The Opposite Attractions (New Hampshire Bears Book 13)

by Mary Smith

  “If you want, we can go shopping?” Joy suggested, trying to hide her shaky voice. Jarvis knew it took a lot for her to come up with that idea.

  “Are you going with Jackson?” Mikayla asked.

  “Yes, he talked about it the other day, and we decided to go together.” She watched Jarvis’s expression, trying to figure out what he was thinking.

  “When he said he was bringing a plus one, I assumed it was you.” He tried not to sound irritated.

  “Count me in. Maybe we can run to Boston.” Mikayla began picking up the mess the three of them had made.

  “Or maybe somewhere else?” Joy’s body began to shake. “I’ve not been back to Boston since—”

  “Manchester has plenty of places to shop,” she said with a smile. “Boston’s traffic sucks anyway.” She made an excuse.

  As the night went on, they watched The Office for a while, and Joy went off to her room.

  When Mikayla and Jarvis went into his room, she slipped into a T-shirt and got under the covers as he stripped naked and curled up close to her.

  “I feel like shit for suggesting Boston,” she moaned.

  “It’s okay. I’ve done it too. But there’s something important we need to discuss.” He didn’t know where to begin. How could he even say the words?

  “Sounds serious.” She raised up on her elbow.

  “Shade’s thinking about being traded. Teams are contacting him.” He figured it was best just to say it.

  Her mouth dropped. “But his contract—”

  “He’s a free agent. He can leave. I also think—well, I know—things are getting worse at home.”

  Mikayla laid on her back, staring at the ceiling. “She’s pushing everyone away.”

  “Have you talked to her?”

  “Not since that night with the contract which didn’t end well, as you know.” She sighed. “I’m going to have to talk to her.”

  “Do you think it’ll work?”

  “Three years ago, I would have said yes. Now, I doubt more than anything.” She went quiet for several seconds. “No matter what happens, Shade will always be my brother.”

  “He loves you.” Jarvis knew they were as close as any blood siblings.

  “I’m glad to see you’re dealing with Jackson.”

  He groaned. “What is going on with those two?” Even as the words left his mouth, he dreaded the answer.

  “They’re friends. Nothing more,” she tried to reassure him.

  “I really hope there is nothing more,” he said rolling onto this side. “I do have some juicy gossip though.” He smirked.

  Mikayla quickly popped up. “Do tell.”

  “Zerrick is a submissive.”

  “Shut. Up,” she said in amazement. “How do you know?”

  Jarvis went on to tell her about everything that happened between the two of them today. He told her about his contact to Lakota as well in hopes to find Zerrick a better mistress.

  “You know, I kind of thought he was,” Mikayla admitted.

  “When?”

  “At the Christmas party. That chick he was with, remember?” She tried to refresh his memory of that night.

  “I spent the whole time staring at you,” he told her.

  She scoffed. “Yeah, right.”

  “I’m telling you the truth.”

  “You were with some Russian ballerina. You never looked at me once,” she firmly said with hurt in her voice.

  “I promise I’ll never go to another party without you again. I love you, and we’re together. Forever.” He wanted to say it over and over until she fully believed him.

  “You’re beginning to sound like a teenage girl who talks to her posters hanging on her wall.” Mikayla tried to hide her smile.

  He knew she used sarcasm to hide her true feelings. “Love you too.”

  She curled up closer to him and closed her eyes.

  “Do you think we should move in together?” Jarvis had no idea why he asked the question or where—in his brain—it came from.

  Popping her eyes open, she moved away from him in shock. “Pardon?”

  “No, wait, I just—”

  “Stop talking,” she commanded, and his mouth sealed shut. “I want you to understand something. I mean, really, understand. I love you. I love our time we spend together, but it’s too soon for any plans for our future.”

  “We talked about it at the cabin.” He reminded her, still not sure where this conversation would go or why he started it.

