Truth or Dare (Ch. 10: The Meeting)

I trotted down the stairs in excitement, but I was nervous for my mother to meet Jayden.  My mother entered the tile entry way just as I opened the door to reveal a very gentleman looking Jayden.  The pale skin beauty was dressed in nice black jeans, a black sweater, and black shoes.  His hair lay just above chin length, as always, and it was just as untamed.  He looked amazing.
“Hey,” I greeted, motioning for him to enter our house.
“Hey, beautiful,” he leaned down, gently kissing my cheek.  As he pulled away, he produced a single red rose and handed it to me.
I smiled and kissed him.  “Mom, this is Jayden.  Jayden, this is my mom, Julia,” I introduced.
“It’s nice to meet you, Jayden,” my mother smiled.  It looked as though she approved of him so far.
“You, too,” Jayden said, shaking my mom’s hand politely.  Then he turned to me.  “You look gorgeous, Brie.”
I blushed and responded, “You look pretty fabulous yourself.”
My mom took her time to exit the entry way and go back to her office to work.  She was a lawyer and she had to prepare a case for court before she left the next day to go to New York with Cameron.
Jayden and I went into the kitchen so that I could prepare dinner.  As soon as we walked into the kitchen, and Jayden knew the coast was clear and my mom wouldn’t pop in, he pulled me into his strong arms and kissed me deeply.  I got lost in his kiss and didn’t realize it ended until his hands ran down my arms and took my hands in his.  I smiled.
“Brie, I’m sorry about Craig intruding on you today.  He had to right to let himself into your car and accuse me of wanting to break up with you for your step sister.  Craig may be my brother, but that still gives him no right,” Jayden said as his dark brown eyes blared into my light golden ones.
“I believe you, Jayden.  You are my boyfriend, not Craig.  I will believe what you say before him any day, and you know that.  I am not going to let him and Lauren take you from me.  I refuse to let go,” I told him with a smile.  I kissed Jayden again and said, “Now I must cook.  Dinner wont make itself.”
He chuckled.  “Any way that I can help?” he offered.
“No,” I simply stated.  “I’m doing this for you.  You can sit if you’d like.”
“I’m just fine standing right here,” he told me as he leaned against the granite counter.  “There’s a better view.”
I giggled and began to get out the few ingredients I needed to make lasagna.  Jayden watched as I layered noodles, sauce, and cheese into a pan.  After putting it into the hot oven, I moved over to the fridge to get supplies to make a salad and garlic bread.
An hour, a few kisses, and multiple laughs later, dinner was ready to be served.  Mom, Jayden and I sat down to eat, and I got instantly nervous.  It was as if Jayden sensed my nerves, and he touched his knee to mine letting me know that everything would be alright.  I smiled at him.
A few minutes passed where we ate in silence, but soon my mom began her interrogation of Jayden.  I knew this would happen.
“So, Jayden, have you lived in Seattle for very long?” she questioned him.
“Not really.  I just moved back here on Saturday, but I like it so far,” Jayden answered coolly.
“Oh.  Why did you move?” she continued.
“I used to live in San Diego with my dad, but we didn’t get along very well, so I moved back here to live with my mom and brother.”  I was amazed at how calm Jayden was being.
“That’s nice,” my mom acknowledged kindly.  “Do you like West Seattle High so far?”
“I do now,” he said, referring to me.  “I’m in some good classes.  It’s good to have a challenge my senior year.”
I realized when my mom shot me a small look that I hadn’t told her Jayden was older than me.  She used this information for more questions.
“Do you have plans for after you graduate?” my mom’s questionnaire continued.
“Yes, I do,” Jayden started.  “I plan to go a college here in Washington and major in automobile mechanics.  Hopefully I’ll own my own chain of auto repair shops one day.”
I was amazed at how planned out Jayden’s future was.  He was staying in Washington, too, which means he wouldn’t be far so I could still see him.
“Sounds like you’ve got a pretty good plan.  That’s more than most high school seniors can say.”  My mom was approving of him, and I was glad.
“Brie, dinner is wonderful,” Jayden complimented, changing the subject smoothly.
