Unveil Me (The Jaded Series Book 3)

by Grayson, Alex

  “You can see her, but I want to keep her overnight for observation. With the rate her heart was going, I want to monitor it to make sure the danger is over. The medicine we gave her tonight has slowed her heart down. If all goes well and she’s feeling better, then we’ll release her in the morning.” Dr. Adams gets up from her chair and holds out her hand for Becky and me to shake. “I want you and Brent both to stay positive. Her reacting to the chemo the way she did does not mean she’s doomed, okay? Everyone is different and we all act differently to medicines. That doesn’t mean we can’t find something that will work for Ally.”

  Becky’s watery gaze meets the doctor’s and she nods. “Thank you, Dr. Adams. For everything.”

  Dr. Adams reaches over and squeezes Becky’s shoulder and gives her a tender smile. “No thanks needed, Becky. We’re doing everything we can for Ally. Take a deep breath and take one day at a time. You stay in here, and I’ll send a nurse in to get you to bring you to Ally.”

  Before the doctor leaves, she asks me, “Are you following all the instructions we gave you when you signed up to give Ally bone marrow?”

  “Of course,” I tell her. No way would I not follow what the doctors told me I need to do. My number-one priority is doing what I can to help Ally.

  “Good. Be on close stand-by for our call.”

  I nod before she turns on her heel and leaves us in the barren room. We sit in silence for several minutes, taking in what the doctor said.

  A few minutes later a nurse enters the room to lead us to Ally. We walk down the hallway, and I feel like I’m going to my doom. Or rather, Ally’s doom. I have no idea what I’ll do if that little girl doesn’t make it. She’s such a pivotal part of my life that I refuse to picture it without her in it. The world will be a darker place if she doesn’t exist.

  I grit my teeth, clench my hands into fists, and pray with all that I am, with all that I’m worth, that God shows mercy and continues to shed Ally’s light on us all.

  When we make it to Ally’s room, Becky rushes inside. I walk in behind her more slowly, afraid of what I will see. I stay by the door, wanting to give mother and daughter their time first.

  The sunken-in look of Ally’s eyes almost kills me. Her cute little face is pale, and I can see under the blanket that she’s lost even more weight. Her dark hair, or what’s left of it, is dull and lifeless. I’m glad she decided to shave it off. Watching it come off in clumps can’t be easy. Maybe I’ll surprise her and shave mine off as well so she won’t feel so alone. The once vibrant, healthy, and carefree six-year-old girl is not who is in the bed across the room. I still love her just as much, but it tears me up inside to see her like this. To plainly see the pain she’s going through. I want to bundle her up and try to outrun all the pain and heartache she’s enduring.

  “Hey, Uncle Andy,” Ally says in a weak voice. She holds out her hand toward me, and the look in her eyes seems desperate. I can’t take that look, and I quickly walk to her side and grab her hand.

  “Hey, skittles. How are you feeling?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

  “I’m okay. My head hurts a little, and I want to go home.”

  “I know you do. But the doctors want to watch you for a little while first, okay?”

  She nods, and I can see it’s taking a lot to stay awake. I look over at Becky on the other side of the bed and see her watching us. There’s sadness present in her eyes, but there’s also love shining in their depths. I look back down at Ally.

  “Why don’t you try to get some rest, and I’ll try to talk your mom into letting me bring you some Skittles in the morning.” Skittles are her favorite. She likes to separate all the colors and eat them until all the colors have the same amount. Then she’ll eat one from each color, keeping the numbers even.

  She puffs out her little bottom lip and it makes me want to smile, but I don’t. It’s hard to smile in a situation like this.

  “Mama said Daddy will be here soon. I wanna see him,” she says, giving a big yawn.

  “Baby, you need to rest,” Becky says. “When you wake up Daddy will be here, okay? And he’ll be here for at least a few days. Remember, Grammy, Pops, Uncle Cal, Aunt Lena, and Kemmie are coming tomorrow. You need to be well rested so you can visit them.”

  “Okay, Mama.” Her eyes are already drooping and it’s not long before she settles into a peaceful sleep. Or at least I hope it’s peaceful. I pray her dreams are made up of little girls playing in the park, eating ice cream, chasing after puppies, and feeding the ducks in the pond.