  “You’re right, but it was just talking. Right now, we’re still new to all of this. Neither one of us has been in a serious relationship. Now, don’t take what I’m saying to mean I’m saying never. I’m saying, not now.”

  Jarvis absorbed her words and let them sink in. He knew what she meant because he felt the same. He really did.

  “I’ve never loved anyone. I love only you. This is all so unfamiliar to me,” he said, baring his soul.

  “I’m on the same page as you. I want a future with you, but let’s not dive into the deep end of the pool, okay?” She moved closer to him. “I do love you though. My feelings for you will never change unless you hurt me.” She kissed his lips.

  Resting his forehead against hers, he said, “Ditto.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Mikayla never knew all that went into a true fashion line. Her Esty store was nothing compared to New York City fashion. She hadn’t planned on spending a week in the city, but Jean needed her. Sure, they had just finished the spring line, but they had to keep going and do some marketing.

  She hadn’t been prepared for that part.

  Marketing was on a whole different level for a high-end fashion designer. Mikayla considered herself of average intelligence but not when she was around the marketing team. She may as well be a zygote again.

  She took the train back to New Hampshire. She thought about flying or renting a car, but neither appealed to her. People tend to forget about the train, which meant more room to move, stretch, and relax. Her thoughts were about her new job, all the homework the team gave her, Elexis and Joy, whom she missed desperately, Jarvis, whom she missed more, and Shade and Jenessa.

  She’d planned on talking to her sister before leaving for New York City, but she was too angry. Hell, she was even mad at Shade. With her emotions running on high as they were, she decided it would be best not to talk to either of them until she calmed down. Well, calmer than she had been because every time it crossed her mind, her blood boiled.

  Jarvis and she had spoken almost every possible moment they could while she was away. He and Joy went to Miami for an underwear campaign he had to shoot and then to Idaho. A new team was joining the league and some high-power players were going to a welcome party. Something Mikayla didn’t know the PHL did.

  Stepping off the train, she summoned an Uber to take her home. Elexis would still be away. She, Dag, and his twin boys had headed to Disney World for vacation. She made the Uber wait as she dropped off her bag and then had the driver take her to where Jenessa worked. She figured it would be best to talk to them separately.

  Strolling into the building, she went straight to her office. Her secretary, a very kind woman whose name Mikayla could never remember, greeted her.

  “I need to speak to her. It’s very important.” Mikayla wanted to get down to business and not waste any time.

  “Of course.” She rushed into Jenessa’s office to announce her. “Come in,” she told her.

  Walking into the oversized office would intimidate some but not Mikayla. She always thought I looked like an IKEA model right off a page of their website. Jenessa always liked the more modern and contemporary designs.

  Jenessa sat on the gray couch with papers and her laptop spread out around her.

  “I’m busy, Kay. Can you make this quick?” Jenessa barely glanced in her direction when the secretary closed the door.

  Mikayla slammed her laptop shut causing Jenessa to jump to her feet, but she wouldn’t back d
own this time.

  “What the hell—”

  “Shut up.” Mikayla cut her off. “You’re going to sit down and listen to what I have to say.”

  Jenessa’s beautiful face was red with anger. They stared at each for a long time, neither of them blinking. Finally, Jenessa made the first move. She sat down on the couch.

  Taking a seat on the chair next to the couch, Mikayla gathered her thoughts.

  “Have you talked to Shade?”

  Sighing with irritation, Jenessa pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m not in the mood to discuss this.”

  “You really need to shut up and listen,” she ordered. “Did you know his contract is up?”

  This question caught her attention. She dropped her hand and stared.

  “He’s going to be traded. Is this what you want? Do you want him to leave?”

  Jenessa said nothing, she just continued to stare in disbelief.

  “I know you love him. I know you want to be with him. But you need to show him, or he is going to leave.” She hoped her words would work, and she thought it might.

  “How do you know this?” Jenessa finally asked.

