by L. P. Dover
I waved her off. “Nothing I couldn’t handle. When I first started working here, I never expected to have the clientele I have now. I’m just glad people are giving me a chance. I was scared no one was going to want me when they could have you.”
“Are you serious?” she gasped. “We have people calling here all the time asking for you. You’re amazing at what you do. I’m not shocked at all. Soon it’ll be you in all the magazines.”
“I wish.” It would be a dream come true to see my picture in a magazine.
She bumped me in the shoulder. “It’ll happen. Now what do you say about getting something to eat. I’m craving something fried.”
My eyes lit up. “And I know just where we can go.”
She pointed to the door. “Lead the way. I’m ready.”
Ever since I started working out with Jennifer, I hadn’t been able to think about my favorite restaurant. Since Jack had been gone, I’d spent most of my free nights with her, exercising and just hanging out. She even stayed over and ate some of the wonderful food Angela left me. It was nice having someone other than my brother to hang out with.
Ryan was spending more time with some of the guys on the team and I was happy for him. It looked like he was starting to find his place, especially after the touchdown he told me he’d made at the last game. I guess all it took was for him to prove himself worthy.
The restaurant I wanted to go to was only a few blocks away, so we decided to walk. It was nice having so many great restaurants so close to where I worked and lived, but I still couldn’t wait to get a house with some land.
Once inside the restaurant, we sat down and the first thing I noticed was the cakes.
“Don’t look behind you or you’ll regret it,” I said, opening the menu. And of course, as soon as I said it Korinne turned around.
“Wow, I think I’m in heaven.”
“And you will be if you get a piece. The chocolate on chocolate is the best.”
After we ordered our food and drinks, the waitress brought out our own individual loaves of cornbread. There were times I wanted to order a dozen of them and eat them for my meal; they were that good.
“I have to say, I have never been here,” Korinne said, glancing around the restaurant.
I took a sip of my tea. “It won’t be your last visit—I can assure you of that.”
The waitress brought our food: fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and steamed cabbage. I missed the food in Texas, but I was starting to love North Carolina food even more. In a way, I felt like a traitor, but Charlotte was my home now and I had no plans of leaving. We were almost done eating when I noticed Korinne staring at me.
“Who is he?” she asked.
I swallowed down the rest of my cornbread. “Who is who?”
She smiled. “The guy you can’t seem to stop thinking about. I can see it all over your face.”
“His name is Jack. Right now he’s in Florida with his brother. His mother just passed away.”
“Oh no, that’s horrible,” she said sadly. “I can’t imagine how that must feel. I’m really close to my mom.”
I nodded. “Me too. I’m just waiting for him to get back. I don’t know when that’ll be.”
“I’m sure he’ll be home soon. And when he is, you’ll be right there for him.” Yes, I will.
We paid for our meals and started back toward M&M. “Did you always want to design?” I asked her.
“My whole life. Although there was a time when I lost my way. It was after my first husband was killed.”
I remembered her telling me about him. He was a doctor and had worked double shifts at the hospital. On his way home, he fell asleep at the wheel and wrecked his car. They had only been married for a short while.
“How did you find your way back?”
Her smile was sad. “Galen found me and asked me to work for him. I was all for telling him no, but he staged a whole scheme and had Rebecca in on it.”
I gasped. “Really? Tell me.”
“He had me come with him to look at a house and when we got there, the inside was hideous. The colors were all wrong and nothing matched. I thought I was in a nightmare. Anyway, when I walked around the house it was like everything came back to me. I found my creativity again.”
“That’s terrific. I can totally see Galen doing that.” We got to the entrance of M&M and my phone rang. When I glanced down at the screen, I gasped. “It’s Jack.”
She pushed me to the side. “Answer it then, silly.”
I moved away from the door and answered the call. “Jack?”
“Hey, baby.” His voice sounded lighter, not as distant and depressed as before.
“How are you?”
“Much better. I’ll tell you everything when I get home.”
My heart raced, excitement bubbling in my veins. “Are you on your way now?”
“Yep, about to get on the plane. I should be there in a couple of hours. I’ll see you when you get off of work.”
“Okay, I’ll see you then.” We hung up and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Is he coming home?” Korinne asked.
I nodded excitedly. “On his way now. He’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
“Then why don’t you take the rest of the day off? I can take your afternoon appointments.”
“Are you serious?” The offer was tempting, but I didn’t want to push the extra work on her.
She waved me off. “It’s my first day back and Mrs. Blanton didn’t give me many appointments. I have plenty of time.”
Ecstatic, I threw my arms around her. “Thank you so much! I don’t usually skip out on work because of a guy, though. I promise it won’t be a habit.”
She squeezed me back. “Bristol, I know that. You’ve been working for my husband for over a year now and you’ve never asked for a day off. I think you deserve this.”
“You’re the best. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
—
I didn’t know if Jack had gotten my text, telling him to head over to my house after he landed. If he didn’t get it before then, he was sure to see it when he arrived at the airport. Before going home, I stopped at the grocery store to pick up some food. It was Angela’s night to stop by, but I called her to see if she wouldn’t mind delaying my meals for another day. I wanted to cook for Jack myself and spend some time with him.
