I clenched my jaw and walked away from the sweet song. Shouldering my door open, I locked myself inside and dumped my bag on the sofa.
The house was dark and quiet. I switched on the lights and shrugged out of my jacket while walking to the kitchen. I needed a drink. Yanking open the fridge, I grabbed a root beer and popped the cap.
“Cheers,” I murmured to my lonely self before plunking down at the table.
The little card with Jace’s number caught my eye and I reached for it, brushing my thumb over the black digits.
“Don’t waste this chance…” A shaky voice pierced the back of my mind, causing instant tears to well on my lashes.
My escape to LA was my second chance.
I was determined to set up a life here, to actually live and breathe without feeling scared all the time.
I wanted to be happy, the way I used to be when I was a kid.
Placing Jace’s card down, I slid it away from me.
I was happy. I mean, I was content. I didn’t need a guy.
“But that’s the difference,” I muttered. “You don’t need a guy anymore. This time you want one.”
Could I be right?
“Yes.” I nodded.
I guess I did know better. I mean, I knew what to look for. I could take it slow. Play it safe. Be in charge of how things progressed rather than diving in headfirst and taking too long to realize I was drowning.
“Just do it,” I whispered.
My sister would say that. She’d tell me to pick up the damn card and call him.
“Do it.” I reached for the card, my insides turning to Jell-O as I slowly pulled out my phone and dialed the guy who wouldn’t leave my dreams alone.
My jaw trembled as I listened to it ring. If he didn’t answer within five, I was hanging up.
“Hello?” Jace’s voice was high, and slightly excited.
An instant warmth bloomed in my chest. “Uh, hi. It’s, um…” I licked my lips.
“Jenna?”
“Yeah.” I smiled.
“You’re calling me!”
“I am.”
“I didn’t think you would.”
My nose wrinkled as I listened to his giddy voice. He sounded so damn sweet.
“I guess, I just…” I pursed my lips, not sure what to say.
“It’s okay to take your time. Seriously. I’d rather that than some girl jumping all over me. At least I know you’re genuine.”
“But you don’t really know me at all.”
“And you don’t know me,” he countered. “Which is something I badly want to remedy.”
He had a soft, languid tone that was easy to listen to. I pressed the phone against my ear. “So, how do you propose we remedy that?”
“Well, the most obvious answer would be a date, but I’m not sure if you’d be comfortable with that, so if you like, we can chat on the phone.”
How adorable was this guy? So laid-back and undemanding…so different to Seth.
It took me a second to find my voice, but I finally managed to whisper, “Okay. That sounds nice.”
“So, what do you want to know about me, then? I’m an open book.”
“You know you’re pretty trusting. I could be some sneaky reporter just playing you.”
“Huh. Good point.” He waited a beat, then asked, “Are you?”
My lips broke into a grin. “Well, no.”
“Because man, if you were, you almost deserve the interview. Dressing up like a waitress, acting all cool when I saw you on the street. Making me wait for a phone call…”
I giggled as I listened to him. It was a sweet sound I hadn’t heard in a long time and it surprised me. Rising from the table, I moved to the sofa and got comfy, tucking my legs beneath me before asking, “So I can ask you anything I want?”
“Go for it.”
“What’s your favorite song?”
It started there…and went on for another three hours.
Who knew talking could be so damn easy.
8
Jace
We spoke for three hours.
Three!
And the best thing about it? All that talk about myself and my family scored me a Sunday afternoon date. I was the happiest man alive as I drove away from my parents’ house and up into the mountains.
Hiking was one of my favorite, most relaxing pastimes, and I wanted to share it with Jenna.
She wouldn’t let me pick her up, but agreed to meet me at the base of Potato Mountain. It was a fun hike with stellar views. Before Dad lost his legs, we’d spend hours exploring different trails around the area. Potato Mountain was one of my favorites. We didn’t have to hike the whole thing. I guess I just wanted to be out in the summer heat, enjoying nature and hanging out with Jenna.
