More Fine Carriages

Chapter 10: On the Color Gray

AN: So I am a jerk. I actually had this written but I didn't like it all. It was really hard for me to write this chapter. This is the fourth attempt. I hope it's worth the long wait. Thanks, thanks, and many more thanks to all those of you who review and continue to read. You light up my world.

Jenna and Max were in the living room watching TV as I made my way down the stairs. I tried to be inconspicuous. It wasn't like I was trying to sneak out or anything but I really didn't want to answer all of their questions. Unfortunately, neither of them cared about my unwillingness to answer their questions.

"Where are you going?" Max asked as he heard my decent. I bit my lip feeling a bit guilty. Three hours earlier Max had asked me and Jenna if we wanted to do anything fun. I had still been in a terrible mood then and had declined, saying I just wanted to stay in and do some studying for my upcoming exams.

"Um… just going for a walk." I replied too quickly and Max raised an eyebrow. I hadn't planned on lying. If I had, believe me, I would have come up with something much better than that. But really I didn't want to have to tell them what I was really doing. It wasn't that I enjoyed lying; it was merely protection… if this happened to completely blow up in my face than at least I would be the only person to know about it. No need to involve anyone else. I wasn't big on public humiliation. But now that I really thought about what I had just said, I wanted to slap myself. Really? A walk in the middle of the night? Max wasn't going to swallow that one.

"At 9:30?" Ah, the questioning began.

"It's a glorious night out," I countered, trying to sound casual as I shrugged. I felt my phone vibrate in my fleece jacket. That could only mean one thing; Jake was here and was probably waiting outside. Now the only complication was the possibility of Max and Jenna noticing his car…

"Someone just pulled up into the drive," Denise said, clearly confused as she entered the living room from the kitchen door with a big bowl of popcorn. "They must be lost."

Jenna gave a low chuckle as Denise handed her the popcorn.

"A walk, huh?" Max asked, a twinkle in his eyes. I looked down at my shoes, while I could feel the blush creep up to my face. It was at times like these when I really hated my natural reactions – stupid, stupid blush. Denise smiled at me, clearly oblivious to the fact that she had just single-handedly ruined my excuse for leaving. "Come down to join us for the movie?" She asked as she sat down next to Max.

Max let out a laugh. "She's going for a walk… it's a glorious evening."

I rolled my eyes, as I made my way to the door.

"Addie, you can't go for a walk. It's pitch black outside…"

Before I could even respond, Jenna covered for me.

"She's going with an old friend. She'll be fine. " My sister's smile was mischievous, something that was so abnormal I hesitated before responding in the affirmative. "Oh…okay," Denise then said, giving me her permission, although it was unneeded, while Jenna shot me a look that clearly said 'you're going to have to tell me everything when you get back'. I heaved a sigh as my phone vibrated again. I was a little irritated… what was the rush? I said goodbye to them all – Max with his smug and altogether irritating expression, Jenna with her 'you-owe-me' glance, and Denise, who was blissfully and thankfully unaware of what was happening around her.

It wasn't like they knew WHO I was meeting. At least that was what I told myself as I closed the front door behind me. The April air was chillier than normal and I was really glad that I had donned my fleece jacket that I had packed on a whim.

My stomach did a summersault as I saw his sleek car in parked in the drive, still running with its headlights slicing through the thick darkness of the night. It wasn't the Jag… It was a red Audi this time. How many cars did he fucking have anyway?

I made my way to the passenger side door, determined to not look at him until I got there. My legs felt like jelly and for about the hundredth time since I had met him, I wondered at just what the hell I was doing and why I was acting the way I was. He just seemed to bring out both the worst and best of me all at the same time. I wondered briefly, as I opened the door and sat in the seat, if I did the same to him.

His smile was beautiful and for a second all of my doubts were wiped out of my mind. But only for a second. Then he opened his mouth.

