Page 40 of Learning to Love

"Oh, Sweet Cheeks, you’re in for a treat. This is Grandma Linda's Famous Creole Gumbo."

"It smells so good. I hope it tastes like it smells."

I stick my tongue out at her. "Woman! I'm offended!"

She giggles and runs away as I make a play to grab her. I love that giggle. I don't know why she's even trying to get away because I’ll always catch her. She's mine. I act like I'm going to go to the left of the island, but I go right, and she lands right in my arms with a squeal. I kiss her senselessly, and she puts her hands in my hair.

"Shit, man!" Smoke is coming up and out of the oven. Hector hurriedly takes my now charcoaled garlic cheese biscuits out and throws them in the trash can outside. The fire alarm is going off, and all I can do is laugh with my girl.

They open the windows, and I stir my gumbo. I made two batches of the biscuits, so the boys shouldn't be too disappointed. They won't be able to get three like they usually do. I smile again and notice how close Sasha and my Georgia have become. I'm glad she's been able to find that here.

We sit down and eat our meal. We're a lively crowd, and Georgia seems to have forgotten about the ordeal from earlier. She doesn't have class tomorrow, and Sasha promised she would stay by her side while I'm at practice. I'll be on pins and needles until I hear back from Rod. If Benji comes after my girl, I'll lose it. Something’s gotta give, and I need this problem handled now. Asshat is going down.

Chapter 23

The Meeting

Jake

Everything Fearless 24/7

Why was The Jake Ryan spinning a wheely in the practice parking lot this morning? And why did he leave the other Fearless members stranded there? What the hell is going on? I have no answers, but this journalist will make it her job to find out.

Rod calls me at midnight. Thankfully, I left my phone on vibrate, and it doesn't wake Georgia. I'm generally a heavy sleeper, so I'm unsure how I heard it vibrating. His call is either a great sign or a bad one for our plan. I quickly head towards the game room. We have an early practice tomorrow, so everyone has already gone to bed. "Hello."

"Hey, man. Sorry, it's late, but my Uncle Chico said he needs to talk with you ASAP. He wouldn't say why."

"Okay. When?"

"Tomorrow after practice. He said to text him, and y'all could set up a time and place."

"Thanks, man, I appreciate you. Shoot me his number, and I'll text him tonight."

"Alright. See you on the field."

"You better bring it. Have a good one."

My heart is racing a mile a minute. My phone pings. It's Rod with his uncle's number. Chico being this proactive, has to be a good sign, right? Why else would he want to set up a meeting with me? He could be telling me to back off and let the professionals do their job, but I won't do that. My Sweet Cheeks is involved now. I shutter at the thought of Benji hurting her, I couldn't bear that. She tried to tell me that he was bat shit crazy that first day of class. I shrugged it off at the time, but what if she's right?

I text the number.

Rod gave me your number. It's Jake.

My phone starts vibrating again. He's calling me. "Hello."

"Hey, Jake. This is Chico. Please do me a favor and erase that message, and don't store my number in your phone. I have your number now. I'll know how to get in touch."

Wow, I wasn't expecting that. Well, ain't this some hardcore shit. "Consider it erased. You want to meet tomorrow?"

"Yes. I'll call you with a time and place in the morning. I'm chunking this burner phone, so it'll be from a different number."

"Yes, sir. We have practice until 10 AM."

"Noted."

And with that, he hangs up the phone. Shit. This is serious. Fuck. Who the hell is Benji? This has to be about more than him. Who's his boss? My mind is racing, and my gut is telling me this situation is about to get real bad, real fast.

I make my way back to Georgia. She's snuggled up on her left side. That's her favorite sleeping position. I have trouble staying asleep sometimes. Since we've been together, if my insomnia kicks in, I watch her while she's sleeping. She's so cute when she's cuddled all up in my covers. I get under said covers and spoon her. I hope sleep will find me soon so that I won't look like a Cullen Stalker. That's what my sister calls it anyways. Whatever that the hell that means.