I also figured that hiking was a nice, casual first date. Walking side by side, chatting. It was easy and very nonthreatening, which I sensed Jenna needed. Maybe I was reading too much into it, but she seemed the cautious type. Every time I tried to veer the conversation in her direction, she’d turn it around to me and I had to wonder what she was hiding. But then as I lay in bed mulling over our call and blissfully dreaming about her, I came to the conclusion that some people were just shy and private. It took time to draw them out, and time was something I was very willing to invest if it meant winning over the woman who had captured me with one simple song.
Pulling my Jeep into the parking lot, I scanned the area for a beat-up bomb. That’s what she’d called her car. A red rust bucket with a dent in the back, left bumper. I couldn’t see a car of that description, so I jumped out the door and decided to wait for her in the sunshine.
I spotted Gavin’s car over my right shoulder and gave him a small smile.
I hadn’t wanted him to come, but the guy argued that I’d be just as exposed on a hiking trail as I would in downtown LA. That was complete BS, but I relented when he mumbled about getting fired by Torrence if he didn’t do as he was told.
I gave in with a sigh and he promised to stay well back and out of the way.
I wasn’t the president, for crying out loud. The rest of Chaos didn’t have that kind of tight security.
In saying that, the rest of Chaos hadn’t been sent numerous death threats, locks of hair, scorched rose petals and a wedding band with a note saying, “I’ll kill you if you don’t marry me.”
Tiffany had certainly given me a few sleepless nights, but she was in a psychiatric facility, so why the hell did I need a bodyguard? Until she got out, I should have been able to live as normally as I could.
Torrence was being damn stubborn about it, but I guess Chaos was one of their highest-earning assets and we needed protecting.
“Asset,” I muttered. I really hated that idea.
Before my thoughts could get too dark, a red rust bucket pulled into the parking lot. An instant smile took over my face as I walked toward Jenna’s car. She gave me a nervous grin when I opened the door for her.
“Hey,” she kind of whispered.
“Nice to see you.” I held out my hand to help her out.
Her fingers were long and elegant. I gave them a gentle squeeze before letting them go and pushing the aviator shades up my nose.
“So, you ready for this?”
She looked across the parking lot at a small group that was obviously getting ready for some serious hiking, then nearly jumped out of her skin when a Jeep cruised past.
“Hey, Jace!”
I instinctively turned at my name and got snapped by three smartphones that were all hanging out the window as the people drove past.
I heard one girl exclaim, “Holy shit, I totally got him!”
Meaning she got a photo of me that she could brag to her friends about.
I cringed, hoping she’d take a while to post it on her social media. Hoping even harder that her social network was small and insignificant.
Jenna, who had turned away from the Jeep, slowly looked back, her dark eyebrows wrinkled. “Does that
happen often?”
“It’s not too bad.” I put on my best smile but had to admit, “The general public I can deal with. It’s the paparazzi who drive me nuts.”
“Are there, uh…” She pressed her lips together, scanning the parking lot again. “Are there any of them around?”
“Oh no.” I shook my head with a grin. “We don’t have to worry about them up here. Gavin will kick anyone’s ass who tries to follow us down a trail. You don’t have to worry.”
I reached out and patted her arm without even thinking about it.
She flinched then hid the sudden movement with a blushing laugh. “Good. I, uh, I don’t really like having my photo taken.”
“Okay.” I nodded, glad for big shades that could hide my slight confusion. She was absolutely gorgeous. Why wouldn’t she want her picture taken?
Rolling her shoulder, she squeezed her keys and almost looked ready to murmur, “Changed my mind.”
My stomach pinched and I quickly tried to ease her nerves. “Well, are you ready for a selfie-free hike in the beautiful California sunshine?”
Her shoulders relaxed, a stunning smile breaking free as she pulled her shades on and nodded. “It is the perfect day for it.”
“Well, in my opinion, any day is good for hiking. The rain brings out a whole new beauty in nature. But I’m glad it’s sunny today.”
