They all loved Alexandra almost as much as they did Connor. She was sweet and ballsy and had gone out of her way to make them all feel like family. She was good for Connor, and in the few months they’d been together, she’d been good for the rest of them too.
“She’s throwing Connor a surprise party and she wanted my help.”
“Your help?” Parker leaned up on his elbows.
“Well who the hell else is she gonna call, dipshit? You?”
“She likes me, too, numbnuts.”
“Yeah, but you’re still pretty quiet around her. You gotta open up a little, brother.”
“You know it’s hard for me,” Parker muttered.
“I know. But it’s gettin’ better.” Jackson smiled and Parker flipped him off, but he was smiling too.
Jackson fixed himself a sandwich and grabbed a bag of chips and took it out to the living room where Parker was watching a rerun of the final game of last year's world series.
“You scouting for your fantasy league?” Jackson asked around a mouthful of Roast beef and cheese.
“Nah, I already lined up my draft picks.”
“Already? Spring training just started.”
“Hey, man. I need something to look forward to,” Parker grumbled.
“Why don’t we go out? It’s our night off. We’ll hit the bar, see if we can’t find you a girl.”
“Me? What about you, Casanova? You strike out with Janie again? Or did she avoid you completely?”
“Shut it, asswipe,” Jackson growled.
“That’s what I thought,” Parker laughed.
“Yeah? Did I miss Amanda last time you brought her over?” Jackson shot back. Parker scowled and turned up the volume on the TV.
“Stuff it, Hunter. I’m trying to watch the game.”
Checkmate.
Jackson could always tell when Parker was truly pissed because he called him Hunter. At least he wasn’t the only one who was chasing a woman he couldn’t catch, though in Parker’s case it was more likely that he hadn’t even tried.
They’d been friends since they were seventeen and he loved the man like a brother, but Parker had already had a lot of issues before they spent eight years in the Corps. He didn’t talk about his childhood much, and he didn’t have any family worth mentioning, but it didn’t take a genius to know that he’d had it rough before he left home.
Jackson put his plate in the sink and stuck the chips back in the cupboard where he found them, all the while trying to think of some way to get Janie to give him a shot. Just one shot. That was all he needed.
The one kiss they’d shared had burned through him like fire. He could still remember all too clearly how she felt beneath his hands and the taste of that lush red mouth. She was much shorter than him, but she had full hips, a narrow waist, generous breasts and all that thick, glossy, red hair. He remembered how it had felt like silk between his fingers.
If he wanted to have a shot with her, he needed to figure out why she kept running away.
What is she so afraid of?
CHAPTER TWO
“Who’s ready to shop, ladies?” Alexandra grinned, rubbing her hands together with maniacal glee. Janie laughed and grabbed her purse.
Alexandra had gathered her bridesmaids for a day of shopping and wedding planning- Amanda, Alexandra’s sister, Angel, Connor’s sister, and Janie. Neither Alexandra or Connor wanted a long engagement, and Alexandra wasn’t the type to go overboard for a wedding. Despite her money and her killer looks, she was a simple girl at heart.
The wedding was planned for June, less than a year from when they met. It was April already, meaning there wasn’t much time to get everything together, although Alexandra insisted that they were keeping things small and simple. She had positively forbidden her parents from turning this into some business or charity event by inviting all their clients and volunteer committee member friends.
Her parents, her father in particular, were over the moon for her and her fiancé, who had, quite literally saved Alexandra’s life five months ago. And of course, he had told her she could have whatever she wanted and to send the bills to him. It must be nice to have a father richer than Croesus. Hell, it must be nice to have a father who loved you.
“So, where to first?” Janie asked, shaking off her momentary bout of surliness. This was Alexandra’s show.
“Well, there are four different bridal shops around 5th, so I think that’s a good place to start.”
They loaded into Alexandra’s car and they chatted while they drove about what kind of dress Alexandra was looking for, what type of dress they thought would look good on her, and what kind of dress they wanted to wear themselves.
