***
“I THINK IT’S TIME WE exchanged phone numbers, since we’re a team and all.”
Tyler pauses with his beer half way to his mouth. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why?”
“Why?” he repeats. “I have to remind myself to keep our apartment door locked so you don’t barge right in. I can only imagine how many boundaries you’d push if you started calling me all the time.”
I lean closer and try my best to appear serious. “That hurts my feelings, Tyler. Friends don’t hold out on each other, and besides, I’d text you not call.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Again with the friends crap. I only met you last week.”
“And I just delivered you the best week of your life.” Tyler opens his mouth to say something, but nothing comes out.
“Let’s go sit down at a table,” Jodi says behind us after returning from the restroom.
“A table it is.” I grab my beer and follow Jodi.
Earlier, when I stopped by Tyler’s to tell him that I finally got Jodi to agree, he told me that Chad wasn’t home. Jodi, however, was raring to go and had no idea of the matchmaking skills I’m currently attempting, so I couldn’t suddenly postpone leaving.
Tyler was nice enough to call Chad and tell him how he was personally having drinks with the Jacobs sisters by himself, and he should hurry the hell up with whatever he was doing and meet us at the bar Jodi chose.
Jodi waits until Tyler sits down then she immediately starts in. “Tyler, after talking to Lennie, I’m a little confused about what exactly you do for a living.”
Tyler looks over at me and smirks. “I investigate fraud within a company as a neutral third party. I’m usually hired by owners or CEOs who already have an idea of what they’re looking for, but more times than not, I still manage to surprise them with what I’m able to uncover.”
Jodi grins. She loves the corporate life and always will. “I should give you my business card. You bust them breaking the law then they can hire me to defend them.”
Tyler chuckles. “I would, but I rarely take local clients. There’s a sense of safety being thousands of miles away from the person I just pulled the rug out from under.”
The longer I watch Tyler talk, the sexier he becomes. I knew he was gorgeous from the second he opened his door, but the more I’m around him, the more I’m noticing the little things. Like the way his eyes darken when I say something that pushes him out of his comfort zone, or the way he rubs his finger over his top lip when he’s thinking.
“Oh, look who’s here.” I glance at Jodi and smile when Chad appears next to the table. “Have a seat. We’re doing a little neighborly bonding.”
Chad sits down, never once taking his eyes off my sister.
“Nice to see you again, Chad.” I force myself not to groan at Jodi’s overly professional way of greeting a man who’s dying to rid her of her panties.
“You look great.” Jodi forces a fake smile but otherwise doesn’t acknowledge his comment.
“Sis, your drink is a little low. Are you ready for another one?” Jodi opens her mouth to answer, but I hop up before she has the chance. “Perfect. Tyler and I will go get it for you.”
Tyler laughs as I pull on his arm, but he gives in and follows me to the bar. “You were real discreet back there. I’m sure your sister doesn’t have any idea what you’re up to.”
“Who cares? Those two are perfect for each other. They just need a good hard shove in the right direction.”
“How do you know they’re good for each other? You barely know me, and you know even less about Chad.” He shakes his head, clearly irritated by my comment.
“You can learn a lot about someone without ever asking a question.”
Tyler’s eyes darken in that sexy, brooding way that’s beginning to turn me on. “What do you know about Chad?” he challenges.
I order a round of drinks from the bartender and turn back to Tyler.
“I know he has a good job and that he’s head over heels in lust with my sister. Hopefully, once he gets to know her, he still feels the same way because my sister needs a man in her life, whether she’s willing to admit it or not. The way I see it, they’re perfect for each other. After a long day, all they have to do is walk across the hall and bam. They can have sex.”
Tyler chokes on his beer, causing me to laugh.
“Bam, they can have sex?”
“Hell yes. Sex is the foundation of a good relationship.”
“No, it’s not.” His reply was sharp and almost instant.
