Page 18 of Fever: Love In Scrubs

I wasn’t expecting today to go as good as it was.

When I decided to take Jaxson up on his offer, I was nervous as hell to meet his daughter. We’d only known each other a short time, and yes, I was comfortable with him. But meeting his child… that scared me. He had a whole preteen and I knew how kids could be.

Thankfully, Jamari was sweet as ever. She was so bubbly and talkative, which I didn’t mind at all. It just meant that she was comfortable with me. We had a ball trash-talking her father at the mini amusement park. She definitely got her sense of humor from him.

After spending hours playing games, we decided to go get something to eat.

I followed behind them to a familiar part of town.

When we pulled into Frankie’s, a burger and wing joint, my stomach growled.

I’d been too nervous to eat breakfast, so I was starving at this point.

Jaxon got out of his truck and went around to open Jamari’s door.

I smiled. I loved how he was with her. While I could tell he was firm, he was also playful, protective, and respected her feelings. They seemed to have a great relationship and I loved that for her.

He came over to my car and opened the door before extending his hand to me. I took it and allowed him to help me out the car. He linked his fingers through mine and wrapped an arm around Jamari’s shoulder, leading us inside. After being seated, we placed our drink orders and settled in.

“You excited about starting work?” Jaxson asked me.

I nodded. “I am. I’ve been collecting things to decorate my office all week. I can’t wait to put it together.”

“Wynter’s gonna be working at the hospital,” he explained to Jamari.

“Awww! You two will be working together.”

“Sort of. She’ll be on the pediatric floor.”

“You can still have lunch together. It’ll be like a date at work.”

He chuckled. “She already said she’s gonna pretend like she doesn’t know me at work.”

I playfully smacked his arm. “Only to keep gossip away.”

“Too late for that. The nurses saw us walk into your office together.”

I palmed my forehead. “Ugh.”

“Don’t worry. They only said we looked good together and they can’t wait to meet you. I promise, you’re gonna love it up there. There’s never been any hospital drama in that wing. Everybody there is there for the kids only.”

“Do you want kids, Ms. Wynter?” Jamari asked.

“I do. One or two would be nice.”

“I’d love a sibling.”

Jaxson’s head snapped in her direction. “Since when? I thought you liked being an only child.”

“Well, that was before I knew you were dating. I knew there was no way you and Mom were gonna have another baby.”

Jaxson gave her a look that said, “I’m glad you know that.”

“Maybe you’ll get that,” he finally said.

“You two would have cute babies,” Jamari said, grinning.

Jaxson chuckled. “While I agree with you there, can you let us date a little bit first, Mari? Don’t scare the woman off.”

I giggled. “I’m not easily scared.”

“See, Daddy. That just means she’s open to being a stepmama one day.”

I almost choked. I didn’t expect that.

“Jamari,” her father said sternly.

“I’m sorry. I’m just excited. I really like her.”

I smiled. “I really like you too. I can’t wait to know more about you. I have a feeling we are going to be good friends.”

She grabbed my hand. “We’re gonna be besties.”

We shared a moment before she pulled her hands away and stood. “I have to go to the bathroom. Daddy, I want the cheeseburger basket.”

“I got you.”

She walked away from the table, leaving us alone.

Jaxson turned to me. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being kind to her today. Interacting with her. Making an effort to get to know her. She’s been real down about her mama. I know she has my mom and sister, but they are family. I can tell you being so open with her makes her feel good.”

I grabbed his hand. “She’s a part of you so why wouldn’t I be welcoming? I like you, Jaxson. I have to like the parts that come with you too.”

He leaned in and kissed my lips. It quickly migrated into an intense lip lock that didn’t end until the server came over to grab our orders. I giggled to myself, thinking that this was becoming a thing. We placed our orders and chatted a little while we waited for Jamari to come back.

A frantic, “Leave me alone!” caused both our heads to turn when we realized it was Jamari’s voice.

Jaxson was up out of his seat and headed across the restaurant with me on his heels.

When we rounded the corner, I saw Jamari glaring at a woman who favored her.

That’s when I realized it must have been her mother.

“Little girl, who are you hollering at?” the woman asked, grabbing her arm.

“Don’t touch me, Amandela!” Jamari yelled, snatching away from her.

“Don’t get beside yourself, Jamari Emile. I’m your mother.”

“What the hell is going on?” Jaxson asked, pulling Jamari to him.

“She came into the bathroom while I was washing my hands. I told her to leave me alone.”

