Chapter 16
At a quarter 'till eleven, Elizabeth closed the front door of her home and leaned her back against it. After several earth moving kisses on the front porch, Jack squeezed her hand three times before opening the door for her. He wouldn't leave until she was safely inside with the door closed. Elizabeth turned to look out the window by the door. She just had to watch him walk to his mother's SUV. She loved how his backside looked in those dress jeans. When he pulled out of the driveway, She laid her back against the door and rested the back of her head against the door. Her eyes shut and an immeasurable smile was plastered on her face. She let out a sigh thinking back on the evening.
Olympic was a nice place for two young people to eat dinner. The walk along the beach was just perfect in her opinion. The dancing to the music in the background was perfect. She was a little surprised Jack could dance so well. She shivered at the memory of Jack moving his hand to her lower back and purposefully, but lovingly, pulled her against him. She involuntarily moved her hands to her lips when she remembered the moment his lips first touched hers. For two people who have never kissed before, she thought the kiss was just perfect. She was a little surprised when she opened her mouth and they both searched for each other's tongue. She knew it was a little forward, but she didn't care. The gentleness of Jack moved her. He didn't push her but allowed her to move at her own pace. Which was exactly the same as his. She wanted the kiss. In all reality, she demanded the kiss. If he wasn't going to kiss her, she was going to kiss him. She wasn't ending the date with never kissing a boy.
She laughed to herself when she realized she initiated the first kiss on the front steps. She just couldn't help it. She actually cursed the fact that Jack didn't move to Hamilton years ago. They could have done this for years if he was already here. The kisses on the porch were just as perfect as their first kiss. She loved the feeling of his hands on her lower back and the feeling of his hair in her hands. While those were great, she loved the feeling of her body against his. Their bodies just fit perfectly together. Better than any puzzle she has ever seen.
"That must have been a great date." Grace smiled as she walked down the stairs.
"Oh…mother…you startled me!"
"I'm sorry dear. That was not my intent."
"It's ok mother."
"Did you have a nice evening?"
"I did." The smile was cemented on her face. She knew it was going to be there for a long time.
Grace smiled at her middle daughter. She could tell her daughter had a great evening. "Dear, would you like a cup of tea?"
Elizabeth thought about it for a moment. She knew she wasn't going to go to sleep any time soon. She just knew when she closed her eyes, she would see his perfect lips coming closer to her. She was perfectly ok with that image in her mind. "Sure. That sounds lovely."
Grace and Elizabeth walked into the kitchen. Elizabeth sat at the kitchen island and watched as her mother began to boil water for their teas.
"So, where did you go?"
"We went to a restaurant named Olympic. It was a nice restaurant. Then we went to the beach and took a long walk." She sighed her contentment. Grace knew the unmistakable look on her daughter.
"So…how was the kiss?"
Elziabeth looked up and saw the knowing smirk on her mother's face. They just didn't keep secrets from each other. Elizabeth let out a long sigh.
"Mother…it was…it was just perfect."
Grace smiled at the dreamy look on her middle daughter's face.
"It was my first kiss, and his, but mother…it was just perfect."
"Are you comfortable with what happened?"
"I am. He didn't push me or anything. We were dancing to some music from a group of people that was way down the beach. We danced for a few minutes…and then…" She let out another perfect sigh. "…it was just perfect."
"Dear, you've said that a few times." Grace playfully teased.
Elizabeth gave her mother a look then they both laughed. Grace handed her daughter a cup of tea and a bottle of honey. They both took a sip of tea and enjoyed a few moments of silence. Something was weighing on her mind. She trusted her mother but was a little hesitant to ask. Finally, she couldn't keep from asking. She just had to know.
"May I ask you something?"
"Sure dear. What is on your mind?"
…
Jack pulled into his parents' driveway and sat in the car for a moment. He knew he wasn't going to go to sleep anytime soon. He texted his father to let him know he was home but was going to sit on the front porch for a few minutes.
As he sat down in the rocking chair, he heard the front door open. He knew it was his father.
"Are you ok, son?"
"Yes."
"Did you have a nice evening?" Tom asked his son as he sat down on the rocking chair. He placed a water bottle on the small table for Jack.
"It was very nice." Jack took the bottle of water and took a drink. "Thank you for standing up for me. I really didn't want to take Tom with me to Elizabeth's house."
