Love Never Fails Read online

  Kelly places her fork down, and angrily mumbles under her breath. “Reese you’re a slut.” She says it loud enough so everyone around the table hears her.

  “Shut up Kelly.”

  “Please come make me. I beg you to come make me and see what happens.”

  Kelly and Reese never got along from the first time they meet. Kelly knows all the stunts Reese has pulled on Monica, and she isn’t going to allow Reese to pull more stupid stunts to Monica especially in front of her. Just as the intensity between Kelley and Reese rises, Monica steps in.

  “Both of you guys please stop. We are at a restaurant dammit.” She gets up to leave the situation. Jake throws cash on the table to pay for the meal, and follows her.

  They get into his car. “I’m so sorry you had to see that.”

  “Don’t apologize. Who is that girl anyways?”

  “My cousin. She’s crazy. She doesn’t care about other people’s feelings. She does and says what she pleases.”

  “Yeah I can see that. But you know you have nothing to worry about.”

  “I’m not worried.” Monica laughs. “That’s one thing you need to know about me. I am not the kind of girl who chases guys. You either want to be with me or don’t. There’s no in between with me.”

  “I like that about you. You are so beautiful, smart, and you don’t take people’s bullshit.”

  After dropping her off to Josh’s house to pick up her car, her phone rings.

  “Hey. What are you doing?”

  Monica giggles because it’s only been seconds since her and Jake parted ways. “I’m driving home. What are you doing?”

  “Wishing you’re with me right now.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “So what are you going to do today?”

  “I have homework I need to finish.”

  “You have homework on the weekends?”

  “Yup! My teachers are loading me up, getting me ready for college.”

  “So what college are you planning to go to?”

  “I want to go to University of Texas. I want to stay with my roots.”

  “That’s so far from here though.”

  “Why are you going to miss me?”

  “Yes I will. I might just have to follow you up there.”

  Monica pulls up to her driveway with a smile on her face. “Oh, you’re going to UT also?”

  “Hell no. I am not smart enough to go there.”

  “What do you mean you’re not smart enough? You can go if you really want to.”

  “My dad owns his own software company, and he wants me to follow in his footsteps.”

  “Well what do you want to do?”

  “I want to work for this company, but I heard they are pretty strict on hiring.”

  Monica enters her bedroom and plops on the bed. “Oh really. What’s the company’s name?”

  “Jo-Wills.”

  Monica’s eyes open wider as she’s caught off guard. She doesn’t tell him Jo-Wills is owned by her dad. She doesn’t want guys talking to her, because of her father’s statue, in hopes of one day working for the company.

  There’s silence on the other end, “Have you heard of the company?”

  “Yeah some kids at school mentioned it a couple of times. I think some of their dads work there or something.”

  Monica hears determination in Jake’s voice. “If you get a position there, then you are doing something right with your life. They are a well-known company in Houston. They have thousands of employees, and contract with hundreds of other companies locally, state-wide, and overseas.” Jake giggles. “Ok may be I am over exaggerating on the numbers. But you get the idea.”

  “Thanks for the info.” Monica copies Jake.

  “Oh I’m sorry for babbling. I just thought it’ll be cool if I get to work for that company one day.”

  “You don’t want to go to college first?”

  “I’ve received some football scholarships, but that is never guaranteed. Anything can happen to me, and I may not be able to play football.”

  “What do you mean happen to you?”

  “I don’t know. I can get hurt, and there goes my scholarship. I need a backup plan.”

  “That’s good that you think that way. No one is ever certain on how life will turn out. But I think you should go to college. Then maybe that place Jo-Wills will hire you.”

  They see life the same way. It’s always good to have a backup plan. You can be doing the something for years, and with a blink of an eye it can be taken away from you.

  After finishing her homework, Monica heads downstairs to join her parents in the living room. She splits her parents apart and sits between them. Laying her head on her daddy’s arm, she sprawls her legs over her mom. Lauren is feeling lazy today and doesn’t want to cook dinner, so she decides to order pizza.

  The pizza guy thinks Monica is the most gorgeous thing in the world. He shyly flirts with her. One minute he’s staring at her gawking, and when she notices him staring, she returns a smile, so he sheepishly looks down.

  10

  Rumors at school were spreading fast. Jake and Monica dating are what all the kids were talking about. He is such a gentleman. He carries her books, walks her to her class, and he even pays for her lunch. Monica is in cloud nine. She is falling in love fast. With her only being eighteen, she didn’t think it could be possible to have deep feelings for someone that quick, but it’s happening to her. She just hopes Jake feels the same way. Out of all the guys she’s dated, she’s dated Clint the longest. They have been dating off and on since their freshmen year. She doesn’t know why she goes back to him every time. Maybe she just feels obligated to or she’s just used to him. Or maybe she feels like that’s all she deserves. But her feelings for Jake are not like any other. She sees a future with him. He can be her husband and they can have kids together. She can see how their wedding will be, where they will spend their honeymoon. She can even see him work for her dad’s company. She doesn’t want to let him know her dad owns Jo-Wills until they get really serious. She doesn’t want that to be the reason why he sticks around. Kids at school already envy her, and with her dating Jake, they are even more jealous. Kids wish they had a life like Monica, but if they only knew her life is normal just like theirs, even though her parents have money. Monica doesn’t act snobbish like all the other rich kids in town. She is cool with everyone at school. She gets along with the nerds, the hippies, the jocks, and even the misfits. The kids don’t what her parents do for a living, but they do know they are millionaires. They think Monica can get anything and everything she wants since her parents have lots of money. But if they only knew, her parents get her what parents are supposed to provide for their kids, but anything extra, she has to earn.

