My phone buzzes again.
Kruse: Did you know Chase got that Carrie chick pregnant?
“What the fuck.” I groan as I haul my ass out of bed.
Until a concussion this last season, Chase Adams was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL—he also happens to be one of my closest friends. I met Chase six years ago when I was traded to Arizona. He’s a funny guy, and the two of us hit it off right away. It only took one drunken night for him to tell me about the girl he’d loved and lost. No matter how much Chase loved Jordan, his father’s controlling ways won out, and Chase broke up with Jordan before he left for college. I’ve heard the saying “true love never dies,” but I didn’t know what that meant until I watched my friend miserably live a life most people only dream about. No amount of money or fame—or hell, even his career with the NFL—compared to the love he lost.
Knowing Chase as well as I do, I knew Jordan was a soft spot for him. But it wasn’t until he hit his head one too many times and woke up in a hospital bed believing the two of them were married that I realized just how much Chase truly suffered without her. That’s when I learned what a remarkable woman Jordan Taylor actually is. The chick flew out to Arizona, willing to do whatever she could to help Chase. I’m not a sappy guy, but I can’t deny I found it inspiring that even after ten years, the magic those two shared still exists.
If Kruse is correct, and Carrie, a woman Chase messed around with on a very rare occasion, is claiming to be pregnant, then she very well could wreck Chase’s new life before it has the chance to begin. I’m not about to let that happen because I’d be willing to bet my life on the fact that if Carrie is even pregnant, Chase isn’t the father. Carrie hung around Chase during preseason, but Chase hasn’t so much as even looked her direction in ages.
Me: She’s lying dude. She has to be
Kruse: She might be pregnant but no way it’s Adams’ kid
Carrie’s lie is sure to put a huge speed bump in Chase’s mission to finally land the woman of his dreams, especially if it’s true, but I don’t believe that for a second.
I open the browser on my phone and look up flights to New York. Chase is like the brother I never had, so that means I’d do anything for him. Selfishly, I know that’s not the only reason I’m willing to jump on a plane and fly across the country on a whim. There happens to be a spunky woman who’s managed to intrigue me for the first time in years.
Lacey Davis happens to be the complete opposite of the women I tend to take to bed. She’s short compared to my six-foot-five frame. She’s feisty and outspoken, and I generally look for women who will concede to my wishes after nothing more than my signature panty-dropping smile. Don’t get me started on her breathtaking blue eyes or her sexy-as-fuck East Coast accent. If I’m being honest, my attraction isn’t the only thing drawing me to her. I felt a distinct connection with her from the moment I opened Chase’s front door, and I think she felt it, too. Foolishly I thought she’d figure out an excuse to call me or show up at a game, but I haven’t seen her since the day she walked out of Chase’s house. Now I finally have an excuse to see if I still feel the same way I did months ago.
3
Lacey
My life revolves around my seventy hour-per-week job, Jordan, Caleb, and now, Morgan, who has yet to attempt to find her own place. I’m not used to having someone in my space all the time, which is making me grumpier than normal.
“Hey. When was the last time you spoke to Jordan?” Caleb questions the second he takes a seat across from me at our normal hangout.
“I spoke to her yesterday on the phone. Why?”
Jordan’s flakey ex-boyfriend, who allowed her to walk out of his life after she dropped everything to help him with his convenient memory problems, showed up right before Thanksgiving. Before Chase arrived, I somehow convinced Caleb and Jordan to go out on a few dates together. I thought things were going great…until Caleb managed to screw it up by going on a date with someone else. When Jordan found out, that was the excuse she needed to throw in the towel, but I know it had more to do with the fact Mr. Jerk-Off himself appeared at her door, begging for another chance, one she eventually gave him.
These days, I don’t see Jordan nearly as often as I’m used to. I’m trying to be happy for her, but it’s hard when my trust in her boyfriend is next to nothing.
“I know this is going to make me sound pathetic, but when Chase first arrived in town, I Googled him. I wanted to know who I was really competing against—anyway, I set my phone up to alert me when his name popped up online.”
