by Alex Dafney
I suck in a breath, my eyes widening with shock. I knew of Remington’s extracurriculars, but at least I never had to witness them. He glances over to me, giving me a shrug of his shoulder. “I stayed with her another six months, even though I knew she’d been cheating on me our entire relationship.” He shakes his head slightly, a humorless laugh escaping him. “I hadn’t even planned to end things with her, but when I got home from work that evening, she was sitting on the couch, smiling at her phone when I walked in. She could’ve been watching a funny video, but it struck me that I didn’t trust her, and I never would.”
He turns toward me, folding his arms over his chest as he leans back against the counter. With a shrug he continues. “I stayed with her a long time because I thought I didn’t deserve better.” He gives another nonchalant shrug. I start toward him, flinging my arms around his waist as I rest my cheek on his chest. “I’m sorry you went through that.” His arms wrap around me, pulling me close to him. “I’m sorry you did too.”
We stay embraced in each other’s arms as the smell of coffee surrounds us. I tilt my head, looking up to him with a small smile. “We should introduce Natalia and Remington. They sound like they’d be perfect for each other.” He throws his head back, laughing that deep throaty laugh that does things low in my belly. I pull away from him, reaching up on my tiptoes to grab two coffee cups from the cabinet. Turning, I hand one to him.
He lifts the coffee pot, filling the mug I have in my hand before filling his own. He turns toward the counter, grabbing the sugar and creamer, pouring both into my cup as I hold it in my hands. I give him a warm smile. Loving the fact that he knows the way I take my coffee before lifting the mug to my lips. I watch as his cheeks show a smile around his own coffee cup.
A knock on the door severs the sweet moment between us. I turn my head over my shoulder, looking toward the living room as my heart rate rises. “I’ll get it.” Jase strides by me, heading straight for the front door. I push my nerves down, placing my coffee cup on the counter as I hurriedly make my way behind him. As I walk around the wall that separates the kitchen and living room, he’s just opening the door.
I let out a sigh of relief when I see Blake stepping inside. He plants his hand in Jase’s, shaking hands firmly as I eye the bag of takeout in his other hand. His eyes find mine, passing the takeout to Jase, he starts for me, wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me from the floor. “Hey, doll face. How ya feeling?” As he sets me back on my feet. I give him a shy smile. “I’m fine. No need to worry about me.” Nodding my head toward the bag Jase holds I give him a bright smile.
“Whatdya bring me?” He laughs as he places his arm around my shoulders, leading us toward the kitchen. “Breakfast. Your favorite.” My stomach grumbles as my mouth waters. I take a seat at the table as Jase places the bag in the center, pulling out the plastic boxes. “I’m not sure whose is whose.” I grab one, pulling it in front of me. “I’m betting they’re all the same.” I flip the box open to reveal an omelet and hash browns on the side.
“Right you are!” Blake calls from the other side of the kitchen as he makes himself a cup of coffee. Jase settles in the seat next to me, sliding a box in front of him. “This smells amazing.” I’m already digging into mine as he grabs a plastic fork from the bag. Blake sits across from us, flipping open his own box. “I wasn’t sure what you’d want, so you got the same as Abs and I.”
I see Jase shoving a forkful of hash browns in his mouth from the corner of my eye. “I appreciate it.” As we eat, Jase places his hand on my leg under the table. I glance at him as he and Blake chat about sports. If he didn’t use the term ‘friends’ so often, I’d swear I was having breakfast with my boyfriend and best friend. I quickly shove the idea out of my mind, zoning out while my two best guy friends talk.
Once we’re all finished eating, we sit around the table, sipping coffee and chatting. Jase pushes his chair back, standing from the table. “I really hate to eat and run, but I need to go and check on Nan and Pops.” I push my chair back, standing as well and looking up at him. “Thanks for yesterday. And last night.” He gives me a sideways grin, dropping his head and placing a kiss to my cheek. “My pleasure, Abbi.”
After Jase retrieves his clothes from my bedroom the three of us stand around the front door. Blake lifts his hand, placing it on Jase’s shoulder. “I’m in the market for a new best guy friend.” He looks over to me with a devilish smile before turning his focus back to Jase. He holds his hand up cupping his mouth and whispering. “Abs is my number one, but I can’t exactly tell her about the booty call I had last night.”
