“Why would I do anything for you? We were arch-enemies, remember?”
Arch-enemies? What was this? The super-hero hour? Did that make me the villain? Perhaps so. Time for another confession. “Only because I envied you.”
“Excuse me?” If he were a super-hero cartoon character, Nick’s eyes would have double-popped out of his face with how hard he was staring at me. “Don’t you have that backwards?”
“Can’t comment on that, since I’m not you. But think about it. You always got better grades and you were a fucking killer athlete. I could play, but you were better. All I had was Drama Club.”
“And girls.”
“And girls.” I laughed at that. “Which I’m not complaining about. I’m just saying, my parents were always on my ass to be more like you. So yeah, I was jealous.” I opened the tube of Go-Gurt.
Nick’s phone chimed and he pulled it from his pocket. After a few messages back and forth, he said, “I’ll talk to her,” he told me. “But no guarantees.”
“All I can ask.”
He gave me a bit more crap, before he headed out, but he returned a short while later with a somewhat subdued Peyton in tow.
Chapter Eight: Ruth
“Knock-Knock!” I said, as I rapped my knuckles against Jack’s hotel room door. “We’re running late for the reunion.” The news and camera crews were already on their way over to the high school, where Jack’s high school class reunion was taking place.
There was no answer. I pressed my ear to the door, but didn’t hear anything.
I pulled my phone from the messenger bag over my shoulder, and poked my finger at Jack’s name from my list of contacts. I held the phone directly to my ear.
I couldn’t hear it ringing from his room, but it went straight to voice mail.
“Hi. You’ve reached Jack Cooper. I’m not available to come to the phone right now…”
Ugh.
I pulled my keycard from my pocket, opened my hotel door, and then dove on the hotel’s phone. I keyed in Jack’s room number, 1412, and waited. It didn’t take long to hear, “The guest you have dialed is not currently available. Please leave a message after the tone…”
Jack had as much dedication to timeliness as I did. I was pretty certain he wasn’t running behind. But what if he was ill? I didn’t want to be the studio PR Exec who let the talent expire in the room next to mine because I wasn’t paying attention.
I dialed the concierge, whom I’d spoken to on several occasions.
“Hello Ms. Miller. What can I do for you?”
“Hi. I’m a little concerned because my colleague hasn’t been answering his phone or his door. Is there any chance that security could pop up and let me check to make sure everything is okay?” Jack wasn’t registered under his own name, as I hadn’t wanted to alert any paparazzi that he was staying in the hotel.
However, he was registered in the block of rooms under the studio, so in general, the concierge could make a cognitive leap that the person in room 1412 was a VIP.
“Just a moment, please.”
I didn’t know if he was checking with a manager or patching me through to security. I waited for a full four minutes, all the while trying not to panic about where he might be.
“Security is on their way,” he said.
I thanked him and hung up, then stepped into the hall to await security.
A uniformed hotel security officer arrived within a couple of minutes. “I really hope I’m overreacting,” I said. The guard knocked, then inserted his keycard into the slot. The door lock beeped and he opened the door a crack.
“Hotel security,” he announced, listening for a moment before he swung the door all the way open. I tried to peek around him, but couldn’t see anything but a tidy room. Jack obviously hadn’t checked out of the hotel. His clothes from the day before were draped across the back of the arm chair. His suitcase was open on the frame by the dresser. The bed was made. The bathroom door, just inside the entryway, was open, the lights off. A toiletry kit sat neatly on the sink.
The security guard flipped on all the lights as he went into the room. “There’s no one here. Maybe he left to get dinner?” he asked.
I shook my head then shrugged. “Thank you for your time.”
Where was he? Would have gone onto the reunion without me? I couldn’t imagine that. After all, this redemption tour—particularly getting it on tape was for his benefit. Sure, it would benefit the studio as well. But as the star of the movie, Jack was to be the front face of this picture, and truly had the most to win or lose.