I motion with my hand for him to go on. “Tell me, tell me, tell me.”
“Okay, but first off, you need to chill the hell out.”
My face turns hard but like normal, Caleb doesn’t appear fazed by my attitude.
“You also need to know I’m over Jordan. I liked her, but it was clear she wasn’t that into me, and I’m not about to chase a woman who doesn’t want to be caught.”
“Okay, I get it. Now tell me what’s going on before I Google the bastard myself.”
Caleb’s lip twitches. “Some woman is claiming she’s pregnant and Chase is the father.”
My head starts pounding. “That fuck head.”
“I told you, chill the hell out. Adams is a rich athlete; it wouldn’t surprise me if women make up crap like this all the time.”
I dig out my phone and Google the shithead’s name along with the word pregnancy, and there she is. The same tramp who walked into Chase’s house and claimed to be his girlfriend.
“At the very least, he knows this woman. I saw him with her when I was at his house.”
Caleb sighs as I toss money on the table, ready to leave. “I know exactly where you’re going, and I’m coming with you. If I don’t, it’ll be my luck you’d end up in jail.”
Most people would consider me wild and crazy, but the truth of the matter is, I speak my mind, even when I probably shouldn’t.
When I first met Jordan, she was introverted and depressed. I spent months trying to get her to enjoy life, and when I think about her going back to that same dark place, a knot forms in my stomach. Maybe it’s not my place to interfere when she hasn’t asked for my help, but I refuse to sit by and watch this man destroy her again.
“Take a deep breath and relax. I know you love Jordan, but this is her life, Lace. You can’t fight her battles for her.”
I sigh, knowing he’s right as our cab pulls up in front of Jordan’s apartment building, but that does little to calm me. “I know, I know, it’s just…”
“I get it. She’s your friend, and there’s nothing you wouldn’t do for her. That’s one of the reasons I love you so much. You’re loyal and tenacious, but I have to tell you, Lace…sometimes your strong-willed behavior causes you to bite off more than you can chew.”
Inwardly, I laugh, because my bitchy powers have more than gotten me in trouble over the years. “Either way, Jordan needs to know about this, and I’m sure the jerkwad hasn’t told her what’s going on.”
Caleb tosses money at the cab driver after I jump out, leaving him to run to catch up with me. Jordan is the CEO of a cosmetic company her family owns. Her salary is massive—at least compared to mine. She lives in an upscale neighborhood and even has a doorman, but I’m on her approved list, so I ignore the man and walk straight toward the elevator.
“Please, I’m begging you. Calm down,” he says.
I take a deep breath as the doors open, but when I spot both Jordan and Chase standing in the hallway next to her apartment door, like normal, I snap.
“You stupid son-of-a-bitch!”
Caleb exhales a long groan. “Chill the fuck out, Lace. If you get arrested, I’m not bailing your ass out, especially for assault charges.”
“How about murder charges? I can’t believe you’d do this to her.” I start rambling as my anger continues to skyrocket. Both Jordan and Chase look over my shoulder and down the hallway as I blurt out the reason I’m here.
Jordan’s face goes white. I know I need to relax, but instead, I do the opposite.
“Whore Barbie made a very public announcement earlier today that she’s expecting this jackass’s kid.”
Jordan takes a huge step away from Chase. “I don’t understand…”
“He fucked her, and now she’s knocked up. Unfortunately, there’s nothing else to understand.”
Caleb sighs. “Seriously? What’s wrong with you? Lacey, you need to learn a little tact when you’re dealing with someone else’s emotions.”
Jordan turns and walks inside her apartment. That’s when I notice him. Jake Girard, Mr. Football God himself strutting down the hallway.
“Looks like I arrived just in time for the party,” he says with a lingering almost distracting smile.
When I met Jake last fall at Chase’s house, I was instantly attracted to him, but once I left, I was pissed that my body reacted the way it did.
