Invisible (A Night Fire Novel Book 5)

by Watkins, TM

  She nodded and looked from him to me, probably feeling as uncomfortable in this situation as what I was. The waitress wandered over with her little note book.

  “One veggie and one pepperoni.”

  Jaxon grinned at the young woman as he handed the menus back.

  “Drinks?”

  “You guys wanna share a pitcher of beer?”

  He paused and looked at me slightly.

  “Or maybe cola?”

  “Yeah, cola's cool with me.” Lance offered.

  The waitress nodded and walked away, leaving us in an uncomfortable silence. That was until somebody with his usual banter.

  “So Lance what do you do when you're not sitting in awesome little pizzerias?”

  “I surf mostly, travel a lot.”

  No surprises there.

  “You're a pro surfer?”

  “Nah, I just hit the waves whenever and wherever I can.”

  Jaxon nodded his head with pretend curiosity. I wasn't fooled.

  “So if you're a surfer why do you live in Vegas?”

  “Oh I don't. I'm a Cal boy, just visiting a friend for a few days.”

  “Huh.” Jaxon frowned.

  Yes, this lunch date was going so well.

  After ten minutes Jaxon's inquisition was interrupted by the delivery of the pizzas and the pitcher of cola. The veggie pizza came out with vegetables on a slice and nothing more. The waitress looked at it with a raised eyebrow. Pizza without cheese was like baseball without the ball. It just did not make sense.

  Then again, there were several things at this table that did not make sense.

  Chapter Five

  Nate stared at me like I had just told him the earth was flat. Pure disbelief.

  “So he just sat down?” he whispered.

  We were huddled behind my desk because the parakeet was on the lounge. Jaxon was in the bathroom or somewhere downstairs. I don't know nor do I care.

  I nodded. “He then asked him questions.” I whispered back. “Did you know Lance lives in California?”

  Nate frowned as he shook his head.

  “Sorry Kaylee, I didn't know that. Try again tomorrow, yeah?”

  I looked at him a little disheartened. Lance and I wouldn't work, end of subject. There was no point in a second attempt.

  “Don't go to the pizzeria.”

  “Nate, it's okay. We wouldn't get along anyway. He's a veggie, I need meat. You know I've got issues with low iron.”

  He nodded and leaned back into his chair.

  “He's a surfer and I hate deep water, too many sharks. He lives in Cal and I am not moving. Just leave it.”

  “Alright but we're trying someone different, okay?”

  I shrugged and picked up my notepad.

  “Whatever. I've got jobs to do.”

  I wandered downstairs to the kitchen, going through the inventory. It wasn't one of my favorite jobs but it was one that I didn't mind. After I had taken stock I would have to go and get more, ensuring that there was enough of whatever they wanted.

  “Hey.”

  Jaxon leaned on the cupboard door, his arms crossed as he looked at me.

  “Are you going shopping?”

  I nodded. “It is Tuesday.”

  “Great, I'll come with you.”

  “It's fine Jaxon. Go and be with your girlfriend.”

  He frowned for a moment and then left the room without saying another word. A minute later I was walking up the stairs to get my bag and the keys to Jerry's car. The ritual was always the same. Tuesdays I would go shopping and because I didn't actually own a car, I borrowed one. The sounds of heated words filled the air as I reached the landing, turning to take the final flight of stairs.

  Nate was at the top of the stairs and gave me a look of surprise, his eyes darting behind him. He was trying to indicate something and as I reached the top of the stairs, I understood. Jaxon and Seph were fighting. Trouble in paradise already.

  I walked to my desk and pretended to actually do something. There wasn't much that I needed to do, just get the corporate card, keys and my bag and be on my way. But the war of words and trying to figure it out was too good to pass up on. I couldn't exactly understand what was going on, their fight wasn't making a lot of sense. In the end Seph spat out a 'fine' and stormed down the stairs. Nate waved his goodbye as Jaxon said thanks to him.

  “There, all sorted. Let's go shopping.”

