Melanie shrugged. “Okay.” Then she held out a cell phone. “Can you give this to him?” Her sweet smile turned into a slight smirk. “He left it at my place last night.” Then she turned and sashayed down the porch steps, and out to her car.
Jessica watched her go, her thoughts churning. After a moment she gathered herself and shut the door, but not before she saw Melanie glance at her, a smug smile on her face.
Pressing her back against the door, Jessica stared at the living room, the phone clutched in her now-sweaty hands.
Should I look? Should I look? Should I look?
Angry at Melanie for putting her in this predicament, after a moment she turned the anger inward, because it only took about ten seconds for her to decide to take a peek at Kyle’s cell phone. And she was upset with herself for being so weak. Regardless, she knew there must be something juicy, or Melanie never would have handed the phone over so willingly.
But what about the conversation she’d just had? The one where Kyle said he loved her. Was she willing to risk that tiny bit of progress just to satisfy her curiosity?
Glancing toward the kitchen where she knew she should go and hand over the phone, she hesitated, then began walking. But to her surprise, a moment later she found herself not in the kitchen giving Kyle his phone, but in her bedroom with her door shut and blocked with a chair, her fingers poised over the button that would wake up Kyle Judd’s phone.
Chapter Eleven
She stared at the darkened screen, her thoughts in a whirl. Did Melanie want me to get the phone? Or did she really want to give it to Kyle? Is there something on here that will push me away from Kyle? Is that her plan?
She remembered how much she’d regretted looking at the photos on the disc, and battled with herself over whether looking at Kyle’s phone was a good idea. The phone seemed to call to her—Just take a peek, Jessica. I’ll have so much information. Just a teeny tiny peek.
Sighing, she squeezed her eyes closed, the temptation beginning to overwhelm her. Just as her finger pressed the button to wake the phone, it began to ring. Startled, she nearly dropped it, but quickly pulled herself together and swiped the screen to reject the call. The Caller ID was a name she’d never heard of, and she hoped the person would leave a message.
Now that the phone was awake, she just had to swipe the screen to get to the home page.
Maybe it’s locked, she thought with desperation, knowing that would take the decision out of her hands. But if it was, wouldn’t it have already asked for the password? To test that theory, and half-hoping that it was locked, she held her breath and swiped the screen. The home page appeared.
Letting her breath out in a rush, she stared at the image on Kyle’s home page. It was Avery. Sitting on Melanie’s lap. A very nice picture of the two of them.
Wait a minute, Jessica thought. How long has that image been his wallpaper? Maybe Melanie just changed it. Or maybe it’s been there a while, but Kyle hasn’t gotten around to changing it.
Those explanations made her feel better, but it had been nearly two weeks since Kyle had told her he was still in love with her. Wouldn’t that have given him plenty of time to put her picture as his wallpaper? Of course, there was a good chance he didn’t have any recent pictures of her.
Shaking her head, she frowned. All she’d done so far was look at the home page, and already she was in turmoil.
A loud knock on her bedroom door made her let out a soft shriek.
“Jessica?” Kyle called out.
Her eyes widened, and she leapt from the chair, then froze, her gaze darting around the room, wondering where to hide the phone.
The mattress. She lifted the corner of her bed and shoved the phone between the box spring and mattress, then straightened her blouse and turned to the door.
“Are you in there?” he said.
“Yes. Just a second.” Not wanting to give Kyle a reason to ask why she’d barricaded herself in her room, she slid the chair away from the door as quietly as she could, and a moment later she opened the door, a smile on her face. “Hi.”
He smiled, but looked at her with a bit of confusion. “Are you all right? You seem out of breath.”
“Uh, just doing some . . . you know . . . some stretches. Helps to wake me up if I get drowsy while I’m working.”
“Oh. Okay.”
She felt terrible for lying to him. Oh what a tangled web we weave. The saying drifted into her mind, and she felt guilt slice through her, but she couldn’t give him the phone right then. What would he think if she said, Oh, hey, Kyle. I have something of yours. Let me just grab it from under my mattress. Yeah, not such a good idea. She just hoped he wouldn’t miss too many calls.
Calls! What if the phone rings while we’re standing here chit-chatting? she thought, her heart pounding erratically. He’d recognize his ring tone. Now frantic to get him away from her room, she tried to think of a reason to leave.
He leaned against the door frame, evidently in no hurry at all. “So, Jess.”
She tried to remain calm, but really, she wanted to push him out of the doorway and toward the stairs. The further from her room, the better. “Yeah?”
“I was wondering if you’d like to go out tonight?”
Thrilled that he’d asked her out, especially after their conversation earlier, she was unable to fully enjoy the feeling as she tried to will the phone to not ring. Why didn’t I put it on mute? “Sure. That would be great.”
He straightened, and she nearly gasped in relief. “I’ll pick you up in an hour and a half.”
“Okay.”
His smile slowly grew as he stepped closer and pulled her into his arms. She hoped he wouldn’t be able to sense the tension that was surely radiating from her body in waves. After a moment she was able to force herself to relax, even putting her arms around his neck and pressing her cheek against his shoulder. Trying to forget the phone stuffed under her mattress, she relished the feel of his strong arms around her.
