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Chapter 27
- Reign Bennett -

- Clover -

What you don't know can't hurt you, right?

If the conversation that we had last night had never happened then I wouldn't be feeling as guilty as I do now.

From when Jonathan texted last night up until now, our date was the last thing on my mind. Of course I was reminded on the car ride to work, when Demarco thankfully informed me that he'd be out of town for a couple of days. 

My next question was, what was I suppose to do about my current situation?

It crossed my mind to be honest and tell Demarco about Jonathan and vice versus, but then I thought against it. That would achieve absolutely nothing.

Demarco and I were finally back on good terms and with him leaving town for the next couple of days, I had every intention to protect the peace between us. Therefore, there was no need to plant the idea that I was doing this for attention or to make him jealous.

Jonathan on the other hand was a great guy as far as I could tell. It didn't feel right to cancel so last minute without a legitimate excuse that didn't involve another man. After three failed attempts to ask me on a date, he was looking forward to tonight. The last thing I wanted to do was be that girl to drag him into a messy situation, leads him on or cancels plans as if the world revolved around me.

As much as I wish I were at the moment, I was not cold hearted nor a self centered person. Which lead me to this very moment and an even more difficult question.

What the hell did I want to eat?

The restaurant that Jonathan choose was beautiful. It was the right combination of classy and intimate, which served as the prefect vibe for a quiet candlelight dinner by the water. The soft classical music playing throughout the restaurant was the icing on the cake.

However, taking a good look around I instantly felt slightly uncomfortable. There were couples, here...there...everywhere.

Like always, when I had to choose food I felt pressured. After looking at the menu for 2.5 seconds Jonathan closed his but insisted I take my time choosing what I wanted.

After the waiter gave us our drinks and came back twice to take our order, I finally made up my mind. The grilled salmon over fried rice with a side of vegetables was what I craved.

"I hope it wasn't any trouble finding a sitter for a Monday night?" I asked, steering the conversation into neutral territory.

"At first yes, but I couldn't miss my opportunity" he said smiling, sitting up a little straighter to give me his full undivided attention. "My little sister volunteered to watch Johnny until I get home".

"Awe, that was nice of her".

"I guess so" he laughed. "She only volunteered once I told her that we were coming here. This is her favorite restaurant and she loves seafood".

My heart weeped a little. They reminded me of my relationship with TJ and Drew and all the times they've asked me to do something for them but they'd have to promise to pay me with food first.

"Maybe you should've started that conversation with food, the fastest way to win a girl over is always food".

"Trust me, next time I will" he said taking a sip of his drink. "I get the sense that you're a very private person, kind of old fashion".

Old fashion?

"I'm as private as the next person. Old fashion...not really. What makes for think that?"

"I thought everyone in the 21st century was attacked to their phones and on some sort of social media, but I was sadly mistaken" he playfully joked. "You're a ghost".

Raising my eyebrow slight, I played his game. "Maybe I'm an undercover spy and the Clover you know is my cover up".

"Then you're a pretty bad spy, because in a world with social media at the forefront, you have to try to at least blend in and that begins with having an online presence" he said poking holing at my coverup.

The waiter arrived with our food and I fought the urge to do my happy dance as the rich smells invaded my senses.

After taking a couple of forkful bites, my mind lingered back to his question.

"I have an Instagram and Facebook but haven't been on either in almost a year. Life happened and long story short, my father and I don't get along and he kicked me out last summer. I sold my smartphone at the time for quick cash to make ends meet and I just recently got an iPhone a month ago. Haven't really found time to refocus on social media or anything internet related past googling the whether".

He nodded his head understanding, chewing the food in his mouth and then saying, "I'm sorry to hear that".

I didn't mean to, but the conversation got way too deep, way too fast and I mentally kicked myself for it.

"For the record, my life hasn't been totally horrible, especially lately" I added. "Why do you want to find me online anyways? Trust me, I'm way better in person anyways".

"Don't hate me, but I like to do my research before going out with a person that I know close to nothing about. But I wasn't going to be a 100% creeper, I was going to send a friend request".