  “Huh?” I frowned at him.

  “Your list is mighty long Kaylee, you need help. Nate's taking Seph back to her hotel room and I'm taking you to the shops. Get your bag.”

  I wanted to say that the list was always mighty long, that they were all a bunch of little piglets but I didn't. Instead I collected my bag and told Eden I was going. She flicked her hand in an almost wave from the lounge she was laying on. The bucket on the floor beside her was still empty but I figured it was only to put her head in as she dashed to the bathroom.

  “Looking forward to the big party?” Jaxon grinned at me as he opened the door to his car.

  “Sure.”

  As I sat down on the passenger seat of his Lotus I wondered where he was planning on putting the groceries. The last time he took me grocery shopping he had his Hummer and there was plenty of room. He rounded the car and sat behind the wheel with an even bigger grin.

  “So what do you want for your birthday?”

  You to tell me that you love me.

  “The usual is fine.”

  He shook his head as he turned the car out onto the street.

  “I am not getting you a gift card for your twenty-first. Think of something better.”

  “It's not just a gift card. You put so much money on it, it's ridiculous.”

  Or the fact that he'd give me a few cards for different places. Spas, clothing stores, online music and book stores. Last year he ramped it up and gave me a gift card to a jewelry store. To say that I was spoiled was accurate but we could also go with embarrassed, shocked, even a little mortified. The other guys and their wives gave me things but never like Jaxon.

  I had never gone without, right from day one. When El and Jerry said yes to taking me in, I stayed at their house that night. The next day Jaxon turned up and took me out to get things. His reasoning was that it wasn't fair on El and Jerry to outlay money so quickly so he did it. He filled the wardrobe with clothes and accessories, makeup and electronics. Everything that he thought that this girl would need, he bought.

  And at the end of the day when I finally broke down because of his generosity he hugged me and said that everything was going to be okay. It fueled the want for him, made the pain all the more real. He could be so generous to someone he viewed as a friend or maybe even a family member and not expect anything in return.

  But that's the problem, I know it all too well. I'm a family member. He sees me as his little sister and that's why I'm never going to get anywhere with him.

  “Fine. One of these will be fine. Blue thanks, not this shit red.”

  “Red makes it go faster.”

  I looked at him, he wasn't even shocked that I asked for a rather expensive sports car.

  “I was kidding. Don't get me a car.”

  He nodded but offered nothing.

  “Promise me Jaxon.”

  “Sure.” he grinned. “I promise I will get the blue one.”

  Far out.

  “I wasn't being serious. Please don't get me a car. I couldn't even handle something this fast.”

  “You wanna drive?”

  “What? No, come on. Be serious please.”

  That wicked twinkle entered his eyes, one that I loved to hate and hated to love.

  A few minutes later we were at the shops, so far I had gotten away with not driving but I figured he'd make me drive back. Jaxon leaned on the handle bar of the trolley as he pushed it around the aisles, I went through my list adding in the items that we needed.

  “I never realized how much crap we eat.”

  “Yep. E
ver read the ingredients on these things?”

  “Probably don't want to, do I?”

  I shook my head with a wry smile, adding in yet another packet of biscuits. The cookie jar had to be full, always. They would pass by and help themselves and ignore the bowl of fruit on the bench right beside the jar. I had tried and I had failed.

  An hour later and I was standing beside the passenger door of the car, waiting for Jaxon to get out of the way. Somehow he'd managed to fit every single bag into the car. No I wasn't perving every time he leaned into the car or every time he bent over. Okay, so I might have checked out the goods a few times.

  With a mighty proud grin he stood upright and held out the keys.

  “Nuh-uh, no way. Too much traffic. I'll hit something because I might accelerate too fast.”

  He eyed me suspiciously for a second and then pulled his hand away.

  “Alright then.”

  This wasn't over, I knew it wasn't. Jaxon did not give up this easily.

  Nate had sent me a message while I was in the grocery store, I couldn't look at it without mister nosy wanting to know who it was from. So with him distracted with driving, I took the opportunity to read it.