"I thought you weren't coming for a second," he said, as he shifted the car into reverse. I only wished that I had had that doubt. It seemed as soon as I got off the phone with him, I had been aching to see him. But I wasn't going to say that.

"Just how many cars do you have anyway?" I asked, voicing my thoughts, as I buckled my seat belt. He let out a deep laugh that caused another flutter in my gut.

"So it's true – girls don't like boys, girls like cars and money?"

I stopped mid-movement to stare at him in amused shock. "I can't believe you just said that." My tone was dry.

"I was kidding," he said suddenly, looking worried. He thought I was mad. I couldn't help but crack up.

"No – I," I continued to laugh. "I just can't believe you quoted a Good Charlotte song."

His smile was back. "Hey there is nothing wrong with Good Charlotte."

"I never said there was… but really… you can't just quote songs."

"Sure you can," Jake said as he turned onto the highway.

"Okay you can, but you sound like a fool when you do," I said giving him a smirk. "But don't change the topic Hudson. How many cars do you have?"

He gave me a look as we came to a stop sign. "Three."

"You're killing the environment," I said teasingly as he turned right.

He chuckled. "Oh and you aren't?"

"Nope. Me and mother nature are tight… so where are you taking me anyway?"

"It's a cafe called Lucile's. They have the best cheesecake in the world," he informed me as he turned onto the highway.

"Is that a proven fact?" I asked, lifting my eyebrows. I was becoming more and more at ease with him. Talking to him just seemed... natural. Just like kissing him had been. It felt right and was thankfully NOT forced.

"Would I lie?" He asked with a smirk.

I smiled a gave a shrug. "You tell me. I really don't know you that well."

He gave me a sidelong look of surprise. "You don't think you know me?"

"Not really… and you don't really know me either." I said it casually but it wasn't until after it was said that I realized it might sound a little cold. I felt a wave of anxiety as I looked over at his face. I couldn't read it at all. I fidgeted with my bracelet.

Finally he said, "How about we make a deal? You ask me anything and I will answer honestly... as long as I get to do the same to you."

"So twenty questions?"I asked. I was more than a little surprised. That was the last thing I had expected to come out of Jake's mouth. But then I remembered the Good Charlotte lyrics. Clearly there was a lot more to Jake Hudson than I had originally imagined. Maybe this game was a good idea.

"Well… no not really."

"What?" I demanded confused.

"Okay so the point is the same, but it won't actually be just twenty questions…" He clarified as he took a left off the highway.

"Okay, I'm asking first." I couldn't help but grin like an idiot, some of the anxiety that I had before ebbing away.

"Fine."

"What's your favorite Sesame Street character?"

He gave me a look. "Are you serious?"

"I never joke about Sesame Street."

He ruffled his hair with his right hand as he stopped at a stop sign. "Um… probably Big Bird."

"Really? I had you pegged for Oscar the Grouch."

He gave a chuckle. "Contrary to popular belief, I'm not an unhappy person. What about you?"

"I'll answer, but this does not count as your question. Okay?"

"Alright," he agreed with a smile.

"Well," I began, "I would have said Cookie Monster but now he only eats vegetables because children are obese… so I guess I would have to say the really hairy elephant. She's cute."

Jake smiled as he pulled into a parking lot. The café was small and chic looking and with it being so late only a few cars were parked in its lot. He proceeded to park within the next minute and we promised to continue our game inside

He pretty much ushered me in, as clouds gathered overhead; it looked like it was going to downpour and I was more than excited. I loved thunderstorms.

We entered a well-lit room with a hard-wood floor and bright orange walls with spiral designs. At first it was a little overwhelming, but it was warm and edgy all at the same time, which was quite a feat in itself. A few customers were scattered here and there, a family of four in one of the orange booths in the far left corner and an old couple sitting at a table near the door. It smelled like toffee and caramel.