Trying to stem my irritation, I packed my laptop and my phone in my briefcase, then headed down to the rental car. I’d head on over to the high school where the reunion was taking place, and hope we’d just gotten our signals crossed.
Chapter Nine: Jack
“Hey, Peyton. Thanks for agreeing to talk to me,” I said.
She folded her arms across her chest, defensively. “Hi, Jack. Sorry about the Lambrusco.”
“That’s okay. I would have preferred Jack Daniels, but I coped,” I quipped.
She didn’t seem impressed with my humor. “What did you want to say? Nick said you want to apologize.”
I pulled a hand through my hair and shot an uneasy glance in Nick’s direction. “That’s part of it. Apologize and make amends. They’re not exactly the same, even though they’re linked.”
She frowned at me. “You sound like you’ve been researching this.”
“It’s for a part. A really great one. I always do a lot of research for my roles.”
“Really? What did you study for Beach Games? What beer works best for Beer Pong?”
“Ouch.” I deserved that. I’m sure.
She grinned just then.
“You know, so far I’m the only one who has apologized,” Peyton pointed out. She was right.
Knowing that my time was short, I waded in. “I’m sorry that I broke things off in such a callous way. It was thoughtless and cruel. I chose to believe that you didn’t have deep feelings for me. I don’t know what your feelings actually were, but I should have found out. That was lazy and inconsiderate of me.”
Her mouth fell open. “Okay. Well, thank you. I would prefer not to talk about what my feelings were.”
“Is that it?” Nick asked. “Should we get back to the party?”
“I’m not quite done,” I said. “There’s more. But I wonder—do you need to be here, Nick?”
“Yes.” Peyton said quickly. “I want Nick here. I trust him. I asked him to stay. Whatever you want to say, it’s all right. He won’t mind. I mean, how bad could it be? You never even saw me completely naked.”
I blinked as heat crawled up my face. I had the sudden feeling that the remainder of that bottle of Riunite hadn’t gone to waste.
“I mean, you saw me mostly naked.” She turned to Nick. “Boobs only. And there wasn’t much too look at. I developed late.”
Nick looked pained. “You don’t have to explain. In fact, please don’t.”
I drew in a deep breath. “Remember when I first asked you to the movies? How shocked you were?”
She nodded.
“I knew that Nick had a crush on you. I’d known it ever since middle school.”
A strangled sound came from Nick’s direction, but Peyton was too stunned to look his way.
“I knew you two were perfect for each other and would figure it out eventually. But when he got the top spot on the baseball roster, I couldn’t handle it and I asked you to the movies.”
“You asked me out to hurt Nick?” she whispered.
“Partly. Just partly,” I clarified.
I didn’t see the fist that came flying out of nowhere. Wasn’t entirely certain what had happened until I opened my eyes to see another one heading my way.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Nick growled. “How is that supposed to make amends?”
He might not appreciate this in the short term, but I was sure he’d t
hank me later. “It’s true! I screwed things up for you. Look at you, Nick! How long have you been in love with Peyton? After I left, you could have swooped in and healed her broken heart, but that’s not what you did, is it? You became friends. And you’re still friends. And you’re still in love with her, aren’t you?”
He launched another punch as Peyton shrieked, “No, Nick!”
I jumped out the way just in time, causing Nick to stumble forward, out of balance.
“I’m sorry I acted like an ass back then,” I panted, balled up hands guarding my face. “You think this is easy for me? I shouldn’t have done it. I was jealous, and I didn’t know how to handle it. Everything always came easy to me, except when you got in the way. I was an idiot.”
“I hated you, too, jackass. But using Peyton to get at me is way out of bounds.”
“You’re right! It was. I’m not arguing. I’m apologizing.”
Nick let fly with a right uppercut to my face. I went down fast and hard, arms flailing, and then… nothing.
As I came back to consciousness, I heard Nick say, “Damn, Peyton, I just—I lost it there. That’s not how I like to do things—”
“Forget it,” I croaked. “Long time coming. I deserved it.”