  Nate: Package delivered and whoa, so not happy lol. She thinks something is going on.

  I smiled softly at the message, hopefully she will get sick of him and go away.

  Kaylee: Not sure why she'd think that. He's taken me shopping before.

  Nate: Yeah, but she probably doesn't know that. Don't worry, I told her nothing was going on between you two. She's good to hang around and keep hold of him.

  “Bastard.” I hissed.

  “Who is?”

  I looked up at Jaxon who was trying to see the screen and drive at the same time.

  “No one, eyes on the road.”

  Kaylee: You're a shit liar.

  Nate: I know, but you still love me.

  Kaylee: Yeah lucky for you.

  By the time we had carried the bags to the kitchen and unloaded everything, it was time to go home and I could not be happier about it. Except that the pest was hanging around.

  “I'll drive you home.”

  “It's okay, I'll catch the bus.”

  He held the door open with a look of doom, one that I'd never seen before. Quietly I got in and accepted the lift home.

  Except that we didn't go home. Jaxon drove to the interstate and pulled over. Dust flew up around the car as he stopped abruptly.

  “Okay, time to take her for a spin.”

  “No.”

  “If you don't get out of the car, I'm going to drag you out.”

  I looked at him, so painfully gorgeous. His lips widened to a stunning smile, perfect straight teeth. Without another word he got out of the car and rounded it, opening the door.

  “Come on Kaylee.”

  “No.”

  He sighed and undid the seat belt, ignoring me as I swatted at him. Then he dragged me out and threw me over his shoulder. I protested but it was completely faked. If I were truly honest I would say that I loved every second of it. Being in his arms, being hauled over his shoulder, his hands on me, holding me. Damn this world to hell, he even slid me down his body when he set me to my feet.

  I stood rigid, unsure of everything that I have ever wanted. Staring up into those deep blue eyes, his hands gripped my shoulders firmly.

  “Now you're not going to hurt my baby, are you Kaylee?”

  My mouth opened and then clamped shut as I frowned.

  “No.”

  “Great. Get in.”

  He walked around the car and got into the passenger seat, I sighed as I soaked in the last of the memories. That moment could have been perfect. It could have gone down as the best moment of my entire life. If only he'd kissed me.

  I drove like a maniac, hoping to freak Jaxon out enough that he would order me off the road. It didn't work, instead the bastard laughed as he hung on for dear life. When I'd had enough I turned the car around and sped back to the outer city limit.

  The sun was slowly sinking into the horizon, the land looked so beautiful. Burnt orange hues shone over the arid land, glinting off the cars that drove near us.

  “I'm starving, find somewhere to eat, woman.”

  “Sure. I feel like a burger, what do you reckon?”

  “Sounds awesome.”

  I smiled and happily drove to a burger joint that I know he loves. One that a few know that he loves. One that maybe certain types of people hang around in the hope to see someone famous and take pretty pictures of them. No, I wasn't trying to sabotage anything at all. I was merely driving the car because he made me. I was merely driving said car to his favorite takeaway shop because he said he was hungry. Can I be blamed if the paparazzi are there and take photos of us together?

  Of course I could.

  Chapter Six

  I laughed darkly when the picture message came through from Nate. Jaxon and I had been at the takeaway store for no more than half an hour, after eating at the place we came back to my apartment. The entire time we had been tracked, photographed and splashed all over the internet.

  Kaylee: Just getting dinner, is there a problem?

  Nate: No, just telling you that you're a hit. You're the other woman. You're the destroyer of a four day relationship.

  Kaylee: They always misinterpret the situations.

  Nate: Sure they do. Well done by the way, plan was successful.

  Kaylee: Thanks, I learned from the best.

  Yes, I had learned from the best. How to manipulate the media.

  Jaxon was on the phone, pacing back and forth in the kitchen. Clearly the parakeet had seen the pictures.

  “You're imagining things.”

  His voice was low but this place was too small, I could hear him easily. I wished I could hear her.

