Chapter 18
“How long have you two been together?” Scott asked as he and Jamie walked past the tennis courts, the hot North Carolinian sun beating down on them.
“Not long,” Jamie replied, “but I like him a lot already. He’s really great Scott.”
“He’s cute,” Scott admitted, “I couldn’t help but notice.”
“Speaking of which…” Jamie laughed, “How’s Danny?”
“He’s good,” Scott said nodding his head, “He hasn’t met my parent’s yet though.”
“You haven’t told them yet?” Jamie asked surprised.
“I haven’t had the chance, they’re not as open minded as you James,” Scott said taking her hand, “It’ll kill them to find out their only son is gay.”
“But they love you, they’ll accept it!” Jamie argued.
“I really want to tell them and get it all out in the open,” Scott admitted, “but I’m scared of what they’ll say.”
“Who cares what they say!” Jamie said loudly, “If they love you, they will accept you for who you are and your choices!”
“You should take some of your own advice,” Scott laughed.
“You mean my dad?” Jamie asked, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear and looking up at Scott with a small smile.
“Yeah,” Scott nodded, “it’s like you’re the person he wants you to be. A puppet.”
“I know, but what am I supposed to do?” Jamie asked him, “I’m just scared that if I do something to upset him, he’ll have another episode…”
Jamie shivered, although the air was warm, she still got chills down her spine when she thought about it.
“You mean the drinking incident?” Scott asked, “After your mom left?”
Jamie nodded and looked up at Scott with a sad smile. He was the only person she had told about it. When her mother had left, it had destroyed her father, and a 10-year-old Jamie watched her father drink his way through the pain. He had never been abusive, but just the memories of the smell of alcohol on his breath as he stumbled into the room to tuck her in and the way he’d just yell and break stuff when he thought she was sleeping and couldn’t hear him was too unbearable. He eventually stopped, and never admitted to having a problem, not even to her. Jamie hadn’t anyone besides Scott about it, an old friend.
“You can’t be scared about that James,” Scott said soothingly taking her hand softly, “it happened so long ago.”
“I’m just scared that… that I’m gonna do something and trigger it,” Jamie said, her voice cracking.
Jamie spent the rest of her life after her mother left trying to be perfect. So her father would have someone to be proud of, and he wouldn’t have to drink. She felt a weight on her shoulders that no teen girl should ever have to face. The pressure to stay strong, and be perfect has almost made Jamie crack on several occasions.
“Forget about it,” Jamie said, wiping at her eyes to make sure any tears that were forming were gone, “It was a hard time, but know it’s over. I’m sure it won’t happen again.”
“So Jeff,” Scott said with a smirk, “did you and he…”
“You have a one track mind Scott,” Jamie interrupted with a laugh, “and yes, we did.”
Scott nodded and smiled, “and you like him a lot?”
“So much,” Jamie laughed, “it’s insane. Would it sound crazy if I said I think I was falling in love with him?”
“No, it wouldn’t,” Scott said, wrapping his arm around Jamie’s shoulders, “Congratulations James. I’m happy for you. Have you told him yet?”
“No,” she said shaking her head, “I’ve been too scared. What if he doesn’t feel the same way?”
“There’s only one way to find out…”
“I’m scared to Scott, I’m afraid I’m going to leave my heart out to get broken. Especially if I tell him I love him, how much more vulnerable can I get?” Jamie questioned.
“How about this, I’ll make you a deal,” Scott said, “If you tell Jeff how you really feel, I will come out to my parents and even introduce them to Danny. Alright?”
“You’ve got a deal buddy,” Jamie said with a laugh, sticking her hand out as the two shook, binding their agreement.
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Jeff and Christopher Smith sat in an uncomfortable silence as Jamie and Scott walked away. Jeff watched until they walked out the doors of the room and disappeared outside and he couldn’t see them any longer.
“He seems like a very nice guy,” Jeff said softly.
“He’s great,” Mr. Smith agreed, “I always thought that he and Jamie would get together, but I guess not.”
Jeff nodded, but didn’t say anything as the silence at the table grew more and more uncomfortable.
“So what exactly is the deal between my daughter and yourself?” Mr. Smith asked a few seconds later, looking intently at Jeff.
“Excuse me sir?” Jeff asked, a bit shocked and confused.