  Becky pulls a chair over closer to the bed and sits down. She grabs Ally’s hand and clasps it tightly in hers, intently watching Ally while she sleeps.

  “She’s going to be okay, you know,” I tell her, and myself, if I’m honest. Maybe if I tell myself and Becky enough times, it will come true.

  She doesn’t remove her eyes from Ally, but she replies quietly and tearfully, “I know.”

  A few minutes later, the door opens and Brent comes sprinting in. He looks haggard. His blond hair is a mess, like he’s swiped his fingers through it a hundred times. Stark pain is visible in his eyes. His normally clean-shaven face is covered in stubble. His clothes look wrinkled beyond repair.

  His eyes briefly meet mine before they settle on Becky. As soon as Becky sees him, she jumps up from her seat and they meet in the middle of the room. Becky falls into his arms and starts crying softly. Brent rubs her back and whispers quietly in her ear. I can’t hear what he’s saying but she nods against his neck.

  When they pull apart they both make their way over to Ally’s sleeping form. I step to the side to give them privacy.

  “Oh, Ally,” Brent says hoarsely, grabbing her bony hand and kissing the back of it. He wipes at a few stray tears that leak down his face before turning to Becky.

  “Tell me what happened,” he says, his voice laced with pain.

  For the next twenty minutes Becky tells him what happened at home and the reason we’re all here. Then Becky and I both explain Dr. Adams’s concerns and the changes in Ally’s treatment.

  He looks at me across the bed, and says, “Thank you for being here when I couldn’t.”

  He knows how I feel about Ally, what she means to me, but I understand his need to show his gratitude. “I love them both. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

  He nods and turns back to Becky. “I told Jim I’m done. He’s got no choice but to station me here for a while. I can’t keep leaving you here to do this by yourself. He said he understands. I won’t be leaving again until she’s through this.”

  Becky breathes a sigh of relief and collapses against Brent’s chest. “Thank God.”

  We all stand surrounding Ally’s bed in silence. We stay this way for a while, watching the rise and fall of her tiny chest. None of us say anything, each deep in thought. Ally doesn’t shift once. She’s so still. If it weren’t for her breathing, I would be worried.

  Several hours pass before I realize I need to leave. As much as I don’t want to, I know I need to head back to Jaded Hollow. I have the earlier shift at Jaxon’s. I make Becky and Brent promise that if there are any changes they’ll call me.

  “I’ll come by once Brent’s family is gone,” I tell them.

  I know I would still be welcome with his family there. I’ve met them a few times over the years and got along with them fine, but they need to have family time.

  Becky nods. I give her a hug, Brent a handshake, and a gentle kiss to Ally’s forehead, then head out to my car to make the trip back home with a heavy heart.

  My thoughts turn to Jase once I’m on the road. When he opened the door earlier in nothing but a towel, I almost couldn’t stop the urge to tackle him to the floor and devour his body. The man clothed is nothing but gorgeous, but the view of his bare chest, arms, legs, and stomach left me damn near speechless.

  I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I knew right then I had to have some part of him. I was no longer giving him time to get used to the idea. H
e was mine and it was about time he knew it. Just as I told him, I wasn’t leaving without a taste.

  But then Becky called and it all went to shit. As much as I wanted to continue my stalking of Jase, there was no way I couldn’t come to Ally and Becky. They mean the world to me. Jase does as well, but Ally and Becky are different. They need me more than I need to have Jase. So, I left, but I left knowing I’m done waiting on Jase.

  Jase has no idea what I’m capable of. He has no idea of my obsession with him. Has no idea of my need to be his and have him be mine. But he will. I’ll make damn sure he knows. I’ll also make damn sure he knows he has no choice in the matter.

  Jase

  I sit on a stool at Jaxon’s trying to enjoy a beer as I face the dance floor. I watch with narrowed eyes as Andrew, Chris, and Mia dance together. Both Andrew and Mia are supposed to be behind the bar working, but apparently a song came on that Andrew likes and, after looking my way, he grabbed their hands and dragged them to the dance floor. The place isn’t that busy, so I don’t think it’s a big deal.