  Guys in the football team test Jake to see how much he can take. They know Jake and Monica are dating, but that doesn’t stop them from flirting with her. At times he gets jealous, but mostly he thinks it’s great. He has the girl every guy wants to date in school.

  Monica picks Kelly up for school. “What are you doing this weekend?”

  “I’m going to be with Josh, but I told my parents I was going to be at your house.”

  “Yeah Jake asked me to spend the weekend with him also. So I told my parents I was going to spend the weekend with you.”

  The girls can’t stop laughing. They often tell their parents they’re going to spend a night at the other ones’ house, but really they’re at their boyfriend’s.

  “Hey I’ve wanted to say sorry for how I was talking to your cousin the other day. I just don’t know what got over me. I guess she just rubs me the wrong way. I hate how she treats you.”

  “Don’t apologize for her. She’s never going to change. She’s so full of herself. She cares less how other people may feel or think.”

  “I can’t believe she’s your cousin. You two are so opposite.”

  “Yeah tell me about. But I got used to her. Do you know she told her mom tha
t my mom was talking shit about her? Her mom called my mom cursing her out. And you know how sensitive my mom is. She cried when she was explaining to me what happened.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I drove my happy ass over their house, kicked and banged on their door. But they wouldn’t open the door. They’re chicken shit.”

  “I’d be chicken shit too if you came kicking and banging on my door like that.” Kelly snorts. “You’re one crazy bitch.”

  “You’re the crazy bitch.” Monica jokingly narrows her eyes at her friend. “But I just don’t understand why start shit and be so messy, if you’re scared to get confronted about it?”

  “Her and her momma are just weak ass bitches.”

  Talking about her cousin causes her heart to beat erratically, and Kelly can sense her frustration, so she changes the subject.

  “I see Jake really likes you. I’m glad you finally forgot about Clint.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “He is not good for you. But you always end up back with him.”

  “Well I promise I will not go back to him. I really like Jake a lot.”

  “That’s good, because Clint’s a loser, always has and always will.”

  “How are you and Josh doing?”

  “Ah we’re so-so.”

  Monica knows Kelly is already getting tired of Josh. She doesn’t like to commit to long term relationships. Kelly’s just like her mom, who’s already been married four times. She gets bored easily with the same thing over and over again, so she has never dated a guy for more than six months. That’s her cut-off point.

  Monica pouts her lips at Kelly. “So who’s the new guy?”

  Kelly arches her brows up and down. “Oh you know me too well.”

  “Yes I do.”

  “He goes to Lee High school.”

  Before Kelly can tell her the name, they get interrupted with Josh and Jake honking them down on the road. The guys sandwich her car in until they get to the school parking lot. After they’ve parked, Monica jumps into Jake’s arms. He eagerly kisses her. Jake misses her so much when she isn’t around him. In school, they’re always together.

  During practice, Monica sees Jake across the field, and he still looks so damn sexy from far away. She blows him a kiss; he puckers his lips, and blows a kiss back in the air. The guys on the team tease him, but he doesn’t care. Their feelings are growing quickly. Monica doesn’t want these feelings to end and wishes Jake feels the same.

  Once they were done, he invites her to eat at Richies, but Monica declines his offer. As much as she wants to spend every waking moment with him, she has a lot of homework. If she wants to continue being the valedictorian, she needs to concentrate on her school work.

  “I can’t.” Monica wraps her arms around Jake.

  Jake squeezes her. “And why not?”

  “I have tons of homework. I can’t be slacking off.”

  “You can’t do it later tonight?”

  “Jake. I have so much. I need to start right away.”

  He loosens his grip. “Ok whatever. Go. I’ll go with Josh then.”

  She tries to pull him closer. “I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah ok.” She leans in to give him a kiss, but he’s standoffish.

  After dropping Kelly home, she has dinner with her parents. While eating with them, she has all her assignments with her on the table. She tries to balance eating, studying, and talking to her parents.

  Her father John questions, “How was school sweetheart?”

  “It was ok daddy.”

  “Anything new happening?”

  “Nope. Same story just another day.”

  Monica puts her fork and pencil down. She gives her parents a serious look. “Dad can I ask you something?”

  “Of course you can sweetheart.”

  “If for some reason, I didn’t want to take over the family business, and want to do something else. Say be a doctor. Would you be disappointed?”

