by Lisa DeVore
He glanced over at her. “What are you thinking?”
She stood, remaining silent.
“Jena?”
Turning away from him, she closed her eyes and put a hand over her face. She needed to think. Should she tell him what she decided? Or did she play it safe? Should she choose honesty or pride?
She faced him, crossing her arms in front of her. “So, you think I would be better off with him? A person who called me a slut?”
“No, Jen, not him, but someone on the same level as you. I’m not a country club guy.”
“Yes, so you’ve said.” Jena quietly observed him for a few moments. She couldn’t tell if this was an excuse for him to walk away, or if he really believed he wasn’t good enough. Both scenarios made her angry.
“Do you know what I was going to tell you tonight?” She didn’t wait for an answer. This was too important to chicken out. “I was going to tell you I’ve decided to move here. I was going to give us a chance.”
He stood up slowly, the disbelief in his eyes. “You’re going to stay?”
“I made the decision tonight… a little too late, as always.”
“And you think I don’t want you here?” He said the words slowly.
“Well, I believe you gave me the goodbye speech.” She sniffed and wiped a stray tear from her cheek.
He grinned widely and took her face in his hands. “You’re staying? And you’re going to give us another chance?”
She lifted her chin in protest. “Well, now I’m not so sure… I belong with a country club guy who calls me names.”
“Say it,” he demanded.
“What?” she replied softly, her confidence waning.
“You’re staying. Say it.”
“I’m staying.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Baby, you don’t know how happy you just made me,” Chase said with a smile that lit her world. “I’ve waited ten years to hear those words.”
Although her excitement at the possibilities matched his, she was a realist. “I can’t make any promises. I can only try.”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t be so negative. We’ll make this work.”
“You doubt yourself in my world. That’s nothing compared to the doubt I’m feeling. Chase, the night at the restaurant when your…” she paused, “friend showed up at our table I never felt so out of place in my life. She dripped sex appeal. She’s gorgeous and I’m…plain.”
“Jen, do you own a mirror? Seriously? I’ve never met a more beautiful woman. You have what Mia will never have…intelligence, grace, class.” He shook his head and smiled. “Oh, and let’s not forget your smokin’ hot body.”
“Right.” Her cheeks burned.
“Jena, I love my music. I’ve taken comfort there over the years. I guess you could say that’s where I hid. Yes, I lived the lifestyle for a while, but it didn’t take long to figure out it wasn’t for me. I want a family…kids…grandkids…a dog.” He laughed. He took her hand, taking a serious tone. “If it takes giving up my music I’ll do it without looking back. Nothing is worth a damn if you’re not there to share it with.”
Jena swallowed back tears. “I don’t want you to give up your music. If, someday, this band makes it big we’ll figure it out.”
“Well…”
“Chase?”
“Jena, I don’t want you making a big deal out of this,” he stammered.
“Just tell me.” Panic bubbled up in her throat.
“This new band…it’s every bit as successful as the first…maybe more.”
She flinched. “What are you saying?”
“We’re international.”
“You’re what?” She was stunned. The same old feeling of panic clenched her stomach. How could he not tell her this? That one simple sentence changed everything. The sudden dread was more than she could handle. This relationship wouldn’t work. History was repeating itself and she already lived the outcome.
“I’m the same person I was five minutes ago when you thought I played in local bars.”
“No…you’re not. I know what goes on, women throwing themselves at you…wild parties.”
“That’s not how we do things. I promise you there will never be any doubt I’m all yours. We have a benefit concert at Pier 60 next week. I’d like you to come. You’ll see my world isn’t what you think.”
“I don’t know, Chase. Maybe this is a bad idea. I’m…scared.” She closed her eyes at the admission.
“Of what?”
“Of not fitting in. I don’t want to embarrass you.”
“I promise you’ll fit right in. Don’t believe the clichés.”
She had been so sure she wanted to make this relationship work, well, until five minutes ago. Now, the same fears haunted her thoughts. Why did things have to be so difficult?
“Jena?” he coaxed.
There was hope in his face…and love. How could she walk away without trying? “I’ll come, but I can’t make any promises I can be who you need me to be.”
He gently slid his hand behind her neck, drawing her near. “You’re exactly who I need you to be. I will live the rest of my life making sure you never regret this decision.” He lowered his lips to hers as a loud thud hit the front window. Chase released her and headed for the front door.
“Chase, no! Don’t go out there!” she begged.
“Shhhh!” he waved her off. “Stay inside,” he ordered.
Jena was paralyzed with fear as he headed through the kitchen door. She paced frantically as she waited for him to return. The tick-tock of the clock on the wall mocked her. The door opened and Jena exhaled with relief at the sight of Chase. Her joy was quickly replaced by alarm as she saw the look on his face.
“Call the police, Jen. Someone was watching us through the front window.”
“How can you be sure?” she asked shakily.
“Does your friend, Todd, smoke?”
“No, not that I know of. At least, I never saw him. You don’t think…?” She was going to be sick. She knew Todd wouldn’t let this go.
