Elaina

by Jennifer Hanks

  “What happened with his brother?”

  I stumbled because I wasn’t sure if that information was confidential but I started this and I wanted him to understand that Jake and I aren’t what he thinks we are. “His brother was shot and is staying with him.”

  “Wow, that sucks, but if he survived why do you say he’s in a bad place?”

  I sighed. “Because Jake blames himself.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know the whole story, but he says if he’d walked away from a fight, then Luke wouldn’t have been shot.”

  “Do they know who shot him?”

  “I don’t think so, which seems pretty scary.” I confessed.

  “Lanie are you sure you’re safe living next to someone who’s brother was shot and they haven’t found the guy who did it yet or even know who he was?”

  It warmed me to know that Trey was worried about me. I knew Jake was wrong and he wasn’t a douche. So he didn’t open my car door or make sure I got in at night okay, this is the twenty-first century, I can obviously take care of myself. Besides I’ve never known anyone who’s done those things, even for Paige and she’s dated a lot.

  And I do mean a lot.

  “You know you’re making me feel worse being this nice to me. I don’t deserve it.” I said sadly.

  He chuckled. “You deserve it and I want to continue seeing you.”

  “You do?” I asked, surprised.

  “Yeah, but right now I better get back to my friends before they tear the kitchen apart looking for food.”

  I smiled. “Okay, but please know how sorry I am.”

  “I know that. I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”

  “Yeah.” I said quietly wondering how I’d gotten so lucky with this man. I owed Paige a huge thank you. Or chocolate. Definitely chocolate, she’d appreciate that so much more.

  “Bye Lanie.” His voice brought me back to our conversation.

  “Bye.” I said right before he ended the call.

  I sat for a minute, proud of this very adult relationship I was involved in and knowing that no matter what Jake does and no matter how many mixed signals he sends me, I’m in it one hundred percent with Trey. He’s good and honest and reliable. I never have to question his motives or try to figure him out.

  Jake is confusing and irritating and makes me angry a lot of the time and I’m not one who gets angry easily. He’s kind of a mess too, which is something I know a lot about, considering I’ve been a hot mess most of my life.

  My eyes shot to my door when the bell rang and I groaned. Dinner with the Dimarco’s. I had no idea what to expect.

  But I had no doubt it would be an experience.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  LANIE

  “So Lanie what do you do?”

  I lifted my eyes from my plate trying to find the face of the person who was talking to me. There were just so many of them.

  So. Many.

  When I answered the door, not even an hour ago, I’d mentally prepared myself for Jake, but I had not prepared for this number of people. Of course, Beasley was a big hit, as well as Jake’s story of how Beasley would not jump into the back of the SUV, but rather put his front paws up and looked back at Jake, apparently so Jake would lift him in the rest of the way. And he did. I refused to think about how sweet that was.

  I was relieved when Bray wanted me to sit with him in the backseat and a little disgusted if I’m being honest when Beasley stood up and leaned over the seat with drool hanging from his lip. Bray thought it was the funniest thing ever and laughed really hard, causing Jake and Luke to join in. Luckily, I saw a roll of paper towels stuck in the back pocket of the front seat and used them to clean up Beasley and the seat covered in drool.

  So I’m sitting at this gigantic table, Jake on one side of me and Bray on the other per his insistence. I recognized Ben who was sitting beside Jake and Luke of course who was across from him, but other than them and Jack I was lost. I knew I’d met a few of the others, but I was too overwhelmed to remember names.

  “It was Cam who asked.” I felt Jake’s warm breath fan my ear and was immediately annoyed when a shiver rolled through my body.

  “That’s me.” I saw who must be Cam raise his hand and smile.

  I felt Jake’s arm move along the back of my chair until it was completely around me. I turned to look at him, confused and a little irritated before facing Cam again. My eyes passed Luke who was grinning at me, which I decided not to try and figure out.

  “Lanie’s a website designer.” Jake said.

  My head snapped back to him and he smiled. I shook my head in confusion. Why was he answering for me and why was his arm still around me?

