Heath was going to San Francisco for the weekend on a business meeting and I was free to spend it with Jake. I was dying to spend the night with him and wake up in his bed, with his arms around me, like the way we used to. Nothing was more exciting.
Heath had his bag packed on the living room floor while we both ate a bowl of cereal. “Pieces, are you sure you’re gonna be okay for the weekend? I don’t know why you don’t want to come.”
“Heath, I’m fine. I’ve got a lot of stuff to do this weekend. You know that. I’m sorry. I know how badly you want me to meet your dad, but, I just can’t.” I don’t deserve to meet the parents! Seriously, dude!
“You know, you have been really distant lately. I’d be lying if I didn’t say it hurts.” He put down his spoon and looked at me. “Are you okay? Am I doing something wrong?”
I instantly lost my breath, my chest tightened up and the hurt on Heath’s face was very apparent. This was the first time he had openly mentioned the distance. I’m such a selfish bitch! I bit on my lip. “I’m sorry.” I whispered. “I didn’t realise. I’ve just been trying to do my best in school, then the writing for your dad. I’ve just been really busy.” Lies! Busy fucking Jake!
“I get that, Reese, I do. But even with all of that, you’ve changed. We’ve changed.” He then pursed his lips and sighed. “Look, I think we need another vacation.” He smiled. “I actually wanted to take you out this weekend, surprise you. But then my dad wanted me to come to this meeting…”
“With what?” I asked, arching an eyebrow. He then suddenly became very hesitant and anxious. He got up from his stool and pulled something out of his pocket. And with a small smile, he kissed me on my forehead and placed a jewellery box in front of me.
I opened it, my hands trembling as I did. Gasp! It was a beautiful diamond ring set on a white gold band, surrounded by several smaller diamonds. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. I just froze. What? How? Why? Why? Heath, why? His smile slowly faded when he saw the apprehensiveness on my face. “Reese?” His voice croaked. I looked up at him. “You don’t like?”
“So soon?” I managed to reply.
“You asked me a question a few days ago, it got me thinking, why not now. I don’t need to wait a few more years to know that I love you and want to be with you. I mean, we don’t have to get married right away, but I just want to prove my commitment to you. This is very real to me. I just want to finally call you more than a girlfriend.”
I forced a smile. I was digging myself into a deeper pit. “Of course.” I replied. Oh gosh, why did I just agree? Jake is going to flip out! Heath had the brightest smile that I had ever seen on his face. “I love you!” He held onto me and kissed me. He then placed the ring on my finger and I just stared at it, drowning in my thoughts as I did. “You, too.” I responded impassively.
After Heath left for San Francisco, I sat on the sofa staring at my ring. It was really beautiful. Whoa, it was the same one I had told him I had always wanted at one time when we were talking. That was before he was even with Caroline. I was so caught up in my emotions that I didn’t even realise. Was I making the wrong decision with Jake? My heart belonged to him, and he loved me all the same. But Heath, I don’t even know where to begin. I needed help and a huge intervention.
Soon enough, a knock came at my door, bringing me out of my reverie. I shot up and answered it. “Jake!” I beamed. Seeing him alone made me totally forget about everything concerning Heath. He was dressed in a white cardigan and blue jeans, his hair longer and wild. He bit on his lip and watched me seductively with those gorgeous blue eyes. “God, you look so fucking sexy right now.” He grinned maliciously and looked around before grabbing hold of me. I began to giggle. All my frustrations melting away.
I held onto his face to kiss him, but the feel of my ring caught his attention. He grabbed hold of my hand and looked at me. His smile vanished within seconds. “What the fuck is this, Reese?” I gulped hard and just stared at him with round eyes. I didn’t even know what to say. “He proposed?” I nodded hesitantly. “Why the fuck would you say yes?”
“You know why.” I stammered.
“No. Fuck that! You’re playing me!” He pulled away.
“No, I’m not. I haven’t even slept with him since we got back together.” I protested.