“I found a half smoked cigarette butt, still hot, under the window. Do you still have the detective’s card?”
“In my purse, I think.” Jena grabbed it from the counter, her hands shaking, and rummaged through it. She passed the card to Chase, and he pulled his cell phone out to make the call. Twenty minutes later Detective Burrows was pulling in the driveway.
Chase opened the front door and waited for him to approach as Jena was creating horrific scenes in her head. She took pride in her ability to keep calm under pressure, but ever since she arrived she depended on Chase more and more.
Detective Burrows greeted Chase with a handshake and nodded to Jena who stood off to the side. “So, having some trouble, eh?”
“Looks like someone was taking a smoke break outside the front window.”
Jena bit her lip nervously while Chase appeared the picture of calm. What was happening to her?
“The front window, you say? Let’s take a look.”
“It’s right where I found it.”
Standing at the door, Jena strained to hear the conversation.
“Do either of you smoke?”
“No. No one here smokes,” Chase answered.
Detective Burrows pulled a baggie from his pocket, careful not to touch the evidence. Jena heard him say, “Let’s go back in, so I can ask you a few questions.”
She backed up to let them enter. The detective pulled out the familiar notebook. “Is there somewhere we can sit?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. Right through here.” She led them to the kitchen. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, little lady. I’m good.” He turned to Chase, “How did you come across the cigarette?”
“We were sitting in the living room. Sounded like someone was coming through the window.”
The detective pulled out a pair of glasses from his pocket and read from his notes. “I checked the computer, the address was
familiar. Seems I was here before for an attempted break-in.” He slid his glasses from his nose and looked to Chase for confirmation.
Jena seated herself at the table. “I live here, Detective Burrows. I’m the one that called before.”
“Is that the only other incident?” he directed at Jena.
“Yes, sir,” she replied.
“No,” Chase answered.
“Seems we have a difference of opinion,” the detective chuckled.
“We came from a day out together with our niece. We ran into a colleague of Jena’s,” Chase explained.
“Unpleasant?” the detective asked.
“You could say that, and I made it even more unpleasant,” he admitted. “Weird thing, he came all the way from Ohio to check up on her. Said some very nasty things to her, and that’s when I made it more unpleasant.”
“Physical altercation?”
“If dangling him off the ground against a wall counts, then yeah, I guess.”
Jena saw the detective smirk. “Little lady, have you had trouble with this co-worker before?”
“No, um, we were friends, I thought,” she answered quietly.
“He appeared to think it was more,” Chase added.
Jena reddened with embarrassment, but made no comment.
“What’s his name?” the detective looked to Jena.
“Todd… Todd Richards.” Giving the detective Todd’s name made her nervous. What if he had nothing to do with this and she pointed the finger at him?
“Do you know where he’s staying?”
Jena shook her head. “He doesn’t smoke,” she blurted.
“You didn’t think he was an ass either,” Chase countered.
Jena fought back tears at his comment. Could she feel any more stupid?
The detective continued to scribble in his notebook before directing his comment to Jena. “People sometimes let you see what they want you to see. We’ll call around to the local motels and see if there’s a name that matches.” He pulled out a portable radio from his jacket. “Dispatch?”
“Go ahead,” the dispatcher responded.
“I’m through here. Bump up the patrol through this neighborhood for a few nights.”
“10-4.”
“Jena, maybe you should tell the detective about the phone calls,” Chase pushed.
Detective Burrows turned down the volume on the radio. “Phone calls?”
“It was nothing, really.”
“You should let me be the judge of that, little lady. Did you know the caller?”
“No. The voice sounded male, but…” She rubbed her face attempting to hold back the panic. Todd wouldn’t make childish phone calls. Would he?
“Go on,” Detective Burrows urged.
“He whispered.” A chill ran through her body as she thought back. “He said he was watching me. The second call was later that evening. I was getting ready for dinner with Chase, and he knew that, like he was watching through the window.”
He turned to her, his face drawn. “You never told me that.”
“I didn’t want you to worry.”
“I’m worrying now,” he said. His words held an edge of tightly suppressed anger.
Jena shrugged. What could she say? At the time it was unnerving, but it didn’t seem more than a prank, but now…
Detective Burrows wrote the information into his book. “Okay, folks, that’s it for now. Keep the doors and windows locked and your eyes open. It might just be a pervert,” he stated evenly as he glanced in Chase’s direction. “Might not hurt if you stuck around.”
“I plan to,” Chase said with authority.
“If it turns out the co-worker’s a stalker he might up the ante after seeing you together. Don’t be afraid to call the station if you get spooked.”
“I really doubt this had anything to do with Todd. I can’t imagine him hiding in bushes.” She would never have imagined him calling her names and making a scene either.
The detective tucked his glasses back in his pocket and shook their hands. “Don’t assume anything. Assumptions can be dangerous. You have a nice evening. I’ll be in touch.”
“Thanks for coming out.” Chase followed him to the door.
Jena’s thoughts jumped from one scenario to another. She couldn’t believe Todd would lower himself to spying outside a window. But then, she reminded herself of an earlier thought…he didn’t like to lose.
