Second Chance for Love Read online

  “Always do,” I said, holding up the chain it was on.

  “Can I see it?”

  “Okay, give me a minute.”

  I feared after six years of being worn that the clasp wouldn't open. It took me a few tries to get it undone.

  I placed it in his palm. “Here you go. Why do you want it?”

  Looking at the ring brought back memories of the night he’d first given it to me. Chase had said that it was a promise to our future and I’d held onto it even after it looked like our paths would never entwine again.

  Smiling, Chase took my hand and pressed his lips against it. “Talk about déjà vu. I want to promise you a future, our future,” he said. “It won't be perfect and it most likely won't be peaceful if our families have anything to say about it, but it will be ours. I want you to know, I've never quit loving you. I don't think I ever could. The odds may still be against us. At least now though we’re old enough to make our own rules.”

  Chase slipped his class ring back onto my finger just like he did when we were teenagers in high school. Tears of joys replaced my fears and I kissed him again. This time it was more passionate and I couldn't stop smiling.

  He reached up to touch my face tenderly. “I can't wait to see your smile again,” he said.

  Chapter 20: Chase

  The next three days passed more slowly that I would’ve liked. The second day, I was finally allowed to eat something besides hospital food and my mother and Jetta nearly got into an argument. Jetta wanted to pick me something up from the diner and my mother wanted to cook me dinner. I hated to take sides between them and wondered if this was what I was setting myself up for.

  I decided a fast trip to the diner was easier for everyone involved. I was glad that my sight still hadn't fully returned so I couldn't see the dirty look my mother gave me.

  Every day after school, Abby came by and spent time with me. Her jokes and stories were a welcome break from the arguments and forced civil discussions the women had at my bedside. Twice the nurse threatened to make one or both of them leave if they couldn't get along. I wished my mother would just go home, but I didn't have the heart to ask her to leave.

  On the third morning, I woke up to my mother and Jetta having yet another fight. I sat up and opened my eyes. My vision was perfectly restored and I could see their angry faces as they yelled back and forth.

  “Ladies!” I shouted, interrupting them.

  Both of them stopped talking and turned towards me.

  I grinned. “Just thought you guys would want to know that I can see again,” I said. “You can go back to your arguing now.”

  “Oh Chase!” Jetta sprinted across the room to wrap me into a hug.

  Instinctively, I turned the embrace into a kiss. I was so thrilled to have my sight back that I didn't care what my mother thought. Before the kiss was done she had stormed out of the room.

  “I should go tell the doctor,” Jetta said. She ran out of the room.

  I sighed, leaned back against the pillows, and closed my eyes. The hospital hadn't been a very quiet place since I had woken up and I was going to enjoy the small moment of peace that I’d been given. I heard a knock on the door and guessing that it was one of the nurses or the doctor, told them to come in.

  “Hi Chase,” my dad's voice said.

  My body went tense. I didn't move. I didn't speak. Hell, I don't even think I even breathed. I didn't want to see him.

  “I know you most likely don't want to see me, but I've been worried about you,” he said, sitting down in the chair next to the bed.

  “You're right,” I said. “I don't want to see you.”

  “Aren’t you at least going to hear me out?” he asked.

  “Why should I?”

  “Because it wasn't easy for me to come here today, Chase,” he said.

  “I’m sure it wasn’t.”

  “I'm sorry,” he started. “I know that doesn't make anything better, but I felt like I needed to say it. You're still young, Chase and I don't think you understand all the hardships that come from marrying someone of a different race.”

  “Oh, I think by now I do. It's not about marriage, it's about love, Dad.”

  “So, you're really going to go through with it, then?” he asked.

  “Go through with what?”

  “You're going to get back together with Jetta?”

  “I already have.”

  My father shook his head and sighed.

  “Why the hell does it matter so much to you?” I yelled. “In case you don’t know this, I don't want to be like you. You've never been happy a damn day in your life!”

  “Yes, I have!” he shouted. “You can believe what you want, but I was happy with your mother. I was happy when you were little!”

  “Then why don't you want me to be happy?” I demanded.

  “It's not that I don't want you to be happy, Chase,” he said.

  “Then what the hell is it?”

  “It’s Abby. What's she going to think?”

  “This isn't about Abby, Dad.”

  “It will be,” he said matter-of-fact. “You can't be with someone without it affecting your kids. The fact that Jetta is black is going to bring a whole heap of problems down on Abby some day. Just you wait and see.”

  “Abby likes Jetta,” I replied.

  He shrugged as if I were a lost cause. “Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you and don't expect me to come to the wedding.”

  “Good because you’re not invited.”

  “Fair enough,” he said before getting up.

  Anger boiled in my gut as I watched him leave. I couldn't believe he even bothered to show up here. By the time Jetta arrived back with the doctor my spirits had been dampened beyond repair.

  Three hours later, I had my release papers in hand along with an appointment card in a week for a follow up. That evening I suffered through dinner at my mother's house. I almost bailed out until Jetta told me that her mother and Destiny had been invited as well. I was thankful that at least one of my parents was willing to put aside their feelings about my relationship with Jetta. I wanted to take time soon to tell my mother that very thought so she’d know I appreciated the effort.

