“I’ll take it off after we hang up, I promise. So...” April said.
“So...” Jade replied, smiling like a lovesick puppy. “We’re really going to do this?”
“Yeah, I think we are,” April started, “I’ve spent the past two months thinking of not much else but that night, Jade. I don’t want to sound clingy or obsessive and freak you out, but I had to let you know.”
“The only thing I’m freaking out over, is how glad I am not to be alone in feeling that way. I didn’t hide the fact that night that my reputation isn’t exactly positive when it comes to relationships, and I don’t want that to put you off. You need to know that I’ve not thought of anyone other than you since that night either. Which is, well, unheard of for me, if I’m being honest.” Jade paused, “I really want this though, April. It feels different with you.”
“I’m glad, because you had better not go running away from me after a few dates.” April chuckled, “I’ll have to tell my dad about you if you do.”
“Oh, please don’t, that man is terrifying!” Jade pleaded. “Seriously, he’s the kind of parent that people get nervous meeting!”
“Yeah, he has his moments that justify that view alright.” April said. “I guess now that our jobs and surnames are out in the open, we can do the rest of the ‘getting to know you’ of our first date that we chose to avoid?”
“So does this count as a really weird attempt at a second date then?” Jade laughed, unable to keep a straight face.
“If you want to call it that, sure,” April replied, gently shaking her head at Jade.
“Hey, after two months without you, I’ll take what I can get! Do you want to go first, or will I?” Jade asked.
“You go, tell me about your family,” April smiled warmly.
“My parents are Fiona and Rob. I have an older brother and sister, Evan and Cleo. They’re twins, and ten years older than me. Cleo is getting married next year to Ivy. Evan has a nine-year-old daughter, Sophie. His girlfriend Toni has a daughter, Willow, who’s seven.” Jade smiled.
“Wow, proper CliffsNotes version of the family tree there!” April laughed, “Do you get along with them all?”
“More often than not,” Jade chuckled. “Dad, Evan, and I always bonded over sports. Dad is a taxi driver. When he would come in from working nights, he would let me watch whatever match he’d missed the night before while we had breakfast before school. He loves all sports, so it was never the same one as most people are into. He’ll watch anything from football, hockey, and athletics, to swimming, golf, and even snooker. Though, notably, tennis wasn't amongst them, which is why I didn’t recognize you when we first met. He explained all the rules to me like an adult, never babied me.” Jade surprised herself with her answer, having not thought of her early childhood spent engrossed in sport with her dad this way before.
“When Evan started seriously getting into computers, that meant he didn’t have as much time for sports, so Dad zeroed in on me for sharing that with. Still does. Mom was a stay-at-home parent. She has the biggest heart and sharpest wit. She always cooks enough food for an extra setting every single night just in case we know someone who needs it. She tried a few times toteach me how to cook but banned me from the kitchen by the age of 14 after I accidentally set fire to a dishcloth.”
“Wait, I’m going to need more details onthat.” April laughed.
“Urgh, all I will say is that I was only trying to make toast. Hence, being banned. Even Ivy kicks me out of her and Cleo’s kitchen whenever I’m visiting.” Jade shook her head slowly in embarrassment. “Anyway, Cleo is an architect, with a brilliant mind and a huge heart. Her fiancée, Ivy, co-owns the flagship store of a coffee chain with her best friend. They are without a doubt, completely made for each other. Cleo is the person I trust most in the world, and Ivy is a very close second. Which, on that note, there’s something you should know.”
“Oh?” April said, concern filled her eyes.
“My family know that I’ve met someone who made me want to change my behaviors -”
“- your womanizing behaviors?” April’s face relaxed slightly.
“Hmm, yeah, something like that,” Jade blushed. “I obviously wasn’t able to tell them much, but they know you exist, and your name is April. They also know I’ve been trying to figure out a way to find you again. But I told Ivy this afternoon that I found you.” Jade saw the flash of panic in April’s eyes. “Don’t worry, she doesn’t know you’reyou, and she already knew you weren’t out and that your life was complicated. Just as you and I discussed that night. But Ivy has a complicated past herself, so I knew she’d be the perfect person to understand the need for privacy.”
She let a smile grow across her face and noticed April relax slightly as she continued. “Plus, I had to tell someone, or I was going to burst. Because you’ve turned me into an excitable, needy little dork. My reputation is going to be in ruins.” Jade winked and saw the relief flood April’s face.
“Well, being an excitable, needy little dork looks good on you. Plus, if it keeps other women away, then that’s one less thing forme to stress out over.” April said. Jade’s heart cracked a little at the honesty in her voice.
“Babe, I’m going to say something, and Ireallyneed you to hear it, ok?” Jade said and waited for April to nod before continuing. “When I said I've spent the past eight weeks with only you on my mind, I meant it. I’ve not thought of, looked at, or gone after,any other womanin that time. That hasn’t happened since...well...ever. And I need you to understand that I don’twantto think of, look at, or go after, any other woman who isn’t you.” Jade smirked, “Now you have onelessthing to stress out over, while you focus on this tournament and kicking some ass on the court. Ok?”
April blushed and smiled, running her other hand through her blonde curls before replying softly, “Ok.”
Jade waited a moment before continuing. “To finish off the family tree, Evan is a great guy; he’s been through a lot. His wife, Taylor, died during childbirth to their daughter, Sophie, who’s the smartest nine-year-old I’ve ever met. He’s a software engineer, and I think she’s going to follow in his footsteps, probably in tech or science. His girlfriend, Toni, who also happens to be Ivy’s friend and colleague, fits so well with Evan. And her own daughter, Willow, is the sweetest kid you’ll ever come across.” Jade squinted at the ceiling a little before saying, “I think that’s everyone.” She locked eyes with April before adding, “I love them all, and trust them with whateverthisis, to keep to themselves until we’re ready.”
Chapter 20
April
“Thank you for being so cautious on my behalf. I know it can’t be easy, being with someone like me,” April said softly.
“You mean someone who’s kind, funny, strong, cute, eyes I can’t stop staring at, and a laugh that takes my breath away?” Jade asked with raised eyebrows.
