Belonging

Chapter Fifteen

3rd Person
10:03 AM
Atlanta, GA
——

Jayce was very adamant on keeping to his initial goal. That being, not leaving Xavier's side until he was given a proper answer, and he meant every word.

He's been at Xay's place for about a day. When the older came out of the bathroom yesterday, Jayce watched intently hoping to finally receive an answer.

Which he didn't get.

He was met with silence. Straight silence. Not a word from those beautiful lips. It was driving up the fucking wall.

Jayce said two words to him that previous night, "You hungry?" . That's it. That's fucking it.

Are you damn hungry. Which he was, but that's not what he came there for. To eat mediterranean food while watching old Marvel movies.

He came to find out if the man of his dreams was willing or if he'd need to take his father's advice. Hopefully the former.

Jayce woke up to a vacant, cold bed and a fat ass cat laying on his chest.

Xavier left without saying goodbye. A little kiss would've subdued.

Now it's just him and his future step daughter. If his baby daddy will let it happen.

He scooped Stella up, and sat her on the other side of the bed, making sure to tuck her into the covers. He then slid out of the bed and walked to the kitchen scratching his lower belly.

A cup of tea was sat on the counter accompanied by a light blue sticky note that read, "Went to work!! Feed Stella when u go . I have cameras so I will know." I flipped it just in case, "bars lwk. i'm serious tho."

I smiled and looked around the kitchen for a writing utensil finally finding a pen near the refrigerator drawer. "I love you." Simply, straight to the point.

——

He stared ahead at the crowded streets of Atlanta. He was on his way to have lunch with his mom and younger brother at a nearby restaurant. Eat, gossip, a little shopping—the usual.

Jayce's mind wandered. Wandered back to the broodingly muscular back of Xavier. The way it held a slight shiver with each slow kiss down his spine.

He snapped back to reality when the car behind him beeped signifying the green light, "Mane shut the fuck up."Jayce's eyes rolled to the side with a sigh. These folks can't drive any damn way.

He switched lanes and turned into restaurant's parking garage. It took him a moment to find a proper spot, but he eventually got out of his car and walked towards the elevator.

The doors of the elevator opened and someone was standing inside...that guy.

The one Xavier knew. Something with an H. Hassad—wait no Hassan...

Jayce glanced towards Hassan.

He was dressed in a well tailored black and suit. His slacks shined like they were gifted from an angel. Hassan sniffed and looked over towards Jayce's already weary gaze. The two met eyes for a moment before quickly breaking contact.

Jayce could feel Hassan's eyes lingering though. "Um..." Hassan began, "Aren't you the brother of Miguel Ramirez?".

Hassan thought he looked familiar. The man on the other side of the elevator looked almost identical to the patient who he had just helped be released from the hospital earlier this morning.

The curly head looked over. His eyes sauntered over Hassan's body once again before he spoke, "Yea, that's my baby brother. Who are you? His doctor?"

"Eh I guess you could say that!" Hassan chuckled lightly, " I just assisted with his surgery a little, it was really my co worker, Dr. Smith, who did most of the work."

Heh... "Oh, you know Dr. Smith? Could you tell him I'm very appreciative of his...skills?" Jayce proposed prior to the elevator's sudden bump and the ding that followed.

"Goodbye Mr....?"

"Fadel! Hassan Fadel."

"Yea, bye Mr. Fadel."

——

When Jayce finally appeared in front of the table where his mother and brother sat. His face was hardened. That was the same dude who Xavier was sneaking around with. What are the fucking odds.

He was so bothered by the earlier interaction he barely heard his mother's question.

"Now Jayce. Did you hear me?" He looked up and nodded. "Just lying . I didn't raise you like that." She shook her head and sighed dramatically.

"I'm sorry mamá. I'm listening."

She perked up immediately and repeated, "Who's the guy you're talking to? Your dad and brother told me about some mystery man that had you giggling at a screen!"

Jayce glared at Miguel, the younger already looking around the restaurant with faux enthusiasm. He sighed and looked back to his mother, "It's just someone of interest, he's...I don't really know actually."

"Let me guess," Joyce replied with a raised brow, "your dad told you to do "whatever it takes" to get him?"

Jayce nodded disheartened.

"Lord. I don't know why y'all listen to that big idiot! I mean he definitely is a charmer and all, but he can't give romantic advice if a gun was pointed at him."

Miguel and Jayce exchanged confused looks.

Their father always told them he got their mom with "determination and courage".

"Probably told you both how quote on quote "charming and relentless" he was!" she laughed, "He was nothing but a big scaredy cat! Always hiding behind walls and creeping around instead of coming up to me. A skinny lil thang too. It took me coming up to him and asking him about some homework for him to finally cough up a confession." Ms. Ramirez smiled at the thought. Reminiscing on a young Matías scrambling with his words and shyly making eye contact.

"WHAT!" Both of the brothers exclaimed in shock. Their father lied their entire life.

"That's why you don't trust men. Shaking my head. Anyways, Jayce honey, you need to be careful about this. Love is not something to play around with, and don't lie and try to say you don't love him—I can tell, I'm your mama."

Jayce slid his hand down his face, a nervous habit, and took a moment to take his mother's words in.

"So you're saying, if some hypothetically was talking to someone—of interest—right yeah, and that person was to show interest back should you take it a step further?" Miguel asked awkwardly.

"Who the hell are you talkin' about?" Jayce asked while suppressing a laugh.

Miguel's face scrunched in offense. "You say that like i'm hideous!?" Jayce looked left and right as if to answer.

"Oh fuc-"

"Unt Unt! None of that. Y'all bicker like children still." Their mama sighed and rolled her eyes while sipping her mock-tail.

"Well yeah what Miguelito said."

"Then take it slow, and allow that person to reciprocate your feelings in a mutually acceptable manner. While you do the same. I'm going to stress that part especially to you, Jayce. God knows what your father filled your brain with."

Jayce allowed the sentiment to fully settle within. He was definitely determined to make Xavier his, but what if he truly was doing it all wrong?

This is making his damn head hurt.

"Fuck..." He whisper sighed. His mother took note of this reaction. She already knew he probably did something stupid to this mystery person.

Hopefully it wouldn't ruin the possibilities.

——

i was supposed to have this chapter out before christmas but i forgot how to right so erm....
anyways

Should I make Hassan a potential lover or keep him to the side? Just to stir the pot a lil bit...push Jayce in the right direction.

also i realized I barely mentioned my girls syd and alex this whole time😞