“But okay, Jace. Let’s think about this.” I paused. “First…try to be positive.”
His eyes widened. “Oh yeah? So if I’m positive enough it’s gonna make cash magically appear?”
“Crazier things have happened.” I sighed. “Seriously…what’s going on? Why do you need that kind of money?”
He bounced his legs nervously. “You remember when that guy James Moore came by looking for money we owed him?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, apparently that was part of a bigger problem I’ve only recently become aware of.”
“What problem?”
“I guess James has been owed that money for a much longer time than I was led to believe. My father has defaulted on payment to several of the people he contracted to work for Muldoon.”
“Why hasn’t he paid them? I thought the company was doing well.”
“Well, that’s the worst part. Business is good. But apparently, Dad has a gambling problem. He blew money at the tables that was supposed to be paid out to various vendors.”
I closed my eyes. “Shit.”
“This is not what I signed up for when I agreed to manage the company while my father got treatment. I have no idea how I’m supposed to rectify this. The old man never even fucking told me about it. A heads-up would’ve been nice. Now I have a bunch of shady guys on my ass because of what he did.”
“Is there a way to explain the situation to those who are owed money? Maybe agree to pay them back with interest over time?”
“I haven’t gotten that far.” He shook his head. “But I do know there are far more people angry at my father and me than I realized. Not to mention, once word gets out that we’re not paying people, no one is gonna want to work for us. We’ll never be able to keep up with demand with no one to do the labor.”
My imagination ran wild. Would someone try to harm Jace if he couldn’t come up with the money?
I tried to get that out of my mind. “I’m sorry. I know it may seem hopeless, but things have a way of working themselves out. You have to have faith. Now that you know about this, you can figure out a solution.” I frowned. “I know that advice isn’t very specific. I just want to make you feel better.”
His mouth spread into a reluctant smile, and my heart ached a little.
“No, you’re good.” He rubbed his temples. “Thank you for trying. It’s not your job to make me feel better. You were right, though. Telling you did ease some of the load, even if it doesn’t change anything. So, thank you for listening.”
I nodded. “You’ve overcome obstacles before. Even though this one might seem unsolvable—you’ll get through this, too.” I smiled. “After all, we’re talkin’ about the same guy who managed to take his team to victory in that Pee Wee game after five consecutive losses, the guy who got the highest score on the Algebra Two final after a D on the previous test. The guy who taught himself Morse code on a dare…”
He shook his head. “How the hell do you remember all that?”
Uh-oh. This would be the part of our conversation where I admit my history as a secret Jace connoisseur. “I…always looked up to you and Nathan. I paid close attention, listened to all the conversations at the dinner table—watched and learned. You were too busy being popular and kicking ass in football to notice my brace face back then.”
“Well…” He grinned. “I do recall a certain backyard cat rescue.”
Wow. “I can’t believe you remember that.”
“Nathan and I came home to find your ass hanging on for dear life while you tried to get it down.” He chuckled. “You were sweet then, and you’re still sweet now. I see how you go check on that kid next door. You’re still the kind girl you always were.” He stared into my eyes. “I also see you putting on a brave face every day, but I know your life hasn’t been easy. You were forced to grow up way faster than you should have.”
This was the most candid Jace had ever been.
I shrugged. “You’re right. It hasn’t been easy. But I’m lucky. At least I have Nathan.”
“He’s lucky to have you.”
I paused, but ultimately I went for it. “And I have you now, too. I’m glad you’re here.”
After several seconds of silence, he said, “I’m glad I’m here, too.”
My heart fluttered. “Whatever you do, never believe that it’s impossible to come up with that money, Jace. I’ve been reading this book. It talks about the power in positive thinking. Even if it seems crazy, you have to make yourself believe you can rectify this situation. That will help manifest it.”
He chuckled. “Manifest it? You want me to believe some hocus pocus will solve this mess my dad caused?”
“I promise you, manifesting isn’t witchcraft or anything. It’s more like visualization. What’s the alternative? Feeling hopeless? Negative energy will hamper things. You have to envision a positive outcome and actually believe it. That’s what manifesting is.”
“And what exactly have you manifested lately?” he asked.
I’m currently manifesting you. Hard. “I’m working on a few things.”
“Oh yeah? How’s that going?”
“It’s going.” I blushed.
He looked like he wanted to say something, but remained silent. “I have another memory of you, actually,” he finally said. “Something I’ll never forget. I don’t know if you’ll remember this one, though. You were really young.”