  “He told Jarvis. Shade is miserable. For three years, he has been by your side no matter what as you have treated him—and still do—as a stranger who doubles as your punching bag. He’s a good man and deserves to be treated as such. Not to mention, you’re good too. You really are. You can’t let the pain and hurt win. I know you can see the misery that you’re causing all of us. And yourself.”

  She turned her gaze away from Mikayla.

  “If you lose him, I can guarantee you will never, ever find someone as good as him. You two belong together, but you can’t treat him like this any longer. The pain is eating away at you like some infectious disease.” She couldn’t think of any other way to say it.

  Jenessa dropped her head and then she knew her words hit home. Mikayla remained quiet as she continued to let the words sink in. When she finally raised up and looked at Mikayla, her expression was blank.

  “I need to get back to work.” Jenessa opened the laptop.

  Jumping to her feet, she raised her voice. “You’re a fucking idiot. Shade doesn’t deserve you, but you know what? You have no one to blame but yourself. You did this. From this moment on, I’m going to spend every second that I can with my brother because he’s going to leave, and it’ll break my heart. When he does, you will be alone. I will always take his side—every single time. I’ve seen how much he has tried to help you, to show you how much he loves you and wants to be with you. This is your fault.

  Mikayla said nothing else and rushed out of the office—in tears.

  Tossing her wet clothes into the dryer, Mikayla was still upset, and it had been over two hours since she left Jenessa. She unpacked, texted Jarvis, started some laundry, and caught up on the ID Channel.

  As she shut the dryer door, the doorbell rang. She’d sent a message to Shade when she left Jenessa. She knew it was him.

  “What did you do?” Shade asked the second she opened the door.

  “Told her the truth,” she plainly said but left out the part about him being traded.

  Walking in, he shook his head but didn’t say anything.

  “Did she talk to you?” Mikayla hoped the line of communication would open for them.

  “Nope. I knew from your message it obviously didn’t go well between you two.” He sat at the kitchen table.

  Mikayla told him everything that happened. Normally, she didn’t keep secrets from Shade, but she left out some parts.

  “I’m not going to apologize for telling—or yelling—at her,” Mikayla told him.

  “I wouldn’t expect you to, Mikayla,” he said with a small smile.

  “But you’re mad.”

  He shrugged. “Not mad, just…numb, I guess. I never thought I would be in this predicament. My life should be much brighter instead of having the darkness that surrounds me now.”

  She thought he would cry, but he seemed to hold it together.

  “I really believe she’ll come around, but she’ll have to hit rock bottom first.” Even saying the words broke her heart. She still loved her sister and didn’t want to her to fall but knew it would be the outcome.

  “She’s too good to be at the bottom.” His voice cracked.

  “Are you going to leave? Do you think it’ll help things if you go?” The last thing she wanted was to go to a Bears game and not see Shade on the ice.

  “I don’t know yet. I love being here, but I couldn’t be here if Jenessa and I divorced. I’d have to leave. I’d never be able to remarry or have kids with anyone but her, but I’d have to leave,” he sadly admitted.

  She absolutely understood what he meant. If Jarvis pushed her away, she’d have to leave too. If she saw him out and about it would break her heart over and over. She wouldn’t be able to handle it.

  “You will always be stuck with me.” She tried to get him to smile.

  “I will always love you, lil sis.”

  His words hit her hard. Shade was the best guy and was always there for her. She just wanted him and Jenessa to be happy again.

  “You’re not mad are you?” Joy held tight to her latte.

  “Absolutely not. Although, I’m not sure Jackson was a better shopping partner than me,” Mikayla teased.

  “I know fashion,” Jackson interjected. “My sister lives and breathes anything Vogue and Vanity Fair.”

  “Um, hello,” Mikayla said sarcastically. “I work for Jean. I’m the fashion star here.” She began pointing at herself.

  Joy and Jackson both laughed. Mikayla was happy to see Joy slowly coming out of her shell.

  “What’s on your agenda today?” Mikayla questioned.