The way that he was being as transparent as a book and honest without hesitation was very attractive. So attractive to the point that I hesitated dropping the 'lets just be friends' bomb.

It felt like he was everything that could be good for me.

He was kind, funny, handsome and had a way of getting me to talk with little effort, all while he sat there and listened without judgment. Most of all he was an honest man, with an honest job and an honest lifestyle as a full time father and family man.

I never thought that asking God for an honest man, with an honest job and lifestyle was necessary but here I was and he was sitting right in front of me with all three attributes. Something that I couldn't m say about Demarco.

I quickly shut my conscience up when my mind started to linger to Demarco.

There was just something about that man.

"Try Clover Bennett".

He looked up from his food curiously.

"Bennett? Thought your last name was Reign?"

"Legally Reign is my middle name, which is also my mother's maiden name. Ever since I been on my own, I've been determined to prove to my father that I didn't need him or his last name. So whenever I can I drop Bennett".

"Clover Reign Bennett" he mumbled, taking my full government name out for a test run. "It has a ring to it".

"I wish it were that easy for me. The day that I got a girl knocked up was the same day that my father and I started to constantly be at each other's throats. He wanted Jasmine, Johnnys mom to get an abortion. He even went behind my back to try to bribe her family".

"Long story short, they're pro-life and I didn't want her to get an abortion either way. My father was angry at the fact that having a kid at such a young age would ruin my academics, and cause me to lose my basketball scholarship. I understand where he was coming from but what he failed to realize was that I was an adult that made my own drunken decision to sleep with a girl and now I had to live up to the consequences. Plus, Johnny is the best thing thats ever happened to me".

I could feel my heart melt right out of my chest as he proudly spoke about his son.

"He's a lucky boy, to have you as a father".

"Thank you, I try my best" he said slightly blushing, which made him all the more adorable. "Again, sorry about the gum situation" he apologized for the millionth time.

I nearly forgot the reason why I had to have a parent teacher conference with Jonathan in the first place. His relibellious son, who's not my biggest, thought it would be funny to smear bubblegum in my hair which forced me into my short hairdo.

"I told you it's fine, you don't have to apologize. It'll grow back". I informed him for the millionth time as we both nearly finished our meals.

"You know you're actually the first person I've met who can relate with me on having daddy issues and actually understand where I'm coming from".

"I'm always here to vent" he said shrugging his shoulders as if it was no big deal.

"It's never too late to get back at your dad and change your last night" I said playfully.

He laughed shaking his head. "It's wayyy too late" he laughed hysterically before explaining, "He's Jonathan Telasio Senior, I'm his Junior and Johnny's the third".

"Oh. In that case, never mind".

And we both erupted in laughter. Loud enough to attract unwanted attention.

"Clover, pissssttt..."

That voice was familiar.

"Pat, I don't think it's her..."

Why me? Why me? Why me?

Of the two worse people to see tonight, first place went to Demarco hands down. At least fate decided not to be as cruel as it can be. However, one of his best friends or brother was a close second place, and I got two for the price of one.

Patrick stood at the entrance of the door way, as Denziel poked his head in, squinting to get a better look of me with the low candle-lighting doing no justice. "Lucky charm is that you?" He tried mimicking Patrick whisper but failed miserably not only catching my attention but also catching the attention of near by diners.

Thing 1 and 2 were already in route before I could even get a word in as the wore wide bright smiles plastered on their faces.

Their smiles only broken when they noticed the man crossed from.

"Who the fuck are you?"

The question was blunt and cold coming from Patrick of all people. The warm, friendly overly joking Patrick had revealed an entirely new side of him that I have never witness or thought he was capable of.

It was time to put my foot down, fast and hard.

Quickly coming between the boys and my confused date I looked both Patrick and Denziel in the eye. Both of them were more then upset, they were pissed.

"Don't speak to him like that" I pointing to both boys. "Patrick, Denziel this is Jonathan" I spoke, trying to shift the tense mood before it could escalate.

"Jonathan these are couple of my friends".