“Yeah, I’m supposed to believe that. Why the fuck would he propose to someone he’s not fucking? Huh?” He was so angry. I never saw Jake look nor hear him speak this way. I was a bit scared. It was as if he was a totally different person.
“Jake? What the fuck?”
“No.” He picked up my hand. “What the fuck!”
“Baby.” I yanked my hand away from him. “Please, believe me. I have no reason to lie to you. I’ve always been honest with you.” He looked at me, his breathing slowing. “I panicked and I felt terrible. He was my best friend. I care about him. You know that. I used to confide in you a lot back then.” As my words resonated with him, he began to calm down.
“This is too much for me, Reese.”
“I know. I know. But you should understand my predicament. He’s innocent in all this. I can’t just fuck him over like that.”
“While I understand all that, I feel like you’re fucking me over.”
“I’m sorry, Jake. I’m so sorry.” I broke down and he consoled me.
“No…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lashed out like that. It’s just…this stress of wanting to be with you and people preventing it from happening is beginning to irritate the fuck out of me. I am so sorry, Reese. Forgive me?”
“I do.” He smiled, wiped away my tears with his thumbs and kissed me. He was one of those that would go straight to a hundred, huh? “You ready to get outta here?” He asked as he embraced me and I nodded. “Yep. Right now. I can’t wait to spend this long awaited weekend with you.” I half-smiled.
“Good. Get your stuff.” He whispered into my ear sending my pores into a prickling frenzy.
We got into the back of the Escalade that Sven was driving. We made a brief stop to buy some fast food on our way back to Jake’s. When Sven dropped us off at the house, we walked inside while laughing at the whole misunderstanding with Kai.
“I can’t believe you told me he was gay though.” I giggled as I made my way to the kitchen and placed the food on the counter.
“Yeah, well I didn’t know what to say. I panicked.” He followed closely behind and wrapped his arms around me, kissing the back of my neck.
“Ooo.” I moaned and turned towards him. My ring grabbed his attention again.
“Do you mind taking that shit off, Reese?”
“I’m sorry.” I then removed the ring. “Now, where were we?” I smiled and began kissing him. He then picked me up and placed me on top of the kitchen counter. I wrapped my legs around him as he took my mouth in his. Our hands travelling up and down each other’s body.
In a swift unexpected movement, he scooped me up from the counter, carried me up the stairs and into the bedroom, laying me on the bed. He turned on the music and the sexy hypnotising sound of Cut by Hopium floated through the room. He removed every stitch of clothing from both our bodies as I laid on the bed playfully admiring every inch of him. He was so hot to me!
Without much more hesitation or words from either of us, he carried me into the shower. I stood silently. My hair falling artfully around my face and down my back as I anticipated his next move. He paced around me, looking down in a domineering stare. I just kept my head down, avoiding his intense gaze. “Reese.” He whispered with a slight hiss at the end that shot the hairs on the back of my neck straight up.
Just the sound of his voice could make me wet. He had that power over me. A sickeningly excruciating power that I ironically loved. How was I supposed to quit him for Heath when I didn’t even want to? I was obsessed and he bared the same feeling toward me. Give up that? Never! But you’re engaged! That nauseating reminder rung off in my head and when Jake placed his soft lips to t
he back of my neck every single thought that bombarded me shattered. He turned on the shower and warm water sprouted over us. He then turned me toward him, grabbed hold of my face and stared into my eyes. Before I could say a word he took my mouth in his.
Every moment passed by grew more and more intense. Our tangling tongues. Caressing bodies. And curious hands moving all over each other. Soon enough, my breasts and face were pressed hard into the glass door of the shower as he eased his length slowly into me. I relished in the fullness of his body and bit on my bottom lip, moaning and gyrating my hips in time with his. His hands gripped onto the sides of my waist as his thrusts grew more violent. Bang! Bang! Bang! The sound of the door as he pounded himself even harder into me, occasionally smacking hard on my ass.
