His eyes shifted my way and he smiled softly, lifting his hand and running his fingertip along my jawline. “Yeah baby, that sounds good.”
My stomach clenched not only from his actions, but also his words. I felt like I was missing something that I should’ve understood, like he was telling me something without actually saying the words, but wanting me to know anyway.
I shook it off and headed to the counter grabbing my cell and turning back to Jake. “What would you like?”
His face fell, before he caught himself and smiled. “Just pepperoni Lanie. Bray won’t eat the rest and I’m not that hungry.”
I nodded and placed the call, letting him know it would be about a half hour. We sat quietly on the couch together, close, his hand on my leg, my body angled towards him, watching Bray and Beasley play themselves out. The tension that seemed to plague him when he first arrived dissipated some, but not entirely and returned when he said goodnight to me at the door, Bray fast asleep on his shoulder. He didn’t ask me to spend the night with him at his house like we had been doing over the weekend and I didn’t ask to go, sensing he needed some time alone.
“Thanks for coming over.” I said quietly.
He blinked slowly before his eyes settled back on mine. “This past weekend was amazing Lanie.”
I thought that was an odd thing to say, but considering his melancholy mood, I went with it. “Yeah it was.”
“Will you do me a favor?” He asked softly, his voice raspy.
I nodded. “Anything Jake.”
He ran his hand up my back, until he could wrap it around my neck and pull me close. He laid his lips on mine, kissing me softly, but with more feeling than I’d ever been kissed, before he pulled back and laid his forehead against mine. His voice sounded strained when he spoke. “Remember that.”
He pulled away, gave me one last look and turned, walking down my steps. I watched him walk the short distance to his house. I never called out to him and he never looked back until he reached his steps and stopped, watching me.
I knew he was waiting for me to go inside and lock the door. He’d told me this weekend it bothered him that Trey never had and he promised he would never do that. I took a step back and lifted my hand in a small wave before closing the door and turning the lock. I glanced out the front window in my living room and watched him walk the rest of the stairs, going into his own house, and shutting off the outside light.
My wave goodbye, his shutting off the light seemed like it was significant, but I couldn’t understand how and I wish I’d paid more attention while he was here, asked more questions, but I didn’t.
I really should have.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
LANIE
I pulled in to my driveway, turned the car off and sat in the darkness. It was Thursday and I hadn’t seen Jake since Monday. He’d sent me a few texts explaining he was working a lot and that he was sorry he couldn’t make time to see me. Apparently, the stalker that I am noticed he wasn’t coming home until pretty late so I believed him, but tonight I figured out I was only fooling myself. I loaded up Beasley and we went to Paige’s to watch a movie. I needed to get out of my house, out of my neighborhood and stop watching his house, wondering where I went wrong, how I’d gotten it so wrong.
I talked to Paige about it and she said to give him the benefit of the doubt because they have a huge construction project going on, not to mention he’s a single dad and has an injured brother living with him. A huge part of me wants to believe all of that is the reason for his silence, but the realist in me believes maybe he just changed his mind. He’s a nice guy, the whole family is nice, I could see how it would be hard for him to let someone down easy, so I’d decided tonight to let him go. No more texting him to ask about his day or offering to make dinner for him and Bray, no more stopping over to see Luke in the hopes of maybe getting a little insight into what was going on with Jake. The one time I saw Luke, who also hadn’t been home much, and found the nerve to ask how Jake was, his face morphed into one of pity and he said he didn’t know. I knew Luke was slowly going back to work and they worked very different schedules, probably never seeing each other, but they’re brothers, so I guess I thought he might have been able to give me some advice.
He hadn’t. He didn’t even offer any.
The car shifted when Beasley tried to stand from his lying down position in the backseat and I knew I needed to let him out of the cramped car. I’d been thinking if my work schedule kept up like it has been, maybe I’d look into buying an SUV, something to give Beasley a little more space to move around.
I got out, let Beasley out and together we made the short trek to my front porch. I barely cleared the top step when Beasley let out a low growl and I stopped, the light finally turning on, knowing Jake was right, I did need a new one. I reached out for the knob of my door, a sense of unease washing over me, Beasley not helping with his low growl, and noticed it was ajar a little bit. I’d shut it behind me and I’d locked it, I knew I had because I double checked it before we left. Hadn’t I? Beasley butted his head against the door and it slowly swung open enough that he could push his large body through. I shivered when a strange feeling crawled up and down my spine, warning me not to go inside, but I brushed it off, afraid I was scared of something that wasn’t even there. I stepped just inside and flicked the light switch to my right, illuminating the small foyer and living room. Everything looked okay, just as I’d left it, making me breathe a little easier. I walked to my kitchen, following the path Beasley had taken and flicked on that light switch as well. Again, everything seemed fine so I inhaled a shaky breath and laughed at how ridiculous I was behaving.
I went back to the front door and closed it, locking it tight, wondering if I thought I’d double checked it but really hadn’t. Standing at the sink, I grabbed a glass and filled it with water, taking a long drink before carrying it with me back my short hallway to find Beasley. I heard his low growl again and stopped at my bedroom door where he stood just inside.