“I beg to differ, my friend. Almost any argument can be solved by some bite my lip, spank my ass, fuck me hard sex.” Tyler’s eyes widen in shock. I lean in closer. “And don’t knock it until you try it.” I chuckle as I grab Jodi’s drink and walk back to the table.
HOLY SHIT. I’M SITTING IN a bar with an erection. Since my ex, Amber, and I split up six years ago, women in general haven’t held the same appeal as they did when I was younger. Amber is by far the last woman I’ve slept with, but to be honest, there haven’t been that many—definitely not for a single man in his mid-twenties. Since turning from a boy to a man, I’ve never had trouble controlling my desires, but listening to Lennie just now had the same effect as watching porn, only it left me wanting more.
After a deep breath, I turn away from the bar and look over at the table they’re sitting at. Seconds after Lennie says something, both Chad and Jodi break out in laughter. I don’t know Jodi, but I’ve seen her in the halls a handful of times, and she’s always wearing a stern look, but not tonight. And Chad hasn’t laughed like this since he’s dialed back his wild behavior in hopes of gaining Jodi’s attention, and it’s all because of Lennie.
After Amber, I decided marriage, kids, the white picket fence life wasn’t for me, but even if I hadn’t tossed in the towel, I never would have looked twice at a woman like Lennie Jacobs. She’s beautiful, but she’s also extremely intimidating. She says what she means, and she means what she says, and that’s a trait I’ve found is rare. Knowing I’ve sat here long enough, I force myself in the direction of our table.
“What’s so funny?” I ask as I walk up next to Lennie.
Chad starts shaking his head. “You don’t want to know, dude.”
Lennie wraps her arm around mine and squeezes into my side. The heat from her body and the way she smells has my body reacting again. I pull my arm away and take the seat across from her. Instead of acting pissed or pouting, she sits down next to her sister and does what Lennie appears to do best, which is making everyone laugh.
After almost an hour of meaningless conversation, Chad asks a question that has my ears perking up. “Lennie, where did you move from?”
“New Orleans.”
“Oh yeah. That’s an amazing city. What did you do there?” Again, it’s Chad asking the questions I’d like to know the answers to.
“I was a bartender in the French Quarter.” Lennie’s face lights up. “There’s magic that happens there every day. People from all around the world visit, and for a short period of time, they share that special energy you find when you’re away from your everyday life.”
I’ve never heard anyone take pride in talking about working as a bartender. Bartenders are typically college students looking to pay their way through school, but it’s not that way with Lennie. Then again, everything seems different with her.
“So why did you quit and move here?” Chad’s question causes Jodi’s shoulders to tense.
“I was sleeping with the owner of the bar I worked at. He wanted me to make a commitment to him, and I wasn’t willing.”
Both Chad and I are wearing shocked expressions, but Jodi shakes her head.
“Seriously, Lennie you don’t tell a table of people something like that.”
Lennie shrugs then smiles. “He asked, and besides, it’s the truth.”
Jodi groans, “I can’t believe you.”
“Life is too short not t
o do the things you enjoy.”
Chad chuckles, but both Jodi and I remain quiet.
“Oh please. There’s not a person at this table that can tell me they don’t enjoy sex. My boss was hot, and he made it clear he wasn’t looking for anything serious, so I took him up on his offer. It’s not my fault that he changed his mind.”
I’m starting to wonder if Chad is going for the wrong sister because I’ve heard him say practically the same thing before.
“Okay, trivia time. When was the last time you’ve had sex?” Lennie glances around the table.
“Lennie, that’s none of your damn business,” Jodi snaps, causing me to relax because I really didn’t want to be the only one who didn’t answer.
“Okay. Point taken. I’m just saying that people who have sex often are happier, and if you’re not happy then you know how to fix that.”
Chad chuckles under his breath. “I have to agree with her.”
“Oh God, don’t encourage her,” Jodi begs before looking down at her watch. “I hate to do this, but I have to go over some files in the morning then I was informed we’re eating dinner with our parents, which always ends up being eventful, so I think we better call it a night.”
