Reclaim Me (The Jaded Series Book 2)

by Alex Grayson

  I offer her a smile. “Yes, please.”

  “Gotcha! Coming right up,” she says and flounces away without writing anything in her notepad.

  I watch her walk away before picking up my coffee. I take a swallow and place it back on the table at the same time the door jingles opens. Nick walks in and looks around a minute before spotting me, and starts in my direction.

  I feel bad for the poor guy. After losing Anna, it took him a year before he would step a foot back in this place. It carried too many bad memories for him.

  When he makes it to my table, he takes a seat across from me.

  “Hey, man, what’s up?” I ask him.

  “Nothin’,” his voice rumbles back at me. “Headed out on a job and decided to eat before I left.”

  “How long you gonna be gone for?”

  “Don’t know, but I hope a helluva lot longer than last time.”

  I raise my eyebrows at his answer, “Bad week?”

  He runs his hands through his hair, slightly pulling at the strands and mumbles. “You have no fucking clue.”

  Our conversation is interrupted when Karyn walks up with another mug and sets it down in front of Nick. She silently pours coffee in it and smiles at both Nick and me.

  “Thanks, Karyn,” Nick mutters.

  “No problem, Nick. You want your usual as well?” She asks

  “Yeah, sure, whatever’s fine,” he says distractedly.

  Again, she walks away without writing anything down. I look back to Nick.

  “Where you headed this time?” I ask. Nick owns a construction company that has him going all over the place, overseeing the jobs. Sometimes he’ll only be gone a few days, and other times it could be weeks.

  He lets out a sigh before replying, “In bum-fucked-nowhere, Pennsylvania. Some spoiled ass rich guy wants to build a resort up in the mountains somewhere. I have to go up there, meet the guy, and go over his designs and shit. Then I have to monitor the initial set up and recruit guys for the job.”

  “Sounds like it’ll bring in good money, though,” I remark.

  “Yeah, but I already know this job is going be a pain. The guy I’m dealing with seems like a real asshole. I need to get out of here, but I’m not looking forward to working with this guy.”

  Just then, the door opens and in walks Mia, Bailey, and Chris. All three are laughing as they step through the door. I soak in the sound of Mia’s laughter, not getting the chance to hear it often. All three girls look around for a place to sit. When Mia’s eyes land on me, they lose their mirth and take on their usual glare reserved especially for me.

  Mia looks to Bailey and Chris, and says something to them quietly. Bailey looks over to where Nick and I are sitting and gives me a look of pity. Fuck. I hate that. Mia walks off to the other end of the diner as the other girls head in our direction. I glance down at my coffee until they’re standing at our table.

  I plaster on a fake smile and look up. “How are you ladies this morning?”

  Bailey gives me a tender smile before replying, “We’re good. How are you guys?”

  “Tired. Didn’t sleep well. Had to haul Shady in last night. Spent the night on the bunk.” I watch as I see a look of disgust enter Bailey’s face. She had a minor run in with Shady when she first arrived two years ago. Ever since, she can’t stand the sound of his name.

  “Where’s Jaxon and Amari at this morning?” I ask her.

  “They’re both at home. He’s watching her today while the girls and I go shopping!” she says happily.

  I notice that neither Chris nor Nick say anything. I look to Chris and see her watching Nick with a soft expression. When I look to Nick, he has his head turned towards the window.

  “Hi, Nick,” Chris says quietly. He ignores her, as if he didn’t hear her and continues to keep his gaze out the window. The only telltale sign that proves he did hear her is the tick in his jaw when she spoke.

  This Nick is not the same one of two years ago. He would have never blatantly ignored a person like that, especially a female. He’s being a dick, and he’s doing it on purpose.

  I kick him under the table to tell him to knock it off. He whips his head around and scowls at me, which causes me to chuckle. After a few minutes of giving me the death stare, he lifts his head and aims his scowl at Chris instead.

  “Chris,” is the only answer he gives her. He looks over to Bailey, and his gaze softens a bit. “Hey, Bailey. How are you?”