"You mother meant well, but she just didn't think it out."
"I know. Thanks for going somewhere else to eat too."
"Was it a nice place to eat?"
"It was. We will have to go there soon."
Tom looked at his son for a moment. He knew his boy. He also didn't want to embarrass his son.
"Jack, I don't want details…you didn't push Elizabeth tonight, did you?"
"What?"
"Come on Jack. I was your age at one time, and I remember what it was like to be in love." Tom gave his son a knowing look.
"No sir. I didn't push her. We did kiss a few times I had her home at a quarter 'till eleven."
He could see his son was truthful. He was happy his young son acted like a gentleman.
"And what do you mean being in love?" Jack challenged him.
Tom let out a loud laugh. "Son, I was seventeen at one time too. I'm not too old that I don't remember that look." He nodded to Jack's head. "I also know you. I can see the look on your face. You may not have admitted it to yourself or to her yet, but you are in love."
Jack nodded his head. He wasn't willing to tell his father about what he told her a week ago or the fact that he squeezes Elizabeth's hand three times and it's true meaning.
"You are a good young man, Jack. Treat her with respect and I will be happy."
"I do, Pa."
"I know son. You are a good guy. Now, don't lose your head in this, ok."
"Yes sir."
"Enjoy your evening. Not too late, we have church in the morning."
"Are we going to Frank's church?"
"Yes, but Jack…it's Pastor Hogan or Pastor Frank."
"He told me to call him Frank."
"That's fine in private, but at the church or in public, it's Pastor. Let's not forsake our respect."
"Got it."
"Jack…you are a true gentleman."
"Good night, Pa."
"Good night, Son. I'm glad you had a great evening with Elizabeth."
"Thanks."
…
"How did you know father was the one for you? The one you would marry."
Grace smiled at her daughter. They have shared with their children how they met in college. They have also shared their dating history, but she never told them any more details. She also knew the expression on her daughter's face. She was completely in love just like she was with William so many years ago.
"Well, I knew almost instantly. Long before I admitted it to myself or to my best friend."
Elizabeth nodded her head.
"It was about a month after I met your father. We went out a couple of times with some friends and had two study groups together. He asked me on a date. He took me out to eat and then a walk in the park."
"Really?"
"Yeah. During our walk, your father reached for my hand. When he touched me, it felt like sparkles running up my arm. The same thing happened when he kissed me at the end of the evening."
"Huh…I would call it electricity."
Grace gave her daughter a knowing smile. She didn't think her daughter knew she said it out loud. She knew by the look in her daughter's eyes that she already thought she would marry this guy.
"Well, did you feel sparkles when he kissed you?"
Elizabeth's face turned instantly red. She had no plans to tell her mother the intimate details of her and Jack's shared first kiss. She looked down when she saw her phone light up. She silenced it during their date. Her smile gave her mother the answer to her question.
"Jack?" Grace nodded toward her phone.
"Yeah. She turned her phone so her mother could read the text.
J – I'm home. Thank you for the most perfect evening! Rest well I'll text you tomorrow
"He's a good guy."
"He is…" Elizabeth's voice trailed off as she texted Jack back.
E – I had a great time Thank you! Rest well
"Have you told him you loved him yet?"
Elizabeth's head shot up at her mother's words. She knew her mother couldn't know. She and Jack never said the words. Of course, she does, but they never vocalized it. They have squeezed each other's hand, but no one knows what it means. She studied her mother for a few moments. "Mother, we have only dated for a short period of time. Tonight was the first time we kissed."
"Elizabeth…" Her mother stated in a motherly tone. She wasn't being pushy, and Elizabeth knew that. That was the type of relationship her and her mother had. She knew her mother just cared for her, but she wasn't going to say anything about being in love with Jack.
"Mother…" Elizabeth matched her mother's tone.
Elizabeth's phone buzzed five times one after another. Elizabeth didn't have to look to know who they were from. Neither did her mother.
"Go upstairs sweetheart. I know Steph and Connie are dying to know what happened."
"I love you, mother."
"I love you, sweetie."
…
C – Are you home?
C – How did it go?
S – Where did he take you?"
C – What did you two do?
S – Did he kiss you?
S – Why aren't you answering?
C – E!
S – E!
The texts just continued to come in as she walked up the stairs. Instead of texting them back, she facetimed them instead. Her two best friends answered the facetime call immediately.
