Page 6 of First Comes Marriage
“Now, why would you be teased and bullied?” I question, my tone as gentle as I can make it. Ten years in the military, plus years working on an oil rig means I usually sound brusque and gruff without meaning to do so.
She stares at me, her brows raised. Shrugging, I watch as she cuts her burger in quarters, hiding my smile when it dawns on me she has to do so because she’s somewhat petite. There’s no way her hands can hold a whole burger. After she takes a bite, chews, then swallows, she picks up the story where she left off and says, “Okay, so the reason I lived with my grandparents is because when I was around two, I was riding in the car with my parents when they had their fatal accident. In the incident, I was seriously injured even though I was strapped in a car seat. My leg ended up being broken and they had to call in a pediatric orthopedist to do surgery on it, but because my bones were still growing and malleable, that leg ended up being slightly shorter than the other one. So, I have a distinct limp, even with an orthotic in my shoe for leverage to make me the same height. Plus, I apparently got an infection in the surgical incision, so I have multiple scars from additional surgeries to clean the infection out and keep me from losing my leg.”
“So, you got picked on because of your scars?” I ask, trying to clarify what she’s just told me.
“Pretty much,” she confirms. “Since it gets so hot in the summer, there was no way I wanted to wear jeans all the time, you know? My scars don’t define who I am as a person, but they sure made me feel bad about myself for a very long time.”
“How did you change the way you saw yourself?” I query, entranced by her story.
“Therapy and Mindy,” she replies as she continues to eat. “Mindy’s parents helped me gain access to some of my inheritance so I could see a trauma and grief counselor. She gave me the tools I needed to be able to shake off the negative comments I constantly heard about myself.”
Wanting to get back to the reason we met today, I ask, “Will you have a problem marrying me so I don’t lose custody of the kids?”
“Absolutely not. The only thing I worry about is if you end up finding the woman youdowant to spend the rest of your life with, Dex,” she replies. “Because as you already know, I never had any intentions of falling in love with anyone or getting married.”
“I guess I don’t understand why, Jolie,” I state. “You’re a beautiful young woman, you’re good at what you do, and have a lot to offer someone. Choosing to go through life alone is lonely.”
“If I do that, then I don’t have to worry about someone leaving me,” she admits. “Dex, my parents left me, then my grandma, then my grampy. Each time, I was left in a vulnerable position, especially after Grampy passed away.”
“I don’t know how to respond to that, Jolie,” I reply. “I guess because it all happened when you were so young, it makes sense that you’d develop a jaded point of view as far as love and relationships go. But you’re an adult now and have to know that sometimes, you lose people you love.”
“I can’t help how I feel. But I promise I’ll take the best possible care of the kids, and also do what I can to ensure that Abuela and Nonna are respected.”
Chapter Four
Jolie
“Ican’t believe you’re getting married today!” Mindy squeals as she curls my hair. While we’re just going down to the courthouse, I want to look my best.
“Don’t act like this is a love match,” I warn her as I watch her place the curling wand around a strand of my hair in the mirror. “Because that’s not what this is at all.”
“You never know,” she murmurs, clucking her tongue at me as she lightly sprays my hair before combing out another section. “He’s handsome, a hard worker, and definitely loves his siblings if he’s willing to do something like this to keep them together.”
I can’t deny her comment about his looks. Dex Armstrong is the most handsome man I’ve ever laid eyes on, hands down. He’s also heavily muscled because of what he does for a living. Still, I’m incapable of deluding myself by thinking he’ll fall for me, and our marriage will become more than in name only. It’d be hypocritical of me considering I’ve professed to all of my friendsthat I’ll never entertain the thought of love, nor will I allow it to enter my life.
“He’s a good big brother to the kids, is all,” I reply.
“And what about the other stuff? His handsome face, luscious body, and willingness to bust his ass?” she teases.
“Fine, he’s very good looking, probably a twenty on a scale of one to ten,” I admit. “But, Mindy, I’m no more than a five, maybe a seven on a good day. There’s no way that a man like him would ever glance sideways at someone like me. Nor will I entertain that thought, remember?”
“We were kids when you said that, JoJo,” she reminds me, scrutinizing me. “Plus, we’re females and it’s our prerogative to change our minds as we get older and know more about the world.”
I shake my head at her since she’s set the wand to the side. Now she’s taking some of the curled pieces and pulling them back, using the pearl clips that were my grandma’s to do something fancy with my hair. Since I either wear it down when I’m not working, or up in either a ponytail or messy bun, I’m enthralled at what she’s doing.
“Dang, Mindy,” I whisper as my hairstyle starts taking shape. “I think you missed your calling.”
She shrugs. “I’m thinking about going to the technical college and getting my cosmetology certification so I can get licensed.”
“You’d do great,” I enthuse.
“Don’t laugh, but I was thinking of working with the elderly, and also providing my services to the funeral home,” she replies. “Of course, I’d do you.”
I giggle because of what she says and when she figures out that her words sound suggestive, she ends up doubled over, laughing so hard she has tears streaming down her reddened face. “You okay?” I finally ask as I wait for her to get herself back under control.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m good,” she stammers while waving her hand in front of her face, fanning it. “I mean, I would do you if I batted for the same team, but we both know I don’t.”
“Here I am, a twenty-three-year-old virgin, while you’re an old hat when it comes to relationships,” I tease.