“You heard me son,” the older man said, “why are you with my daughter?”
“Well, because I care about her a lot,” Jeff replied, “She’s an amazing woman.”
“I know she is, that’s why I don’t want to see her get hurt,” Mr. Smith shot back, “she’s my baby girl and I never want to see her get hurt, by anyone.”
“With all due respect sir,” Jeff replied, “I would never hurt your daughter. I really do care about her.”
“What about on the road?” Mr. Smith asked, “do you plan on taking her away from her own life to travel with you. To follow you around like a lovesick teenager?”
“Of course not sir!” Jeff said, raising his voice a little, “I would never expect Jamie to drop her career or her life because of my career.”
“What about on the road?” Mr. Smith questioned, his voice filled with challenge, “What about the temptation? Jamie said you were a pretty popular star Jeff, I’m sure you have lots of pretty woman throwing themselves at you.”
“I have been on the road for close to 3 years,” Jeff replied, “and I have never once ‘given into temptation’ as you put it, and don’t plan on it. I am very serious in my relationships, and would never do anything to hurt Jamie.”
Jeff looked at Mr. Smith amazed at how the man had changed within half an hour. It was like he had become a totally different person. Jeff looked around, hoping Jamie would be back soon.
“Well Jeff,” Mr. Smith asked, the challenge in his voice seeming to disappear as he looked at Jeff coolly, “let me ask you another question.”
“Yes?” Jeff asked, almost nervously, not knowing what he would pull out of his sleeve next.
“Are you in love with my daughter?” the older man asked, watching the younger man very carefully.
“Excuse me?” Jeff asked, surprised and not sure how to respond.
“It’s quite a simple question son. Do you love Jamie or not? I’m not speaking Greek.”
“Yes sir, as a matter of fact I do,” Jeff answered, “I do love Jamie.”
“Well…” Mr. Smith said, surprised and speechless, not expecting that answer, “you better get over it soon. Because you are not the type of man I expected my daughter to end up with. I expected a lot…”
“Better?” Jeff interrupted, his eyes shining with annoyance.
“As a matter of fact, yes,” Mr. Smith interrupted with small smirk, “exactly. Someone more like… Scott.”
Jeff didn’t know what to say. He wanted to stand up and slap this man, but knew that wasn’t an option. He just looked at the older man who was glaring back at him.
“If you’ll excuse me Jeff,” Mr. Smith said pulling out his cell phone, “I have an important call I need to make. I’m sure you understand.”
Jeff didn’t say anything as he watched the man stand up and walk away. He was speechless, and didn’t even know how to describe his feelings. A mix of anger, confusion, hurt…
“Hey Jeff,” Jamie’s voice broke his thoughts as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek from behind, “where’d my dad go?”
“Call,” Jeff said simply, then smiled at her weakly.
“Well James, I should get going,” Scott said giving her a quick hug and small kiss on the cheek, “Say bye to your dad for me and remember our deal.”
“Alright sweetie,” Jamie said with a laugh, “have a good trip back to New York.”
“Jeff, it was a pleasure,” Scott said shaking his hand, “Good luck you two, you seem very happy together.”
“Thanks,” Jeff said, “Nice to meet you too man.”
Jamie sat down next to Jeff as they watched Scott walk away. Jamie looked at Jeff with a small smile an eager look in her eye.
“What did you and my dad talk about?” Jamie asked quickly, “How’d he like you?”
Jeff just shook his head weakly, not even wanting to recall what happened between them. Jeff just squeezed Jamie’s hand as the smile disappeared from her face.
“So what did you and Scott talk about?” Jeff asked.
“Not too much, just catching up,” Jamie replied, looking at Jeff who seemed to be acting a lot cooler.
“Jeff, what happened between you and my dad?” Jamie questioned again, not letting the topic drop so easily.
“Just forget it Jamie,” Jeff urged, “please.”
Jamie didn’t have time to argue back as her father walked back and took a seat back at the table. He smiled from Jamie to Jeff.
“Did Scott leave already?” Mr. Smith asked.
“Yeah, he had to go,” Jamie said, “but he wanted me to say goodbye and that it was good seeing you.”
“Alright,” Mr. Smith said, looking at Jeff quickly, then back to his daughter, “who’s ready for some dessert?”
Chapter 19