"Oh…you look very happy!" Connie immediately stated when she saw Elizabeth's smile.
"I would say that looks like a young lady who is in love." Steph smiled. They were truly happy for their best friend.
"I agree Steph. I would also say that looks like a young lady who just had her first kiss."
"With her red and swollen lips, I would say more than her first kiss." Sassed Steph.
"Come on you two…" Elizabeth laughed.
"Tell us everything!" Both girls stated at the same time with giggles.
Elizabeth spent the next several minutes telling her two best friends about the date. From the moment she left the house with Jack until she placed her back against her front door after Jack left. The three young ladies spoke so fast that anyone would have a hard time following the conversation. They all swooned over the date. Especially the time on the beach and dancing. While Elizabeth did share a few moments of the kiss, she didn't go into too much detail about it. She just felt that part of her and Jack's relationship wasn't open to everyone, even with her best friends.
…
Monday morning came too quickly for everyone. Jack and his family loved the church when they visited Frank. They thought the church was friendly and they instantly felt at home. Several people came to them and spoke to welcome them. They enjoyed Frank's sermon. The Thornton's promised to be back the following Sunday.
Elizabeth pulled her mini coop to her normal parking spot and turned off the engine. She was waiting for Jack to ride his bike to school. She looked at her phone when it buzzed. She was expecting Jack to text her, but she knew he was coming to school. The text was from Charles. She hasn't talked to him for a few days.
C – Are you busy?
E – No in my car at school you?
C – Can we talk?
E – Sure
Elizabeth jumped a little when her passenger door opened. Charles sat down with a small smile that quickly faded.
"You scared me!" Elizabeth gasped. "Why did you do that?"
Charles didn't answer her question. "Elizabeth, you really need to be careful how you act on your dates. You may get a reputation."
"What are you talking about?"
"Saturday night on the beach. Kissing like that in public. People were around and saw you."
"Wait, were you following me?"
"No. I was with the group of people that was at the bonfire. We all saw you dancing with him."
"He has a name Charles. And we didn't do anything inappropriate. We just danced."
"And kissed."
"Yes and kissed. What is wrong with that?" Elizabeth challenged him.
"It's not proper, Elizabeth." Charles quickly answered.
"Charles, we didn't do anything wrong, and you know it. He kissed me. People in a relationship do that."
"Looks like you kissed him back."
Elizabeth smiled at the memory of the kiss. It was still moving to her even after a couple of days.
"I did."
"That was your first kiss?"
"Charles, you know me. Yes, it was my first kiss, but that is none of your business."
"You can't do that in public like that."
"Charles…you kissed me on the cheek several times in public."
"Yes, but you didn't kiss him on the cheek."
"True…" Elizabeth reached up and touched her lips at the memory of the feeling. "However, it's none of your concern."
"I just don't want you to get a bad reputation."
"Charles, if you and I were on a date, you would have tried to kiss me. Would you have been worried about my reputation?"
"It should have been us Saturday night dancing on that beath. You should have been kissing me. Not you and him."
"His name's Jack." He understood her tone very well. She didn't use it very often but knew it when he heard it. This was unmistakable Thatcher coming out now.
"Does Viola know about this?"
"I don't go to Viola for dating advice. Charles, you are jealous and it's showing clearly. Are we still friends?"
"Yes."
"Then you need to act like it. Stop being jealous. We were not dating, and we wouldn't date. You know this. Stop being like this."
Charles nodded his head toward the front of the school. Jack just locked his bike and was talking to Wendy.
…
Jack just locked up his bike. After putting his backpack on his shoulder, he turned around to a smiling Wendy. She was waiting for him to arrive.
"Good morning, Jack."
"Good morning. How are you?"
"I'm good. Are you going inside?"
Jack nodded his head. He thought that was a little odd of a question. "Of course. I'm waiting for Elizabeth."
"She's busy with her special friend." Wendy nodded toward the parking lot where Elizabeth parks.
Jack noticed Charles was sitting in the car with Elizabeth. He could tell she didn't look happy. After a few seconds, Elizabeth grabbed her backpack and quickly got out of the car.
"You should really watch who you spend your Saturday nights with on the beach."
"Wait! How did you know I was at the beach on Saturday night?"
"I was with the group at the bonfire. I saw you with Elizbeth. You two looked comfortable."
"It was a very nice evening."