  “No, it's not like that. Damn it Seph.”

  The loud sigh from Jaxon made me frown, I picked up my phone again.

  Kaylee: They're fighting.

  Nate: No surprises there. How come he's still at your place?

  Kaylee: Don't know.

  Nate: If it were my girlfriend that was accusing me of cheating I would go and see her and confirm my fidelity. Not hang out at the apartment of the woman I'm being accused of cheating with.

  Kaylee: Yeah well, it's not you. So shut up.

  “No, come on. She's like a sister.”

  Ouch. Well I guess that confirms it then. Sorry Kaylee, there's no fun time for you.

  “Fine, go back to California then.”

  There was a mighty sigh from the kitchen and I quickly put my ear buds back in. I had offered them so that he could have a little privacy but that lasted all of about five seconds.

  Jaxon walked back into the lounge room. He flopped onto the lounge beside me and pulled the bud out of my ear.

  “You can stop pretending to listen to music.”

  “I was.”

  “No you weren't. Music's not even playing, dumb ass.”

  I pulled the other bud out and put it onto the table beside the lounge.

  “Sorry.” I muttered as I lifted my legs to my chest, wrapping my arms around them.

  “What for?”

  “Listening, paparazzi, the fight.”

  Jaxon shrugged. “It's your house Kaylee, if I truly wanted privacy I would have gone outside. Paparazzi is my life. I can't get angry at them, not when I need them. As for the fight.” he shrugged again. “Sometimes things happen for a reason. I don't think that we were really that compatible anyway. She's a veggie for fucks sake. Nothing against them but this man likes a bit of meat.”

  I chuckled, resting my head on my knees. He turned on the lounge and leaned on the back, looking at me with those big blue eyes. Damn him.

  “We had gone to Harmie's house, she was supposed to turn up to dinner at her parents with Evan. When she didn't show we went around to make sure they were okay. Everyone assumed that they were too busy but her parents were pretty pissed that they w
ere just blown off like that so they made us check on them. We arrived and found her on the kitchen floor, drunk as. Seph said that she hardly ever drinks, not excessively anyway so it was odd. She'd been making a dish to take to her parents place for dinner. Had the fight with Evan, he stormed out and she got drunk. So we were cleaning up the mess, it was a meat dish and Seph refused to even touch it.”

  That's a little crazy.

  “She was going to leave it. Could you imagine what it would be like in the morning? How many bugs would be crawling over it? But she still wouldn't touch the meat.”

  “Did you clean it up?”

  He nodded. “I couldn't leave it. I knew that Harmony would have a killer hangover the next day and when she sobered she would want to find Evan.”

  “And what was the princess doing while you cleaned up her sister's kitchen?”

  “On the phone.”

  I glanced at the clock on the wall behind him, it was ten pm already.

  “The paparazzi is hanging around outside, did you know that?”

  “No.” I said quietly. “They probably saw you come in.”

  “Car is out the front too. No escape.”

  I nodded and turned off the muted television. Personally I was sick of looking at the exterior of Jaxon's apartment block, the images of their alcohol fueled weekend of debauchery through the streets of Las Vegas. Why couldn't I get a weekend like that? Oh, that's right. Not twenty-one yet.

  “You're welcome to stay.” In my bed, I mentally added.

  “Though I can imagine what it would look like.” You could make it real so there is no imagining.

  “It's up to you.” Get in my bed. Naked. Now.

  He scrubbed his face in frustration, groaning at the nightmare.

  “I'm going to get hounded no matter what time I leave. Might as well give them something to write about. Sure you're up for it?”

  I shrugged and stood from the lounge.

  “Great, I'll drive you to work in the morning.”

  Which is probably a brilliant idea considering the amount of coverage this is getting. Evan and Harmony's quickie wedding was yesterday's news. Today it's Jaxon cheating on Seph even though he hasn't touched me. I walked into the bedroom wondering where he will sleep. Choosing not to offer anything, I quietly readied for bed.