  “Jackson’s going with me to Frankie’s, then I don’t know. Guess we’ll meet up with you and Jarvis afterward. Are you still picking him up from the airport?”

  She nodded. “I am. He already texted me the time he should land. Then, I guess we’ll go back to the condo.” She really didn’t know what the plan would be. She had hoped sex, at least.

  “Well, we should be going,” Jackson spoke clearly. “Are you ready for this?”

  His question puzzled Mikayla. Joy going to Frankie’s shouldn’t be a big deal. Unless something else happened.

  “What’s going on?” she asked Joy.

  “Oh…” Her face flushed. “Frankie’s going to hypnotize me today.”

  Mikayla’s mouth dropped. “Does she think it’ll work?”

  “She hopes it’ll help me see what I’m blocking out.”

  Unsure of how to feel about it, she had heard hypnotization worked, but Mikayla had been skeptical. “Do you want me to come as well?”

  Joy shook her head. “Go get Jarvis. He’s not thrilled about this so you can distract him.”

  Mikayla nodded. “I can do that with no problem.” She watched Joy and Jackson walk out of The Latte Bean.

  She remained seated, worrying about Joy. No one should go through such pain. She hoped it would work for Joy and she could begin healing. Well, as much as a survivor could heal. The world knows a rape survivor never fully healed from their assault.

  Checking the time, she decided to head out to get Jarvis. He was going to fly into Boston because she asked him to. She needed to stop at a dress shop to pick up a dress. She didn’t have the heart to tell Joy that Jean had a dress for her waiting in Boston. Normally, she would have just grabbed it from New York City when she was there, but Jean insisted this dress would be perfect. The reason it was in Boston was because he had someone do the alterations for him. She never understood why, but Jean had his own ways, and you just went with it.

  Mikayla belted out a lot of Blake Shelton on the way to Boston. By a miracle, she found a parking spot close to the door. Rushing in she searched the screen looking for his flight number. When she found it, it stated his plane had already landed so she made her way toward the baggage claim.

  “You’ve
got one fine ass.”

  She turned to see Jarvis’s sexy grin. “I know I do, and my boyfriend thinks so too,” she quipped, tugging on the lapel of his suit jacket and kissing him.

  “I’ve missed you.”

  “I bet. There can’t be a lot to do in Boise, Idaho,” she teased him.

  “Actually, it’s not too bad. There was a lot to do but doesn’t mean I didn’t miss you.” He laid another kiss on her.

  “I need to grab my dress for tomorrow night and then it’s back to Manchester,” she told him as they walked out of the airport with their hands clasped together.

  When she got into the car, she tapped the address into the GPS and headed toward the dress shop. Jarvis suggested grabbing a late lunch at a sushi bar he liked. She agreed. They talked about his trip. He made the comment about slowing down with his endorsements.

  “Why?” Mikayla found a parking spot about a block from the shop.

  “Well, I have plenty of money to retire with, and it’ll give me more time with you,” he said as they got out of the car.

  “Listen to me.” She walked over to him. Leaning on the car, she reached for his hand. “I love you and I’m not going anywhere. I know how much you like working, and you don’t have to worry about me going anywhere.”

  “I know all of this.” He furrowed his brow. “Where is this going?”

  “Nowhere bad. You have your work and I have mine. I don’t want you, nor me, to be following each other around like a lost animal.” Fear ran through her that this was exactly what would happen. Then they would grow sick of each other and end their relationship. They’d probably hate each other.

  “Let me give you something.” He took the keys from her hand and used the fob to open the trunk.

  Panic set in quickly as she watched him pull out a jewelry bag. “Jarvis you best not have a ring in there.” She omitted the part where she wouldn’t keep her promise and say yes. This was too soon.

  “Calm down,” he huffed, shutting the trunk. “Yes, we’ve discussed a future together. However, it’s way, way into the future together.” He stressed the words with the wave of his hands. “This is just a promise and reminder of how much you mean to me.” He opened the oblong black velvet box, showing off a bracelet.