"You must have been on a date." Wendy's statement wasn't a question.
"We were."
"You should be careful who you spend time with. I told you the other day that Elizabeth was always with Charles. She always has been and she will always be with him."
Jack looked in the direction of Elizabeth's car. She was walking toward them with Charles a few yards behind her.
"Good morning." Elizabeth stated as she walked up to Jack. She put her arm through Jack's arm.
"Good morning, Doll Face. How are you?" Jack asked squeezing her hand.
"I'll talk to you later." Wendy stated as Charles walked by. He didn't acknowledge them. Wendy joined Charles as they walked into the school.
"What was that all about?" Elizabeth asked, looking at them as they climbed the steps and then into the school.
"You first." Jack nodded.
"I received a text from Charles this morning as I was waiting for you in my car. Before I knew it, he was sitting in my car. He was at the bonfire Saturday night. He said that he saw us. He said that I should protect my reputation and not kiss you in public."
"He said that about your reputation?" Jack was a little frustrated.
"He's jealous of you."
"That's why he did what he did during practice last week."
"Yeah…" Elizabeth looked toward Jack. "Your turn."
"She told me that I needed to be careful who I spend time with at the beach on Saturdays."
"Wait! She was there too?"
"Evidently. She knew I was with you. She was with the group that was off in the distance with the bonfire and music. She warned me that I need to be careful with you. That you are always with Charles and always will be with him. That's the second time she's warned me about that using that phrase."
"Why would she tell you that?"
"Well, haven't you always been with him?"
"Some…yes. Not all the time. But we never dated."
"I know." Jack squeezed Elizabeth's hand with a loving smile.
"Are we good?" She asked.
"We are." Jack exhaled at the same time as Elizabeth did. They both remembered the roadblock with Wendy and Charles. They were in the early stages of finding their footing in this relationship. "I do feel like they are up to something though."
"I agree."
"I'm sorry Elizabeth…I just don't trust him."
Elizabeth nodded her head but didn't say anything concerning Charles. She was beginning to think the same thing. Her lifelong friend wasn't acting like a friend at the current moment.
"I'm the same way with Wendy. She told me to keep you close."
"Why would she say something like that?"
"She's interested in you. That's a big part of why I freaked out at the company picnic."
"Only you have my attention. You know that right?"
Elizabeth face turned a light color of pink. She loved hearing him talk like that, but she still wasn't used to it. She wasn't sure if she ever would be, but she still loved every moment of it.
"I do. You also know you only have my attention, right?"
His incredibly huge smile gave her his answer. He gently squeezed her hand three times. She loved that he did that and the meaning behind it. She was hoping he would say the words soon. The date Saturday and their shared kisses really changed the relationship in her mind. She was serious with him. She knew she loved Jack very early on. He captured her completely. She wasn't too willing to share that this early in their relationship. She thought it was too early in the relationship, but that was before Saturday's date. Now, she wanted to shout it from the roof tops. She reciprocated the simple act of squeezing his hand three times with a smile.
She remembered they got in trouble when Jack kissed her on the cheek several days ago. She looked intently at this guy standing in front of her. He wasn't perfect by any means, and she wasn't expecting him to be. However, he was just perfect for her. She wanted to scream that she loved him, but she was going to be patient.
She couldn't stop herself. She leaned forward and slightly kissed his perfectly shaped lips. The act caught him by surprise.
"If we go to the principal's office, I expect you to come to my father and explain why I'm in trouble again." He flirted and sassed at the same time.
"Would it be worth it?" Elizabeth flirted with a perfect smile that just made him fall in love with her all over again. She was never one to flirt before, but with Jack, things are just different. She was beginning to enjoy it.
"Absolutely." He sighed. There she goes again…she just pulls me in and I can't help it." He thought to himself. "Come on Doll Face, we don't want to be late."
"And you need to say hi to your group."
"I do." Jack's smile grew. "But I'm beginning to think it our group now."
…
Billy Hamilton and his brother James drove three cars behind the large, black SUV. While the SUV had taken the same route over the course of almost a week, it bothered Billy that there was an escort. Billy was certain that this guy was armed. They wanted what they thought they were due, but he wasn't willing to die for it.
"What are we going to do?"
"I don't know." Billy stated as he watched the SUV pull into the parking garage of Thatcher Shipping. "We would have to take him before he gets in the parking garage, but then he has the armed guard with him every day."
