by York, Marie
“Then why did he call Cole on our honeymoon asking if we heard from you?” Dee asked, leaving me speechless, and even more of my own questions.
***
All night, I thought about what Dee had asked me, and I came to the conclusion that Jaxon was just trying to save face. He wanted to make sure I didn’t go blabbing to Dee about what kind of asshole he was for sleeping with me, and then taking off without as much as a goodbye.
What Jaxon and I had was purely sex, and I had to stop letting everything make me think differently. I’d only set myself up for more disappointment, and honestly, with the way my life had been going lately, I didn’t think I could handle any more.
My cell rang as I parked in the back of Baile. I glanced at the number and swiped to ignore it. My phone bill was due, and I couldn’t afford to pay it. Not yet at least. Maybe next week. I knew Dee and Cole would lend me the money, but I wouldn’t ask them. I felt like a big enough failure, and didn’t need them to know I was missing payments on top of it.
The call totally killed my buzz, and put me in a foul mood. I walked into Baile, and waved to Gary at the bar, as I headed to the back to put my bag down and get myself situated.
Declan sat in a corner reading. “Hey Declan,” I called out.
He placed a bookmark in between the pages and closed it. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing much. Anything good on the specials menu tonight?”
“Have an awesome shepherd’s pie. My Grandma’s recipe.”
“Then you better save me one,” I said with a smile.
Tara barged into the kitchen, two hours earlier than her shift started, with tears in her big brown eyes.
“Deck?” she called out, and he peered around me.
“Right here, T.”
She looked sad, desperate, and like she was about to explode. Her eyes widened when she spotted me. She sniffed and quickly averted her attention to the pots on the other side of the kitchen.
She wiped at her eyes, then turned back with a forced smile. “Oh hi, Lyla. I forgot you are on this shift.”
“You okay?” I asked, eyeing the black makeup smeared under her eyes.
She shook her head, her blonde waves falling in her face. She didn’t bother pushing them back. “I’m good. Great, actually.” She tied the strings of her apron, and grabbed her pad before heading out to the main area.
I hitched my thumb over my shoulder at the door swinging shut behind her.
I didn’t say anything when Declan responded, “She’ll be okay.
“Her shift’s not for another two hours.”
“She comes in when she’s having a bad day. Jax just lets her work.”
“Does this happen often?” I asked, not concerned about sharing my tables, but genuinely worried about her.
The light that always shone so bright in his friendly gaze dimmed, as he looked down to the book in his hands. “Enough.”
‘Do you know why?” I assumed he did since she came in looking for him.
Declan blew out a breath, and ran a hand through his auburn beard. “She has bad taste in men.” His blue eyes darkened with sadness, and I realized then that he was her fall back guy. The guy that she went to every time her heart got broken by some asshole. The guy that, if she just opened her eyes, she’d finally recognize why he was the fall back guy. He really had it bad for her, and she had no idea.
After seeing the hurt in his eyes, I decided to change the subject. “Where’s Jaxon?” I asked.
Light broke through the darkness, and the sadness that had just consumed him faded. “I saw him head into his office.”
“He has an office?” How did I not know about this? Then again, it’s not like I asked, or he willingly told me. We had been dancing around each other for days. Flirtatious comments here and there, but every time we seemed to get swept up into a moment, he bolted.
Declan pointed to the ceiling. “Upstairs, next to the door to his apartment.”
“Jaxon lives upstairs!” I said a little too loud, but completely taken by surprise. I knew he had to live somewhere, but I never expected his bed to be so close to me every night.
“Yup, lucky bastard. Climbs up a few steps at night, and can go right to bed.”
It would also make it easy for him to bring girls home. He didn’t have to talk them into going very far, not like he’d have to do much convincing. Most girls would go with him willingly. I shook the torturous thoughts from my mind. “I better get to work,” I said to Declan. “Don’t forget to save me one of those shepherd’s pies.”
“You got it.”