The two hours had come and gone, and all I had to do was wait for him to get my text. It felt like an eternity. When my phone beeped, I rushed toward it, but it wasn’t him.
Jennifer: Are we running tonight?
Me: Can’t. Jack is coming back! I’m dying to see him.
Jennifer: Ok! Just let me know when you want to start back.
Me: Will do.
We had a routine going for the past week and I hated putting her to the side, but I needed to see Jack. A knock sounded on the door and my heart raced. Was it him? I rushed to answer it and opened the door wide, hoping like hell it was him…and it was. He looked completely different from the last time I saw him. His smooth face was now roughened with dark stubble and his always perfectly coiffed hair was covered in a red baseball hat.
He stepped closer, his amber eyes boring into mine. “Did you miss me?”
I threw my arms around his neck. “You have no idea. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Are you okay?”
He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into him. It felt good to be in his arms again. “I’m fine, love. It was hard at first, but I’m glad she’s not in pain anymore.”
He let me go and I stepped back. “Come on in. I didn’t know if you got my text or not.”
Stepping inside, he slowly walked over to the couch and sat down. “I did, but as soon as we landed all I could think about was getting here.”
I sat down beside him and he draped his arm over my shoulder. His lips touched the top of my head and I shivered. “I was worried about you. We’ve barely spoken all week. I didn’t know what to say or do,” I conf
essed.
He tilted my chin up and kissed me. Oh, how I missed his touch. The stubble on his chin tickled my face, especially when he leaned down and placed his lips on my neck. “You were the only thing that kept me happy, Bristol. I knew as soon as I was done there I’d be coming home to you.”
Turning my body, I faced him. “Is there anything you want to talk about? I’m a good listener.”
Taking a deep breath, he took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know where to begin.” He shrugged, and I could see his resolve slipping. There were tears in his eyes but he refused to look at me. “I miss her, simple as that. She spent all weekend telling me about the things I’d done as a kid that left an imprint on her. We looked at pictures and old videos, reminiscing about anything and everything. It seemed to put her at peace.” His head lifted and he grazed a finger down my cheek. “I told her about you and how you make me happy.”
“You did?”
He nodded. “It’s an accomplishment no one else in this world has been able to achieve. I just wish she could’ve met you.”
I grabbed his hand and held it to my face. “Me too. What do you want to do now that you’re back?”
“Honestly? I just want to hold you, to know that you’re here. You have no idea how fucking bad I wanted to be with you.”
Crawling onto his lap, I straddled him and placed my hands on his face. “I’m here…and I’m not going anywhere.”
He thrust his hips into me and held me tight. “Good. Because there’s no way in hell I can let you go.”
—
A couple of hours later, all thoughts of cooking dinner went out the window. I had planned on cooking barbequed chicken, but it was getting too late, and I was still stuffed from the large lunch Korinne and I ate. Jack lay beside me in my bed, his body facing mine, while his fingers traced circles on my hip.
“What all did you do while I was gone?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Exercised with my friend Jennifer, and worked. I also ate some really nice meals from a certain cook. I never got the chance to say thank you. I appreciate you having Angela stop by.”
His lips pulled back into a smile. “You’re welcome. I wanted to make sure you were taken care of. I have her coming every week, but if it’s too much for you I’ll tell her to stop.”
“No,” I blurted out, making him laugh. “I like her coming. Now all you have to do is let me pay her.”
He shook his head. “I can think of other payment methods. You’re more than welcome to work off the debt with me.”
Giggling, I reached between his legs and cupped him. “I’m fine with that.” His cock jumped in my hand. “Looks like you are too. Do you want to stay the night?”
He sighed. “I can’t. There’s so much I need to do at home, phone calls I need to make, and so much more shit I don’t want to have to do.” His fingers brushed the hair off my face. “What about tomorrow?”
I smiled wide. “Definitely. However, I was going to cook you dinner tonight. Looks like the time slipped by us.”
He kissed me and slid out of bed. “We can cook together tomorrow.” While he put on his clothes, I got out of bed and did the same. I didn’t want him to go, but I understood he had a lot to do. Once we were both dressed, he started for the door and I followed him.
“I’m going to walk you to your car. I completely forgot I left my phone in mine.”
He stopped at the door. “Why don’t you give me your keys and I’ll get it.”
“Don’t be so chivalrous,” I said, laughing. “I’ll be fine to get my phone and walk back up here myself. I do it all the time.”
Sighing, he opened my door and we walked out. “Yeah, but it’s dark and you’re a female. Lots of bad shit happens to women like you at night.”
“We have security, Jack. I’ll be fine.”
We took the elevator down to the lower level and crossed the walkway to the parking garage. Everything was lit up, so if anyone tried to do anything to me, he wouldn’t have the element of surprise. Besides, my brother had taught me several defensive techniques for how to take down a man. A knee to the balls would work just fine. When we walked through the door to the garage, my eyes widened.
“Hey,” I squealed, waving my hand in the air. I was so happy my brother would finally get to meet Jack.