  “I’m wonderful. How are you doing?” Her eyes always look haunted when she looks at him. It’s like she’s worried that he’s going to bite her head off at any moment. It’s ridiculous to think that but guilt will do that to a person. Although, Lord knows there is nothing she should feel guilty about. I guess it’s human nature for someone to feel guilt after what she and Anna went through.

  “Just peachy.” Nick says sarcastically. Bailey flinches at his tone, and I kick him under the table again.

  This time he doesn’t let me get away with it. He turns his head towards me again and pins me with a murderous look. “Kick me again asshole, and I’m going to knock your teeth out for you.”

  “Stop being a dick.” I glare right back at him. Just because he’s in pain doesn’t give him the right to treat women like shit, and he knows it.

  He visibly takes a deep breath before closing his eyes and opening them again. He looks at Bailey with a remorseful look and says quietly, “I’m sorry, Bailey. Just ignore me, okay? I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.”

  She reaches over and squeezes his hand with a sad smile. “It’s okay, Nick. I understand.”

  He nods and looks down to his coffee. He never looks back at Chris. When I turn to her, she has a defeated look on her face.

  After a couple more minutes of idle chit chat, Bailey and Chris walk off to meet Mia on the other side of the diner. She keeps her eyes trained on them while they head towards her, never looking in my direction.

  Letting out a sigh, I bring my gaze back to Nick and ask, “Why are you such an asshole to Chris?”

  “Because the bitch won’t leave me alone. She says she wants to be my ‘friend’.” He says the last on a sneer. His answer surprises me, as he sounds so cold.

  “And that’s a problem because?” I ask.

  “Because I don’t need any more friends. I have enough people pitying me as it is. It’s fucked and I’m tired of it.”

  “Then stop fucking moping around like a lost puppy. And stop treating people like shit. We only want to help you because we all care about you.”

  The saltshaker that Nick was holding on to suddenly flies across the table and smashes into the napkin holder. I sit still and look up at him, not surprised at his outburst. It’s not the first one he’s had and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

  He leans across the table at me and says harshly, “I don’t fucking need any help. What I need is for people to leave me the fuck alone.” He gets up out of the booth and storms towards the door, knocking over a couple of empty chairs that get in his way.

  Just then Karyn walks up carrying mine and Nick’s food. Her gaze is on Nick’s retreating back as she sets the food down.

  “I take it he won’t be needing his breakfast now?” She asks when she swings her gaze back to me.

  I give her a wry smile. “No, he won’t. Would you mind bringing me a container to put it in?”

  “Sure.” She says before walking off.

  I glance down to where Mia, Bailey, and Chris are sitting and see Mia looking at me. I give her a chin lift, and she looks away.

  I dig into my food and box up Nick’s before paying for both of ours. Looks like Loafer is going to have a good dinner tonight.

  Chapter Five

  Mia

  Her sweet nature…

  God! I fucking hate shopping! How in the world did I let Bailey and Chris talk me into this? We’ve been at it for hours. We’re supposed to be picking something out for Bailey to wear for her and Jaxon’s anniversary, but no
matter what we find, it’s not good enough. I’m dead on my feet and want to pull my hair out.

  I only agreed because Bailey begged me to. I love the damn girl and it’s hard to say no to her when she gets that pathetic pleading look in her eyes. Bailey’s not only wrapped Jaxon around her finger, but everyone she meets gets sucked in. She’s such a sweet girl; you can’t help but love her. No wonder Jaxon fell for her so fast.

  This is the fifth shop that we’ve been to. Bailey’s in the dressing room trying on her fiftieth dress it seems. I’m sitting on one of the soft comfortable chairs sipping my caramel latté, while Chris browses the lingerie section. What seems like an hour later, but couldn’t be no more than five minutes, Bailey walks out of the dressing room.

  The sip that I was going to take freezes halfway to my mouth.

  “Wow,” I say.

  Bailey beams a huge smile at me and spins around. “You like?”

  “It’s beautiful, Bailey. You’re beautiful,” I tell her, speaking the truth.