I walked out to the main area, and Tara’s eyes were already clear. She leaned over a table, her skirt dangerously close to revealing all to the bar, and flirted with a group of guys.
There were a couple tables who were still sitting without menu’s, so I grabbed a few, and made my way to them. Gary ran back and forth at the bar that was two people deep. When I finished up with my tables, I headed behind the bar to help out.
“Thank you so much,” Gary said, as I started filling glasses and taking money.
“Why isn’t Jaxon helping tonight?” I asked, still wondering why he was hiding away upstairs.
Gary held his hands out. “No idea.”
I continued to help Gary behind the bar, and wait my tables. Once Tara stopped flirting with the table of guys, she ran trays like a mad woman. If I hadn’t had waitressing down before, I definitely had it figured out by the end of the night.
Tara collapsed onto one of the barstools, and rested her arm and head on the bar. “Gary,” she said, holding her hand up. “A shot.”
“The usual?” he asked, holding up a bottle of Fireball.
“Yes, please.”
Gary walked over with a stack of shot glasses. “You in?” Gary asked, nodding his head at me.
“Of course she’s in. Get over here, skinny bitch. Deck, get your cute ass out here,” she yelled.
I laughed, and sat down beside her. Gary placed a shot glass in front of me, and filled it up. Declan came out of the back, looking beat, a glimmer of sweat on his forehead. He wiped his face with a rag, and Tara held up the shot glass.
“You read my mind,” Declan said, as he leaned against the bar, taking a glass from Gary.
We all held our shot glasses up. “Welcome to the craziness, Lyla,” Tara said. With a clink of our glasses, I felt like my initiation into their group was finalized. We downed the shot, and my body trembled at the burn sliding down my throat.
“Holy crap, that’s hot,” I said, waving a hand at my mouth.
Tara drummed her hands on the bar. “It’s a good burn.”
I laughed. “If you say so.” I exchanged my shot glass for a glass of water.
Declan leaned into Tara, wrapping his arm around her. “You okay?”
She rested her head on his shoulder, and smiled. “I am now.” He kissed her forehead, and ran a hand down her arm, pulling her closer.
I looked down at my shorter skirt and lower cut shirt that I purposely wore to torture Jaxon, and he wasn’t anywhere to be found.
“Did Jaxon come down at all?” I asked Gary.
“Haven’t seen him. Which is strange. He usually doesn’t trust me down here alone.”
“Well, he should. You kicked ass tonight.”
Gary’s entire face lit up. “Thank you!” He had an extra bounce in his step as he put the bottle of Fireball away.
I slid from my stool. “I’m going to see if Jaxon is still in his office before I leave.”
“Let him know I left him a plate,” Declan called over his shoulder.
Tara waved. “See you later, Lyla.”
I waved back, saying goodbye to everyone, before making my way to the stairs. I took the refinished wood steps one at a time. The door at the top was ajar, and I lightly knocked as I pushed it open. Jaxon looked up, wearing a pair of metal rimmed glasses that made him look like a hot accountant ready to take me on his desk.
A bo
ttle of Jack and a rock glass sat to his side, and it hadn’t looked as if he sipped it since he poured it.
“Lyla,” he said, taking his glasses off, and rubbing his eyes. They were bloodshot and tired. He must’ve been up here all night, staring at the stack of papers on his desk.
I rested my back against the door. “Sorry to barge in, but we’re getting ready to head out. Declan wanted you to know he left you a plate on the side.”
“What time is it?” Jaxon asked, turning his watch to him. “Oh, fuck. I didn’t realize how late it was.”
“What have you been doing up here?” I asked, moving closer to his desk.
He leaned back in his chair, and put his hands behind his head, causing his t-shirt to pull tight against his muscles. “Paperwork. I got a little behind this month, and I was just trying to get everything in order.”
“Did you finish?” I asked, wondering if he’d be up here again tomorrow.
“I did. So you heading out?”
“I am.” And with my eyes, I silently said, unless you decide to pin me down on your desk and fuck me.