Like the gentleman he was, he ignored Patricks snappy comment and stood, extending his hand out. Patrick only shook his hand after a moments hesitation, Denziel however did no such thing.

In fact, Denziels was completely silent.

Denziel was thee most outspoken person I knew. He always had something to say about something. His silence made me unease.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked, in a rush to get them out.

"Pregnant wife who cravings seafood and arnica oil for her swollen ankles".

"Epsom Salt".

Jonathan pipped in not understanding that Patrick did not and was not talking to him. Or knowing damn well he wasn't being spoken too, but taking a gamble at making an an unknown amends.

"Excuse me?"

"It helps with blood flow to the feet which decreases swelling. My sons mother used to soak her feet in warm baths with Epsom Salt during her pregnancy. It works wonders".

Patrick stare at him for a minute, and when he didn't say anything I elbowed him in the thigh. "Thank you" he finally let out, but it was not genuine.

Finally showing up to the show late, Denziel broke out of his state of silence. "So let me get this clear" he said turning to me "you're on a date?"

Kill me now.

"I'm sorry for my friends Jonathan. There leaving now" I dismissed them.

"Oh yeah, sorry to disrupt whatever this is" Denziel said sarcastically, hurt flashing in his eyes that did nothing but make me feel even more guilty.

He looked to Jonathan. "Listen, she's basically considered family. She the little sister I never had, so excuse me if I'm being rude but whatever you're thinking about doing to her tonight..."

"Denziel".

"Foods ready, let's head out" Patrick said, cutting both us off and nudging Denziels shoulder as if to hold him back. Momentarily, both of them seem to be in deep thought before walking away without another word.

And like a balloon, my plan blew up in my face. Now my fear was that I've possibly put Jonathan in danger, just by being caught going out for dinner with him.

"Their intense". Jonathan breathed out.

"There's more where that came from" I sighed sadly.

Patrick and Denziel were raindrops, Demarco was the thunderstorm. I just hope I could shield Jonathan from being stuck by lighting.

"They weren't your real brothers right?"

"Nope, but my real brothers are basically exactly like that too. But that brings me to an important point".

Here we go.

"What I'm about to say has nothing to do with those two. It's just that right now I don't think I'm ready for a relationship. I really like you as a person and I'd love to be friends".

I held my breath, waiting for the backlash.

I didn't have to hold my breath for long.

"Okay".

Did I hear him right?

"Huh?"

Jonathan smiled, momentarily pausing as the waiter came and collected the left overs from our finished meal.

"I appreciate your honesty and that you know what you want. If a friendship is all that you want from this then I completely understand and I'll accept that too".

God has truly made the prefect man.

Our night came to a closing and I paid for my own meal after a lot of back and forth. I was home by 9 o'clock and the second I got through the front door, I threw my coat and clutch on couch, and kicked off my heels.

Nola was not home from the diner yet, so I took advantage of the peace and quiet by taking an extra long shower, and lounge around in my robe.

When I went to retrieve my phone to make sure that my alarm was set for the morning I smiled at what I found.

After thinking back to Patrick and Denziel crashing my dinner date, my smile was completely gone as I stared down at my phone screen.

Missed Call: Demarco (9:41pm)

9:42pm: Just checking in.

9:57pm: Did you get home safe?

There was no voice message and by his text he was well aware I was out tonight, but he didn't seem angry or upset at all.

However, I still didn't know if I was ready to face the music that was Demarco now that my plan had blown out of proportion.

I texted him back that I got home safe and was getting ready for bed. And not a minute passed before he texted back.

10:12pm: Goodnight lucky charm, miss you already.

My heart nearly skipped a beat reading his message over and over.

He wasn't mad, or at least a little upset?

Curiosity had many questions flooding my mind.

Was he sick? Did he not care? Was he playing some kind of mind game?

Reading the message one last time, this girl smile was now a full blown out grin from ear to ear as I texted him back.

'Miss you too.'

—————
Rewrote his chapter like 3x's, so I hope you like it.

Question of the day: Why do you think Demarco had to leave town for a couple of days???
Comment your guesses...

K_26ss