He walked toward me with a smile, but when he caught sight of Jack, that smile turned into an all-out heated glare. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he growled, quickening his pace.
Jack froze and gripped my arm, grumbling, “Shit,” before pulling me around to face him. “Bristol, listen to me. This isn’t how I wanted you to find out.”
Everything was happening so fast, I didn’t know what to think. “Find out what?” I asked desperately.
Before he could reply, Ryan ripped me out of Jack’s hold and pushed him away. Jaw tense, Jack was ready to fight, but I couldn’t let that happen. “Ryan, stop!” I shouted, digging my nails into his shoulder.
Jerking his head around, he glared straight at me. “Do you even know who this cocksucker is? He’s playing you to get back at me.”
I threw my hands in the air. “What the hell are you talking about? How do you even know him?”
Jack’s eyes never left mine, the anguish on his face making me sicker by the second. I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like what came out of Ryan’s mouth. He scoffed incredulously and spat at Jack. “He’s Jaxon fucking Reed, the asshole on the team I’ve been telling you about. Don’t tell me you didn’t know?”
Jack stepped forward, but then again, that wasn’t his name. It was Jaxon Reed. “Bristol, let me explain.”
“Fuck that,” Ryan growled, pushing him back again. “You need to leave and stay the hell away from my sister.”
They faced off with each other, the tension thick in the air. “You touch me once more and I’ll make sure you never throw a football again ever.”
Being the dick that my brother was, he provoked Jaxon by jabbing a finger at his chest; then all hell broke loose. “No!” I screamed. Jaxon swung, his fist connecting to Ryan’s cheek. Punches were thrown left and right and they fell to the ground, the sound of flesh hitting flesh all I could hear. “Guys, stop! What’s the matter with you?”
I wanted to break them up, but there was nothing I could do. They were too volatile. So many emotions warred through my body and I had no clue what to believe. I was numb. Did Jaxon really seek me out to get back at my brother? Was everything we shared just a joke to him? The whole thing so nauseated me I could barely breathe.
“Hey, break it up!” Stan, the security guard, yelled. He rushed over and grabbed Jaxon by the shirt, yanking him off Ryan. Both guys were bloody, their murderous glares on each other. Stan pushed them apart and stood between them. “I suggest you boys calm down.” Then he turned to me. “Are you okay?”
I clutched my stomach and shook my head. “Not really.” Tears burned my eyes, because all I could feel was the humiliation.
“It’s time for you to leave,” Stan told them. “I’m sure your coach won’t like having to get you both out of jail.”
And that definitely confirmed it. Jaxon was part of the Cougars and I’d had no clue. He had lied to me the entire time. I didn’t want to look at him, or even at my brother. I felt so stupid. Turning on my heel, I started toward the door, not even caring that my phone was still in my car. All I wanted was to get away.
“Bristol, wait! You have to hear me out.”
Stopping midstep, I slowly turned around, hoping like hell I could keep the tears at bay. I didn’t want him to see how badly he’d hurt me. “You lied to me,” I growled.
With a heavy sigh, he nodded. “I did, but I was going to tell you the truth. I tried several times, but there was always something that got in the way.”
Ryan huffed. “You’re such a lying piece of shit. When were you going to tell her, huh? After you fucked her?” His words stung and I flinched. Ryan noticed the reaction and groan
ed, his face torn. “You have got to be fucking kidding me. Dammit, Bris.”
“I don’t need a lecture,” I snapped, cutting him off.
The anger started to take over and I welcomed it. I would rather feel that than sadness. Taking a deep breath, I turned to Jaxon. Stan held out his arms so neither Jaxon nor my brother could get any closer. “I’m going to ask you this one time, and so help me, you’d better be honest.”
Jaxon nodded. “I promise.”
“Was it all a joke to you? Was any of it real?”
He stepped closer, but Stan held him back. “Everything I feel for you is real, Bristol. You have to believe that.”
“He’s lying,” Ryan challenged. “The guy’s worse than your ex will ever be. Look his name up.”
Jaxon glared at him. “Shut the fuck up, Delaney.”
Ryan shrugged. “It’s the truth.”
The more I heard, the harder it was to keep my emotions in check. Now I knew why I stayed away from football players. What made it worse was that my brother was one of them. The thought of him doing this to a girl made me livid.
Teeth clenched, I stared daggers at my brother and then at Jaxon. “You never answered the first question. Was it a joke to you?”
He stared at me for a second and then lowered his head. “At first it was.” I sucked in a breath and he lifted his gaze. “But then I got to know you and it turned into so much more. I’m in love with you, Bristol. Surely you must know that.”
I stood frozen, wondering if I’d heard him right. How could someone love me and yet deceive me the way he did? “No, I don’t know that,” I retorted. “I want you to leave.” Then I faced my brother. “Both of you. I don’t want to see either one of you right now.”
Turning on my heel, I raced out of the garage, the tears flowing like rivers down my cheeks. Jaxon and Ryan both hollered for me, Jaxon’s voice being the one that pierced my heart more. His betrayal struck deep, and I felt like an idiot for falling in love with him.