“What is it Beasley?” I whispered.
Reaching past him, I flicked on my bedroom light and jumped back, hitting the wall behind me, still in the hallway, the glass slowly slid from my hand crashed against the hardwood floors. I knew I needed to leave, but I couldn’t stop staring at my bedroom. It was completely destroyed. Everything pulled out of drawers, and cut up, even my comforter was sliced open. I grabbed Beasley’s collar and turned, running back down the hall, stopping only to grab my purse from the counter where I’d dropped it before unlocking the front door and racing to my car. I put Beasley in the back seat, although he was half lying down, half sitting, still growling and staring at the house. I jumped into the front seat, locked the doors and with shaky hands dug in my purse for my phone, cursing loudly when I saw it was dead. Glancing at Jake’s house and seeing no lights or vehicles, I put my keys in the ignition after only three attempts, my hands were still shaking so bad and turned it on, throwing it into reverse and pulled out onto the road.
I drove quickly, almost hoping I would see a cop and get pulled over. Hell, I’d pull over as soon as I saw him, but I never did, so I headed to the police station. I slowed down when I pulled in, only to park and then quickly got myself and Beasley out, rushing into the station, stopping at the front desk and finally feeling like I could take a breath.
“Can I help you?” The policeman standing in front of me asked, glancing down at Beasley before his eyes came back to mine.
“My-my house wa-was broken into.” I stuttered.
“Lanie?”
My head jerked up, recognizing that voice and my eyes landed on Luke. “Luke. My house…” I felt tears welling in my eyes, but swallowed them down while he hurried towards me.
He got to me and put his hands on my shoulders. “Your house what?”
I took in a deep breath and said clearly. “Someone broke into my house.”
His eyes that had been alert were now entirely different, anger sparking in t
hem when he pulled me against his chest. I buried my face there, my fists grabbing the material of his shirt, hearing him bark out orders to officers and before too long I heard sirens leaving the station.
He put his hands back on my shoulders and pushed me away from him just enough so he could see my face. “I just sent officers to your house to search it, okay?” I nodded and he continued. “I need you to make a statement.”
I nodded again and he pulled me to what I assumed was his office. After he had me sitting and Beasley laid down beside me, he squatted in front of my chair. “Can I call anyone for you? Family?”
I shook my head. “I don’t have any family.”
His eyes closed and he took a deep breath before he opened them up. “What about Paige?”
“Okay.” My voice was still shaky even though I felt my body starting to settle.
“Do you have her number?” He asked softly.
“My purse is in my car, but my phone’s dead. I don’t remember it without my phone.”
He patted my knee, his face full of sympathy. “That’s okay. How about her last name? An address?”
I gave him both and he moved around his desk, doing something on his computer. I saw him dial from the phone on his desk and heard him talking, but I wasn’t listening. When he ended the call, he came back around and stood beside my chair. “She’s on her way.”
I nodded. “Thanks Luke.”
I felt his hand grab my shoulder gently and I looked up. “How about a drink? Coffee? Water?”
I flinched remembering the glass of water I dropped in my hallway. “Maybe some water.”
He squeezed my shoulder. “I’ll be back with your water and when Paige gets here, we’ll take your statement.”
I nodded again, apparently words were failing me, and waited.
CHAPTER THIRTY
JAKE
“What the fuck is wrong with you Jameson?” I yelled across the room at one of my guys. “How many fucking times do I have to give you the measurements for you to get one damn cut right?”
He straightened his back, but didn’t say a word. He was new, he was young, and normally I had all the patience in the world to teach, but not today. Today I was pissed for a number of reasons, the biggest one being the call I’d gotten from my brother last night at the police station.
“Luke man what’s up?” I was sitting in my truck having just left another shitty bar where I was playing the game, letting Julie find me after her girl squad saw me out and told her I was looking miserable. That wasn’t me pretending like the rest of it was.
I was fucking miserable.
She finally came to me last night and I let her think she was seducing me, winning me back with her charms or what she considers charms and it worked. She asked to come home with me, but I said if we were doing this again, it wasn’t about sex or Bray, it was about us. She fucking ate it up, proving Bray was the last thing on her mind and loving the fact that she thought I missed her enough that I was drowning myself in alcohol. I told her I wasn’t having sex with her until I knew we could make it stick this time and she played the girlfriend card, promising me the world and that she only loved me and wanted me back, no matter how that had to happen.
I left her in that bar, not even bothering to walk her to her car, a sick feeling churning in my gut and my conscience plaguing me, but keeping true to the plan by having made plans to meet her the next night at a place we used to go to eat. It was that easy to get her back, I just had to play the damn game and I know now from time spent with Lanie that I’m damn tired of those games. I decided I’ll play because I have to for Luke, and for my boy, but I will not have sex with her. That’s where I draw the line for a lot of reasons, the biggest one being there’s no way in hell I could even get it up with Julie now that I’d been with Lanie. I’d never had better in my life like I’d had with Lanie for those three days and if I have any chance in hell of getting that back, of getting her back, I was not going to screw it up by sleeping with Julie.