"Yeah…" Jason stated slowly. He takes the same route, but you just know there are more waiting in the garage."
"True."
"What else can we do? That guy owes us." Jason stated.
"We'll have to look into it. Maybe there is another way."
"How? We don't want to get him at his home. There must be a security system there. Plus, his family will be present. One could easily call the cops before we could get to them. Counting that guy there are four people in that house. Plus, it's huge. We can't cover that much ground before someone would call 911."
"That's true." Billy stated as he parked on the side street of the road that went beside the parking garage. "Instead of taking the old man, what if we took another family member?"
…
"There's my guy! There's my group!" Jack exclaimed as the special ed group walked down the hallway. Adam began to wave his arms and broke away from the group to meet Jack for a hug. John was just behind him for his high five. Mrs. Johnston just shook her head. Each kid knew they were supposed to stay with the group, but she also knew how much they loved Jack. After hugging and high fiving Jack, they hugged Princess Beth. The whole group made their way to Jack and Elizabeth for their hugs and high fives. Mrs. Johnston just smiled. There wasn't anything she could do. Nor did she want to. She was happy fellow students were loving her group. While they were a little loud as a group, no other teachers complained. Mrs. Johnston's smile grew at the scene in front of her.
"Princess Connie and Princess Steph!" One of the girls yelled as Connie and Steph walked up. They received hugs from the group. Like the last few times, the group was huddled in the large hallway. They were a little loud, but Mrs. Johnston didn't care since no one was in class.
"Did you have a good weekend?" Jack asked Adam. He placed his head on Jack's shoulder and nodded his head. Jack squeezed the half hug in response a little tighter.
There was a young lady named Sally that was talking with Elizabeth, Steph, and Connie. Sally has cerebral palsy. Her walking was difficult, and she was difficult to understand when she spoke, but you could understand her. You just had to pay closer attention. Elizabeth thought she was one of the funniest people she had ever met.
"Princess Beth, how did you get that nickname?"
Elizabeth was just able to keep from huffing. She still hates that nickname. "Jack was being silly one day and called me that."
"I like it." Sally smiled.
Elizabeth shook her head with a smile. She knew the group, along with Jack, would never stop calling her that.
"Alright group. It's time for breakfast." Mrs. Johnston stated as she stepped up to the group.
Jack, Elizabeth, Step, and Connie all gave the group their normal goodbyes. They watched as the group walked down the hallway. They were looking forward to lunch.
…
"Mr. Thatcher…" Tom stated as he stood at William's door. "Do you have a moment?"
"Sure." William waved his arm for Tom to walk in. That's when he noticed that Chris was with them. "Hello Gentlemen. What may I do for you today?"
"Sir, do you know this vehicle?" Tom asked as he gave a picture to both William and Chris.
"No." William stated. "It's not unusual."
Chris shook his head. "It looks somewhat familiar, but I don't know it." He stated, never taking his eyes off the picture. It was as if he was trying to memorize the vehicle.
"That vehicle followed you Friday and today. It picked you up at the same spot at the end of your subdivision both days. It also followed you to the parking garage both days."
William looked up a little shocked. "How do you know that?"
"I followed you those two days." Tom stated.
"I didn't notice you." Chris stated.
"That was the plan. The vehicle parked on the side street of the garage both days."
"How did I not notice that?"
"Chris, you were busy driving. From now on, you will have someone in the passenger seat with you when you pick up and drop off Mr. Thatcher. Your job is to drive, and the passenger's job is to pay attention to everything else. You can't do both jobs at once."
"Thank you sir."
"Tom…" William looked at Chris and then Tom.
"Mr. Thatcher, you are safe. No one can get into your vehicle without you letting them in. Chris is a great driver and I trust him explicitly." William nodded his head in understanding. "This makes me believe the feeling is correct. Something is up."
"Sir, do you think it's a disgruntled employee?"
"I still do. The license plate came back stolen. So, we don't have any names and the windows are tinted in a way that we can't see. I do think there are two individuals."
William looked toward Tom. The expression spoke volumes.
"Thank you, Chris. Let's have lunch today and discuss the new routes. Please work on some things and we will compare and come up with a new plan. We need to look at different avenues on each trip. We will rotate each trip with no patterns developing."
"Yes sir. I will have several things for us to go over."