They were a pretty diverse group of women, all things considered. She wasn’t sure how they were going to pick just one style that would suit all three of them. Alexandra was tall but undoubtedly still femine and Amanda was built much the same, but a little shorter, a little smaller on top, and a lot blonder. Angel was petite with dark eyes, dark hair and bronze skin that came from her Brazillian father. And then there was Janie.
Fatass… chunk… tubby… hippo…
I am not fat. I am healthy and beautiful.
Janie took a deep breath and pushed back against the neverending barrage of self-criticism.
Over the course of the morning, Alexandra tried on at least two dozen dresses and didn’t love any of them. She hadn’t found anything with the combination of simplicity, elegance and something special that made her really feel like a bride.
Janie and the others tried on probably twice as many dresses, and though a few of them had been decent enough, Alexandra hadn’t liked them any better. Her colors were red and ivory, and since the bridesmaids couldn’t wear ivory, they were wearing red. Thankfully the color suited each woman’s complexion pretty well, but the style of the dress was still up for debate.
“I think you should focus on your dress first,” Amanda commented as they piled back into the car to head to lunch. “I mean, once you pick your dress, it’ll be easier to find a style for the bridesmaids that goes with yours.”
“Good point,” Alexandra agreed. “Which means the pressure is on me to find the dress. Thanks Mandy.”
Amanda grinned. “What are sisters for?”
They had lunch at a casual bistro and caught up on all the gossip. Amanda complained about her boss, as usual, and raved about one of her new pastry creations they were adding to the menu at the restaurant where she worked.
Angel, who was by far the quietest of the bunch and the least familiar with the group, was coaxed into talking about her job as a pediatric nurse. They attempted to pry into her lovelife only to be met with blushes and an absolute refusal to comment. Though she did joke that if she were to drop any names, Connor would be doing a background check and ordering surveillance before they’d paid the bill.
Then it was her turn.
“So, when are you going to let Jackson off the hook and go out with him?” Alexandra asked as she sipped her iced tea.
“Pardon?” Janie raised an eyebrow. “Who’s been talking out of school?”
“It’s not like I need anyone to tell me what’s going on, Janie.” Alexandra rolled her eyes. “I know Jackson, I know you, and I have eyes. You’ve been into him since you met him but you’re avoiding him. Why?”
“I’m not avoiding him,” Janie lied.
“Uh, huh. Which is why you had to ‘help Charles with something’ as soon as you saw Jackson at the office yesterday?”
“I was talking to Charles.”
“In the breakroom.” Alexandra smirked. “Hardly urgent business then.”
“Look, I’m taking a break from men for a while, okay?” It wasn’t exactly a lie. For the last few months she’d done nothing more than go out on a few dates, or meet a guy or two for drinks. She just hadn’t been interested in anything else. At least not with them.
“What?” Alexandra said, wide-eyed. “Our very own Samantha is off men?”
“I thought I was Miranda because of the hair,” Janie replied.
“Oh, no. You’re definitely Samantha,” Amanda said, shaking her head.
“I’m Miranda.” Alexandra scowled.
“What does that make you?” Janie asked.
“I’m Carrie, clearly,” Amanda said, tossing her wavy blonde locks.
“I’m good with being Charlotte,” Angel said with a timid smile.
“Anyway…” Alexandra drew out the word. “When did this start?”
“A few months ago.” Janie shrugged. “I’m just in a slump lately I guess. Or maybe a rut. I dunno, I’m stuck in something.”
“Maybe it’s time to start thinking about serious dating,” Alexandra suggested.
“You’re just saying that because you’re all happy and in love.”
“That’s true. I am.” Alexandra nodded. “But I wouldn’t be if I hadn’t taken the risk and put myself out there. You know how long I was single, and lying to myself about being happy about it.”
“Were you unhappy?” Janie asked.
“Not at first maybe, but eventually I was. And when I figured it out I had to decide to do something about it. I’m glad I did.” Alexandra smiled softly. She smiled more now. Janie had noticed. And the way she smiled had changed. “So the only thing that matters is if you’re happy Janie.”
