Chapter 16

            One month later . . .

            Scott had invited his father over for lunch with him, Clay, and Regina. However, his father would only come if Regina was cooking. She had been happy to fix lunch. She prepared turkey club sandwiches with homemade fries and fresh lemonade. She had also baked a cheesecake for dessert.

            They had eaten out on the back deck. It was seventy-six degrees, and there was a light breeze.

            “Sweetheart, I’m so full I don’t think I’ll eat dinner tonight,” Scott’s father said. “Damn good lunch. Nice to see that Scott and little Clay weren’t exaggerating about your chef skills.”

            Regina giggled. Scott loved her giggles and laughs. He also loved seeing a smile on her face.  When he first met her, she was pleasant, but her facial expressions were so serious and professional. “Thank you, Mr. Jenkins.”

            “Hell, girl, you’re dating my son. Call me Clayton.”

            “All right.”

            “Can I have another piece of cheesecake?” Clay asked.

            “You’ve had two already,” Regina said.

            “I know, but it is so good.”

            “I tell you what. I’ll leave a few pieces for you and your dad to eat later.”

            “That would be better, Clay,” Scott said. “I don’t want you getting sick because you ate too much.”

            “Okay,” Clay said.

            Regina started to collect the dessert dishes.

            “Let me help you clean up since you cooked,” Scott said.

            “No, stay where you are. Visit with your father. I got everything under control,” she said sweetly.

            “All right, honey.”

            “Clay, do you want to keep me company?” she asked.

            “Sure,” Clay answered with a big smile. He really did like Regina. So much so he asked almost every day if his father would take him to go see her.

            “Help her carry some of the dishes, Clay,” Scott instructed.

            Clay picked up two plates and some utensils. Regina opened the back door and let Clay walk into the house first. She closed the door behind her.

            “Son, that girl is pretty, she has her own money, and she can throw down in the kitchen. If you don’t marry her, I will,” his father joked.

            Scott chuckled. “She is fantastic, isn’t she?”

            “Yeah, how far are you going to take this?”

            “Don’t worry, Dad, I am thinking about my future, and I do see Regina in it. We’ve only been dating for two months, but I can see her being here all the time. I . . . I care about her a lot.”

            “Care about her a lot,” his father repeated. “Is that your way of saying that you’re falling in love with her?”

            “I think I am,” Scott answered without shame.

            “Good. I adore the girl, and more importantly, Clay does too. He talks about her all the time.”

            “Tell me about it. If I was an insecure parent, I would be jealous.”

            His father laughed. “With that being said, don’t you think you should tell her the truth before this goes any further?”

            “I . . . I don’t know.”

            “Son, she’s the real deal. There’s no reason to wait any longer. Besides, I’m tired of pretending to be someone I’m not when she’s around.”

            “What do you mean? You don’t act any different when she’s around.”

            “My name, Scott. Hell, the other week, she kept calling me Mr. Jenkins, and I kept wondering who she was talking to. I’m too old to keep up with all these secrets.”

            “It’s just one secret.”

            “And it’s a big one.”

            “Not in the grand scheme of things.”

            “You don’t think you having more money than Kenny Chesney isn’t a big deal? You don’t think lying about your name isn’t a big deal? All right, what’s really going on? Why are you putting off telling her?”

            Scott inhaled. “I’m putting it off because . . . I’m afraid she might look at me differently.”

            “How?”

            “Well, during the past month, Regina has gone on about how happy she is that I’m an ordinary guy with an ordinary life. I don’t have friends and family that I have to play ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ with. I believe if she knows the truth it might turn her off a little bit.”

            “Hmm. I guess I see your concern, but if you keep living the simple life, you two will be happy enough.”

            “How mad do you think she would be when I tell her my last name isn’t Jenkins?”

            “Well, if she is as infatuated with you as you are with her, I’m sure she’ll forgive,” his father assured him. “Now, to more important things.”

            “Like?”

            “Like, do you want me to take Clay for a few hours so you can have some time alone with your lady?”

            Scott perked up at his father’s question. “Well, that is important business that we should discuss,” he said with a smirk.

            “You’re damn straight it is,” his father said with a grin.

            They both laughed.