  What she’s wearing is simple but stunning. It’s a midnight blue sheath dress that has one side hanging off her shoulder, while the other side rests lightly on her other shoulder. While one side it goes to her knees, the other reaches just past. It also has a cinched waist. It is, quite simply, perfect for Bailey.

  Chris steps around the corner and stops dead in her tracks, her jaw dropping open. She shakes her head and rushes over to Bailey.

  “Oh my God, Bailey! That’s perfect!” She exclaims loudly.

  “You think so?” Bailey asks and turns to the mirror beside her.

  Chris and I both shout, “Yes!” Then chuckle at our timing.

  “Seriously, Jaxon is going to flip when he sees you,” I tell her. She smiles at me through the mirror.

  “Can we please go now?” I beg.

  “I’m sorry for dragging you all over, Mia. I just wanted it to be perfect for my and Jaxon’s one-year anniversary.

  I get up out of my chair and walk to her. I stand beside her in front of the mirror and put my arm around her shoulder.

  “Don’t worry about it, okay? I just want to stop by Mama’s before I head home,” I tell her. I may hate to go shopping, but I love spending time with Bailey and Chris.

  “Has Jaxon told you where he’s taking you yet?”

  “No,” she pouts. Jaxon and Bailey both came to me a few weeks ago and asked if I would watch Amari for the weekend of their anniversary. Jaxon’s planned a weekend trip somewhere, and it’s killing Bailey not knowing where it is.

  “Well, I’m sure wherever it is you’ll love it.” I give her shoulder a light squeeze before releasing her.

  “Oh, I’m not worried about that. It doesn’t matter where he takes me as long as I’m with him. I’d just like to know what to pack.”

  “He told you not to worry about that. He said he’d pack your bag for you.”

  All three of us give each other a dubious look, and then burst out laughing. “Oh God, there’s no telling what I’ll be wearing.”

  Chris walks up beside us in front of the mirror. “Hmm…you’re right. Maybe I can talk Jaxon into telling me where he’s taking you so I can pack for you.”

  I look over at her and say, “No good. I’ve already tried. His lips are sealed.”

  “Sorry, sweetie. It looks like you’re on your own with this,” she says to Bailey. “But look on the bright side. I’m sure you won’t be wearing many clothes while you’re there anyway,” she finishes with a huge grin.

  Bailey blushes and elbows Chris in the ribs. She turns to me and asks, “Are you sure you’re okay with watching Amari?”

  “Absolutely! I’ve been waiting to get my baby to myself. Don’t you worry about a thing. Besides, I’ll have Chris if I need any help,” I reassure her. I’m actually looking forward to watching baby Amari. She’s my brother’s baby, and they’ve kept her to themselves for the most part. Not because they don’t trust people, but because of all the shit that’s happened in the past. They are both extremely protective of her, with good reason.

  “It’s going to be hard leaving her. Neither one of us has been away from her overnight yet,” Bailey says while biting her nail.

  “Bailey, it’s going to be okay. You enjoy your alone time with Jaxon. You two both deserve it. Everything will be fine here. You’ll be back before you know it,” Chris says.

  “I guess,” Bailey replies, but I can still see doubt in her eyes. She just needs to find out for herself that everything will be okay.

  “Alright, ladies, let’s go grab a pair of shoes to go with this killer outfit and get back. I told Mama I would be at her house by six.” We gather our things and walk up to the register. Besides the dress and shoes, Bailey also chose a skimpy lingerie outfit.

  After paying, we walk out of the shop and head towards the cars. I drove myself because I knew I needed to stop by my Mama’s before we left. We say our goodbyes, and I get in my little black Audi A4.

  It takes me about thirty minutes to get to Mama’s house. I pull to a stop in the driveway and get out. It’s getting dark, and I only see one lamp lit inside. I don’t bother with knocking. None of us kids do. Mama says that this is still her children’s house; we’re just not living in it anymore.

  Because of Jaxon’s insistence on keeping up the house, the door doesn’t make any sounds when I open and close it. The living room is dimly lit, but I can see the light in the kitchen on. I head that way while I call out, “Mama, I’m here!”