“Can you get me an ice pack, Nick? And then go. I need to talk to Jack.”
Nick reappeared at a jog with a sealed, refreeze-able ice pack in hand. He reluctantly dragged his gaze to me. “I’m really sorry, man.”
I nodded, tilting my head back so Peyton could apply the ice pack. “Call it even?”
Nick’s jaw clenched, giving the impression he had more to say on this topic. “Sure,” he said finally, then turned to go. “Call me if you need a ride, Peyton.” And he strode away, disappearing stage left.
I could tell Peyton was questioning whether what I’d said was true.
“It’s true,” I murmured. “I can see you doubting it. Believe me, he wouldn’t have swung at me if it wasn’t true. Nick’s a great guy, Peyton. Now that I’ve seen more of the world, and how shitty people can be, I have even more respect for him. If I hadn’t interfered in high school, maybe you’d be together by now.”
Peyton let out a sigh. “Shut up and let me look at your damn nose.” I let her peel the ice pack away. She touched the bridge of my nose. Fortunately, it didn’t hurt too badly. “You got lucky. It’s not broken. They’re not going to kick you out of the People’s Sexiest Man issue. And your movie career is safe.”
I grinned.
She jumped to her feet. “I have to go,” she said. “My medical work here is done. I recommend ibuprofen and regular icing for the next twenty-four hours, but after that you should be good.”
“Thank you. I guess I really lucked out, you being a doctor.”
She smiled. “You know, you’re really something. You get punched in the face and nearly get your nose broken, but all you say is how lucky you are that I’m a doctor. You always did look on the bright side.”
I gave her a cautious look. “Are you saying that as a good thing? Just making sure.”
“Yes,” she answered firmly. “You’re a good person, Jack Cooper.”
She nearly echoed Ruth’s words from a few days ago. Speaking of…I wondered how much hot water I was in with Ruth at that moment.
“You paid attention to me at a time when I really needed it. You were sweet to me. I’m grateful for that time we were together, no matter how it started. So don’t beat up on yourself too much, okay? Maybe everything works out for the best.”
I gave her a knowing smile. “Go get him, girl.”
Chapter Ten: Ruth
I stepped into the school gymnasium, noting that it smelled precisely like the school gym of my own high school memories. I shuddered. Eau du hormones, sweat socks, and teenage desperation.
I looked around for Jack, praying he had a good reason for not being in his room where we’d agreed to meet to leave for this event.
He came in from a side door, holding an ice pack to his face. His eyes were a little swollen, and I sped across the room.
“What happened?” I asked.
Jack looked up, wincing. He dropped the hand holding the ice pack as he backed back into the hallway, presumably where we had a little privacy.
“Let’s just say that some people are not that quick to forgive.”
I narrowed my eyes on him. He clearly didn’t recognize the irony of his statement, considering what I’d just figured out. He’d completed his apology to Peyton. Without me and without a camera.
I leaned in close to his face and peered at his nose. “Is it broken?” I asked.
“No.”
I scowled. “Too bad.”
“What?”
“That would have at least given me the pleasure of imagining someone walloping you hard enough to make a difference. Jack!” I wanted to shake him. “I can’t believe you left without me and made your apology without the cameras. You missed a prime opportunity!”
“Trust me, you wouldn’t have wanted that televised. I got my clock cleaned,” he grumbled.
“And from where I stand, you deserved it.”
His eyes widened at that, now looking genuinely hurt. “Hey, whose side are you on?”
“Don’t you get it? You were gone. Disappeared. Yet here I was with security knocking on your door, wondering what I’d done, where you’d gone, terrified that—that something had happened to you!”
That stopped him in his tracks, and I realized suddenly that I’d revealed more than I’d wanted to.
“Anyway,” I said crisply, straightening, hoping he hadn’t realized it, but Jack lifted his hand.
“Wait just a minute,” he said, and for a man who’d just gotten his clock cleaned, he seemed surprisingly clear-headed. “Were you more upset that I ditched you, that we missed footage…or because I scared you?”