  “Oh, that’s so cool,” the brunette sitting beside Cam said. She smiled before adding, “I’m Sydney by the way. Cam’s girlfriend.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “So, do you design websites for businesses?” She asked.

  I nodded. “Businesses, and individuals who have a hard time with the technical side of websites.”

  She laughed. “That would be me. Actually,” She turned her head towards Cam, “we should have Lanie do a website for Joe’s.”

  “Oh, that’s a great idea,” said Anna, who I’d been introduced to in the kitchen; Jack’s wife and mother to all eight kids. Yes, that’s right, eight kids. I can’t even imagine being responsible for that many kids.

  “Why do you need a website? You sell coffee.” Jake asked.

  “They’re starting a menu soon, serving breakfast and lunch.” A blond across from Jake said.

  She smiled my way before adding. “I’m Lucy, girlfriend of Chris.” She gestured to the guy beside her who was the exact replica of his brother. I’d met them, but I’d have never told them apart without the reminder.

  “Really, you’re finally doing that?” Jake said.

  “I had to get Maddie on board and then talk your mom,” Sydney gestured towards Anna, “about helping us with the cooking. I can bake, but we definitely need help from someone who can cook.”

  “Lanie’s a fantastic cook.” Luke spoke up.

  My head snapped his way and he grinned.

  “Really? You like to cook?”

  I turned my head back towards Sydney. “I took a class once so I like to play around. I’m not a chef or anything.”

  “Maybe you can share some recipes with us while we’re getting this started?” She asked.

  I nodded. “Sure, I’d love to.”

  “You should also have her set up the website, Syd.”

  I looked towards the sound of the new voice until my eyes landed on a pretty blond with a little girl beside her.

  “I’m Kasey, Jax’s wife.” She leaned down and hugged the little girl from the side. “And this is Mia.”

  “I really think a website would be a great idea.” Sydney’s voice brought my attention back to her. “Would you mind doing that for us? We’d pay you of course.”

  “She doesn’t mind.” Jake answered.

  I turned my head again, this time from Sydney to Jake and glared. He smirked, a really arrogant smirk and my annoyance with him doubled, no maybe tripled.

  “I can answer for myself Jake.” I said snottily.

  He shrugged. “I know you’re overwhelmed so I thought I’d help you out.”

  I was overwhelmed, but I would never tell him that. “I’m not overwhelmed.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “Jake.” I leaned in closer. “I am not.”

  “I know how you act when you’re overwhelmed and nervous and you’re doing it right now.”

  I felt my insecurities bubbling right at the surface. I didn’t feel I was behaving awkwardly, but it’s so much a part of me that maybe I don’t notice it anymore.

  I heard other conversations starting around me so I whispered. “What am I doing?”

  He leaned in close. “You’re playing with your bracelet.”

  I looked down and sure enough I had my fingers ta
ngled up in the small silver bracelet hanging from my wrist. I pulled my fingers back and stuck both of my hands on the seat of my chair under my thighs.

  He chuckled and I looked back up. He was beautiful when he smiled, but holy moly when he laughed, he was unbelievable. I snapped my head back towards the table, finding Luke’s eyes and feeling calmer when he smiled at me. I wasn’t attracted to him so his smile didn’t seem to have the same effect as Jake’s even though he was equally good looking.

  “I’d love to help with your website.” I announced, realizing too late that everyone’s conversations had moved on to different subjects and I looked like an idiot.

  Sydney’s head turned to me and she smiled wide, making me feel less idiotic. “I’m so excited Lanie! Thank you so much. I’ll talk to Maddie and give you a call.”

  She shifted her attention to Jake. “Can you text me Lanie’s number?”

  “Already doing it.” Jake said and I looked to see that he had his phone out and my contact information pulled up.

  Sydney’s phone dinged and she pulled it from her purse hanging on the back of her chair. She glanced up and looked confused. “Elaina? I think you sent me the wrong one Jake.”