"Thanks Chris." Chris nodded to his boss and to Mr. Thatcher. He turned to walk out of the office. He was already forming different routes from Mr. Thatcher's home to the office before he was even out of the office.
"Tom…"
"William. We are on top of this. We will have a plan before the end of the day. I will be back to discuss everything with you before you leave today. I promise."
William nodded his head. "I do not want my family's life interrupted. We will take all the necessary precautions with me. I promise I won't fuss too much." He laughed at Tom's facial expression. "I said too much, Tom." William laughed.
"We will find common ground here, William. I promise."
"Thanks, Tom. I greatly appreciate it."
"Do you have a home security system?"
"I do."
"Make sure you all use it. Grace and the kids need to use it even when you are not home. You also need to use it when you are home."
"You think they should do that?"
"I do. Whoever is doing this may break into your home to steal something. Better safe than sorry. Especially if it's as simple as just pushing a button to turn an alarm on. I know it's a little inconvenient, but you need to use it. Get with your IT guy, I bet he can do something through your phone that will make it a little less of a hassle."
William nodded his head. "I'll call Grace."
"If you'll excuse me, sir, I have some things to work on. I have a job to do."
William nodded his head as he reached for his cell phone to call his wife. "Hey Tom…" He called out as Tom reached the door. "Thanks for taking this job."
"You're welcome, William. Excuse me sir. I need to meet with my men."
…
"Hey handsome." Abagail smiled as her husband walked into the café.
"Hey beautiful." Frank smiled as he leaned across the counter and gave his wife a quick beck on the lips.
"What are you up to this morning?"
"I'm on my way to the hospital. Mrs. Evans is having surgery this afternoon. I wanted to see her before her surgery."
"That's nice dear. How did you feel about yesterday?"
"It was ok. It was nice the Thorntons were there."
"It was. I know Charlette and Jack really enjoyed the service."
"That's good. Maybe they will join us again soon."
Frank and Abagail talked for a few minutes. Nothing too in depth was discussed, just everyday topics, but this was good for them. It allowed them to connect in their hectic world. They looked up when the door opened.
"Good morning, Grace. How are you?"
"I'm good." She stated as she took a stool beside Frank. They have been friends since Elizabeth and Abagail became friends. "I just received a weird call from William." Grace went into the discussion she had just had with William concerning using the security system at home. She wasn't sure if she even remembered how to use the system. She hasn't used it in a long time.
"So, the concerns from William's workers were warranted."
"I believe so Frank. His security team thinks it may be some disgruntled employee. He's not too worried, or at least he isn't letting me know if he is."
"At least Tom is there now."
"Yes. He enjoys having Tom around."
"Now, what may I get for you?"
…
Charles seethed during Honors Math as Jack and Elizabeth shared flirty looks. He was so consumed with them that he wasn't listening to anything the teachers said.
The teacher had a problem on the board. He was intently watching the students work on it at their desk. Jack was working feverishly on answering the question. He really wanted to beat Elizabeth to the answer. He felt comfortable with the progress he was making. He just knew he was going to beat her this time. He has studied extra with the hopes of winning their little contest. While he did love her little smirk, he also hated it. He sat his pencil down with enough force to create a sound loud enough for Elizabeth to hear. With a huge, dimpled smile, he turned to look at Elizabeth. He just knew he got her this time.
"Good…grief…" Jack huffed. "How did you…?" Jack's voice trailed off.
Elizabeth was sitting tall in her chair. Her back was perfectly straight with her shoulders back. While she wasn't looking at him, she had this hug smirk on her face. Her paper was turned face down and her pencil was resting on top of it. It was perfectly centered on the page. Her legs were bouncing with excitement. She cut her eyes to him without turning her head to look at him. He could see the excitement that was bubbling over inside of her.
"Are you finally finished?" She smirked with an ever increasing smile.
"You can't…" Jack shook his head. "You simply can't be finished with it…" His voice trailed off in disbelief.
"Wanna bet?" She challenged him.
"Absolutely not!" He whispered. "What did you get?"
Elizabeth moved her pencil and turned her paper over. She held it up enough for Jack to see her answer. Jack shook his head. It was the same answer as he had.
'How did…How could…are you cheating?" His voice was dripping with defeat. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't beat her in math.
"How am I cheating?" Elizabeth huffed. She glared at her boyfriend.
"I don't know…I'm never going to beat you in math, am I?"
