The Beat of My Heart

Chapter 4

(Jennifer's POV)

I pulled up in front of Kells' house, where Rook and Baze were sitting outside. "Hey." Rook greeted. "Hey." I greeted back, lifting my daughter from her booster seat. She ran to the front porch to Baze. "I know you, you're the guy who was at mommy's work." Baze smiled. "Yeah, but I have a name, you know." He joked. Avalynne laughed. "Well what is it?" She asked. "Baze." Baze replied. "Baze? That's a pretty name." I smiled.  Rook pulled up two chairs, one big and one small. "You guys can sit, if you'd like." He said. I smiled. Avie got in her little seat and I got in the bigger one. Rook got into the seat next to mine.

Suddenly, Kells came busting out of the front door, Slim at his heels. "Bitch ass nigga, give my phone!" Slim yelled. "No." Kells said. He typed something and handed Slim his phone back. "You'll be meeting her at the movies on Friday." Kells said. "I really fucking hate you, bruh." Slim said. "Sure you do." Kells said. "Hey, Jennifer." I smiled at him. "Hey, Kells." He smiled back.

I sat next to Rook and Avie sat next to me. "You alright?" Rook whispered, looking at me. "Yeah." I said. "You sure?" He asked. Suddenly, Kells' daughter Casie came out of the front door. "Daddy, I can't get the TV to work." She said. "Hold on, I'm coming. Uh, Avalynne, would you like to come inside and watch TV with my daughter Casie?" My daughter looked at me, asking permission. I nodded. "Go on in, I'll be inside in a little bit." Avie smiled shyly and followed after Casie, who waited for her on the porch. They walked inside.

"Bruh, Baze and I are going to the liquor store." Slim said. "I'm going with you." Said their friend AJ. "Yall not going without me." Said their friend Dubo. Kells nodded. "Alright." He said. After they left, Kells got up. "I'm gonna go look over some songs, that cool?" Rook nodded. "Sure bruh." He said. Kells nodded and swatted Rook in the head before walking inside. I laughed.

Rook and I sat in an awkward silence for a moment. "So, you didn't get to answer my question." He said, breaking the silence. "Are you sure that you're okay?" He asked. The setting sun shone in his hazel eyes, making them so beautiful. I sighed. "Not exactly, but I'll be fine." I said. "I know you will be, but what's wrong?" He asked. The concern was visible on his face. It was there in those eyes and that strikingly, strong-looking jaw...and in those lips. I looked away, remembering that I was still a married woman, and I had a kid. No one would want a woman with a kid even if I wasn't married. "I'm fine, Rook. But thanks for the concern." I said. "Uh, it's getting kind of late and my husband will probably be home soon." I lied to myself more than him. He just nodded as I went inside to get Avie. I walked her to the car and was about to head out of Kells' driveway before Rook walked up to my window. "If you need me, I'm here." Rook said. "Thank you." I whispered.

Just as I suspected, William didn't come home. I figured he was probably with his other woman. He's been with her for years. He doesn't know that I know, but I do. I'll never tell him that I do. I made a promise to Avie when I was pregnant with her that I would try to stay with her dad until it was unhealthy for her. William respected Avalynne enough to not treat me like shit around her daughter, at least for now. I liked that about him, if I liked anything about him.

I made Avalynne and I fish sticks, green breans, and french fries for dinner. It's not often we have unhealthy meals like this, but one night won't kill us. We ate in silence.

I gave Avalynne a bath and tucked her in bed. She asked for a bedtime story and I read her three different ones. She fell asleep halfway through the third one. I kissed her forehead and turned out her light and quietly made my way to the bedroom where I changed clothes and climbed in bed, our cat Lennox laying at my feet. My phone buzzed. Rook. *Good night, Jennifer.* It read. *Good night, Rook.* I replied. I tossed and turned for an hour and a half before falling asleep.