  Mia is in the front, facing away from Andrew. One of her arms is thrown back and her hand wrapped around his neck. He has one hand around her waist, pulling her back and ass into his front, grinding away. Chris is behind him, one hand on his hip and one tossed over her head. Andrew’s other hand is grabbing Chris’s ass. All three are swaying seductively to the music.

  I’d have never thought I would be jealous of my own sister, but sitting here, watching Andrew’s hands on her, I want to stalk over there, rip them away, and demand he grind against me like he’s currently grinding against them.

  Shit! Just the thought of him rubbing his dick against me has my own getting hard. I adjust in my seat to relieve some of the pressure. My willpower is failing fast. No fucking clue how I’ll be able to hold him off. Hell, I don’t even know if I’ll be able to hold myself off.

  “If I didn’t already know Andrew would rather suck my dick, or rather someone else’s dick, than grind all up on my girl, I’d be over there fucking his face up,” Mac says ruefully from beside me.

  I look over at him and see his eyes on me, clearly weighing my reaction, before turning back to the scene across the room. He has his beer bottle in a tightly clenched hand. Yeah, he feels me too, and doesn’t like the scene either. We both know nothing would come of it, but it’s still shitty to watch.

  Looking back over to the trio, I watch as Andrew bends his head and nuzzles Mia’s neck. My body tenses, as if it wants to get up and move across the room and tear them apart. I hold myself in place though. When she throws her head back against his shoulder, I hear a thump beside me. A second later Mac is making his way across the room and snatching Mia from Andrew. Mia laughs as Mac turns her to face him, starting his own grinding session with her, and slams his lips down on hers.

  I see the humor in Andrew’s eyes before he flips around to Chris and wraps her in his arms. I love my sister, I really do, but damned if I don’t want to yank her away from him. I may still be in denial, but dammit, Andrew is mine.

  They both look over at me, Andrew puckering his lips and sending me a kiss, Chris waving. I scowl at them both and hope they feel the heat radiating from my eyes. They just laugh and carry on their merry fucking dancing way.

  I feel a presence beside me and see Nick taking Mac’s seat. I don’t know much about the guy, as I’ve only met him once, but it’s plain to see he’s always in a shitty mood. Even now I can feel the bad vibes coming off him. He also looks like hell. He has his hat low over his eyes, but it doesn’t hide the haggard appearance he has going on. He looks worn down.

  I’ve seen the way Chris gazes at him and the way he watches her. There’s history there. I knew immediately this must be the guy that upset her the other day. The only reason I’ve held my tongue is because it’s obvious the guy has been through some shit, and I know Chris would have my ass. I don’t know what happened, but you can tell by the dead look in his eyes that it was harsh, and still is. I’ll hold off until I deem it necessary for me to step in.

  “Sup’,” he says to me with a chin lift. Turning to face Jaxon, who just walked to our end of the bar, he orders a beer.

  “Nick,” I say back to him in the same emotionless tone he used.

  After a greeting to Jaxon and getting his beer, Nick turns in his seat to face the dance floor and his body immediately stiffens.

  “What in the hell are they doing?” he growls, his eyes going hard. “They’re acting fucking ridiculous.”

  I shift in my seat, not liking Nick’s attitude. No, I don’t like the way they are all over each other either, but fuck if some guy is going to talk about my sister like that.

  Before I get a chance to say anything, Jaxon’s on the other side of the bar and is beside Nick with a hand on his shoulder. “Just leave it, man.”

  Nick shrugs the hand off and gets up from his seat. He sets his beer down and snarls, “Not fucking likely,” before walking off toward Andrew and Chris.

  When I get up from my seat to follow and make sure he stays in line, Jaxon says, “Give him a minute, Jase. There’s shit between them that they need to settle.”

  “I’ll wait, but if he fucks up then he’s done,” I tell him. I’m trying to stay out of my sister’s shit, but I’ll only allow so much.

  Jaxon nods and we both turn our heads toward Nick’s retreating back.

  Chris stiffens when Nick makes it to them. Andrew steps to the side, but keeps a close eye on them, something I’m grateful for. Chris and Nick exchange a few heated words. You can see from their body language the words are angry.