Janie didn’t answer right away. She didn’t know how. She wasn’t unhappy. But she definitely felt like something was missing lately. She wasn’t unhappy, but she was unsatisfied.
“Listen, this got heavy really fast,” Alexandra laughed. “I didn’t mean to make this an intervention or anything. Just think about it. And you know I’m always here to listen if you need it.”
“Thanks, chica.” Janie smiled.
Amanda grinned and signaled their server. “Okay. Who wants another drink?”
✽✽✽
“Okay, man. Three more,” Parker said with a clap while Jackson tried to lift a tank off his chest. He grunted, lifting the heavy bar and placing it back in the rack above his head.
“Fuck you,” Jackson growled, sitting up.
“Just trying to encourage you, brother.”
“Yeah, yeah. Go encourage someone else, would you? I don’t need a trainer.”
“You sure? You look like you’ve been skipping leg day lately.” Parker smirked.
“You little sh-” Jackson lurched up from the bench, intent on putting Parker in his place, but stopped when he heard his phone ringing. He fished it out of his shorts and glanced at the caller ID before he answered.
“Hola, Mami.”
“Hola, Mijo. How are you? I’m glad your phone still works. I wasn’t sure. I thought maybe it was broken or lost, or maybe it had been stolen.”
“Sorry.” Jackson cringed. Maternal guilt. “I’ve been busy with work lately.”
“Oh? Are you working now?”
“Well, no, Park and I are working out. Staying in shape, you know. For work.”
“Ah, I see. You have time for the gym but not your mami, eh?”
“Mami…” Jackson sighed. His mother laughed and he hung his head.
“I’m kidding, Mijo. I know you’re busy. I just wanted to say hello.”
“Is that your mom?” Parker stage whispered beside him. When Jackson nodded, Parker cupped his hands over his mouth and said, “Hola, Mami! Te quiero!”
“Is that Parker? Te quiero también,” His mother cooed. Loudly
“Okay, why don’t you call her if you want to flirt? I’m trying to talk to my mom, dude.” Jackson shoved him and he backed away grinning.
“Be nice! You know I love you both, Mijo. Are you boys eating? I hope you’re not living on takeout. I know how men are when they don’t have a woman to take care of them. Your brothers would starve to death if I didn’t make them come home and eat my cooking twice a week.”
“Mami…” Jackson groaned. “Please don’t talk about your cooking. I would kill for your chiles rellenos or caldo de res.”
“Oh, Mijo. I’ll send you some. I’ll make extra for Parker too. Sweet boy,” she said sadly.
“He’s fine, Mami. He’s good. We’re both good, I promise.”
“I hope so. I worry about you two.”
“I know. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Sí, sí. I know. Te quiero, Mijo,” she said, making several kissing noises into the phone because she knew it always made him laugh.
“I love you, Mami.”
“Food?” Parker asked hopefully as Jackson put his phone away in the pocket of his shorts.
“Yup.”
“Awesome.”
“Who says I’m sharin’?” Jackson scowled.
“Aw, man. Not even you would be that heartless.” Parker grinned.
“I’ll think about it. Now go away so I can finish my workout.”
Parker wandered off without another word and Jackson finished up his workout with a nice long run on the treadmill. He worried about his mom, stuck all alone in Texas. She wasn’t all alone. She did have his brothers, but they were busy getting their own lives together. He wondered if his mother was lonely without her boys running around the house.
Maria Hunter always seemed to thrive on having people to love, people to feed, people to take care of. Rather than be annoyed when Parker essentially moved in at seventeen, she welcomed him gladly, making him one of the family.
He still got Christmas and birthday cards. He still came to Thanksgiving and Christmas when he could. They’d both received care packages while they were in the Marines, and she still sent them now when they both lived, and worked, in New York City.