Her smile stayed in place and stole my breath as I gazed down at her. Man, I was thankful for my shades. Skimming my eyes down her curvaceous body was impossible to resist. I took in her dark skin and shapely legs. Her tan shorts were modest and stopped mid-thigh. They matched her hiking boots, which looked kind of new. I hoped they didn’t give her blisters.
I nearly said something but didn’t want to embarrass her, deciding to settle on the shorter trail and try to elongate the date by stopping for a picnic halfway along. I had a few snacks in my backpack, and there was a great spot off the trail that was private and beautiful.
“So, uh, where’s this bodyguard who’s going to kick asses?” Jenna looked behind me.
I laughed. “He’s in the car over there. I tried to convince him that I should be okay in an isolated forest.” Her expression faltered at the word isolated, so I quickly countered, embarrassed that I was coming across like some creep who wanted to get her alone. “But I couldn’t do it. Turns out the guy is set on protecting me from every kind of animal…not just the human ones.”
I winked and she smiled while I waved Gavin over.
He gave me an odd look but got out of the car and walked across to us. I nodded and smiled at him. “Gavin, this is Jenna.” I turned to her and apologized, “Sorry I didn’t introduce you properly last time.”
“That’s okay.”
Gavin held out his hand and after a moment’s hesitation, she gave it a quick shake, her hand disappearing inside of his. “Hi.”
“Nice to meet you,” he rumbled in his deep voice.
“Alrighty then.” I clapped my hands together. “Shall we go?”
“Sure.” She made two fists, her muscles tensing before relaxing her hands and stepping up beside me. She was a jumpy thing, which of course made me wonder about her past.
I really wanted to know it all, but would she do the same thing she did on the phone? Veer every topic back to me somehow?
Not wanting to ruin our date, I ever so casually gave it one last shot.
“So, have you checked out this part of LA since moving here?”
She shook her head. “I’ve been so busy working, trying to make rent. It doesn’t leave much time for recreation. I did make it to Santa Monica, though. It was fun.”
“Yeah, it’s great there. I love the pier.”
“It made me think of Titanic. You know, how Jack tells Rose about the rollercoaster, and then at the end you see that photo of her on horseback with the pier in the background.”
So she was romantic, then. My heart warmed at the idea.
I smiled at the expression on her face as she went on to tell me how much she loved that movie.
“You’ve got a crush on Jack Dawson,” I teased.
She grinned. “I think every girl who’s seen that movie has a crush on Jack Dawson.”
“He is pretty dreamy.”
Her giggle was sweet. “And completely unrealistic.”
“You think so?”
“Oh come on. Real love’s not like that. Guys like Jack are too perfect. They don’t exist. And besides, love is messy and complicated. If he’d survived, they would have figured it out the hard way, just like everybody else.”
Her words made me go quiet. I didn’t expect that kind of cynicism from someone so young. She told me on the phone that she’d just turned twenty-one in March. I was only three years older than her and even I didn’t think that way about love.
“Have you been in a bad relationship before?” I asked quietly.
She looked away from me and shook her head.
Her vague response told me enough—Yes, I have and NO, I don’t want to talk about it.
Looking ahead up the trail, I wondered if I should probe for more, but I seriously did not want to screw up the afternoon.
“So.” I clicked my fingers, making her jump. I gave her an apologetic smile before launching into what I hoped would be an afternoon of neutral conversation and plenty of laughter. “We’ve established that we both have very eclectic taste in music, your favorite color is yellow because it makes you think of the sun, and mine is blue because there’s nothing more beautiful than a clear blue sky. We both have a soft spot for pepperoni pizza and books that make us cry.”
She laughed at that one, obviously still not believing that I’d been known to shed a few tears while reading.
“You still need to read To Kill A Mockingbird while I have been challenged to tackle the Harry Potter series.”
“I still can’t believe you haven’t read those books.” She glanced up at me. “I thought everybody in the world had.”