She grabbed the teapot from the stove and filled it with water. The kitchen blind was open and she jumped at her own reflection. Disgusted with herself, she lowered the blind and took a deep breath. The kitchen door swung open and she jumped again.
“You okay?” Chase frowned.
“I’m a little nervous,” she admitted.
He took her arm and pulled her toward him, holding her close. Her body relaxed in his embrace. Chase broke the silence first. “You’d better get some sleep. It’s getting late.”
“Chase?” she stopped him.
“Yeah?”
She sighed loudly. “Nothing.” She was a coward.
“You sure?”
“I can’t believe I’m going to ask you this. Will you check my room? Forget I asked that.” She rolled her eyes and placed a hand to her forehead. “I’m not usually this…this…weak.”
“Anyone would be spooked, Jen. It’s me, remember? Hey, I’ll even tuck you in,” he grinned scooping her in his arms and carrying her upstairs.
“Chase Reiss, you put me down,” she ordered.
“You sure that’s what you want?”
“Yes,” she breathed not taking her eyes from his.
He kissed her softly on the lips and placed her feet on the ground. She was lightheaded with the anticipation of his next move. She placed a hand on the wall for balance and watched him walk into her room. The thought of him near her bed sent tiny shivers to all the right places. Her mind wandered.
“All clear,” he said to her standing in the doorway.
“What?” She shook her head to clear the thoughts she shouldn’t be having.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” His concern was evident in his voice.
“Chase, I’d like…” she stopped mid-sentence.
“Tell me,” he coaxed.
She nodded with a forced smile. “Just…you know, thanks.”
He winked. “I told you—I’ll always come to your rescue. Goodnight, Jena.”
Her eyes followed him down the stairs. “Goodnight, Chase,” she said to the empty hallway. She closed the bedroom door behind her with regret.
Chapter Nineteen
Jena placed the plate of toast on the table when Chase entered, talking on his cell phone. She could get used to seeing him first thing in the morning. She smiled in his direction as she filled the glasses with orange juice. This was the first morning she awoke without second guessing her decisions.
“Okay, Roger, I understand it’s important. Book the flight. I’ll be there. Yeah, talk to you later,” he paused while he ended the call. “Damn!”
Jena turned from the stove, “What’s wrong?”
“I have to go to L.A. with the band and meet with the management. Our contract is almost up.” He pulled the chair out from the table and proclaimed, “I’m not going.”
“Why not? It’s the first time, besides the concert, I’ve heard you mention any band business. I was beginning to think you were making the entire thing up.”
The comment didn’t lighten his mood. He rested his elbows on the table and ran his hands up and down his face. “I’m not leaving you and Andrea with all that’s been going on. I won’t. You two are first in my life. They’ll have to understand.”
“You don’t have to choose. You have a job. I understand that…really. Besides, last night was probably nothing,” she said bringing the eggs to the table.
“Yeah, well, maybe once was nothing, but twice? And the phone calls? Come with me,” he suddenly announced. “You could be my lawyer.”
She shook
her head. “No…I can’t leave Andrea. Anyway, that’s not my field of expertise.”
“Wow, this looks good.” He smiled at her while heaping his plate. “You’re a corporate lawyer—this is business. We can bring her with us.”
“I can’t leave, Chase.” Jena sighed as she sat across from him. “I have some pressing issues to handle here.”
His eyes narrowed. “Such as?”
Jena didn’t want to tell him, but he had a right to know. He was part of this. Jasmine drew him in when she put his name on the papers. “Foreclosure papers.”
His fork stopped midway to his mouth. “Foreclosure papers?” On your house?”
“This one. I got the letter the other day. I was shocked, too. I don’t understand how this could have happened. I could have helped her.”
“How much to get it caught up?”
“I don’t know. That’s what I need to handle. Chase, I can’t have Andrea losing her home, too. I have to stay,” she replied softly.
“Andrea’s not going to lose her home. I promise you that.”
The kitchen door flew open. “I’m hungry,” Andrea announced.
“Aunt Jen’s made a great breakfast. Sit.”
Andrea wrinkled her nose. “I don’t like eggs. Can I have cereal?” she asked hopefully sliding onto a chair.
“You’re crazy, kid. More for me,” he announced taking a large bite of his toast. “Hey, Jen, forgot to tell you…Mrs. R. called and asked if she could take today off. Her sister still isn’t feeling well. I told her you wouldn’t mind.”
“I hope it’s nothing serious.” She placed a bowl in front of Andrea. “Here you go, sweetie, one helping of nasty tasting cereal.”
Jena settled herself back at the table and was surprised by the emotion that overcame her. They were having breakfast together like a family. How long had it been since she sat to eat like this? She was usually running to her car with a cup of coffee and a bagel. The last time she could remember a family meal was…before her parents died.
“You’re quiet,” Chase said breaking into her memories. “What are you thinking about?”
Jena could feel Andrea’s eyes on her. She swallowed back any chance for tears. “I was thinking how nice it is to be having breakfast with two of my favorite people.”