            Within an hour, Scott’s father had left with Clay. Scott whipped his shirt off, and he had Regina naked on the kitchen table. He suckled strawberry syrup off her cute breasts. Scott kissed his way down to her outie belly button. Then he raised her legs and separated her thighs. He kissed down to the heart of her, grazing his tongue over her clit in one long, slow lap. Scott continued to give her long strokes until she whimpered with want, exactly what he was waiting for. Standing up straight, he pulled her legs farther down the table. Half of her perfectly rounded bottom hung over the edge. He unzipped his jeans as Regina used her leg to caress the side of his hip. He pulled out his throbbing piece. Scott slid his tip down her womanhood the way she liked, making her squirm with anticipation. Once he got to her canal, he entered her in one swift move.

            They both sucked in at the sensation. Scott started to move in and out. She was wet, tight, and soft. Her nipples were dark as blackberries. Regina lifted her hips up, meeting him at every impact. He loved that she participated when having sex, putting in her effort. That’s what made it so good between them.

            He began to thrust, hard and deep.

            Regina cried out as she grasped the edges of the dining table. “Yes!”

            The table shook as he started to drive them over the valley.

****

            Regina was wearing Scott’s Jacksonville Jaguars T-shirt. It hung on her like a sheet. Scott had pulled his blue jeans up, but he left them unbutton and unzipped. They were sitting on the floor sharing a glass of red wine. When they had been basking in afterglow, the table broke, sending them both to the floor. They had laughed.

            Regina passed the wine glass to him. “Are you sure you can fix the table?”

            Scott gave her a Cheshire cat grin. “I’m positive. The hinges are just broken. I got some in my toolbox.” He took a sip from the glass.

            She smiled and nodded. “Well, next time, let’s have a quickie in your bedroom.”

            “If we can make it there, sure,” he said with a smirk and took another sip from the glass.

            Regina laughed. “We better get dressed before Clay and your father get back.”

            He looked at his Timex watch.  “Knowing Dad, he’ll have Clay out for another two hours.”

            “Where did your father take him?”

            “He said he was going to take him for a ride, meaning that they probably stopped by a friend’s house. Then they’ll ride through Orlando so Dad can tell Clay stories about the good ole days. Then he’ll take Clay to a toy store to buy something that Clay doesn’t need. That boy has more video games and gadget-like toys than any kid in this neighborhood. Dad wouldn’t take him to any of the theme parks this late in the day because it will be crowded.”

            “You know, I’ve been meaning to ask you something about Clay.”

            “What?”

            “Why did you name him after your dad and not after yourself?”

            He handed her the wine glass back. “First off, my father is the greatest man I have ever known. I was proud to name my only son after him. Second . . . Scott is a stupid name.”

            “No it isn’t,” she countered. “It’s a sexy name.”

            He chuckled. “When you say it – yes. Any other time — no, but my mother liked it.”

            “You don’t talk about your mother much.”

            Scott was quiet for a moment. “Well, I guess it still hurts me that she’s gone. My mother was a wonderful woman. There wasn’t one sweeter. Her hair was like long sheets of gold.”

            “How did she die?”

            “She got lung cancer. They didn’t catch it in time. I’ll never forget how shocked I was. Back in the old days, everyone smoked. However, my parents had quit when I was ten years old because the smoke made my eyes water so much. Who knew it would catch up to her over twenty years later?”

            “I’m sorry, Scott,” she said with sympathy.

            “Thank you, but she lived a good life. My parents had forty good years together. She even had the pleasure of being a grandmother before she died.”

            “How long has it been?”

            “She’s been dead for five years now. Clay was four. I just told him that grandma had to go to heaven. He took it very well. Then again, he was too young to understand that she was actually dead and she wasn’t coming back. Dad . . . well, he took it harder. He was at her bedside when she passed. I would have been there too, but they wanted to be alone together. According to the nurse, Dad wouldn’t let them take her away for at least an hour. He just sat on the edge of the hospital bed, holding her. Then he came out of her room on his own; told the staff he was done.”

            Regina continued to listen.

            “He was depressed for about two months. Then he snapped out of it on his own; started living his life again.”

            “Maybe he realized that was what she would want. To live his life and not spend it in mourning.” She took a sip from the wine glass.

            “I believe so. He still mentions her in passing, but I don’t think he will ever completely get over losing her. He always said that she was the love of his life.”

            “Mmm.” Regina could relate a little. At one time, she thought Sidney was the love of her life. Luckily, she realized he wasn’t. In reality, he was a pampered wuss she was enamored with because he had come from a wealthier background than she had. She took another sip of her wine.