  I closed my eyes and sighed. He had me listed with my full name?

  “No that’s the right one.” His arm once again swung across the back of my chair and his finger began rubbing circles along the back of my shoulder.

  “Your name’s Elaina?” Anna asked.

  I nodded. “Yes, but everyone has always called me Lanie.” I rolled my eyes up to look at Jake. “I didn’t realize Jake knew my full name.”

  He smirked when Ben spoke up from beside him. “I told him.”

  I nodded, remembering giving to Ben when we first met, still having no idea why I’d done that.

  “I’m guessing you don’t like to be called by your full name?” Anna said quietly.

  I didn’t really want to talk about this, but was having a hard time coming up with a change of subject so I answered. “No, I prefer Lanie.”

  “Any reason why?” Kasey asked. “Or just a preference?”

  My eyes skimmed the table until they landed on her.

  “I’m only asking so we know that if you hate the name Elaina, we don’t call you that.” She gestured towards the table. “These guys tend to interchange names.”

  “Oh that’s true.” Lucy said. “When I met Christian, his whole family was calling him Chris, but would switch to Christian sometimes. It was a little confusing.”

  I nodded again before answering. “Umm just a preference I guess.”

  “I get that.” A beautiful brunette who had been quiet up until now spoke up.

  She was sitting beside Brody and I remembered his name because he has the fantastic eyes. There was no way I could forget those eyes, so his name actually stuck.

  “My full name is Gianna, but I prefer Gia. I always have.” She shrugged. “I’m Brody’s fiancé by the way and this,” She pointed to the sleeping girl curled tight against Brody’s chest, “is Lexi, our daughter.”

  I smiled and before I could stop myself, I gestured towards Brody and said, “Does she have his eyes?”

  Gia nodded. “She does.”

  “That’s how we knew she was Brody’s kid.” Ben said from beside Jake and Gia’s face turned a bright shade of crimson.

  Brody rolled his eyes towards Ben, a grin playing around his lips. “Never letting that go, little brother?”

  Ben laughed. “No way. That was a fun day.”

  “That was pretty spectacular.” Jake laughed, causing everyone to chuckle. He squeezed my shoulder, his eyes shifting to mine. “Let me explain.”

  “No.” Brody interrupted.

  “Why not?” Jake sounded offended.

  “Because I know your damn version will only be about half true.”

  I watched Gia’s eyes look down the table towards Jack, who winked and smiled at her making her visibly relax. It was obvious they’re close.

  “I’ll just give the abbreviated version.” Jake said.

  Ben elbowed Jake and they shared a laugh. “I’ll fill in what he forgets.”

  Brody shook his head, but he was grinning. As a matter-of-fact, as I looked around the table, everyone was watching Jake and grinning, Jack especially, from the head of the table. I wasn’t sure why, but I thought maybe Luke would fill me in later.

  Jake turned his body more towards me and scooted his chair back so I could see Ben clearly. “Okay so last spring we were all at Mia’s birthday party and this chick shows up claiming she had Jax’s baby.”

  My eyes scanned down the table to Jax who was shaking his head, but still smiling.

  “Anyway, the kid was sleeping so we couldn’t get a good look at her and Jax of course knew she was lying because he likes his balls too much to ever cheat on Kasey.”

  That one statement got a huge laugh from the table, but especially Kasey and Jax.

  “That’s true.” Jax said. “I really do.”

  “So Pop,” he gestured towards Jack, “adopted the chick and the kid before any one even knew for sure what was going on.”

  “I knew.” Jack said.

  “Jake, you can say Gia and Lexi. I think Lanie understands who the chick and the kid are.” Brody said.

  “You just ruined the story man.” Jake shook his head. I would’ve thought he was serious if not for the smile pasted on his face. “Alright so now you know it was Gia and Lexi, but the best part was Jax was just about to throw them out when Lexi woke up and looked around the room and we saw her fucking eyes.”

  “Language.” Anna said, her voice firm.