Jake is built exactly the way you’d expect a professional athlete to look, which is no longer the type of man I desire. Not to mention, pretentious males turn me off. And the way he first talked about himself—like he automatically thought I’d know who he was—is the epitome of arrogant. But even now, while I’m raving mad, I feel a crazy physical reaction standing next to him.
“Yeah, blockhead, you arrived just in time to take your jerk of a friend home with you.” I watch as Jake shamelessly takes me in before turning his attention to his friend.
“Chase, dude, when was the last time you tapped that nitwit Carrie?”
I shake my head and glance at Caleb. “And you said I didn’t have any tact? What about this asshole?” I point at Mr. Football God.
Jake shrugs, completely unfazed by my comment. “I only asked because I know for a fact Carrie has been fucking just about any guy with a few zeros in his checking account, and unless Chase here fucked her after he woke up, after you came and went”—he points at Jordan—“then the kid she’s having—if she’s even pregnant—isn’t his.”
“Yesssss!” Chase hollers before punching the air.
I lift my gaze back to Jake. “Hold the fuck up. How does that prove he’s not the father? He’s admitted to having sex with her.”
“Because Carrie is dumber than a box of rocks. She told the tabloid that bought her story she’s eight weeks pregnant. Chase’s concussion was almost fifteen weeks ago, so unless he had sex with her after his memory went haywire, then by her calculations, it’s not his kid.”
I don’t want Jordan to suffer, but I’m not as quick to believe the story this man is spouting.
“I didn’t; I swear. I’m sure there was a time in my life when I had sex with her, but I don’t remember it,” Chase says in a pleading tone.
“Jordan, his head is messed up. Without a DNA test, you can’t be positive.”
Caleb tugs on my arm, implying I need to take a step back. With a sigh, I turn and walk into the open kitchen. I can still hear the mumble of Chase’s voice as he begs Jordan to accept he’s not the father, and as much as I don’t want to give him any credit, I almost want to believe him. Right or wrong, Jordan obviously cares about this man.
Jordan’s voice cracks with unleashed tears. “But why would Carrie say that…?”
Jake decides to answer before Chase has the chance. “Happens all the time. Carrie either doesn’t know who the father is, or Chase here makes more money than the other fool. After all, he hasn’t publicly announced his retirement yet, so she could be looking long-term. Keep in mind, Carrie may not even be pregnant. Women sleep with professional players all the time hoping to get something other than just sex out of it. Personally, I never dipped my stick in Carrie because she had money hungry bitch written all over her.”
Listening to Jake causes my anger to spike again. “Are you fucking serious? Tact? I don’t have tact, but this asshole does? I need to reevaluate my friends.” I glare at Caleb, who’s made no attempt to say anything since we arrived.
“I love you,” Jordan says as Chase falls down on his knees in front of her.
“Thank fuck. God, I love you, too. I never stopped, and I never will.”
Even my cold heart stops to appreciate the moment my friend is sharing with the only man she’s ever claimed to love. I hope with all my heart Chase is telling the truth and is finally able to man up.
“Let’s go” Caleb quietly says next to me.
I nod, agreeing with him before the two of us—plus the big ape—slip out of Jordan’s apartment.
“I see you’re still the same firecracker I met a few months ago,” Jake says once we’re in the hallway.
“I see you’re still the same arrogant football player.”
“Hi, I’m Lacey’s friend Caleb.” Caleb holds out his hand for Jake.
Jake’s large paw swallows it, making Caleb’s hand look dainty and almost feminine. “She has more than one friend, huh?”
Caleb laughs. The jerk actually laughs. “Believe it or not, she’s not usually this wound up unless it involves Jordan or her opinion on gun control.”
Jake’s eyebrow raises as he stares at me.
“What can I say? I believe in concealed weapons.” I offer a shrug.
Caleb arches his brows. “I’m telling you, someone with your anger management issues has no business walking around packing heat.”
Jake burst out laughing, and I swear against my better judgment my body starts to burn with desire.
The elevator doors open and all three of us step inside.