I didn’t answer right away. I shouldn’t have to answer. I wasn’t the one at fault here, he was.
Then again, he was the star. And the star was folding his arms and waiting.
“Why do I have to pick one?” I finally protested. “Can’t it be D) All of the above?”
He paused. “No. I think you need to answer that question.” He stepped forward. “Why didn’t you tell me?” When I still didn’t answer, he quirked an odd, lopsided smile. “Why don’t you tell me now?”
“Fine!” I blurted. “Fine. You scared me, okay? You scared me and I don’t like to be scared. I called security, and I don’t like to do that either. Not with people I trust. Not with—“ I tried to turn away, but Jack was still right there, his eyes wider now, his face officially stricken. It occurred to me I should have the camera on us right here, but that thought was immediately chased away by the legitimate concern in his deep green eyes, the expression of tenderness that somehow made me want to laugh and cry and punch him myself, all at once.
“Hey, there…” he said, lifting a finger. He brushed away something on my cheek—something moist. It was just lint, I resolved stoically. Very moist lint.
But Jack wasn’t finished. “I’m sorry I scared you, Ruth.” He leaned down, brushing the slightest kiss along my cheekbone. “I guess I didn’t want you to see what a jerk I’d been.”
I breathed in a sharp, hiccupping laugh. “Well, you failed.”
“I can see that. I’m sorry.” I didn’t move away from him, however, and he didn’t either. His next kiss was just next to my mouth, the rush of butterflies in my stomach now completely overwhelming my anger, and replacing it with…what? Panic? Excitement? Relief?
Definitely relief. I was so, so glad he was safe. That’s why my heart was pounding so quickly, I decided. Because Jack was safe.
Jack’s hands slid from my shoulders around my back, and my relief grew even stronger…so strong I was pretty sure I was going to pass out from relief at any moment.
“Jack,” I managed, impressed I could actually manage a word that contained consonants.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured
again. He tilted his head and leaned into me, brushing his lips again mine. Once... Twice... “Forgive me?”
And…I gave up. I lifted my hands to either side of his head, threading my fingers into his hair, and kissed him back hard, all my butterflies breaking into a salsa dance as Jack wrapped his arms more tightly around me.
“I like being forgiven by you,” Jack said, smiling against my mouth.
I leaned back and fixed him with my sternest glare. He really did look ridiculous with his swollen face—and now, suspiciously bruised lips. “You’re not off the hook, you know.”
Again with the grin. “I have no interest in being off the hook,” he insisted. “I happen to like this hook a lot.”
He leaned in a second time, and I did too, and it was only with the tiniest bit of my brain a few moments later that I registered another person in the hallway with us.
I sprang back from Jack, but the cameraman was no fool. He merely beamed. “We did manage to scrape together some found footage,” he said.
“Yeah?” Jack grimaced, lifting his hand to his eye again. “Enough to score me some forgiveness with Ruth here?”
The cameraman grinned more broadly. “Maybe, maybe not. The only thing the cameras caught was Peyton hosing you with wine and the very last as you all came out into the gym.”
I gaped at him. “Hosing you with wine?” For the first time, I noticed his apron. “What are you wearing, anyway?”
Jack ignored that, rocking back on his heels. “You know, maybe it’s for the best. I don’t know that I would have been comfortable showing with the rest of it, anyway. It was a private moment, particularly for Nick.”
I looked at him with surprise. “Um, isn’t that the point of this publicity?”
“Yeah, I guess, but…” he lifted his hand, rubbing the back of his neck. “Some things don’t need to be marketed to the masses.”
“Well…that’s certainly fair.” I sighed, unwilling and unable at this point to hold onto my mad. Not when I could hold on to the memory of Jack’s kisses, instead. His kisses and his adorably puffy-faced smile. “Just…don’t make it a habit, okay? Otherwise we won’t have enough film of you to make an animated gif, much less a video package.”
The Soulmate Edition Page 5