  I felt a tug on my sleeve and looked down at Bray who had been coloring. He put his arms out to me and I immediately pulled him to my lap where he settled in with his head against my chest, thumb in his mouth.

  I glanced back up at Jake who had a strange expression on his face, but I was curious about the rest of the story now. I started rubbing Bray’s back. “Keep going.”

  He nodded, but was silently staring at Bray so Ben started talking. “So Jake yells, Brody’s got a kid and all hell breaks loose.”

  I giggled because I could only imagine how crazy that was, although until today I wouldn’t have thought Jake was funny or even outgoing. He’s always seemed moody and straight faced since I met him.

  “Lanie.” Brody’s voice cut through the laughter and I shifted my gaze to him. “These two idiots aren’t telling you why Gia didn’t know I was Lexi’s father.” He swung his arm around Gia, who snuggled into his side, smiling. “We were all in Vegas for Jax’s bachelor party when I met Gia. Jake booked the rooms, but without telling anyone he put them all in Jax’s name as a joke.” I rolled my lips together to keep from laughing, but that was funny. “Gia and I hadn’t exchanged names, but she asked her friend at the desk the name on the booking and since the only name on record was Jax’s she obviously thought that was my name.”

  It was starting to make sense, but I could only imagine I was missing a lot more of that story. I looked down at the top of Bray’s head when I heard a sigh and his thumb fell from his mouth.

  “Well look at that.” Jack said. “Bray’s asleep. Don’t know that I’ve ever seen the boy sleep during the day.” He looked at Anna wearing a huge smile. “Have you?”

  She shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. Bray’s usually a tornado, running around, causing mayhem, hardly ever still. Honestly Lanie,” she smiled at me softly, “you seem to have a calming effect on him. He’s never even sat at the table as long as he has today, let alone sit and color.”

  I shrugged. “He was probably just bored listening to Jake tell the story.”

  I couldn’t believe I said that and when a silence fell over the table, I cringed, but the silence didn’t last and before I knew it, laughter had taken its place.

  I rolled my lips together when I felt Jake lean down close to me, his tone light and playful. “You’re going to pay for that.”

&nbs
p; Oh boy. I should’ve just kept my mouth shut.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  JAKE

  It was obvious Lanie was pissed at me and I knew I was making it worse by putting my arm around her and messing with her, but I couldn’t seem to help myself. I hadn’t felt like myself in a while, but over the past two days I’ve felt like I’m back. I don’t know what it is about her, but I feel stronger. Maybe it’s been time spent with Luke too. Whatever it was, I couldn’t deny how happy I felt to be back and this had been the best dinner I’ve had with my family since the shooting.

  Amongst the laughter, conversations seemed to resume. Everyone talking at once, which was typical in my family, and somehow we all knew what was being talked about. I love my family. I love the dynamics, the closeness, the absolute acceptance and it seems like Lanie likes it too even though I can tell she’s having moments when her nerves get the better of her. I only know because she plays with that damn bracelet. I’d love to know why that bracelet seems so comforting to her.

  I leaned in close to Lanie, loving the sweet smell of the perfume she always wears. She smells like summer, like watermelon, flowers, and fresh air, all the things I love about my favorite time of year. Looking down at my sleeping boy, something warm spreads through my chest. She looks right holding him, like she was always meant to and he obviously loves her. He accepted her into his life so easily, but then again so did my entire family, especially Luke. I was the last one on board, but I know I’ve been keeping my distance because when I’m around her, I start thinking about more with her and I’ve shut that part of my life down for now. She found her way under my skin though and I’m beginning to realize I like her there.

  An eery hush fell over the room right about the time Ben stood up and said in a low, menacing voice, “Get the fuck out of here.”

  My head snapped to the doorway between the dining room and the kitchen and I stood so quickly my chair fell back into the wall with a loud crash. I moved my body to stand more in front of Lanie and Bray, but it was too late. She’d already seen them. Fuck.

  “I can’t believe you brought your new whore to dinner and she’s holding my kid!” Julie screeched.