“Where are you?” His voice sounded strained.
“In the parking lot of a damn dive bar again. Why?”
He cleared his throat and I could tell that whatever he was gearing up to say he knew I was not going to like.
“Luke.” I snapped. “What the fuck is it?”
“Damn it Jake, I have some news that I have to share with you, but I need you to stay calm.”
“What?” I turned the key in the ignition when something occurred to me. “Shit, is it Bray?”
He was staying at mom’s, and I’d guess she’d have called me first, but who the hell knows.
“No, jesus, no it isn’t Bray.” He took a deep breath. “It’s Lanie.”
My stomach dropped. “Lanie?”
“Just listen to me and stay calm. She’s here with me at the police station. Someone broke into her house.” I slammed the truck into reverse, my tires squealing when I slammed it back to drive and peeled out of the parking lot. “She’s fine. She wasn’t there when it happened, but brother she’s pretty shaken up. I called Paige for her, but she said she has no family. Did you know that?”
I gritted my teeth. “Yes, I knew that.”
“Shit.” Luke said quietly. “You coming?”
“Almost there.”
I hung up, needing to focus on driving because I’d only had one beer, but I was going way too fast to talk to Luke and not kill myself in an accident.
Lanie.
Who the fuck would break into her house? And where was I during all of this? Sitting at some skank bar waiting for the queen to arrive. I pulled into the parking lot of the station, immediately seeing Lanie’s car and Paige’s right beside it. Jumping out, I slammed my door and hauled ass into the station, my eyes traveling quickly over the space as soon as I crossed the threshold.
My eyes fell on Luke who was standing beside his desk while an officer took what I was assuming was Lanie’s statement. I started back, only passing the front desk when a palm slapped against my chest.
“You can’t go back there.” The officer manning the front desk said after he’d moved out from behind it.
“The hell I can’t.” I narrowed my eyes when I got a good look at him. “Damn it, Sullivan, you know me. You know Luke’s my brother so why the hell are you trying to stop me?”
“Because your brother said to keep you out here until they’re done getting the official statement.”
Fucking Luke. He called me here and then keeps me out. I crossed my arms, but stayed where I was, willing Luke to look my way. He must’ve felt my stare because he did look up, move from his spot beside the desk, push open his office door and was standing in front of me in the matter of a minute.
I threw my arms out wide when he got to me. “Why the fuck am I standing out here?”
“Because she’s doing good with only Paige in there and I want to get as accurate a statement as I can.”
“Are you?”
Luke ran a hand through his hair and I noticed the large gray circles taking shape under his eyes. “Yeah, so far.”
“Then you need to go home brother. You look like shit.”
He nodded, which surprised me and told me how shitty he was really feeling. Luke doesn’t usually concede that easily. “I plan to go home just as soon as the boys I sent to her house get back.”
“What the hell happened?” I asked, unsure if I should ask Lanie when I finally get to see her.
He put his hands on his hips and met my eyes. There weren’t many men I could look in the eye because of my height, but all of my brothers I could. “She was at Paige’s house, her and Beasley. She got home, said the door was a little ajar and she thought maybe she forgot to lock it, which is unusual for her. Anyway, Beasley was growling, but they went in and she said everything looked fine so she locked up, got a glass of water, and went to her bedroom. Apparently that’s where all the damage was done. She didn’t stay long, but she said from what she could see all of her clothes were tossed around t
he room, her comforter sliced, clothes cut. She accidently dropped the glass she was holding, grabbed Beasley, got in her car and came here.”
“Why didn’t she call?”
Luke frowned. “Her phone’s dead.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Sonofabitch.”
“Exactly.” Luke said.
“Who the fuck would want to hurt Lanie?”
“That’s my job to find out.” He shook his head. “You need to stay out of it Jake and I’m not playing around. Let me do my job.”
I was just about to say not on his fucking life was I staying out of it when I heard his office door open. I looked around Luke’s body still planted in front of me and my eyes landed on Lanie. She was pale, her eyes rimmed red, and she looked so damn sweet nodding at whatever the officer was still saying to her. She shook his hand and watched him walk back the hallway perpendicular to the office they just exited.
I moved around Luke, my eyes on Lanie when her head turned my way and I watched her take in a shaky breath. I went straight to her and wrapped my arms around her tight, pulling her to me. She buried her face in my chest and I breathed her in, pushing my face tight into the sweet spot where her neck and shoulder met.
I held her for a long time before I pulled back, my eyes roaming her face, and tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear. “You okay baby?”
“Yeah.” She said quietly.
I put my hands on either side of her face and bent down close. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t home when you needed me.”
I felt like a piece of shit when tears filled her eyes and she said. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters to me.”
I slung my arm around her shoulders and pulled her tight into my side before turning to face Luke. “Is she okay to go?”
He nodded, his eyes on Lanie. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay,” she ran her fingers along her bracelet. “but I think I’m going to stay at Paige’s tonight.”
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