All I hear is the sound of a hand making solid contact against flesh. I quietly chuckle, seeing Jessa shaking her hand and Jason rubbing his cheek. “You’re a fucking asshole, Jason, but Grant’s right, thank you,” she says and walks back toward me. Jason stands speechless for a few seconds before ultimately turning around to join his friends.

Jessa stumbles slightly and I grab her when she gets close. “Hot, baby. That was hot,” I whisper.

She rests her forehead on my chest and says, “Take me home.” I pick her up like a groom carrying his bride over the threshold and walk us to the car. Not paying attention to our four friends, I place Jessa down in the passenger seat of her dad’s car and then make my way over to the driver’s side. Her head rests on the headrest as she intently gazes my way. Bending my head down, I kiss her soft lips and she closes her eyes, drifting back to sleep.

Chapter 21

Jessa

My eyes open and embarrassment is the first thing I feel. A hellacious hangover is next. Remembering bits and pieces, the puzzle slowly starts to fit together. Did we really run into Jason? And neither of us beat the shit out of him? Confused and tired, I roll over to find Grant sleeping soundly next to me. Not wanting to wake him up, I sneak out of the bedroom, desperate for a bottle of water. Rounding the corner to the kitchen, I overhear my parents talking about me and Grant. Deliberating, I decide a bottle of water is worth the conversation I’m about to have.

When I walk in, I squint at the bright lights and my dad’s boisterous laugh makes me cover my ears. “Uh oh, someone drank too much last night,” he teases, and my mom humorously smacks his shoulder.

I remain silent and walk slowly over to the refrigerator to get my water, trying to conceal my embarrassed grin. The last thing I want to tell them is that we ran into Jason last night. “Did you have fun last night?” My mom comes over and wraps her arm around my waist.

“Yeah, I think I might’ve overdone it,” I tell them. They give me the disapproving parents glare, even though they’ve each had their share of coming home drunk after holiday parties or weddings.

My dad sits down and sips his coffee, holding the paper out in front of him, his black-rimmed reading glasses in place. “Happens to the best of us. I take it Grant was able to find his way back by himself. He’s so scared being a passenger through these mountains, I wonder how he did driving in the dark with a passed-out girlfriend next to him,” he muses, laughing.

Guilt hits me hard. How could I have been so thoughtless? “Well, we made it, so I guess he did okay,” I say, gulping down my water on my way to the coffee pot. Taking my favorite mug out of the cabinet, I pour myself a cup before taking the seat next to my dad.

“So, you ready for this?” he asks. I know what he’s referring to, but I want to make him ask the question.

“Ready for what?” I question, and he stares up at me over the rim of his glasses with a look that clearly says ‘give me a break’.

I lean against the granite-topped island. Bringing the coffee up to my lips, I blow on it, attempting to cool it down. “Okay, let’s talk,” I reluctantly say, letting out a deep breath, “and yes, I love him.” I tell him, thinking that full disclosure might shorten the length of the uncomfortable conversation we’re about to have.

My dad folds up the paper, and my mom takes the stool next to him. Leaning on his elbows, he stares at me for a few seconds. “I’m going to ask you what I asked him. Why Grant?” He leans back in the chair, bringing his mug to his lips. My mom sits upright with her hands around her cup, obviously eager for my answer. All that I can think of is, How did Grant answer?

“I can’t explain it, there’s just something about him, Dad. It’s nothing I’ve ever felt before,” I say honestly and can instantly tell he’s dissatisfied with my answer.

“His was better, but I guess your reason is…alright,” he jokes, and my mom starts laughing before her face turns serious again.

“Jessa, have you been honest with him?” my mom asks, and I nod my head in affirmation. “Has he been honest with you? He was up front with your father, and I want to make sure he was with you, too.” She slowly tips her mug up to her lips.

“Yes, he’s been completely honest with me,” I inform them. I’m happy to see smiles form across their faces. “So, do I dare ask? Has he passed the test?” I lean forward, waiting for their answer, although I think I already know what it is.

“He passed mine the first night,” my dad says and my mom agrees with him. “He’s a good one, and obviously you’re the best one, so we hope it works out with you two. But if it doesn’t, just remember we’re always here,” my dad reminds me, giving me a small smile. Then he stands up, kisses my head, and whispers, “I love you,” before leaving the room.

Relief fills my body. I knew my parents would like him, but it’s nice to know it won’t be a problem in our relationship. After seeing what went down with Sadie’s, that was the last thing I could’ve dealt with.

Walking out of the kitchen, I find Grant all showered and dressed and talking with my dad. They’re laughing about something Grant is showing him on his phone. I pray it’s not a picture of me passed out last night. Hesitantly, I make my way over to them. Grant presses a button and shoves his phone in his pocket, while my dad pretends he’s reading. I don’t bother reminding him that he isn’t wearing his reading glasses. I’ll happily let him think he’s deceiving me.

“What’re you looking at?” I ask them, standing close to Grant.

“Go get dressed, baby,” he says, giving me a nudge toward the door.

I can’t help but feel offended by his bossiness. “Um, what were you looking at?”

“The tattoo you’re scheduled to get in about an hour.” He chuckles and my dad joins in. “So, go get ready. We don’t want to be late.” He presses his lips against my cheek close to my ear, whispering, “I can’t wait for you to find out what I picked. You do like Winnie the Pooh, right?” I step back, narrowing my eyes at him, but I can’t hide the smirk on my face. “Now go.” He pats me lightly on my ass so my dad doesn’t see or hear it.

“Alright, I’m going.” I let my shoulders slump down as if defeated and leave the room.

Grant

This place is easily the most high-class tattoo salon I’ve ever been in. Although that’s not really saying much since it’s only the second. The first and only one until now was when I was eighteen and went with a friend. I thought for sure I was ready to get one too, but I ended up chickening out. I wasn’t exactly happy with the idea of something being branded on me for the rest of my life. Now it doesn’t seem as stupid as it did then. The idea of having something that Jessa picked out or that represents her seems pretty awesome actually. I wouldn’t mind having permanent ink fixed onto my skin to always remind me of her.

Speaking of which, my beautiful girlfriend is currently acting a little distraught over not being in control right now. After I tell Trey’s look-alike that we’re here, I sit back down next to her on the couch. “You do agree that I won, right?” I ask her. She shifts her jaw to the side and bites the inside of her cheek.

“Yes, I agree, but I still don’t like it. I wanted you under the needle,” she says with a smirk, and I’m relieved that she’s just upset that she can’t pick one out for me.

“Alright, you want to make a deal?” I ask her. She turns her body toward me, eagerly waiting. Most likely she already knows what I’m about to say. “Your dad had to pull strings just to get you in, so there’s no way I can get one today,” I say, and her lips turn down in a playful pout. “But, when we get back to Western, I’ll go to Zen’s and you can pick out anything you want.”