Yes, this was everything! Our bodies slippery from a mixture of sweat, steam and warm water. He then pulled out, spun me around and hoisted me on top of him. This time my back was against the door as he thrusted his hips back and forth. I closed my eyes and tipped my head back as my fingers weaved through his hair at the nape of his neck. I gripped onto the grooves of the door trying to keep myself balanced and stable. He bent his head, his forehead on my chest as he pounded. Grunts and subtle moans. Sweat and steam. Thrusts and tense muscles. My nails in his back. His lips on mine. My fingers weaving through his hair. His electric blue eyes burning with lust. And soon, it was all over. We collapsed to the floor of the bathroom, soaking in the shower, our bodies tangled together.
After our bathroom activities, we snuggled up to each other on the bed. We locked gazes as we were in deep conversation. “I remember the first time I saw you.” He whispered.
“Really? What was that like?”
“It was during orientation. I was at the front of the room and was about to give my welcome speech when my eyes fell on you. You were the cutest little thing I had ever seen, with your little beanie and converse sneakers.” He laughed.
“You remember that? Oh my God.”
“Yeah I did, then when I showed you all to the classroom, you spoke and it took me by surprise, because of the accent.”
“Yes…I remember. I asked you a question and you answered with a question. You were like ‘Trini?’.” I joked.
“Yes, yes. Don’t laugh at me. I was in awe. Not every day a Trini comes to Dillcaster. And you were so beautiful, you radiated to me. You were so snarky and I loved it about you. The way you rolled your eyes at those girls who were gawking at me – hilarious.”
“Aye, those girls were being ridiculous.”
“No shame.” He laughed and his smile faded, his ayes narrowed. “I feel like I can’t wait any longer, Reese. I want you. I want you with me. I’m tired of this.”
“I feel the same, Jake. I don’t know why I said yes. So stupid of me. Now I’m just going to crush him even more. I never wanted to be this person.” Tears welled up in my eyes. “You must think I’m an awful, selfish bitch.” I scoffed.
“I was with Kin, you are far from any of that. I put you in a shitty situation. Had I been honest, this wouldn’t have happened. I can’t blame you.” He rubbed his thumb against my cheek.
“Every time I want to do it, it’s like I shut down. My hearts starts pounding and I – I don’t know.”
“As soon as I deal with Kin, you have to deal with Andrews.” He said solemnly. “We could get married and have babies.” He smirked.
“We would have some gorgeous ass babies, wouldn’t we?” I replied playfully.
“Damn right.”
Chapter 12
My weekend was over and it was back to the reality of my unfortunate love triangle. Sven dropped me home and I tried to make the place look as though I was in fact there all weekend. Even going far as washing my clothes, ensuring that I or my clothes smelt nothing like Jake.
When Heath came home, I was watching a movie on the TV, eating a pint of Haagen-Dazs ice-cream. “Pieces.” His eyes lit up when he came through the door. He plopped down on the sofa beside me and hugged me tightly. “I missed you.” He kissed me on the cheek.
“I missed you, too.” I smiled. “How was it?”
“We got the ‘okay’ from a client and I have a huge ad campaign to put together. God, you have no idea how much I missed you.” He squeezed me harder. “I almost came home early.”
“Really?” I swallowed hard.
“How was your weekend, what you do?” He opened his mouth and I stuffed a spoonful of ice-cream inside.
“Nothing much, really. I completed that article for your dad, sent it over to him and here I am. Being a couch potato.”
“Sounds riveting.” He exaggerated.
“It is quite riveting.” I smiled. I loved this about us. That kick-back best friend type-thing we had going.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” He raised his hip off the sofa and pulled something out of his front pocket. “For you madam.” He playfully presented a silver necklace with my name engraved on it.
“What?” I gasped. “It’s just like…”
“The one you had – I know. Got it remade for you.”
“Thank you, Heath.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed tightly. I hate myself.
“No bother, Pieces. By the way, I was wondering, how would you like to officially meet my entire family?”