            Scott turned to look at her. “Well, I guess I better get busy fixing this table you broke,” he said with a grin. He took the wine glass from her.

            “Me?” she shrieked and gave him a playful hit.

            He laughed and kissed her on the cheek. He slowly stood. “My toolbox is out in the garage.”

            The doorbell rang.

            “Who could that be?” Regina asked.

            “Probably those damn Jehovah’s Witnesses again,” he said with annoyance.

            “Well, if that’s the case, let me get it,” she said as she started to stand. “I love screwing with those folks.”

            He chuckled. “All right, just don’t get arrested for indecent exposure.”

            Regina nodded and walked out of the kitchen. She headed down the hall to the foyer. She stood on the front of her bare feet to look out of the small window in the door. It was a blonde. Then recognition struck her. It was the blonde with Scott the night Regina was at the bar two months ago. Scott had said she lived across the street.

Regina smiled and opened the door. “Hi,” she greeted.

The neighbor looked surprise to see Regina. “I know you,” the blonde blurted out.

“Yes, we met two months ago at the bar downtown. You were out with Scott. He helped me get rid of a guy who I didn’t want to be bothered with. Your name is Kate, right?”

“Kat,” the neighbor said with a bit of an edge.

“Oh sorry, I just met you that one time,” Regina said with an apologetic tone.

“Yes, I remember, Regina. You were drunk,” Kat said flatly.

“Yeah, it wasn’t one of my best moments. I just got served with separation papers.”

Kat gave Regina the once-over. “I see you have recovered quickly. Just because you’re getting a divorce doesn’t give you the right to move in on someone else’s territory.”

Regina was taken aback. “What?”

“You heard me. Move on with someone else. Scott is taken.”

Regina’s mouth dropped open. “Wait a minute. He said you two were just friends and that your sons played together.”

“Kat,” Scott said.

The ladies looked down the hall to see Scott, still shirtless, looking around the corner from the kitchen. “I didn’t know it was you. I thought it was those Jehovah’s Witnesses again. What’s up?” he asked with a friendly manner.

“What’s up?” Kat shrieked. “Do you get off on leading women on?”

“Huh?” Scott said with confusion.

“You heard me,” Kat sneered. “You take me out a couple of times, bring your son over to my house for dinner, and then because I didn’t sleep with you quick enough, you started screwing one of your clients.”

“Now wait a minute,” Scott said in a deep tone as he strode down the hallway. “I was a perfect gentleman with you. And as far as coming to your house for dinner during the past two months – you invited us. You said Hank liked having me and Clay around.” He stopped behind Regina.

“And the two times we went out?”

“You asked me to escort you out. You said you needed grown-up time.”

“You’re so full of excuses. What about that night I came over here and you were staring at my breasts!”

“For Pete’s sakes, you came over here in a see-through top with your headlights on at ten o’clock at night! I’m celibate, not dead!” Scott shouted defensively.

“Ha, apparently not celibate anymore!” Kat shouted.

“Now, be fair. Not at any time did I give you a reason to think I was interested in you. I was a good neighbor, and I tried to be a friend to you because I knew you were lonely!”

Kat scoffed.

“I’m sorry that you thought something was going on when it wasn’t, but now that you do know better, it’s time for you to go,” Regina said sternly.

Kat’s blue eyes glared at Regina. “Or what?” Kat said with a daring smirk.

“Or I’ll mow this yard with yo ass,” Regina said in a nasty tone. “Don’t let my pretty eyes fool you, you nutcase.”

“Bring it on!” Kat screamed.

Regina started to move.

“Ladies!” Scott yelled in a commanding tone as he put himself between them.

They females stilled.

Scott looked at Kat. “Kat, I’m sorry if you’re hurt. If I did anything to lead you to believe that I was interested in you, I apologize,” he said seriously.

“‘Sorry’,” Kat began in a low tone. “You will be sorry.” She stalked away.

Scott turned to look at Regina. “I’ve been living across from her for over six years, and I’ve never seen her that angry . . . or deluded. Regina, I’ve never had any romantic interest in her.”

“I believe you,” Regina said. She remembered that night in the bar. Scott had said then Kat was just a friend, and they were just sharing a few drinks. She remembered she could tell Kat liked Scott, but he didn’t show any physical or emotional interest in her while they were at the bar.

“Thank you,” Scott said. “Come on. Let’s get back inside.”