if he kissed me like that at the end of the night, I might not be able to control myself.

Our breakfast date ended up taking about two hours because after we ate, we just sat there talking. We would have been there longer, but Jaxson got called in. I was a little bummed to see him leave, but the kiss he gave me before he left cheered me right up.

I drove home with a smile on my face.

Well, the smile had been present all day. I’d really enjoyed his company. Coming back to Silver Run, I just knew I was gonna be out here on my own. It wasn’t that I needed a crowd of people or anything like that. I was used to being alone, especially here. Still, it was nice clicking with someone.

It was a bonus that he was fine as hell and so down to earth.

And the man could pick me up! Clearly, he wasn’t lying about what he bench pressed because he lifted me from the ground with ease.

I didn’t weigh that much, but I wasn’t a small girl either.

The part of my brain that Tinka lived rent free in, had me wondering if he could toss me around in the bedroom with such ease.

“Girl, calm your ass down,” I told myself as I parked in my driveway.

Getting out of my car, I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood to work off my meal.

I still had a little work to do, and if I went in that house right now, I was gonna go to sleep.

I took in the sights, noticing how it looked different from my childhood.

A small park with an adjacent dog park had been added along with a pool and a clubhouse.

The neighborhood had expanded and there was a plethora of new builds.

They had the place looking like a perfect area to raise a family.

I stopped in the park and sat on a bench watching the kids playing with their parents.

I often wish I’d had that. I was mostly left to entertain myself.

My imagination ran wild as a child. Between talking to my toys and my imaginary friends, someone might have thought I was crazy if they came into my bedroom.

I was always so happy when I could pull my dad out of his head and get him to come play with me. He’d color or draw with me. We’d dance to my favorite music or run around outside. Just for a little while, things felt normal.

Things were never normal.

The way I lived wasn’t normal. Nothing about our situation was normal. It was sad. I always knew the moment playtime was over. He’d get this look on his face and just stare at me with sadness in his eyes.

“You look so much like your mother,” he’d say. “You have her smile… her laugh…so much of you is her.”

Not long after he uttered those words, he would retreat from my room and into his. That was the end of that.

In the distance, the sound of an ice cream truck played, bringing me out of my thoughts. As it got closer, I looked up to see the familiar logo. A small smile spread across my face.

It couldn’t be, could it?

The truck came to a stop, and the kids came running up with their parents behind them.

I squinted, trying to get a good look at the man inside.

He wasn’t as young as he used to be, but I’d know that face anywhere.

When the line cleared, I stood and walked over as he was getting ready to close the window.

When he saw me approaching, he too squinted at me.

“I know that ain’t who I think it is!”

My grin spread. “Mr. Mason,” I said, stepping to the window.

“Ms. Wynter.”

He smiled as he opened the door and stepped off the truck. When he opened his arms for a hug, I didn’t think twice about giving him one. Mr. Mason had been driving the ice cream truck through the neighborhood since I was a kid. Back then, he was probably in his late twenties.

He was the highlight of many hot summer days. I wasn’t sure why, but he’d always given me my ice cream for free, no matter how many times I tried to pay him. He’d always been so nice to me and fussed at the other kids when they would be mean to me as we waited in line.

Over the years, I’d often thought about him and hoped that he was doing well.

“It’s so good to see you,” he said as we parted. “It’s been what? Fifteen years?”

“Yes, sir.”

“My, my, my. You grew up so beautifully.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m so sorry about your dad, sweetheart. I know that’s a terrible loss.”

“It’s been hard.”

“I missed seeing you when I came through. He told me you went to live with your aunt. You back in town now?”

“I am. I actually renovated the house.”

He smiled. “I know. It’s beautiful. I’m glad to see you turning the place around.

I remember when your parents first moved into the neighborhood.

Your mom would waddle out to the road with that belly getting bigger and bigger for her favorite ice cream.

She thought I’d always give it to her for free, but the truth is your dad paid for it in advance. ”

“He did?”

“Yep. He did the same thing for you.”

My brows furrowed. “What?”

“He paid for your ice cream the beginning of every week. You know, the cream parlor was right across the street from the plant he worked at. He came over on his lunch break like clockwork every Monday. You never knew that’s why I didn’t charge you?”

I shook my head. “I thought you were just being nice to me.”

He chuckled. “I wasn’t that nice.” He grabbed my hand. “I know your dad had some issues, but he really did love you, Wynter. Whenever I spoke to him throughout the years, I asked about you. He was always so proud of how well you were doing.”

Tears brimmed my eyes as I listened to him. I had no idea my father even talked about me to anybody.

“Thank you, Mr. Mason. I needed that.”

He smiled. “Can I tell you something?”

I nodded.

“He told me you asked him to move in with you. I can tell you that he tried to leave. Several times, in fact. He just… he couldn’t do it.

That house… those memories had a hold on him that he just couldn’t let go of.

He thought the best thing he could do for you was let you go so you could really live.

You may not believe me, but next to losing your mother, that was the hardest thing he ever had to do. ”

I remained quiet.

Maybe that was true, maybe it wasn’t. He wasn’t here to confirm or deny it. Still, the thought that he wanted to be with me gave me slight comfort. For now, I would have to just take that.

Mr. Mason squeezed my hands. “I gotta get going. It was good to see you and I hope you take care of yourself. Good luck with the house. Come by the ice cream shop sometime. I’ve got your favorite… this time on me.”

He winked at me as he crawled back on the truck. I took a step back and watched as he pulled out of the cul-de-sac. After a moment of sitting with my thoughts, I made my way back to the house.

I prayed that this move would heal a part of me in ways nothing else could.