An Inconvenient Flame

Chapter 1 - In Summer

A Latina with a French bulldog in her arms walked beside her with a chuckle as they left the park. Jade looked at her earning a smile. "You're clueless, chica." Jade quirked an eyebrow. "What?" She chuckled again. "That guy was flirting with you. Hard. You just shot him down like he was a bird in the sky."

Jade turned back to see the guy wrangling his wayward huskies before looking back at the woman. "He was not flirting!" The woman laughed louder as they made their way into the lobby. "He was and you were oblivious. What have you not dated in like a year or something?"

Jade pushed the elevator button as she muttered. "Or something." The Latina whistled lowly. "Well, if you don't want to spend the rest of your life alone, I suggest you get back out there. That guy was cute and you just blew past him."

Jade shrugged her shoulder as they all walked into the awaiting elevator and pushed her button. "Dating hasn't really been my focus. I'm content with how my life is." The woman hummed a response before pushing her button.

"You're a beautiful woman who I know could have any man or woman she wanted. Don't be afraid to get back on the horse. Not matter how hard the heartbreak was, choose not to give it so much power. Love is still worthwhile."

She got off on the tenth floor and waved before the doors closed. Havok looked up at her and tilted his head. "I know, right! Who the heck does she think she is coming for my neck like that?" Jade chuckled at the huff Havok let out before getting off on her floor. She fed the happy pup before heading into her bathroom for a nice cold shower.

When she was done and fed, Jade found herself sitting on the couch with Havok's head in her lap. Family Feud was on in the background and she was replaying the Latina's words in her head. "Love is still worthwhile." Jade mumbled before thinking about the biggest heartbreak she endured.

She knew it was only natural for a child to bury their parent. That was the supposed way things ought to be, but she didn't think she and Quinn would be burying their once youthful and happy mother so early.

Their father had done a number on them and her. He had lied and manipulated all of them for selfish gain. He had cheated on their mother time and time again without remorse or care. Worst of all, he had broken her mother to the point of no return. Literally.

Grace Obi McCoy died of a broken heart and everyone that knew her and the situation knew it. Her mother loved her father in a way that was all consuming. Grace gave Hank McCoy all that she was even when she barely got crumbs in return. Jade's mother loved her father with everything she was, so when he left it only made sense that she would leave too.

Jade wiped a rogue tear and smiled as Havok drew closer to her. "I'm okay, bud. It comes in waves sometimes that's all." She wiped her eyes and began petting the sleepy pup when her phone rang for a FaceTime call.

Jade smiled at the name on the screen before answering. "BITCH!" Jade cackled loudly at her angry sounding best friend. Jenna Melnik was her no shit taking, curse you out with a smile, 5'3" redheaded bestie. They met on the first day of eight grade when Jenna moved with her family to Houston from Austin. They bonded over their joint love of all things hip-hop and country instantly.

Jenna was the epitome of ride or die. She was the best friend that keyed the cheating ex's car after filling his gas tank with sugar. Jenna was the best friend that hyped her up before her interviews and called for your order when she was in the mood for fast food.

Jenna showered her with flowers every anniversary of her mother's death and birthday. She provided laughter like no other and wiped the tears that often fell when Jade found herself in a depressive or anxious episode. There was no limit to Jenna's friendship and Jade returned her acts of love and kindness with just as much fervor.