After a few moments he pulled back enough to look at her, and after gazing at her a moment, he leaned down for a kiss. When his lips met hers, she allowed herself to get lost in the feelings swirling through her, and she eagerly returned the passion she felt from him.
When they separated, she missed his closeness, but hoped he would get going—at least away from her room.
“I’d better take off,” he said, smiling at her. “I’ll see you in a while.”
“Okay.”
“Dress casual,” he said over his shoulder.
She nodded as she watched him walk down the hall and toward the stairs, but the moment he began descending them, Jessica practically dove under her mattress to grab the phone and put it on silent. A moment later she heard the front door open then close, and knew Kyle had left.
She held the phone in her hand and silently cursed Melanie.
Melanie! What if Kyle realizes he left his phone at her house and he stops by to pick it up? Melanie will be more than happy to tell him that she gave it to me, and he’ll know exactly what I’m up to.
Jessica frowned. If she was going to look at anything on his phone, she had to do it now, before he came to pick her up. If she didn’t give him the phone then, he would know she had purposely put off giving it to him. Trying to delay her final decision for a few more minutes, she got ready for their date, putting on her favorite jeans, and a flattering blouse, then took extra care with her make-up.
When she was ready, she carried the phone and her purse downstairs, and sat on a chair in the sunroom. She stared at the phone again, and almost put in in her purse without looking, but at the last second she couldn’t stand it anymore and she woke the phone up, then brought up the home page.
It showed a missed call, which she already knew about. She ignored that and went straight to the text messages. Names were listed vertically on the page, and her eyes were drawn to the one at the top—the most recent one. Melanie.
She tapped the name and a flowing list of message
s displayed. The most recent one was sent the evening before.
Kyle: Sure. I’ll be over in a bit.
Obviously that was when he’d gone over to her place the night before and left his phone. Jessica scrolled to the beginning of the messages between Kyle and Melanie, which went back about a month. Up until the date Kyle had broken up with Melanie, the messages were what she would have expected between two people seriously dating—making plans, checking on how the other was doing, tidbits about Avery including photos, and lots of I love you’s. From both of them.
Reading this personal exchange made Jessica feel like a voyeur, and she knew it was wrong. Even so, she couldn’t seem to stop herself, and she read on.
The tone of the messages changed after the date Kyle had broken up with Melanie, although Melanie sent several concerned messages after the attack from Douglas Harrington.
Melanie: I’m so worried about you. Can I come see you?
Kyle: I’m fine. Honest. I’m busy right now, but maybe we can get together another time.
Melanie: I’ll just stop by for a minute. I just need to see for myself that you’re okay.
Kyle: I’m not home right now.
That was the day he’d told Jessica that he still loved her. Evidently he was able to resist Melanie’s pushiness then, but it hadn’t taken long for her to wear down his resistance.
The very next day, there was this exchange.
Melanie: Avery misses you.
Kyle: I’ll stop by after work. But just for a few minutes.
Melanie: Whatever time you can spare for us will be welcome.
Jessica rolled her eyes. It was as if Melanie was saying Poor little me. I’m all alone now, but I’ll take whatever time you deign to give me. Sighing in frustration, because Melanie’s ploys seemed to work so well on Kyle, she continued reading.
Two days later Melanie texted Kyle to tell him Avery was feeling better after getting her stitches, and Jessica remembered that Melanie had called him about her injury. And then had called him while he was in the middle of working—while Jessica was standing right there—and asked him to come over and help with Avery. And he’d gone.
There were several more messages from Melanie inviting him over, and to Jessica’s surprise, he turned some of them down. But during the few days she was out of town breaking up with Alex, he had sent messages accepting Melanie’s invitations. One exchange in particular really worried her. Especially because it had taken place so recently.
Melanie: I wish you could have stayed longer, but I’m glad you were able to come over tonight. Avery loves to spend time with you.
Kyle: I like to spend time with her too. You know that.
Melanie: I like to spend time with you too.
Ten minutes passed, and then Melanie sent another message.
Melanie: I still love you, Kyle. I’ll always love you.
Five minutes passed before Kyle responded.
Kyle: I love you too.
Heart dropping. Stomach churning. That’s how Jessica felt as she digested the words Kyle had typed to his ex-girlfriend only days before. He still loves her. There was no denying the way he felt. The words glowing on the screen were irrefutable. He’d typed them. No one had made him say them. He’d done it on his own.
The time of the the next two messages was right after Kyle had declared his love.
Melanie: I want to see you again. Avery and I will come visit you tomorrow night.
Kyle: Ok
Jessica looked at the date and knew Melanie was talking about stopping by Kyle’s place the previous Friday night. The night Jessica had stopped by Kyle’s house. The night Melanie had shown up with Avery. Feeling numb, Jessica couldn’t drag her gaze away from the words Kyle had typed.
Devastated by what he’d said, she remembered his accusation that she was keeping Alex in the wings, then recalled her thought that the only reason he would think such a thing was because that was what he was doing with Melanie. The texts seemed to confirm it. Why else would he be spending so much time with her? And telling her he loves her.