He pulled at the collar of his shirt, and I knew my silent plea was heard.
“Everyone was leaving,” I said, and took another step closer, glancing down at his crotch, and wanting so bad to drop to my knees, and show him what he’s been missing.
Instead, he jumped up, and flipped the light off on his desk. “Come on, I’ll walk you out.”
Disappointed, and feeling rejected again, I held my hand up. “I’m a big girl. I can walk myself out. I just wanted to say goodnight.”
He pushed the door all the way open, and waited for me. “I know, but I’m going to walk you out anyway because I like telling you what to do, remember?”
I rolled my eyes and walked out, leaving his desk, and any hope of ever lying naked on it, behind.
Chapter 6
Brownie Monday became a tradition for me and Dee. As did Wednesday dinner before I went to work, and Sunday wine after I got home from my shift. We had fallen into a routine, and with the money I was making at Baile, I was finally able to pay my bills. Things were going good.
I sat down in the kitchen, and handed Dee the spatula so she could get the pancakes off the griddle. She flipped them off and onto a plate.
Cole walked in, and wrapped his arm around Dee. “Hey there, beautiful wife of mine.” He kissed Dee, and she gave him a playful shove.
“Not in front of Lyla,” she said, and poor Cole’s shoulders slumped.
“Cole, pull up a chair. We’re having breakfast for dinner,” I said, trying to break the tension in the room that I didn’t think Dee even realized was there.
“No, I’m good. I’m going to go for a run.”
Dee didn’t turn from the stove as Cole walked out of the kitchen, and into the living room.
“Do you want syrup?” Dee asked, and I ignored what I just witnessed. I wasn’t about to get myself involved with Dee’s marriage.
I cocked an eyebrow at her. “Do you really have to ask?”
“Silly me.” She drowned my pancakes in syrup, and handed me the plate. We sat at the table eating and talking about Baile, and her own job.
It was getting late, and my shift was starting soon, so I helped Dee clean up, and then I headed out. When I got to Bertha, I heard Cole call my name.
I turned around, and saw him jogging across the lawn. Sweat coated his forehead and his grey t-shirt, but he wasn’t the slightest bit out of breath.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“You know what. Forget it.”
He went to walk away, but I grabbed his elbow. “Cole, what is it?”
“I don’t know how to say this without sounding like an asshole.”
“Just say it. We’re family. You’re allowed to sound like an asshole.”
He took a deep breath “It’s just…ever since you moved in, Dee has been spending so much time with you, and it’s our first year of marriage.”
“And she should be spending that time with you.”
He sighed then gave a half-hearted smile. “Yeah.” He ran his hands through his blond hair, and then threw his arms out. “See, I sound like an asshole. A selfish one.”
“You don’t. I get it.”
“You do?”
“You want me to move out,” I said, knowing what he wanted to say, but didn’t have the heart to.
“I hate to even say it. I do. Like you said, you’re family. Don’t ever think for a second you’re not. It’s just…”
“You don’t have to explain it to me.”It stung a little, but at the same time, I totally understood. They were newlyweds, and this was supposed to be their time together before having kids, and here I was totally throwing a monkey wrench into their lives.
Just when I thought everything was figured out, and things were starting to look up. Maybe I could find somewhere cheap. I paid my bills off, and even had a little money in my checking account. If Baile’s continued to be busy, I’d be able to be on my own in a few months.
But, looking at Cole, I realized I couldn’t wait a few months. I needed to move out now. I had no idea where I was going to go, but I’d figure it out. I always did. Besides, this was temporary. I knew that.
“I’ll move out,” I said.
“Lyla, you don’t have to move out right this second. You can stay as long as you need to.”
“Cole, we both know that’s an open invitation with no end. If I don’t move out now, I’m never leaving. I’ll look for places this week.”
“If you need help.” He looked at me, and I knew he wasn’t referring to carrying furniture or scouring the paper for places; he was talking about money.