  I hear a scuffle coming from over by the sofa. I pucker my eyebrows and head in that direction. When I’m just a few feet away, I hear a giggle and someone say quietly, “Shh.”

  “Mom, is that you? What are you doing?” I ask.

  I round the couch and freeze. There’s a man lying on the couch with my mom lying beneath him. If it wasn’t for the fact that I hear my mom giggling, I would think he was raping her. The man, whose face I can’t see because it’s buried in her throat, is naked from the waist up. His back is broad and tan. There’s a dream catcher tattoo on his right shoulder blade. On the opposite side, but down a bit, is another tattoo. This one is of a colorful dragon, and it looks like it wraps around to the front of his chest. The only thing I see of Mama is her head peeking over his shoulder and her legs that are tangled with his. The mysterious guy’s shoulders are shaking, and I can tell he’s silently laughing.

  Mama looks to me with mirth in her eyes.

  “What the hell, Mom?” I ask in a stunned voice.

  “Levi, baby, get up so I can put my shirt on.” At that, I whip my body around and nearly gag. I cannot believe I just caught my mom making out on the couch. In all the years since my dad left, I never knew my mom to date anyone, let alone be intimate with them.

  “This is not happening right now,” I mutter to myself.

  I hear shuffling going on behind my back, and try to tune out the noise.

  “It’s clear, Mia. You can turn around now,” I hear her say.

  “Are you sure?” I ask her, hoping that she’s really really sure. The very last thing I need to see is a part of my mom I should never see or, God forbid, any part of the man that’s with her.

  She laughs at my question and replies, “Yes, sweetie, I’m sure.”

  I turn around slowly, just in case she’s not really really sure. When I’m facing them, I receive another shot to my system.

  “Mr. Hatley,” I croak out.

  He smiles at me and says, “You can call me Levi, Mia.”

  Oh God! I just caught my mom making out with my old high school science teacher. This is so much worse than I thought.

  “Mia, are you okay, sweetie?” My mom asks, laughter still in her voice.

  I can’t answer her. All I can do it stare at them. My gaze swings from one to the other. My mom, who is standing there with her hair a disheveled mess and her button up blouse buttoned up the wrong way, has a glow to her face. I also see some scruff marks on her cheeks, and her lips are red and plump. Just lik
e someone who just got done making out.

  My gaze goes to Mr. Hatley, Levi, and I see he’s wearing a pleased expression. Not a smug one, just a happy one. His hair is also a mess, and his button up shirt is missing a couple of buttons. They are both barefoot.

  “Mia, honey, why don’t you sit down and I’ll explain,” she says gesturing to the couch. I nearly gag at the thought of sitting on the piece of furniture that my mom was just on with a man, half naked. I’m never sitting on that couch again.

  I look back at her, and she must see my disgust because she blushes and says, “Uh, maybe that’s not a good idea.”

  “How about we move it to the kitchen?” Mr. Hatley asks. I move my eyes to him and immediately look away. There is no way I’ll be able to look at him the same way. When I was in high school, I always found Mr. Hatley attractive. Not in a weird way, just in an appreciative way. A lot of the girls were infatuated with him. Back then, his hair was a rich brown color and always was a little longer than your average male school teacher. He’s tall and has a slim but muscular body. His deep brown eyes were always kind. All of us kids thought he was the coolest teacher in school. He brought hip to the school, and we always had a blast while in his class.

  Now, even though his hair still has plenty of brown, there is a lot of grey added to it on the sides. You can tell he’s aged some, but he still obviously works out, if you go by the back that I saw and the little bit of chest that I see through the buttons that are missing from his shirt. He’s older, but no less attractive. I can see why my mom would be into him, but it’s still weird and gross.

  “That’s a great idea, Levi. Come into the kitchen, Mia, and I’ll fix us a pot of coffee while we explain.”

  I follow them both into the kitchen and take a seat at the table. Mom immediately moves to the coffee pot and starts taking the fixings out of the cabinet above it. Mr. Hatley sits across from me and gives me a smile. I look back at my mom.

  “How long has this been going on, Mom?” I ask.