"No, but it's fun to watch you try. You do put forth your best effort."
Jack swore she was floating in midair with her gloating. She took great pride in beating him. Her little smirk was adorable. At this moment, he loved it.
"Not everything has to be a contest." He chuckled. He only shook his head at his highly competitive girlfriend.
"I'll remind you of that in History class when you gloat."
"It's fun isn't it?" He laughed at her expression when he was right this morning before she had the answer.
"Only in here." She sassed back.
Charles fumed at the scene he was witnessing. As much as he tried, he couldn't get Elizabeth to act anything like that with him. He knew they were perfect for each other. Not only have they been friends since pre-school, but they were constantly with each other. They talked constantly. He just didn't know why she chose that guy instead of him.
Sam could see his friend seething. His blood vessel was popping in his temple. Sam was still a little upset with his friend over the basketball incident. What Charles did was dirty. Everyone knew it. After looking at his friend, he knew it all stemmed from his jealousy over Elizabeth's relationship with Jack. For some reason, Charles was not getting past Elizabeth's decision to date Jack.
"Careful Charles…you are about to do something you will regret."
"He has to pay!" Charles hissed through clinched teeth. "He can't do this!"
"Charles, for whatever reason, she picked that guy. Don't let it consume you."
"Gentlemen, please see me after class for a moment." Mr. Callahan stated.
Sam huffed because he was in trouble with the teacher because of talking with Charles.
…
"Hey, Cory and his brother asked if I wanted to go to the football game this Friday. Cory's brother plays."
"That almost sounds like fun."
Jack looked at his girlfriend. He wasn't sure what she meant by that.
"I'm not a sports girl, but I know you will enjoy it."
"Elizabeth, I'm asking if you want to go with me."
"A date?"
"Yes, silly. A date to the football game hanging out with some friends. Maybe we can grab dinner before we go and ice cream after?" His voice was hopeful. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke again. "I know sports isn't your thing, and I don't expect you to come to any of my games because of it. I just thought it would be nice to hang out with each other and with some friends."
She knew Jack and Cory were becoming good friends since they played on the basketball team. While sports didn't really interest her, being with Jack did.
"Sure. Why don't I pick you up at your house?"
Jack looked at her for a few moments. "Is it really a date if you pick me up?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" Elizabeth stated as they walked down the hall toward the gym for their P.E. class.
"I don't know." He shrugged his shoulders.
"Jack! Don't be that guy. I have a car and I'm not riding on the back of your bike. I will pick you up."
"You're right."
"I bet that was difficult for you to say." She sassed him.
"Tasted like vinegar." He shook his head.
Elizabeth laughed and shoved him with her shoulder.
"The game begins at seven, what if you pick me up at five and we can go to Abagail's to eat?"
"Perfect."
"Then afterwards, we can go somewhere for ice cream."
"There is the best ice cream on Broadway St. It's the cutest ice cream shop."
"Nice. And then maybe…" Jack's voice trailed off. It has been a couple of days since their date. He was missing their intimate kisses from the beach and then on her front porch when he took her home from their date. For Jack, those kisses were earth moving. He instantly fell in love with kissing her. He really wants to do that again. He just didn't know how to say it. He didn't want Elizabeth to think that he was just after that. What Jack didn't know was that Elizabeth was missing the intimate kisses from their date night too. She loved the kisses as much as Jack did.
"…we can go somewhere private." Elizabeth embarrassingly finished Jack's statement. She giggled when she saw Jack shiver at her words. She knew he wanted to kiss her as much as she wanted to kiss him. For some odd reason, that made her feel good. It was as if he desired her. She certainly desired him.
"Elizabeth…" Jack huskily stated as he took a half a step closer to her. He never took his eyes off her perfect lips.
"Oh Jack! Yahoo…Jack!"
Jack and Elizabeth stopped when they heard a loud voice. Elizabeth noticed Jack's completely shocked expression.
"Jack! Jack Thorton!" The overly excited young lady's voice yelled out again.
"Rosey…" Jack stated is disbelief.
"Rosey…?" Elizabeth asked.
Jack turned his head to the left and noticed his friend from his old school running in his direction.
Elizabeth noticed a beautiful, petite blonde with a huge, and beautiful, smile running in their direction. She kept calling out to Jack. Jack only let go of Elizabeth's hand when this blonde girl jumped into Jack's arms.