Her mother kissed her teeth. “Girl, I don’t have to leave you alone. I birthed you.”

“You haven’t spoken to me in two weeks!” Jamari yelled. “Even when I’m around, you don’t want me around. Keep that same energy.”

Her mother raised a hand to her. “Lil’ girl?—”

Jaxson grabbed her arm the same time that I pulled Jamari away. “I know like hell you ain’t about to hit my daughter.”

“Get the fuck off me.”

A manager came over to see what the fuss was about.

“I’m gonna have to ask you all to leave. I can’t have you disturbing other guests.”

Jaxson glared at his ex-wife before grabbing my hand and Jamari’s and leading us out the side door. She was right behind us, following us through the parking lot.

“Fuck you, Jaxson!” she screamed as we walked away.

“Keep walking,” he said to me and his daughter.

“Wait a minute!” Amandela ran over and stopped in front of us. “Who the fuck is this bitch?”

I frowned. I wasn’t a confrontational person, but I’d long since stopped taking disrespect.

“Watch your mouth, Dela,” Jaxson warned her, trying to walk around. She jumped back in his face.

“You wanna get on my case about my man, but you have this fat bitch around my child.”

“I said watch your mouth. And you damn right I’m on your ass about your pedophile ass boyfriend.”

“Stop calling him that. You don’t know shit about Kevin. How much do you know about this bitch, huh? Bitches can be pedophiles too.”

“I’m not gonna be called out my name too many more times,” I warned her.

Her head jerked in my direction. “And what are you gonna do? Take a bite of me?”

“Baby, take Mari and go to the car,” Jaxson said, handing me his keys.

“Baby?” Amandela parroted as I reached for them.

“ Baby ,” I confirmed. “Come on, Mari.”

“You aren’t going anywhere with my daughter.”

I ignored her and walked off, holding Jamari close to me. She was in tears at this point and all I wanted to do was comfort her.

“I’ve got you, sweetie.”

“Jamari! Jamari, get back here!”

I could hear a scuffle followed by a slap.

When I looked back, Jaxson was glaring at his ex with daggers in his eyes.

She stared back at him just as hard. I got Jamari in the car and turned back in time to see him stick his finger in her face and speak lowly to her.

I couldn’t make out what exactly he was saying but I could tell it was laced with curse words.

She went to slap him again, but this time he grabbed her wrist. He must have been squeezing pretty hard because I could see the pain on her face. A group of women approached them and grabbed Amandela, pulling her away. She screamed at Jaxon’s back as he headed for us.

I turned to Jamari who was crying profusely in the car.

“It’s okay, baby,” I said, cupping her face.

“I hate her, Ms. Wynter. She doesn’t really want me. She’s never really wanted me.”

My heart broke for her as she cried against my chest. All I could do was rub her back in a soothing manner. Jaxson came over and I moved to let him get to her.

“It’s okay, baby. I’m so sorry, Jamari.”

“I wanna go home.”

“Okay. We can do that. I can cook us something and we can chill, okay?”

She nodded as he tucked her into the car and closed the door.

“Are you okay?” I asked, touching his face.

“I’m fine. Baby, I’m so sorry about all this.”

I shook my head. “It’s not your fault.”

“Please… come home with us. I don’t want this to ruin our day.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I want you there.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

He cupped my face and kissed my lips before opening my car door. I climbed in and took a deep breath. Something told me that this woman was going to be a problem.

Jaxson’s home was beautiful.

It was a huge four bedroom, three and a half bathroom that was the perfect family home.

There were floor to ceiling windows in the living room, a huge kitchen with stainless steel appliances, and a spacious back yard with a beautiful entertainment space.

It was tastefully decorated in black and neutral colors and very welcoming.

Currently, Jaxson was in the kitchen whipping up a couple of burgers, fries, and chicken wings.

I was seated on the couch with Jamari’s head in my lap.

When we got here, she was still upset. I didn’t know what to do, so I offered her comfort the same way my aunt did whenever I was upset about my dad.

I’d lay in her lap and she’d massage my scalp while humming to me. It was always so soothing and put me right to sleep. It had the same effect on Jamari. I was damn near about to fall asleep myself until I heard Jaxson’s footsteps approaching. I looked up to see him standing there watching us.

“Comfortable?” he asked softly.

I gave him a small smile. “Very. This couch is to die for, you know?”

He chuckled. “Compliments to my sister. She picked it out. The food is almost ready.” He peered down at Jamari. “Thank you for comforting her.”