  Her father rests his elbow on the table. “No sweetheart. I wouldn’t be disappointed. It’s your life. We want you to choose your own destiny. I would love for you to take over the family business, but if you decide otherwise, I will have to find someone else suitable to take the position. Why do you want to be a doctor?”

  “No daddy, I was just asking a rhetorical question.” Monica wanted to see if her parents will support her through whatever decisions she makes in life.

  Her mother is such a worrywart. “Dear you don’t want to take over the business if your dad can no longer work?”

  “I do mom. I’m just asking what ifs.”

  John looks at Lauren, nodding his head to stop talking about it. He doesn’t want to push Monica into a career she isn’t interested in. If she wants to be a doctor, then they’ll support her decisions.

  After dinner, Monica checks her phone, hoping Jake called or texted, but he didn’t. She tries to call him, but it goes straight to voicemail. She leaves a message then tries to finish her homework. When an hour passed, she tries to call him again. Still no answer. She decides to text him. Why isn’t he answering his phone? Her paranoia is bothering her, so she calls Kelly.

  “Hey Biotch.”

  “Hey have you heard from Josh?”

  “Yeah I’m on the phone with him now. Why what’s up?”

  “Can you ask him if he knows where Jake is at?”

  “Ok hold up.” Kelly clicks over, and seconds later clicks back. “He said he saw him earlier, but haven’t heard from him after they ate. Is everything ok?”

  “Yeah. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Ok. Love you bitch.”

  “Love you too puta bitch.”

  It’s already getting late and waiting for Jake to call her back is driving her crazy, so after she finishes her homework, she decides to take a shower. After, she checks her phone again, and Jake still hasn’t called. She tucks herself in bed, flips through the channels until she falls asleep.

  Her alarm wakes her. Slowly opening her eyes, she checks her phone and there’s still no missed call or text message from Jake. That’s awkward. He’s usually blowing up her cell phone. As she gets ready for school, her phone finally rings. She debates whether she wants to answer but knows she deserves an explanation.

  She’s angry. “Hello.”

  “Hey baby.”

  Monica doesn’t respond, and he continues to talk.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Getting ready for school.” Monica snaps.

  Jake can hear the frustration in Monica’s voice. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “What’s wrong with me? You should ask yourself what’s wrong with you? Where were you last night Jake? Why didn’t you answer my calls or responded to my text messages? Why didn’t you try reaching me? You’re always blowing up my phone except last night.”

  “I left my phone at Richies. I went back there last night to get it, but it was so late, I didn’t want to call you and wake you up.”

  “Yeah ok!”

  “You don’t believe me?”

  “Am I supposed to believe that bullshit story?”

  “It’s not a story.”

  “But its bullshit right?”

  “I don’t understand what the fuss is about Monica. I called you right? I left my phone. And I’m calling you now.”

  “I have to go.”

  “No don’t hang up, I’m not done talking.”

  Monica hangs up on him, composes herself, and heads downstairs to have breakfast with her parents.

  Her father knows her too well. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

  “Guys are assholes.”

  “Monica!” Her mother is shocked.

  “Well they are.”

  “What happened sweetheart?”

  “Nothing daddy. I don’t want to talk about it. I’m late for school.”

  She kisses her parents goodbye and picks Kelly up. “What happened last night?”

  “Jake didn
’t call or text me. And he was ignoring my calls.”

  “That fucking asshole.”

  “Yeah I know.”

  “Josh was telling me some girl he used to go to school with was up there eating with them.”

  “What?”

  “Hey that’s what Josh told me. And you know I don’t keep any secrets from you. What are you going to do?”

  “If he wants to play games, I’m going to show him how it’s played.”

  “Good for you. I know you’re my bitch for a reason.”

  Monica wrinkles her nose. Once they get to school, Jake acts like nothing happened. He hugs her then grabs her books but she doesn’t hand them to him. She wants him to feel how she felt yesterday but doesn’t want to show him how pissed off she is. Forcing a smile on her face, she walks by him to class. When they get to class, she finds the seat that’s already surrounded by others, so Jake can’t sit by her. When the teacher tells them to pick partners for a class demonstration, she chooses Greg to be her partner. Jake is livid that she’s partnered with another guy.

  Monica isn’t stupid and knows he was with another girl last night. Most likely the girl from his old school. He went back to her house or his house, and fucked her. That’s what he’s known for. He’s a player, and he will never settle with just one girl.

  While discussing their class assignment, Monica touches Greg just a little too much, causing Jake to get more agitated. She doesn’t care he’s getting pissed. He wanted to play her like a fool, and play these stupid games. Well she’s going to show him who plays this game better.

  11

  After class, she rushes out of the classroom before he can reach her, and heads to her Calculus class. She has avoided Jake the whole day and even skipped lunch just so she doesn’t have to deal with him.

  During practice, he pulls her to the side. “What is wrong with you? Why are you fucking acting like that?”

  “You know what? I’m not like those idiotic girls you used to fuck with. I know exactly what you did last night. You went to some girl’s house, probably that bitch from your old school, and you fucked her. And you know what? You can fuck her whenever you want, because I’m through fucking with you.”