Lennie quickly agrees. “Tyler, are you okay getting a ride with Chad?”
“Sure, that’s not a problem.”
“Awesome.” Without warning, she leans over and kisses my cheek. “See you later.”
Both Chad and I watch them leave. “Thanks, man, tonight was great. I think this was the opening I needed with Jodi.”
“Well, you should probably be thanking Lennie then because I can’t take credit for it.”
Chad nods his head. “I wonder how those two are sisters. Lennie is...” He trails off, causing me to laugh. “Lennie is a lot of things, but the one thing she’s not...is Jodi.”
I don’t know why, but Lennie being nothing like her sister feels like a good thing.
***
“I’VE BEEN THINKING...” LENNIE TRAILS off.
“Oh shit.”
“Hey!” she hollers, pretending to be insulted. Instead of entertaining her crazy thoughts, I turn back to my computer and attempt to work.
“I think we need to start spending more time together outside of this apartment. Last night was fun.”
“Lennie, I’d rather not spend time with you in this apartment much less out of it. I only agreed to last night because I knew Chad would’ve killed me if he found out later that I turned down your offer to fix him up with your sister.”
“That’s not true and you know it. You went to the shelter with me the other day, and that had nothing to do with Jodi and Chad.”
I slowly turn in my chair only to find her intense eyes studying my every move. I nervously clear my throat. “In case you haven’t noticed, you can be very annoying. Very. Annoying. I went because I was under the misguided impression that you might actually leave me alone afterward.”
“Oh, Tyler. You’re too darn cute.”
Cute? I hate it when she describes me as cute. As much as I don’t want or need a woman in my life, the last thing I want to be called is cute. Sexy, maybe. Hell, I’d even settle for handsome, but not cute. Teddy bears are cute. Babies are cute. Twenty-eight-year-old males are not cute.
“I have to spend time with my parents later, but tomorrow we should go do something.” I’ve already turned back towards my computer, but I can see her smiling out of the corner of my eye. She’s enjoying herself, and I’m afraid that doesn’t bode well for me and my attempt to remove Lennie from my life.
***
MY EYES DART TO THE door. “Man, you’re jumpy today,” Chad states as he opens a bottle of water.
“What are you talking about?” His eyes follow mine towards our apartment door.
“That right there is what I’m talking about. You’re not working. Instead, you keep glancing at the damn door like you’re waiting for someone. Possibly our new neighbor?”
I force myself not to react because Chad is right. I haven’t seen Lennie in over two days. Since the other day when she made it clear she wasn’t done messing with me.
“Are you kidding me? Lennie is annoying, and she keeps me from getting any work done. I don’t need her brand of distraction in my life.”
Chad’s eyes narrow. “Whatever you say, man.”
Chad starts to walk down the hallway towards his bedroom when he looks over his shoulder. “I saw Jodi yesterday but no Lennie. Just in case you’re wondering.”
This time, I groan. “I don’t give a damn about Lennie Jacobs,” I shout loud enough for him to hear me.
“Keep telling yourself that and maybe it will come true.”
I breathe out a long breath as my eyes unwillingly glance back at the door. Lennie is annoying, plain and simple. I’m happy she hasn’t shown up in days. What I can’t figure out is why even when she’s not around I find myself incredibly distracted.
“OH, MY BABIES,” MOM COOS at Jodi and me as we make our way inside their house.
“Mom, I love this color on you.” I roll my eyes at Jodi’s lame attempt to suck up.
“Oh, thank you. There was a huge Michael Kors sale at the Galleria, and I couldn’t help myself.”
“You should have called me. I would have gone with you.” My nose turns up listening to them talk. I have to beg Jodi to go out for a beer, but apparently, if I want to go out shopping she’s game.
“Good evening,” Dad says as he steps into the room.
“Daddy,” Jodi greets before kissing him on the cheek.
