Page 32 of Peak of Love
Jerome nodded.
“Well, when families leave at the end of the day, it used to be a bit of a hangout for teenagers. So, we’re all drinking and—”
“You were drinking in tenth grade!”
“No! I mean, oh shit.” If there was a picture ofbackfirein the dictionary, it would be Dane and Jerome in this parking lot.
“Just you and Dad?” the kid persisted.
“Nah, a whole bunch of us.”
“Mom too?”
Dane laughed. “It’s actually your mom who started it. Don’t tell her I said that.”
“No way!”
“I don’t remember the details, but some guy was hitting on your mom’s sister, I think. Right! That’s what it was. She was stuck babysitting your Aunt Kat and this senior started making moves on a thirteen-year-old. Your mom freaked out. I think she might have thrown a beer can at him.”
“What!”
“Oh yeah, she used to have quite a temper. Only when someone she loves is threatened. Otherwise, she was always the most popular girl in the room.”
“She was?”
“Yeah. She and your dad were voted into homecoming court junior and senior year.”
“So Mom caused the brawl?!”
“Thealmostbrawl, before your dad stepped in. He was trying to explain that your mom was just protecting her sister. The guy said something really stupid likeyou need to control your bit—ahem,girlfriend—and of course that got all the girls riled up. They started telling theirboyfriends to fight the guy’s friends. It got ugly.”
“Dad took him on, right?” Jerome was too energized by the thought of his dad fighting.Dammit, what would Asher say?
“See, this is where it gets interesting. Asher pushes everyone away and makes like he’s going to take on the guy. They’re both in fighting stances, circling each other. The guy swings and your dad dodges the punch. He was ridiculously fast on his feet. This happens a couple of times and then your dad punches back and the other guy dodges. Then, your dad laughs.Laughs. Like it was the funniest thing in the world that neither one of them could land a punch.”
He was quiet for a moment, reliving the moment he knew Asher was not really going to fight. He could diffuse any situation with charm and good humor. It was a gift.
“Well? What happened?”
“The other guy snickered and then Asher gave him a pat on the back and a shrug. That was it.”
“What did Mom do?”
“She had taken Kat away from the scuffle, so didn’t see anything. Celina just assumed your dad fixed the problem while she took care of her sister.”
What Dane didn’t say was that when Asher walked towards Celina, she jumped into his arms like he’d slayed a dragon. That’s how it was between them.
Celina took care of people, and Asher took care of Celina.Who took care of Celina now?
“Jerome, I know why you did what you did. To protect Jonas. To prove a point. I see your brother and grandfather walking over, so I’ll say this quickly. Next time you wanna pummel a jerk, remember you don’t have to hit anyone to slay a dragon.”
Jerome seemed confused and ready to protest when the sight of his mother made everyone pause. Or maybe that was just Dane, because if earlier she looked uncertain and upset, at the moment she made his vision tunnel. She was formidable with her gritty determination and effortless beauty. What a woman.
The three approached with a cloud of awkwardness. Celina cut right through the bullshit with simple instructions. “Both of you give your mom a hug before the other players come out.”
Automatically, they molded into her embrace. Parker looked away and wiped an eye. Dane realized everyone took the back seat to Celina’s judgment when it came to raising the boys. She emanated a force field of love and understanding and fortitude that made her family feel safe. What a woman.
“Jerome, I want you to think about how your actions were reckless and dangerous. And continue to reflect on your behavior as you write your apology letters. There are consequences for violence. Period. Justified or not, there are consequences.” With that, she acknowledged she saw Jerome’s actions as a legitimate response to the threat posed against Jonas.