I let out a sigh as I roll my eyes, both of them laughing. Jase slaps his hand on Blake’s shoulder but looks at me with a smile. “I may not be the man for that talk. I’m more of a one-woman man myself.” He gives me a wink before stepping out onto the porch, throwing his hand over his shoulder in a wave as he makes his way toward his shiny sedan that sits on the curb.
I stand in the doorway, watching as he pulls away. My heart in my throat at his words. Blake bumps his shoulder into mine, knocking me off balance. I grip the doorframe to keep from falling, shooting him a glare as he laughs. “What the hell is going on with y’all?” I step back in the house, stalking toward the kitchen as he follows.
I step over to the dishwasher, loading the dishes from the previous day and giving a nonchalant shrug. “We’re just friends.” I roll my eyes as he gives a sarcastic mhmm. I stand straight after loading the dishes, bumping the door closed with my hip and giving him a pointed look. “What?” He shakes his head as he slides onto the barstool opposite me, a wide grin on his face.
“You ain’t foolin nobody, Abs. I can see it written all over your face.” I let out a sigh, walking over to rest my elbows on the counter as I lean down, dropping my head in my hands. “He only wants to be friends, and I just ended things with Rem, it’s just-.” I stop abruptly as I feel Blake’s strong hand on my arm. I look up to him, utter confusion swimming through my head at his snarky smile.
“He doesn’t want to be your friend. Take it from me. He’s trying to do right by you and give you some time since you just ended things with Rem.” He shrugs his shoulders, giving me a shit eating grin. “I ain’t never spent the night with a woman and simply let her sleep in my arms. He’s done that twice now.” My cheeks heat as I stare down at the kitchen counter, not sure what to think about his revelation.
He smacks his hand into my shoulder, effectively ending my internal battle with myself of whether Jase is just a friend, or potentially something more. I look up to him with a scowl, to which he chuckles as he stands from the barstool. “I’ve got to get these locks changed. You helping?” With a sigh I follow him to the living room where he kneels in front of the door while I hold it open.
My mind begins to drift to yesterday. Rem storming in, Blake throwing him out, and the evening I spent with Jase. We did nothing more than lounge in bed, watching TV, stuffing our faces and drinking wine, but it was one of the best days I’ve had in far too long. “You gonna keep daydreaming about lover boy, or you gonna hand me the damn screwdriver I’ve asked for three times?” I shake my head slightly, pulling myself out of the stupor as I grab the screwdriver, passing it to Blake.
He lets out a long sigh as he goes back to working on the door. “How long am I going to have to deal with your head in the clouds?” I kick him in the leg lightly as he laughs. Standing, he closes the door, testing the new doorknob. “Seriously though. Why don’t you just ask him out?” I roll my eyes at him, turning to make my way into the kitchen for something to drink. “I’ve already told you. He said he just wants to be friends.”
He takes a seat at the counter as I pour us both a glass of sweet tea, sliding his to him across the counter. “It’s probably because you kissed him. I mean, it’s like kissing your sister. You should work on that.” He cracks up with laughter as I toss the closest thing on the counter at him. “You’re such a jerk!” I shake my head at him, an angr
y glare on my face as his laughter subsides. “Just go for it, Abs. What have you got to lose, right?”
I look down at the glass of tea that I swirl between my hands on the counter, thinking about what he’s saying. Even if I did approach Jase with this idea, he’ll be going home in a matter of time. Home being the other side of the country. I stand up right, shaking my head. “No. He’ll be leaving soon. There’s no use in even trying to start a relationship. And there’s the whole Remington situation.”
I shrug my shoulders at him. “I ain’t telling you to marry the boy, just, you know, bump uglies while he’s here.” My eyes widen in shock as my mouth hangs open. “I’m not having a one-night stand with him!” He rolls his eyes at me like I’m the dumbest person on the planet. “Look at it as a rebound. The perfect rebound really. You get your game back on point so to speak, then you never have to see him again when he leaves.”