“I didn’t get into reading until my teens. Before that I was in the worship surfing phase of my life, so the only thing that mattered were the waves, dude.” I put on my best surfer voice, which made her laugh.
“What made you stop worshiping the waves?”
I shrugged and tried to sound upbeat in spite of the subject matter. “My dad lost his legs and everything kind of changed. He was the one who taught me how to surf. It just seemed wrong to keep doing it when he couldn’t. But I got into drumming because of it. And I used to sit by his bed and read to him a lot. I was desperately trying to pull him out of his depression and ended up falling in love with books while I was doing it.”
“Wow,” she murmured, her face a picture of empathy.
I cleared my throat and looked up at the blue sky. “How about you? Your parents ever make you fall in love with something?”
She didn’t answer so I glanced back at her. She was looking at the ground and obviously struggling to speak.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured. “Did I say something wrong? If there are any subject matters that we need to avoid, maybe you should list them now so I don’t completely screw up this date.”
She looked up with a closed-mouth smile, her eyes glistening before she blinked and sniffed. “They got me into singing. Mom was only seventeen when she had…me and my sister. She and Dad stayed together in spite of it all. They were in a high school glee club together, and I think their love of music got them through some tough times.”
“Music makes everything better.” I shrugged.
She smiled at that one. “Yeah, it really does.”
“So, you’re a twin, then?”
Her jaw worked to the side, her nose wrinkling as she croaked, “I don’t see her anymore. After my parents died, we kind of… fell apart.” She choked out the last two words and the air in my lungs froze.
The sadness on her face was stark, and hit me right in the chest.
“I’m so sorry. When did they die?”
Waving
her hand in front of her face, she shook her head and managed, “You know what, I don’t actually like talking about it. So let’s make my parents’ passing the first subject we avoid.”
“Okay.” I nodded. “No pressure. Ever.” I pulled down my shades so she could look me in the eye. “But if you ever change your mind and do need to talk about it, I’ll be here to listen, okay?”
Her brown gaze locked with mine. “What made you so sweet?”
A smile tugged at my lips. “Life’s heartaches are often unfair and they always take a piece of you, but in spite of that, they can bring out the best, if you let them. I know what it’s like to lose a parent. I mean, I have him back now, but my dad—my superhero—disappeared on me for a while there. And I’d never felt more lost and alone in my life. I didn’t want to talk about it either, but eventually that’s what I needed to do.”
Her eyes glassed with tears, her lower lip trembling.
“Sorry, I didn’t… I seriously didn’t mean to make you cry on our first date. Flick told me I’d screw this up somehow. He was only kidding, but…” I pointed at her watery smile and cringed.
She laughed and slashed a finger under each eye. “You’re not screwing up anything. All you’re doing is proving once again that you’re like no guy I’ve ever met.”
“And that’s a good thing?” I winced.
“Yes.” She laughed again. “That’s a very good thing.”
The tight knot in my chest unraveled just as we reached the picnic spot I’d been thinking of. Her laughter gave me the courage to point through the trees. “Want to stop for a snack?”
“Okay.” Her black curls bobbed when she nodded and I had to fight the urge to reach for one of them. I wanted to bury my fingers in those thick locks, cup the back of her head and kiss her lips until neither of us could breathe.
She was so incredibly beautiful.
Swallowing back my desire, I wove through the trees, aware of Gavin in our wake. He was nice enough to linger near the trail while I laid out my jacket for her to sit on and pulled out a couple of root beers. She’d told me on the phone that they were her favorite.
I popped the cap for her and passed one over. I couldn’t take my eyes off her neck as she gulped back the brew. Pressing my lips together, I dove into my bag and pulled out some home baking. The second my mother heard my plans, she whipped up a batch of chocolate chip cookies while I sat on a kitchen stool and relived my late-night phone call. She’d been giddy with excitement as she packaged up my little goodie bag.
Fine By Me: Chaos Novella (A Songbird Novel) Page 4