I cocked my head. “What was it?”
He looked down at his hands. “You know I used to have a stuttering problem when I was a kid...”
“I do vaguely remember that, yeah.”
“By the time I met you and Nathan, my parents had paid for speech therapy, but the stammering would still come out when I was nervous or stressed. Anyway…I think I was, like, fourteen. Nathan and I had gotten in trouble with your parents for breaking one of the windows. It was my fault. I threw the baseball that broke the glass.” His mouth curved into a slight smile. “Your dad was so pissed. I was trying to explain myself, and I couldn’t get the words out without stuttering. It freaked me out. I ran out to the yard mid-conversation, and you came after me. You must have been, like, eight years old, but you were so perceptive. You somehow knew why I’d escaped. You said the cutest freaking thing to me.”
“What was it?”
“You said, ‘Don’t worry. Porky Pig is my favorite Looney Tunes character.’”
Oh my God. “Because he stutters?” I laughed. “I don’t remember saying that, but I still stand by it. He was always my favorite. Honestly, that was probably because of his stutter. It gave him character.”
“What you said calmed me down that day. I went back inside and explained myself to your parents. I was still stuttering, but I got through it. No one else seemed to realize why I’d even left.” Jace flashed a gorgeous smile. “Anyway, when I look in your eyes, I still see that sweet little girl sometimes. Even though you’re far from a little girl anymore.”
I felt warm all over—not sure if it was because he’d called me sweet or had acknowledged I’d grown up.
He suddenly stood and walked over to the snack cabinet, opening it and perusing the selection. He ran his hand through his inky hair before closing the cabinet. Then he turned around and said, “Anyway, thank you for the talk.”
“Anytime.”
I was just about to head to my room when he stopped me. “Do you have plans for dinner?”
“No.”
“What time is Nathan coming back tonight?”
“He said he won’t be home until late. He had a job interview this afternoon, and then he was going to see some girl he met online. She lives about two hours away. That’s a long-ass drive. Hope she’s worth it.” I snorted.
“Ah. Okay. That’s good he’s putting himself out there, though. I was getting worried.” Jace scratched his chin before grabbing his keys. “I’m in the mood for Checkers. Would you want something if I go and bring it back?”
My stomach
growled. “That sounds good.” I walked over to my purse on the counter. “Let me get some money.”
He held out his hand. “No, no, no. My treat.”
“You need to come up with a hundred grand. I’m not letting you cover my dinner.”
“I’ll live. Put it away. What do you want?”
I pulled up their online menu on my phone. “I’ll take a Mother Cruncher chicken sandwich and a Diet Coke.”
“That’s it? No fries?”
“No. I’ll just steal a few of yours.”
“I’ll get you your own.” He winked. “Be back.”
I stood by the window, watching him pull away. I didn’t know what to do with myself. Since he’d moved in, Jace and I hadn’t eaten dinner together without Nathan. I warned myself not to get too excited. For all I knew, Jace would take his food to his room and eat by himself. It wasn’t like he’d asked me out on a date. He’d merely asked if I wanted something from a fast-food joint since he was going there anyway.
It was a hot day, so while I waited, I ventured to my room and changed into a bikini. Regardless of whether Jace wanted to join me for dinner, I decided I’d eat at the table by our pool after my swim. I grabbed a towel and laid it on one of the loungers in our screened-in pool area. It was seriously the most beautiful part of our house. Surrounded by breezy palm trees, it was like being outside—minus the mosquitos or rain when it suddenly poured. It was the best of both worlds: being outside inside.
I dove into the pool and began swimming laps, one of my favorite ways to expend nervous energy. I must have lost track of time because when I finally emerged from the water, pushing the wet hair off my face, I looked up to find Jace standing by the edge of the pool. How long has he been watching me swim?
“Hey.” I wrung some of the water out of my hair. “Didn’t realize you were back.”
“I just got here.”
I stepped up the ladder. Oddly, I felt a bit self-conscious and immediately walked over to wrap my towel around me. I liked to try to look sexy around Jace, but this was my first time in a swimsuit. And being in a bikini was basically like wearing underwear and a bra. As daring as I’d been with my clothing choices lately, I was surprised to find I wasn’t that daring.
Jace had set the food on the table where I’d planned to eat. I guess he’d decided to join me out here.
“Thanks again. I’m famished. Swimming always makes me hungry.”