“Look, Lace, as entertaining as you are, I have a few files I need to go over if we’re going to Club Zen.”
“You two have a date?” Jake questions with a rigid tone.
“Oh, hell no,” Caleb counters. “We’re just going out for drinks. You should join us.”
My eyes snap to Caleb with the urge to kick him in the shin.
“Yeah, sure. Why not?” Jake says sounding almost disinterested in the conversation.
When we step off the elevator, Caleb turns to Jake. “Nice to meet you. Maybe we’ll see you later.”
“I’m sure you will.”
I groan as Caleb walks out the door and flags down a cab. “I’m sure you’re busy, being a football star and all, so we won’t be upset if you can’t make it.”
Jake triumphantly smiles at me. “Has someone been looking into me?”
I can’t resist rolling my eyes. “No, I haven’t. I’m still taking your word for it.”
Jake’s eyes lower as he slowly takes me in. I’m in a baggy sweatshirt, an old pair of jeans, my hair is piled up on top of my head, and I can’t remember if I applied any makeup to my face before I walked out the door. It’s Saturday, and unless I have plans to go out to a club, I enjoy being lazy on the weekends, but Jake isn’t looking at me like I’m in my frumpy clothes.
“Club Zen. I’ll make sure to be there,” he breathes out close to my ear, and I swear the huge jerk knows exactly the effect he’s having on me.
“Good. Great. I’m sure the club will be full of women who will follow you around and grovel at everything you say.”
“See you later, Lacey.”
Before I have the chance to reply, he steps back into the elevator car, and the doors quickly close.
“Damn you, Caleb,” I mumble to myself.
Club Zen is packed, and outside of Caleb inviting Jake, the only thing that could make the night worse was Morgan deciding to tag along. I love my sister; I just don’t always like her. At times, we’re too much alike.
Pushy, bossy, and always demanding, those are traits I know all too well, except Morgan pushes herself into people’s lives without their permission, like mine for example. She showed up at my apartment with a suitcase telling me she needed to crash in my guest room for a few days—that was almost a month ago, and she’s yet to look for a place of her own.
“Relax. She’s not that bad,” Caleb whispers in my ear.
Caleb rolls his eyes. “Jake didn’t seem that awful, either. You seriously need to relax.” He motions for the bartender and orders us both a shot of Crown.
“You’re right.” I sigh. “I’m not used to sharing a place with anyone, but Morgan is bound to leave soon.”
“Exactly. Now let’s enjoy our night. I think I’ve already spotted a certain lady I’d like to buy a drink.” He hops off his barstool and walks toward the dance floor, where my sister is already dancing with a man. Instead of looking for a guy who might entertain me for the night, I turn back to the bar. I drank and partied a little more than I should have right before the holidays. I mistakenly thought I could drink my problems away, but my plan failed miserably and I’m not ready for a repeat.
“Another?” the bartender asks.
“Make it a Crown and Coke this time.”
“Drinking alone?” A deep, husky voice fills the air next to me.
“Um…” I clear my throat and turn to face the man who causes me not to think straight—at least that’s the only conclusion I can come up with for why my brain seems to stop working when he’s around.
“I’ll take one of whatever she’s drinking,” Jake tells the bartender when he returns with my drink.
When I take another glance at Jake, I catch a glimpse of his cocky grin. I should want to knee him in the balls for acting the way he does, but instead, I want to do something else to his lower half. Apparently, it’s been longer than I thought since I’ve been with a man.
“Why are you here?”
“Your friend invited me.”
Jake turns and leans on the bar. We’re close enough that I could almost kiss his delicious-looking lips without moving if I wanted to.
His breath smells minty clean while mine probably reeks of whiskey. I tilt my head back just enough that our eyes lock, and the same torrent of emotions I felt when I first met him comes flooding back.
Why am I attracted to an overgrown ape who plays a game for a living? Everything about this man should turn me off…yet it does the opposite.
Living With Doubt (The Regret Series Book 2) Page 3