“Yes, it’s very good, dear,” Mom agreed.
“Thanks,” I accepted with a smile.
The rest of dinner was finished in silence, with exception of a few words here and there, and when Jayden noticed that when everyone was done, he rose and began to clear the table.
“Babe, you don’t have to do that, you’re my guest,” I said.  I stood as well and picked up a dish.
“It’s the least I can do.  You cooked, Brie, let me help,” he insisted.
I just looked at him.  He smiled a smile that let me know that I wouldn’t win if I argued with him about it.
“Fine,” I sighed with a laugh, handing him the dish I was holding.
As soon as Jayden left, I turned to my mom who said, “He seems like a good boy, Brie.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I replied.
Once Jayden and I got the table cleared and the dishes cleaned, we went into the living room.  He walked ahead of me, turning the corner sharply.  I giggled, knowing his plan was to jump out and scare me, and I snuck around quietly to the other entry into the room.
I crept up behind Jayden and threw my arms around his waist.  He jumped, and I started to laugh.
“You’ll pay for that, Brie,” Jayden warned mischievously.
I let go of him so he could face me and asked, “Oh really?  How is that, babe?”
“Like this,” he simply stated.  There was a look in his dark eyes, though, that encouraged me to run.
Jayden dropped into a ready position, and I squealed, starting to run.  But before I could run far, Jayden was right on my tail.  I rushed down the hall and into our television room.  Jayden ran much quicker than I did, though, and when I was in front of the couch, Jayden leapt at me.
I let out a small as my boyfriend got closer to me and his arms wrapped around my waist.  He tackled me, and the two of us landed together on the couch.
“That’s not fair,” I whined breathlessly.
“Oh, but my dear, it really is,” he whispered in my ear.
“No, it’s not.  You’re faster and stronger than I am,” I argued with a smile.  “You could have gone easy on me.”  I looked at him, trying my hardest to look serious.
“Oh, but you’re so beautiful I couldn’t stop myself.  Plus, if I took it easy on you, I’d have to wait longer to do this,” he smoothly worded, dipping his head and touching his lips to mine.
I wrapped my arms around his neck as he kissed me.  It felt as though I’d been lost in his arms for hours when I heard a quiet, beeping sound start.
It must have been Jayden’s phone because he broke the kiss and reached into his pocket.
“Hold on, babe, I have to take this call,” Jayden explained as he sat up.  I got nervous, and curious, at what the call was about and who it was from.  “Hi, Mom,” he answered.  “Yes, I’m still with Brie… Probably not tonight, Mom… Because she has to pack a bag to go to her dad’s tomorrow… Okay, I’ll ask her… See you when I get home.”  Jayden hung up the phone.
I could only hear Jayden’s side of the conversation, but I knew that they were talking about me.  “What was that all about?” I questioned curiously.
“My mom was wondering if she got to meet you tonight, and when I told her no, she insisted that you come to dinner at our house tomorrow,” he summarized with an invitation.
“I’d love to,” I agreed.
Jayden looked confused.  “Really?  You don’t want to be with your dad tomorrow night?”
“Honestly, I’d much rather go with you,” I admitted.  “My dad is going to be all questions about lies Lauren has probably told him about me, and now us.”
“Okay,” he smiled.  “We’ll figure out details tomorrow, but for tonight I must go.  It’s almost ten, and you do have to pack for your dad’s.”
I sighed not wanting him to leave.  “Fine.  I’ll see you to the door.”
He kissed me again and pulled me to my feet.  Hand-in-hand, we walked to the door.
“Thanks for everything,” I said.
“Why are you thanking me?  You’re the one that cooked and hosted,” he clarified.
“I know.  But you’re amazing, and you took my mom’s interrogation so coolly.”
“I like you, Brie, and now you’re mine.  I’ll do anything for you,” he informed.  With one last kiss, he added, “See you tomorrow.”
Then he was gone.  I stood on the porch and watched him until his headlights were out of sight.  When he was far enough away, I stepped inside and closed the door.  With a smile, I leaned against the door.  I still couldn’t believe this could all be so perfect.