The waitress saw us and immediately checked Jake out. I was annoyed. It was irrational, but as she made her way over to hand us some menus, I felt the urge to kick her in the knees. We sat down in a corner booth with our menus and studied them in silence.

Jake spoke up. "So, you don't think I should have so many cars?" It was more of a statement than a question. He didn't sound angry – it was more like he wanted clarification.

I was surprised considering I had thought that that conversation had long died when we had left the car.

"I didn't say that. I guess I really don't care." I gave a shrug as I set my eyes back on the menu.

Jake nodded, and I felt awkward. What was the big deal? What if I had said yes?

"Do you like your car?" He asked, putting his menu down and propping his elbow on the table while resting his chin in his palm. I brought my eyes to his face and I wondered WHY we were still talking about this.

"I guess. It's just a car. It works."

He looked amazed and I was unaware of what was so awe-inspiring.

"You don't mind that it is just a Saturn?"

"No."

"So," he said then, leaning back and crossing his arms, "if I were to have say… a carriage, you would have no problem with riding in that."

I considered it a moment. That had to be the most random question I had ever been asked. "Only if it was a very fine carriage… unless it was cold outside. I'm not good with cold. Now care to tell me what all of this is about?"

He smiled and shrugged, retrieving his menu again from the table.

"Oh, no way, Hudson. Fess up," I said defiantly.

He looked away and then back to me nervously. "I've… I've just never met someone who didn't care about the material things. It's… it's just refreshing I guess."

I smiled, warmed by his words even though I knew they were too much. I shook my head. "You give me too much credit."

"No, I don't. You are the most un-superficial person I have ever met."

I blushed. That was definitely a good thing… right?

"You're stubborn as hell though," he added with a smile.

"I'm glad that I still have my flaws. I think I am going to get the cheesecake. Seeing as it's the best in the world and all." My face was still flaming, and I tried to change the subject. As flattering as all of it was, so much praise and evaluation made me uncomfortable. I just wasn't used to it.

"Excellent choice. I commend you."

I laughed. "Yeah, yeah, save it. What are you getting?"

"I always get a caramel brownie. I shouldn't have even gotten a menu, I knew what I was getting before we even got here."

"Do you come here a lot?" I asked as I picked a random piece of fuzz off my fleece jacket.

Jake smirked. "Yeah… I actually own it."

I looked at him blankly. I wasn't even surprised anymore. "Okay is there any part of Cambridge that you do NOT own?"

"Very little. My dad was in real-estate and my mom was in the food business. Put it together and this is what you get."

I knew what had happened to his parents so I wasn't too eager to travel down that road. I am not good with emotions. I don't know what to say when people cry or become sad. I always have an overwhelming feeling that I am just being obnoxious saying really cliched things and making it all worse. So I went back to a more neutral topic.

"Why Law school?"

He didn't look too surprised by my question. "I know it sounds really cheesy and corny and just naïve but I always wanted to… make a difference… to be in the History books. Law's the only noble way to do it."

The waitress appeared before I could really fully absorb all of what he had just said. We ordered while the waitress made a lame attempt at flirting with him muttering something about the sports team whose logo he had on his jacket. I was instantly reminded of my younger sister, and was more irritated than I ever would have admitted to being.

She left, reluctantly after Jake didn't respond to her comment and I couldn't help but smile a little.

He turned his attention swiftly back to me. "Why journalism?"

"I'm nosy."

He gave me a stern look. I gave in. "Okay, so I like writing. Journalism isn't exactly my dream. If I could pick what I would do, I would just write best-selling novels."

"So just write novels." He said it like it was so simple.

"If only it were that easy, Hudson."

The waitress appeared again, and thankfully gave us our desserts wordlessly.

"What's your favorite book?" I asked as I lifted my fork.

He considered this question a little bit while I took a bite of the cheesecake. It was like heaven.

"I'm probably going to have to go with The Buffalo Creek Disaster." He said before shoving some brownie in his mouth.