“How are you tonight, Lennie?” he questions when Jodi steps away and wanders towards Mom.
“I’m doing great as always.”
Dad clears his throat. “Your mother worries when you don’t answer her calls, and you rarely answer her calls.”
He’s starting in already. “What can I say? I’m a busy person.”
“It’s fine, really,” Mom says in an attempt to keep either of us from blowing up. “Dinner is ready, so I suggest we eat.”
Dad continues to stare at me as the four of us walk to the dining room.
“Mom, dinner smells wonderful.”
“Oh, thank you, but I can’t take the credit. I had it brought in.”
“You still ordered it, sweetheart. It’s the thought that counts.” He glares in my direction after his last comment.
After the food is passed around, we all start eating in silence until Dad questions Jodi about work. “I hear your firm landed the George Donald case. Will you be working on it?”
Jodi shakes her head. “No. I wish. That case would set me up for life, and everyone was desperate to be chosen. They went with seasoned lawyers.”
“Their loss, then. You would’ve been wonderful.”
I continue to stare at my plate of food, trying my hardest to remember the last time any of them complimented me for anything, and I come up empty.
“Did you hear me?” Dad snaps, bringing me out of my thoughts.
“What?”
“I asked if you were ready to go back to school and earn a degree. You need to stop horsing around from one city to the next, living off your bank account.”
I take a deep breath and swallow, willing my anger down. “Dinner was wonderful, Mom, but I need to go. I have to be up early in the morning.”
Mom frowns. “So soon? I haven’t even served dessert yet.”
“What do you have planned in the morning?” Dad questions.
“I planned to stop in a tattoo shop and talk about my next tat on my way to work.” I smirk at his awful reaction. “I’m thinking a full sleeve will look awesome. What do you think?”
“Lennie,” Jodi says under her breath.
“You’re bound and determined to be nothing more than a screw-up, aren’t you?”
I pushed for this reaction, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel the hurt from his words. I’ll never be good enough. I’ll never be Jodi, and even though I know that, the reminder f
eels like a slap in the face.
“Goodnight. Thanks for inviting me.” I stand up and walk to the front door with Jodi right behind me.
“You just had to push his buttons, didn’t you?”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
We were both baiting each other. My father, however, masked his intentions by acting like he gave a damn, but he doesn’t. I learned that a long time ago.
“Whatever, I’m out of here.” I fling the door open.
“Wait, will I see you back at my place later?”
I wish I could tell her no, but for now, I’m stuck.
“Yeah, but don’t wait up for me.” I dart out to my car before she can say anything else.
God, I hate this town, but I came back for a reason, and it’s time I do what it takes to leave this hellhole.
***
I GRAB MY CELL PHONE and dial the number I dread the most. My stomach starts to twist with every ring until I end the call and toss the phone on my bed. “Deep breaths, Lennie,” I say to myself.
I can’t do it. I can’t put myself through that again. If they had answered, I would have been stuck. I’d be forced to do the very last thing I want, and I’m not ready. I may never be ready.
The urge to get the hell out of Jodi’s apartment hits me hard. I toss on the only clean clothing I have left and walk out her door. When my eyes spot Tyler’s door, I stop. He’s beyond fun to mess with. He’s not picture perfect like Jodi, but he definitely doesn’t like his world messed with, which is exactly what I’m doing.
I knock twice before I open the door and walk in. Tyler has his back to me, his headphones on, but this time he must have heard me come in.
“Yes, please come in and interrupt my day,” he dryly says with a stare.
“I was planning on going out to get some lunch. What are you in the mood for?”
“Silence,” he promptly answers, causing me to laugh.
“What do you listen to on your headphones?”
His eyes narrow, which sends heat straight to my core. “I’ll take a burger or a sandwich. I really don’t care.”
“Rushing me out the door already? I think you just broke a record.” Tyler appears to be fighting a smile. “I’d ask if you want to come with me, but I guess I already know the answer to that.”
Meeting The Unpredictable Page 4