  As usual, Abby dominated the dinner conversation and I was happy to let her talk. No one would be able to argue if she was keeping them busy laughing. After dessert, my mother put Abby to bed and we were left alone with Jetta's family.

  “Have you two decided where you're going to live?” her mother asked. “I mean, have you decided whether you're going to live here or in the city?”

  I opened my mouth to say we hadn't talked about it yet. Jetta beat me to it.

  “We’re going to live here, Mama,” she said. “I'm going to stay with you for awhile if you’ll have me, until we're ready to live together. That way I can make sure you're okay too.”

  Helen's face lit up with delight and I realized I’d never seen her look so happy. She looked like a different person.

  “I'd like that,” she said with a big smile. “You and Bosco can keep me company. He'll have to do until you can give me a real grandchild.”

  Jetta laughed. “That may take awhile.”

  “I know,” Helen said. “At least Bosco doesn't wake me up in the middle of the night for cookies like your nephew does whenever he stays over.”

  “No, Bosco's a little more behaved than that.”

  ***

  Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Abby moved in with me after I was given a clean bill of health and we adopted a German Shepherd, whom she named Doughnut. Six months later, Abby began to ask when Jetta was going to live with us.

  Somewhere during the course of events, Abby had begun to call Jetta “Mommy.” At first I was horrified, because I didn't know how Jetta was going to react. She seemed honored that Abby thought highly enough of her to consider Jetta a mother figure.

  Jetta’s mother warmed up to the idea of Abby as another grandchild right away and starting invi
ting her over for cookie baking dates and sleepovers.

  Helen even agreed to watch Abby when Jetta and I wanted to take advantage of a long weekend. I had a surprise planned for Jetta and hadn't told her where I was taking her.

  Chapter 21: Jetta

  I've never been the type of girl who likes surprises. I was only willing to play along with Chase because I loved him so much. It seemed everyone knew where we were going except me.

  “You're really not going to tell me?” I asked Mama.

  “Child, don't you know the meaning of surprises?” she replied.

  “I do, but I don't like them. They make me uneasy.”

  “You'll like this one, girl, trust me.” She grinned. “You better go get dressed. Chase will be here soon.”

  “What should I wear?” I asked, hoping for a hint.

  “Something pretty!” she teased.

  Sighing, I sprinted up the stairs and dressed in my favorite jeans and a blue tank top. I was waiting outside with my suitcase when Chase pulled up. He’d bought a new truck yesterday and it was my first time seeing it.

  “Nice,” I said when he got out.

  “I know,” he agreed. “I like it even more than my old one.”

  “It has airbags right?”

  “Oh, yes,” Chase said.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss.

  “Come on, if we're going to make it there in time we have to leave now.” He lifted my suitcase into the bed of his truck.

  “So where are we going?”

  He grinned. “You'll see soon enough.”

  I spent most of the drive trying to convince Chase to tell me where we were going, but he wouldn't even give me a hint. A few hours later the smell of salt water filled my nostrils and I knew we were near the coast.

  “Are you taking me to the beach?”

  I’d always wanted a beach wedding even though I’d never stepped foot on a real beach before. When we were younger we’d talked about it many times.

  Chase shrugged and chuckled. “Maybe.”

  “I can't believe you remembered that.”

  “I remember everything about you, Jetta.”

  I was quiet for a few moments as I looked around trying to figure out how far we were from the ocean.

  “Oh no!” I cried out suddenly.

  “What's wrong?”

  “I didn't pack my bathing suit.”

  “You didn’t? Well, it’s a good thing your mom added it to your stuff when you weren't looking.”

  I blinked and then laughed again at his sneakiness. “You really covered all your bases, didn't you?”

  “Yep. Didn’t want anything to spoil our trip.”

  As soon as Chase parked the truck, I kicked my shoes off and ran onto the beach. The sand felt warm against my feet and I headed towards the water. I stood on the shore line enjoying the waves lapping at my ankles.

  By the time the awe had worn off, Chase had already put out a blanket and was setting out the food. For a moment, I watched the rays of the setting sun play against his skin. I was smiling like a fool. It took me a few minutes to realize that I was finally living my dream; that for the first time since I could remember I was finally happy.

  I joined Chase on the blanket and we snacked on finger foods and drank cheap wine. We watched the sunset, the colors dancing across the sky as the ocean seemed to consume the sun. I leaned my head on Chase's shoulder and he wrapped his arm around me.

  A grin played at my lips as we snuggled in close together. When I was younger, I was shyer than I would’ve ever admitted to so Chase never knew the real reason why I wanted to go to the beach with him. It had always been my fantasy to make love out in the open on the sand. I looked around and noticed that the beach was completely empty. I knew what we make my night complete.

  My hand rested on Chase's knee as the sun sank lower and lower into the water. When the last ray of light drifted out of sight, I looked into Chase's blue eyes and kissed him. Our mouths moved together gently at first, then I pulled him tighter and deepened the kiss. I wanted Chase to know this kiss was going somewhere.