Tears filled Jessica’s eyes as she imagined losing him to Melanie. In her mind’s eye, she pictured a miniature Kyle running around, then vanishing in a poof of fluffy gray clouds, as if the son she would have with Kyle was being erased from her future. Was she willing to let that happen? Was she willing to let Melanie take away the man she’d nearly married five years before—before he’d even met Melanie?
A feeling of possessiveness swept over her, and she had a sudden and powerful desire to win this battle against Melanie. But it was more than the winning. It was the end result that really mattered. And in the end, she wanted—no, needed—to make Kyle hers. He was the man she’d been in love with five years ago. The man she’d never stopped loving in all that time. She wasn’t about to give up and throw away the future she’d wanted for so long.
She was upset about what she’d read, but she also believed that having the knowledge of Kyle’s true feelings gave her an advantage in this battle. She didn’t regret reading the texts, though she was certain Melanie’s plan had been to discourage her.
Your plan backfired, Jessica thought, a new feeling of resolve rushing through her. Not only am I not discouraged, but I’m more determined than ever to fight for the man I love.
She skimmed the rest of the messages, but didn’t see anything more earth-shattering than Kyle’s declaration of love.
“I’m back,” Ellen said as she walked into the kitchen, grocery bags in her arms.
Jessica’s gaze shot to her aunt, who she hadn’t heard come in, and fresh guilt washed over her that she was doing something she knew her aunt would disapprove of.
“Looks like Kyle’s making some progress,” Ellen said as she set the bags on the table.
Jessica stood, then stuffed Kyle’s phone into her purse. “Do you have more in the car?”
“Just a couple more bags.”
“I’ll get them.” A few minutes later Jessica set the remaining bags on the table. “That’s it.”
“These frozen meals should keep us going for a while.” Ellen smiled as she unloaded the items from the bags into the freezer, which was plugged in in the dining room.
“I should tell you that Kyle asked me out for dinner tonight.”
“Well, that’s good news.”
“I hope you don’t mind being on your own for dinner.”
Ellen laughed. “I’ve been on my own plenty of times. No need to worry about me.” Ellen looked thoughtful. “How are things with the two of you, if I may ask?”
The words in the messages between Kyle and Melanie flashed through her mind, with I love you shining in bright neon colors. “Not much to report,” she lied, not wanting to tell her aunt that she was snooping through Kyle’s texts. “I guess we’ll see how things go tonight.”
“Yes.”
The doorbell rang.
“There he is now,” Ellen said, her eyebrows raised, as if to say, Aren’t you excited?
Not wanting her aunt to worry, Jessica forced a smile onto her face. “I’ll see you later.”
“Have a good time.”
Jessica walked toward the door, wondering how she was going to hide the fact that she knew what Kyle had told Melanie.
Chapter Twelve
“Hi, Jess,” Kyle said when she opened the door.
“Hi.” She felt like a red arrow was pointing to the slight bulge in her purse that was Kyle’s phone, and she was almost surprised when he didn’t reach out and grab it from her.
His gaze swept over her body, and he smiled appreciatively. “You look nice.”
Trying to ignore the imagined weight of her purse that seemed to pull on her shoulder, she smiled. “Thanks.”
“Ready to go?”
“Yes.” She followed him out the door, and down the steps to his truck. Buckling herself in, she knew she needed to get rid of the phone now, or she would never be able to focus on their date. In a voice that she hoped sounded
off-hand, she said, “Oh, I forgot to tell you that Melanie stopped by earlier to drop off your phone.”
He looked at her with a mixture of surprise and something that could have been guilt. “I was wondering where that was.”
She pulled the phone out of her purse and handed it over, waiting for him to ask if she’d read his messages or looked at anything on it, but he just smiled and tucked it into his pocket. When he started up the truck and began driving without a word about his phone, she wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed. Maybe she wanted an opening to discuss the messages she’d seen, but if he didn’t bring it up, she certainly had no intention to.
“Where are we going?” she asked, pushing aside the image of him holding Melanie in his arms, telling her that he loved her.
He turned to her and smiled, his green eyes twinkling. “I’m taking you to a place you may remember going to years ago.”
“Hmm. We went to lots of places.”
His smile grew. “Yes, we did.”
That was one thing Jessica had that Melanie didn’t. A long history together. A history that included being engaged and talking about a future together. Unless Kyle and Melanie had talked about a future together. Sighing quietly, Jessica focused on what memories she could invoke that would pull Kyle closer to her.
“Remember the day we met?” she asked.
He glanced at her. “How could I forget? You’d dropped that big stack of decorating books at the library.” He grinned. “And I got there just in time to help you carry them out to your car.”
She nodded.
“I’ll never forget the look on your face when I asked if you wanted to go out.” He laughed. “You looked like you were ready to bolt.” He glanced at her again. “Why is that?”
Because I’d been afraid of getting hurt. She smiled. “Because I wasn’t used to being hit on at the library.”
He smiled in return. “Oh, is that what I was doing?”
“Yes, you were.”
“Well, you ended up going out with me, so I guess it worked.”
Second Chances (sequel to Over You) Page 9