I gave him a blank look and he chuckled. "I read for a class a while back. It's a story about the law making a difference. It's realistic but sort of hopeful all that same time."

"Can't say I have heard of it," I said apologetically while he just looked amused with my ignorance.

We were silent for a little bit both munching on our respective desserts until I realized that it was probably my turn to interrogate. I raked my brain for something quickly.

"What's your biggest fear?"

"Women body builders." His response was immediate and his face was straight. He was absolutely serious. And I busted out laughing causing a few of the patrons to look over at us.

"Why?" I finally managed to get out.

"Do you really have to ask? Have you ever seen a woman body builder? They could probably eat me."

I finally regained composure long enough for him to ask me his other question which was profoundly deeper than the rest.

"What's one thing you want to do before you die? Like, what's the one thing, that after you have it, your life would be complete?"

I went from silly to serious in a matter of seconds. There were so many things I could answer it with, yet for some reason I knew that he was looking for something specific. He was looking at me intently, his gaze smoldering. I wondered how it had gone from woman body builders to this. What had happened?

I blushed while I searched through my mind for an answer. There were so many things I wanted to have before death; love, family, happiness, success… I wanted to write a novel, I wanted to be in love, I wanted whiter teeth, and I wanted a new pair of adidas running shoes. I wanted to see Jenna happy, to see Cathy and Stacey grow up and mature, and to see Emily save the planet. I wanted Fanny to smile more and Dad to walk me down the aisle.

But what could I even say? How could I pick?

I cleared my throat. "Can I pass?" I said in a small voice, not looking at him. The intensity of his gaze had gotten to me.

"I guess," he sighed, but there was a smile on his face that let me know he wasn't too disappointed in not being able to hear my answer.

"What's your favorite TV show?" I then prompted.

"The Office. Easy."

My eyes lit up. Who knew we would both have a mutual love for Michael, Dwight, Pam and Jim? "I love the Office. In fact, there's probably something wrong with you if you DON'T like The Office."

He nodded his agreement, while he ate more of his brownie. When he finished he added, "Definitely a character flaw if you can't enjoy that humor."

I laughed again. "Fanny hates it."

He blanched considerably after realizing he had just insulted my mother. I laughed again, so glad that the awkwardness of the prior question had evaporated.

"I didn't mean... I mean your mom..." Jake stuttered clearly frustrated.

"I laughed again. "Really, it's alright. I know what you meant."

We both had finished our desserts by this time and I came to the sad realization that the date was beginning to wind down.

"We should probably head back," he said as he sifted through his wallet and placed a fifty on the table.

"Are you going to let me pay for-" before I could finish he interrupted me with, "You are NOT paying."

"I don't mind," I said as I got up, but I let it drop. No use arguing about it.

He shook his head and as we made our way to the door we saw that the rain was coming down in sheets. Neither of us had an umbrella.

"Damn," he muttered. I didn't mind.

"Oh come on, it's just rain," I said as I zipped up my fleece. "In fact, I'll race you to the car."

He smiled, bigger than I had ever seen and he leaned close to kiss me on the check before whispering, "You're on." He pulled back and busted out of the door before I even had the chance to blink.

I charged after him, into the downpour, muttering obscenities at his back. We finally reached the car sopping wet. He had beaten me, but he was struggling to find his keys. Finally he unlocked the door and we threw our wet selves in the seats and slammed the doors shut.

"I can't believe you did that! So cheap," I said turning to him, mostly just teasing, "I demand –" but before I could say just what I demanded (which was going to be a rematch), his mouth was on mine cutting me off once again. And this time I didn't even try to think. It was fine. Life was good. I didn't hate him and he didn't hate me.

He was Jake Hudson and I was Adeline West. He was Black and I was White. I had always liked White. But now I was beginning to realize that Gray was the best color of all.

Review if you feel so inclined.

And my apologies goes to all the women body builders and The Office Haters out there.