He gets a contemplative look on his face, rubbing the day-old scruff on his chin with his hand. “Damn. It really is perfect. There’d be no awkward run ins at the grocery store, no excuses as to why you didn’t call. Shit. Has he got a sister that lives out of town?” I take a second to think about his logic. He’s not making a bad point, and frankly it’s been months since I’ve rolled around the bed. More than months if you want to talk about good sex.
I shake my head slightly. “No. He’s just coming out of a breakup as well. He’s not looking for a relationship.” He slams his hand down on the countertop, causing me to jump. “Even better! You both need a rebound! How fucking perfect!” I scoff at him as I roll my eyes, turning my back to him to open the refrigerator and find us something for lunch. As asinine as Blake’s plan is, I can’t help but to think about it. Sex with Jase. His hard muscles and soft edges. Jesus. If that man is half as good in bed as he looks, it could be the greatest sex of my lifetime.
I let Blake out the door, locking my new lock behind him and feeling secure. The sun is just starting to set, and I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing than sitting in my bathtub with a good book. Well, I can think of one someone I’d rather be doing. I feel the tips of my ears burn with a blush at my own thought. Gah! I need to get my mind back in the friend zone before I have to face him tomorrow.
I settle into the bathtub, the smell of eucalyptus filling the room from my bath salts. Sliding down I let the water run over my shoulders as I grab my book from the tray that rests over the tub. I flip it open to the ear marked page. After a few chapters of the steamy romance novel I shut it, leaning my head back against the tub and closing my eyes.
I wonder if real life could be like the pages in the book. Evelyn and Hubert’s love for each other is incredible. And the sex scenes leave me fanning my cheeks. My phone begins to ring on the tray as I replay a particularly hot scene I just read, almost causing me to drop the book in the water. I sit up, swiping the phone screen to answer the unknown number. “This is Abbi.”
“Hey, Abbi.” A small smile pulls onto my lips as I sink back into the tub. “Hey, Jase. How are you?” He hesitates for a few seconds. “I, well, I’m really sorry to call you, but something is going on with Pops.” The concern in his voice makes me quickly sit up in the tub, grabbing the towel from the edge as I stand. “Okay. What’s going on?”
I step out of the tub, drying myself off as I hold the phone between my shoulder and ear. He lets out a sigh. “I don’t know. I was out in the barn and when I came back in to check on him, his words are slurred and he’s talking differently.” The first thought that crosses my mind is a stroke. “Alright. I’m getting dressed now. I’ll be there in fifteen.” I let the phone slide from my shoulder, catching it in my hand and ending the call as I walk out of the bathroom.
I throw on a pair of leggings, a tank top and slide my tennis shoes on as I run the towel over my hair. I’m sure I look a hot mess, but I need to get there quickly. The concern is Jase’s voice has me on edge. This isn’t the first after hours call I’ve received in my years, but this is the first one to strike fear in me and I’m not sure why.
I hurry down the hallway, snatching my purse from its place on the dining table chair and making my way toward the door, flinging it open and snatching it closed behind me before sprinting toward my car. As quickly and safely as I can, I speed toward the Russell’s house, not knowing what I’m walking into, but knowing I need to get there.
I make it to their home in record time, parking my car, and hoping out. Jogging up the stairs, I place my hand on the door. Without knocking, I push the front door open, jogging toward Mr. Russell’s room. I barely notice Agnus who sits in her usual chair in the living room, wringing her hands in her lap nervously as she stares straight ahead. I skid to a stop, grabbing the doorframe to stop my momentum. Jase stands next to the bed, a worried expression on his face as he stares down at his grandfather who lies in the bed laughing loudly.
“Did I ever tell you about the time your uncle Ben came home with a damned rattlesnake?” I walk toward the bed, my heart beating wildly in my chest from my mad dash to get here. I reach up to my neck for my stethoscope, realizing I forgot it at home. I grip his wrist, placing my thumb on his artery to check his pulse the old-fashioned way as I close my eyes and begin counting in my head.