“Thanks, Cole.” I gave him a hug because, despite the fact that he was kicking me out in not so many words, he was truly a good friend. I pulled back. “Oh my God. Eww, you’re all sweaty.”
He laughed. “That happens when you run.”
I shoved him away. “Go shower, and force that wife of yours to join you.”
I went to get into Bertha when Cole called my name. I glanced up.
“Thanks.”
I nodded before getting in the car and driving to work.
***
“Do you have a newspaper?” I asked Gary when the dinner crowd died down, and there were only a few people at the bar.
“I don’t. Jax usually has one delivered, though. He probably has it upstairs in his office.”
Jaxon hadn’t been downstairs again. I’d like to think that he was busy, or he was finally trusting Gary enough to handle things. But a small part thought he was avoiding me. Our encounters were fewer and farther between, and my plan to have him begging was becoming impossible.
Even that night when he walked me out to the car. I gave him a lingering kiss on the cheek, but he didn’t give any indication that he was turned on or wanted more. I drove home disappointed.
“Can you just watch my tables for a second?” I asked Gary since Tara wasn’t in.
“Uh…”
“You’ll be fine,” I said, and hurried up the stairs.
Jaxon was in his office again, and I knocked before letting myself in. He looked up, those gorgeous eyes pinning me in place. It felt like forever since I last saw them, and I took a minute to enjoy the view.
“Hey,” I said. “Do you have a newspaper?”
“Yeah, sure.” He swiveled in his chair, and reached behind him to a small filing cabinet. He grabbed the paper on top, and turned back to me. “What do you need it for?” he asked as I took it from him, being careful not to graze his hand.
“Need to find a place to stay.”
His eyebrows turned in. “What’s wrong with Cole’s and Dee’s place?”
I shrugged, a little embarrassed that I wore out my welcome so quickly. “They’re newlyweds. They don’t need me hanging around all the time.”
“Let me guess. Dee isn’t giving it up, and Cole’s getting frustrated?”
I laughed. Men. “It�
�s possible. Sistas over mistas you know.”
Jaxon scratched the stubble on his chin, and smiled. “Why don’t you move in with me?”
My heart stopped, and I almost dropped the paper on the floor. Did he just ask what I thought he did? “What?” I asked to make sure I wasn’t making this up as part of the sexual fantasy in my mind.
“I have two bedrooms, one isn’t being occupied, and I was thinking of getting a roommate anyway. Now, I don’t have to go through the hassle of looking. Besides, I’d rather it be someone I know and trust.”
“You trust me?” The words were out before I could stop them. I didn’t know much about Jaxon, but there was one thing I did know. The mysterious Jaxon Reed didn’t trust easily.
Jaxon stood up, and leaned against his desk, folding his arm over his chest. “I trust you to clean up after yourself and not to rob me blind, yes.”
I let his words sink in, and had myself get a grasp on the situation. “You’re really offering me a place to live? You’re serious?”
He raised an eyebrow at my question.
“Right. You’re always serious. How much?”
“I was thinking three hundred a month. You’d have full use of the kitchen, washer and dryer and—”
“Yes!” I cut him off.
“Don’t you want to see it first?”
“Nope.” I would never be able to find a place that cheap, and with a washer and dryer. It’s like I hit a gold mine. And the fact that I’d get to see Jaxon every single day, well, that was just an added bonus. “Can I move in tomorrow?”
He smiled. “I just have to move a few boxes out, but that’ll take me all of five minutes. Sure.”
I was so excited I didn’t have to go through the torture of finding a place that I tossed my arms around his neck. “Thank you. Thank you.”
His hand reached up and pressed into my lower back, reminding me of how much I loved being in his arms. I squeezed a little tighter, bringing my hips to his. My nose grazed his neck, and his fingers tightened on my shirt. I inhaled, losing myself in his amazing scent, desperately wanting a taste.
I was just about to lean in and kiss his neck, when his hands gripped my waist, and pushed me away. The loss was immediate. It was an empty feeling that I was becoming used to.