“Your entire family? Meaning in Australia?” I raised a brow. His entire family! Oh fucking hell!
“Yes. I was thinking about going for the summer. That’s as long as they aren’t planning any trips. I hope that’s alright with you.”
“Yes of course, Heath.”
Sigh, I keep digging myself in a deeper pit. How hard is it to say no? No, I can’t marry you Heath and No, I can’t meet your family – not under false pretences anyway. Maybe I should write him a letter. I mean, I am a great writer and tend to express myself better through written words. But nope, I kept nodding my head with the best fake smile I could muster. Reese, you stupid cunt!
Every day was more of the same – more secret rendezvous with Jake and me, trying not to be too distant from Heath in the process, all while refraining from intimacy. It was hard because I didn’t want suspicions to arise.
Heath was sitting at the breakfast bar with his laptop, busy designing something on Adobe Illustrator. I came down the stairs to see him hard at work, his eyes peeled to the screen as he worked. “Hey.” I greeted him.
“Oh, hey babe.” He glimpsed me briefly before turning his attention to the screen.
I kissed him on the cheek and sat beside him. He was clad in an armless jersey and cargo shorts. I admired his shoulders as they moved. “Working on the campaign?” I asked breaking myself from my daze.
“Yep, final touches. I have to go back to San Fran this weekend.”
“Oh.” I scowled. Inside I was dancing with delight. Another weekend with Jake – yes! “I’m sorry that I’ve been brushing you off lately.”
He paused and turned to me. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not pressuring you into anything. When you’re ready – I’m here, okay? I know things been a bit rough for you.” His hand clasped the side of my face. “I love you.”
“I know you do.” I half-smiled. I just stared at him as he refocused his attention to his laptop. He was so clueless about what was really going on. He knew something was wrong with me, he didn’t know what. And out of respect for me, he didn’t pry. He was so understanding and sweet. I felt like a big shit for my betrayal. He didn’t deserve it – at all.
Heath eventually left for San Francisco and I returned to Jake’s. I was a free woman this weekend but I was beginning to get tired of the run around.
Jake and I were eating breakfast at the breakfast bar. He was quiet. Didn’t say much although he had told me he would give me an update on Kin, it seemed as though he was avoiding the topic.
“So, what’s the deal with Kin?” I asked in a more annoyed tone than intended. I was beginning to lose my patience holding out and it was almost three weeks since her accident.
&nb
sp; Everything was beginning to aggravate me. I was tired of the façade and the rendezvous and the secrets! The fucking secrets! They were eating me alive. Pretending to be happy. Pretending to be someone I wasn’t with Heath. Hurting him. Betraying him. I couldn’t take it anymore!
“There’s a problem. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” He placed his fork on the table mat with a very apologetic scowl.
“What do you mean a problem, Jake? Are you wasting my time? I want to know what the deal is! I’m not breaking up with Heath if Kin isn’t taken care of, but at the same time, it’s not fair to have him in a doormat position either and it’s tearing me apart! I want to fucking fix this!” I slammed my fist down.
“Joey hasn’t heard anything about Kin, neither have I. Her family hasn’t contacted me and the doctors won’t tell me anything. She’s basically a ghost.” Jake bent his head.
“So wait, are you telling me she’s missing, or is she out?” I asked completely worried.
“I don’t know, Reese. But this isn’t good, for either of us. I don’t know what to make of it. I got Sven to get some of his guys to protect you, from afar. Joey is on alert and so is Kai. Just be very vigilant, okay?” He informed me. “I upped my security system here and got Granger and his team keeping tabs on things. Granger knows a P.I., so I’ll put that in place as well. It’ll be okay.”
“What the fuck!” I panicked. “Like if this crazy mother fucker actually is out and aware of us, she’ll kill me? Wouldn’t she?”
“I would never let her hurt you. If she ever tried Reese, I swear to God I’d kill her myself and won’t give a damn about the consequences. He assured me.
In The Spur of Heath (The Spur Series Book 1) Page 24