“He comes walking in the kitchen, holding this rattler by the back of the head.” He lets out a slow chuckle. “Your Nan, your Ma, and your Aunt Susan were all screaming at the top of their lungs when I busted ass into the room. I’m sure my eyeballs were the size of space crafts.” He tilts his head back, resting it on the pillow as he laughs lightly. “I had to take him outside and chop the little shits head off while he held it to the ground.” He opens one eye, squinting at Jase. “The snake, not your uncle.”
I release his wrist as he lets out a boisterous laugh at his own joke. He lifts his head, squinting over at Jase then over at me. “When’d you get here nurse woman?” I lean toward him, pulling his eyelids up to make sure his eyes aren’t dilated. He swats my hand away, shaking his head quickly. “That’s enough of that shit. Anyway, turns out Ben had stepped on this six-foot rattler right on the back of its head. If he would’ve moved his foot it woulda struck him, so he grabbed the damn thing and brought it home.”
He drops his head back to the pillow, closing his eyes and letting out a heavy sigh. “Crazy ass boy of mine. Damn smart though.” I glance up to Jase at my side who still wears a worried expression. I lean forward, lifting Mr. Russell’s eyelid once again. He swats my hand with the back of his. “I done told you nurse, you’re fired.” As he speaks the smell of whiskey wafts toward me.
I lean back, standing straight and placing my hands on my hips as I scowl down at him. “Have you been drinking, Mr. Russell?” He lets out a chuckle without opening his eyes, flipping one hand in the air. “I may have had a drink or five.” I hear Jase let out a growl behind me as I shake my head. “Alright. Let’s get you settled for the night so you can sleep it off.” I grab both of his hands, pulling him to a sitting position in the bed before sliding his legs to the floor.
I grip the walker, sliding it over in front of him and placing my arm around his back, lifting him to standing. “I don’t care if I am drunk, you still ain’t seeing my willy, nurse fired.” I roll my eyes with a sigh as I shuffle us toward the bathroom. “I can assure you Mr. Russell, I’m no more interested in seeing your willy than you are in me seeing it.” He waves his hand in the air, slightly stumbling to the side but I correct him.
“That’s because you’ve never seen a willy-“ Jase suddenly flanks his other side. “That’s enough, Pops.” He shoots me a look and I slide my arm from around his back, watching them as they step into the bathroom. I stand patiently, waiting for the door to open so I can help Mr. Russell back to bed. As the door opens, I step forward, wrapping an arm around his waist as Jase and I shuffle him to the bed.
We both sit on the edge of the bed on either side of him before I stand and lift his legs, sliding the cover over him. “For a nurse that’s been fir
ed you sure are here a lot.” I let out a sigh. “For a patient who has been hitting the bottle you sure do talk a lot.” He lets out a chuckle as I fluff the pillow behind his head and pull the covers up. Reaching over I grab the remote to the TV, turning it on, and lowering the volume to a normal level.
“I’ll see you in the morning, Mr. Russell.” He responds with a quiet snore. I turn to exit the room, finding Jase scowling as he props against the doorframe. I walk toward him, patting my hand on his chest as I slide around him and make my way toward the living room. Agnus looks over to me, a startled look on her face like she’s just realized I’m in her home.
“Oh, Abbi. Have you eaten dinner, honey? I can heat you something up.” I shake my head, stepping over to her and offering her both of my hands to help her up. “I’m fine, Agnus. Let me help you to your room. It’s late.” She links her arm through mine, patting my hand with her own as she smiles over at me while we shuffle toward the hallway. “I’m so glad you and Jason are going steady.”
My eyes widen in surprise. I glance at Jase who stands in the hallway, his fingers pressed to his temples, rubbing as if he has an oncoming headache. I glance back to Agnus, giving her a kind smile. “I think you’re mistaken. We’re just friends.” She waves her hand at me as she stops in front of a door that I assume leads to her bedroom. “I’m not mistaken, but I believe you and my grandson are.”
Without another word she turns, opening the door and stepping inside. She gives me a bright smile as she closes the door while I stand in the hallway. I glance over to Jase who still looks like his head may explode at any moment. Walking over I place my hand on his arm, looking up to him with a faint smile. “Are you alright?” He slowly opens his eyes, looking down at me with a look I can’t quite place.