  Chase took my not-so-subtle hint to heart and lowered me to my back. His tongue twirled around mine as his hands caressed my body through the fabric of my shirt. I arched my hips up, grinding them against his. I felt his cock stir and begin to come to life. My heart was racing with anticipation and I could barely contain my arousal and desire for my man. Chase's lips traveled down my neck to my collar bone. His mouth felt hot against my skin and made me want him even more.

  Chase's tongue traveled down my cleavage in between my breasts and I sighed in pleasure. I ran my fingers through his hair as his hands slipped under my shirt. The tank had a built in bra which made it easy for him to reach my nipples. He cupped my breasts and squeezed them gently. I moaned and curled my toes into the sand. Our new relationship was still in the beginning stages where every touch still felt like magic.

  I moved to pull my top off and out of the way and Chase grabbed the extra blanket he had brought and pulled it over both of us. My fantasy had been to make love in the wide open, but it felt nice to know Chase respected my body. It made me feel safe, protected, and loved.

  Under the blanket, I removed my shirt and tossed it aside. Chase's hands moved slowly over my sensitive flesh and squeezed my nipples tenderly before rolling them against his palms. I drew in a sharp breath of pleasure when he sucked one of my rock hard nipples into his mouth. His teeth scraped gently against it as his tongue flicked back and forth. My hips bucked under him as I tried to rub my clit against the fabric of my jeans. I could feel that my panties were already damp with desire and my clit was throbbing.

  Chase undid my jeans and slipped his hands down my panties. He cupped my mound for a second before sliding a finger between my slippery lips. I moaned as his fingers brushed against my soft folds on their way to my clit. My hips moved slightly, guiding him to the spot that was aching for his touch.

  My eyes rolled back in my head as his finger gently massaged my swollen nub. The heat of my desire spread from my loins through the rest of my body. I felt hot and flush as Chase slipped his fingers into my body. My hips arched to meet his digits as he moved them slowly in and out of my body. I became lost to his slow and steady rhythm. My body contracted around his fingers forcing them deeper, so they brushed against my g-spot. I bit my lip and called out as the fire between my legs was stoked with every movement.

  Chase pulled away and took off his shirt. Even in the dim light under the blanket I could see that he was beginning to sweat. I sat up and kissed him. My hands ran over his smooth muscled chest and stomach as our tongues danced together. His lips tasted salty, the way I imagined the ocean would taste.

  As we kissed, I quickly undid Chase's pants and freed his throbbing cock. I wrapped my fingers around it and looked deep into his blue eyes. They were lusty and I knew he was hungry for me. We were both already breathing heavily when I began to stroke him. He felt soft and smooth against my hand.

  The blanket fell away though neither of us noticed until the cool ocean breeze danced against our skin. I fell back onto the blanket, taking Chase with me. We landed in a passionate kiss and he nibbled my bottom lip. Now that we were both naked, I expected Chase to slide his rock-hard cock into me. Instead, he slowly kissed down my body

  My legs parted instinctively for him and he wasted no time before burying his face in my crotch. His tongue swirled around my clit making me moan. My hips arched against his face as he licked over me again and again.

  I could’ve stayed there under his tongue forever, but I longed to feel more connected to him. My fingers ran through his hair and down over his neck and shoulders. Gently, I pulled him onto me. My fingers lingered over his body for a few seconds reveling in the moment. I wanted to feel Chase inside of me and I wanted it right now.

  Reaching between us, I guided his hard cock into my body. I sighed with pleasure when he sunk in deep to his balls. The delightfu
l feeling of fullness sent bolts of pleasure throughout my body. I clung to him while he moved in and out of my body again and again. My pussy contracted around him, pulling him deeper.

  I could feel him pounding against my insides and brushing against my g-spot. My hips moved frantically towards his in my frenzy to find release. My manic fingers massaged my clit and pulled at my nipples. My body was screaming out for climax. The fire in my belly finally exploded in an orgasm that overwhelmed me.

  “Oh!” I cried out. “Chase! Oh, dear God!”

  Any worries I might’ve been holding onto faded away as wave after wave of pleasure washed over me. My fingers gripped his back as his thrusts became quicker and deeper as he sought his own release. I felt him twitch and knew he was near the end. Leaning up to meet him, I pulled him into a kiss and arched my hips. His hot, sticky seed exploded inside of me and we collapsed panting.

  As we drifted off to sleep on the beach, I couldn't stop smiling, thinking about our lives. Things back home were still crazy. Our mothers didn't get along and I knew Ethel didn't like me. Chase's dad refused to speak to him and my mom and Bosco still had their moments.

  For right now though, this moment was perfect and more than I ever could’ve wished for.

  I realized that life doesn't have to be perfect, in fact it never will be.

  It’s the little moments like this that we were fighting for.

  The little moments that made all of the struggle and tears worth it.

  THE END

  ***

  If you’ve enjoyed this book please check out the other titles by Leona Jackson.

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