Without anyone at home for her to love on, he worried she might be feeling lonely. He’d thought about going back to Texas when he came home, but at the time it had seemed like his family was doing just fine without him. He didn’t want to waltz back into their lives and turn everything upside down.
Besides, what the hell would he do in Texas? He wasn’t qualified to do much of anything other than shooting things, blowing shit up and surviving under some of the worst conditions imaginable. He probably could have gotten a job on an oil rig or maybe working as a ranch hand, but he wasn’t keen on either idea. And he sure as hell wasn’t keen on some shitty retail job, or being a rent-a-cop at the mall.
When he and Parker finally made it home, they’d decided to do a little traveling instead. They’d spent two weeks in New York City doing all the touristy stuff they could stand and in the process they met Connor. Over beers they’d talked about their time in service, given each other a rash of shit over which branch was better since Connor had served in the Army, and he’d talked about the new business he was starting with an Army buddy of his.
Jackson and Parker had gone home to Texas after two weeks, but were back in New York a month later. Connor gave them both jobs, helped them find an apartment they could afford, and had taken them around and shown them his favorite bars and places to eat.
He missed his mom, and his brothers, but Texas didn’t really feel like home anymore. He liked New York. He liked the pace, the variety, the life. There was always something to do, somewhere to go. There were so many interesting people. And he loved his job. He loved his teammates. Although he’d bathe in honey and jump onto a hill of fire ants before he’d say it out loud.
He had a good life here, a life that was his own. He’d done his part to take care of his mother and help his brothers get their education. Trent and Justin were there to take care of their mother and make sure she was happy. Maybe they’d even get married and give her some grandbabies to dote on.
He deserved to have his own life for a while. Didn’t he?
“Dude, earth to Jackson.” Parker waved a hand in front of his face and Jackson swatted it away.
“What?” he snapped.
“You were zoning out there. We done? ‘Cause I have to work tonight.”
They walked home together the ten blocks or so it took to reach their apartment
. Jackson cooked dinner, burgers with potato chips, while Parker took a shower and dressed for work.
After Parker was gone, Jackson cleaned up the kitchen, took a shower and tried to decide what to do with himself for the rest of the night. It was rare that he had two days off in a row and he felt like he’d wasted both of them. He hadn’t even had the chance to flirt with Janie at Alexandra’s office yesterday.
Ah, hell. Stop whinin’ and do something...
He dressed in a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt, pulled his wavy hair back into a tight knot and headed out. He really ought to get a haircut. He’d grown it out as an act of rebellious freedom when he and Parker had mustered out. The close cropped beard was the same thing.
It felt good for a while, but now he was thinking it was time for it to go. It’s not like he did a damn thing with it other than pull it back. It wasn’t like he wanted to take up modeling. The very idea made him snort with laughter.
He liked the beard, though. He’d keep that a while longer. With that in mind, he tucked his phone and keys into his coat pocket and headed down to the local barber shop. Time for a fresh start.
✽✽✽
“Thanks for hanging back with me,” Alexandra said, handing Janie a glass of wine. They’d all met at Alexandra and Connor’s apartment for their shopping excursion today and had returned there at the end of the afternoon. Everyone else had already left and now it was just the two of them.
“Sure thing.” Janie gave her friend a big smile.
“There was something I wanted to talk to you about,” Alexandra said, looking nervous.
“Honey, if you’ve decided you want Amanda to be Maid of Honor instead of me, I already told you I’d be okay with that.”
“No, no,” Alexandra shook her head. “Amanda and I talked about it months ago. She’s got too much going on and she’s not good at planning unless it involves food. No, I wanted to talk to you about the townhouse.”
Shit.
Janie had been living in Alexandra’s townhouse ever since her apartment had become a crime scene when Alexandra’s shitbag ex-boyfriend had tried to kidnap her. He was dead now, and good riddance, but Alexandra had been banged up pretty badly and Connor had been shot during the rescue. Thank God they were both fine now and happily engaged, but Janie had been understandably reluctant to go back to her old apartment.
Her Defender (MacLachlan Security Group Book 2) Page 2