  When Nick grabs Chris’s arm, I’ve seen enough. Without a look in Jaxon’s direction, I move quickly across the floor. I’m about halfway there when Chris forcefully pulls her arm away, rears back, and slaps Nick’s face. I feel a sense of pride when I hear her palm hit his cheek, but I’m also worried about Nick’s reaction. My walk turns into a jog, but before I get there, Andrew steps in my path.

  “Get the fuck out of my way,” I grate at him, my eyes still glued on Nick and Chris. I see tears in her eyes, and I want to tear Nick limb from limb. Nick just stands there, glaring at Chris.

  “Leave them be, Jase,” Andrew says firmly, getting in my face. “He won’t hurt her.”

  “Fuck that!” I growl. “There’s other ways to hurt people than just physically. He’s obviously hurt her.” When I go to move around him, he steps in my way again.

  I’m getting ready to push him out of my fucking way when he says in a more gentle voice, “Jase, baby, look at me.” I pull my eyes to him and he continues, “They need to work through some shit, okay? They won’t be able to do that if you step in. I know Nick. He wouldn’t do anything that would permanently hurt Chris. Sometimes we have to go through pain to make it out on the other side happy. Give them time.”

  I look away from him and back at Chris. I still see tears in her eyes and it makes my chest hurt. Chris wears her feelings on her sleeve, while Nick is obviously in denial. Their feelings, whatever they may be, run deep. I know Andrew is right, but it’s still hard to see my sister like this.

  Nick grabs Chris’s arm again and starts leading her toward the exit. I go to follow, because fuck, this is my sister here, but Andrew grabs my attention by saying, “Come on, baby, dance with me.” My eyes land on him and he gives me a sexy smirk. “I know you want to. I saw you watching me while I was dancing with Mia and Chris. Were you jealous?”

  A grunt is my answer. Damn straight I was jealous. I want to be the only person Andrew dances with. I won’t tell him that, though. He’s cocky enough as it is.

  The door closes behind Chris and Nick. I want to follow, but instead let Andrew grab my hip and pull me in close. I’m giving Nick one last chance to get his shit straight, but if I ever see him treat my sister like he did tonight, I’m stepping in, and fuck everyone else.

  The rich smell I now associate with Andrew floods my senses. I breathe in deep and close my eyes briefly. Wh
en I open them, I see Andrew’s lust-filled gaze. The fire there has my blood pumping and my dick growing. Seems like my dick is always making itself known when I’m around Andrew.

  I keep my hands to my sides as Andrew pulls me closer to him, slowly swaying our hips to the soft beat of the music. I barely suppress a groan when our chests come into contact. I feel the ridge of his hard dick through two layers of jeans. I want to drop to my knees, unbutton and unzip his pants, and lick it like a fucking lollipop. My mouth waters at the thought.

  Andrew’s hand lowers from my waist and lands on my ass, squeezing, making the already sparse room in my jeans even smaller. I know he feels it, because he gives me a sexy smile.

  “You want me too, don’t you?” he asks huskily.

  No sense in denying it any longer. “I may want you, Andrew, but that doesn’t mean this is a good idea.”

  “Why the hell not? I think it’s the best fucking idea ever.”

  “Because there’s shit going on that you don’t know about,” I tell him. Before he can open his mouth to ask what shit I’m referring to, I stop him. “Don’t ask. It’s shit I’ll take care of on my own.”

  He scowls at me for a moment before the sexy smirk is back in place. He leans down, and I stiffen. His warm breath on my neck and the bristle from his five o’clock shadow cause a shiver to race through my body. I’m no longer able to hold back my groan.

  Andrew chuckles in my ear and says softly, “I’ll just have to change your mind then, baby.”

  My body is on fire and my head tips to the side before I can stop it. I reach with both hands and grip his waist tightly. Andrew’s lips graze my neck and my knees nearly buckle. Sheer force of will keeps them straight. I want to grab a handful of hair and yank his lips to mine. My lips tingle and it takes everything I have not to do just that. I bet his lips would taste like heaven.

  “Fuck, Jase, you taste so damn good,” he groans, licking his way up my neck, bringing goose bumps to my arms. “So many fucking things I want to do to you.”

  My hands flex on his waist, unconsciously molding our bodies closer, if that’s even possible. Andrew’s hips push against mine, and I can’t help but push back.