Jack took a step back when Rosey landed in his arms.
"I can't believe you're here! And I found you! Jack! Jack!" The blonde girl kept stating in a loud voice.
Elizabeth stood in shock as the girl landed in Jack's arms. Her arms were around Jack's neck holding on very tight. What felt like an eternity for Elizabeth, Jack finally sat this blonde girl on her feet. Jack instantly reached for Elizabeth's hand as he stepped beside her.
"Rosemary LeVeaux…this is my girlfriend, Elizabeth Thatcher. Elizabeth Thatcher, this is one of my best friends from Buxton, Rosemary LeVeaux. You may call her Rosey."
Elizabeth watched this blond girl begin to curtsey then stop before she finished. "Wait! Did you just say girlfriend?" Rosey's voice was dripping in shock.
"Yes, Rosey. Elizabeth and I are dating. We have been for about two weeks now." Jack laughed at his old friend's shocked expression."
"You…you have a girlfriend?" She stammered through her words.
Jack nodded his head. "Yes Rosey. I have a girlfriend."
Rosey leaned in as if she was going to ask a secret, but she spoke with a normal voice. "Did she trick you?" She nodded in Elizabeth's direction. "Does she have something on you? Are you in some sort of trouble?"
Elizabeth stood completely shocked at this woman and her words. If she wasn't so dumbfounded, she would have been insulted.
"Rosey…you haven't changed at all." Jack turned his attention toward Elizabeth while shaking his head. "Rosey has always been overly dramatic. I met her in first grade. We have been best friends since. She always jumps to the craziest, least likely explanation first."
"Jack!" Rosey huffed. "You said you would never date in high school. Now I find you with a girlfriend…Mr. Jack, I'm hunky and don't know it and I'm not dating anyone, Thornton has a girlfriend."
"Good grief…why did you call me that?"
"You know that was your name." Rosey extended her hand to Elizabeth. She took this blonde woman's hand in complete shock. "Please, call me Rosey…everyone does. You must be a very special girl for Jack to date you. Do you have any idea how many girls will be crushed when they hear this back home? Jack just wouldn't date anyone. Oh, Mary will be devastated."
"Rosey!" Warned Jack.
"Well, she will! She tried all last year to date you. You wouldn't even hang out with her as friends. There's a long list of broken hearts when it comes to this hunky guy." Rosey stated leaning toward Elizabeth as she pointed to Jack.
Elizabeth turned toward Jack. He suppressed a laugh at her expression. "I told you about Mary. I also told you I never dated." Elizabeth nodded her head.
"He didn't date. Even though there were a lot of girls at our old high school that sure tried. And our rival school, Pimberton."
Jack recognized the playful expression on his best friend's face. "Rosey…" He warned.
"We were playing Pimberton last year. Jack bent over and grabbed the front of his shorts putting his hands on his knees…the females in Pimberton's student section almost fainted at the sight of his back side."
"Rosey!" Jack stated. "Why would you tell her that? Elizabeth, that didn't happen."
"Jack, how many phone numbers did you get that night. I had to hold your hand to get you out of that gym, and they were still giving you their phone numbers while you were holding my hand."
"You two didn't date?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh…heaven's no!" Laughed Rosey. "Jack is a brother I never had. We instantly became good friends and have been since first grade. I couldn't imagine ever dating him." She dramatically shivered her whole body. "Yuck! That's just weird to think about." Rosemary's countenance changed. "He's my guardian angel."
"I'm sorry?" Elizabeth asked.
"You'll love Rosey once you get used to her." Jack whispered as he leaned into Elizabeth's shoulder. He was trying to change the topic.
"Hey!" Squealed Rosey. "I'm not that bad!"
Jack gave her a knowing expression.
"Fine. I can be. Now…" Rosey took Elizabeth's hand and began walking down the hall. "…you must be someone very special for my Jack to break his rule of no dating. He is a rule follower. Tell me about yourself. I just have to know the person who was able to capture hunky boy's heart." She nodded backwards to Jack.
Elizabeth followed Rosey down the hall when Rosey was pulling on her hand. She turned her head to look over her left shoulder to look at Jack. She noticed his smile and it relaxed her a little. She was maybe more confused now than shocked. Her mind was trying to catch up to everything.
"Rosey…play nice with my girlfriend." Jack warned. Elizabeth's smile at his words.