“Yeah. Looks like you worked up an appetite.”
“I love to swim. That pool sold me on this house when Nathan and I were looking.”
“It’s hot as fuck today. I might just go in later myself.”
I pulled out my chair. “You should. I haven’t seen you swim once since you got here.”
Jace and I opened our sandwiches and began to eat.
I went to the kitchen to grab extra ketchup, and when I returned, Jace’s eyes went wide as he watched me pour the red stuff over my pile of fries until they were totally covered.
“Care for some fries with that ketchup?” he teased.
“I put it on everything. I love ketchup.”
“I can see that.”
I peeked over at his burger. “What did you get?”
“A jalapeño burger. Wanna bite?”
“Sure.” I wasn’t going to refuse putting my mouth where his had just been. Plus, it did look good.
I leaned in as he reached across the table and offered me a taste. One of the hot peppers fell onto my chest near where the towel was wrapped around my bikini top. Not wanting to seem gluttonous, I took only a small bite and chewed, licking the corner of my mouth. “Mmm… It’s really good.”
Jace watched as I picked the pepper off of myself and placed it into my mouth.
When my eyes met his, he quickly looked down at his sandwich before getting up from his seat.
What is that about?
“I’m gonna grab a beer,” he said. “You want something?”
“I’ll take a beer, too.”
He chuckled. “Is it bad that I had to think for a second whether you’re legal to drink? It feels wrong giving you alcohol, for some reason.”
“You’ve dropped me off at the damn bar! How could you think that?”
“I know. It’s fucked-up.” He laughed as he walked backwards into the house. “Be right back.”
A minute later, Jace returned with two chilled bottles of Miller Lite. He popped one open and handed it to me.
“Thanks.” I took a long sip that felt great going down.
We polished off the rest of the food, and by the time I finished the beer, I felt pretty tipsy. Between the soft breeze blowing Jace’s scent my way and the buzz, I was on cloud nine.
Jace took it upon himself to clear our wrappers and napkins, stuffing everything into the paper bag. As he went back into the kitchen, he asked, “Want another beer?”
“I’d love one.”
When he returned, he set the bottle in front of me and sat back down. He put his feet up on an empty chair and leaned his head back, closing his eyes.
He sighed. “This is exactly what I needed…to chill at home.”
That made me happy. “Give your head a break tonight. You can always worry about work tomorrow.”
“Yeah. I think I’m gonna take your advice on that.”
While his eyes were closed, I was able to enjoy staring at his profile—his strong, angular jaw and slightly cleft chin, his perfect nose and kissable lips, the way the sun brought out a reddish tone in his otherwise black hair. Jace was even more beautiful with the sun shining on him.
I eventually closed my eyes as well, enjoying the breeze that offset a little of the heat. My eyes opened suddenly when I heard his chair skid against the cement.
“Fuck it.” He got up. “I’ll be right back.”
My heart raced a little. What is he doing?
A few minutes later, Jace returned in his swim trunks. They were blue with tiny anchors, a nautical pattern. Not that I was looking closely at his lower half or anything. I’d just started to make my way up to his chest when he dove into the pool, his gorgeous, hard body disappearing under the sky blue water.
He emerged and shook his head to clear the water from his hair. “You comin’ in or what?”
I got goose bumps. I hadn’t planned to, but I couldn’t resist the invitation.
“Sure.” I got up from my seat and unwrapped the towel.
Jace watched as I entered the pool. But what was he thinking?
I dove in and swam toward him, feeling more comfortable in my bathing suit now that I was submerged in the water.
He flashed a mischievous grin. “Wanna race?”
I splashed him. “Why? You think you can beat me just cuz your legs are longer?”
He cocked a brow. “There’s only one way to find out, right?”
Over the next several minutes, Jace and I swam in tandem from one end of the pool to the other. Sometimes he’d beat me to the other side, and a few times, I beat him.
Eventually, we got into a water fight. The next thing I knew, he was chasing me, then lifting me up and tossing me in the water. He did that several times. It was the most fun I’d had in a long time. I hadn’t a care in the world.
Then he lifted me up again, and I was certain he was going to toss me into the water, just like all of the other times. Instead, though, he just held me. Our eyes locked as my legs wrapped around his waist. He was going to have to drop me, because I sure as hell wasn’t climbing off him willingly. As he continued to hold me, the world seemed to stop. I could see the reflection of the palm trees in his gorgeous eyes, made luminescent by the sun. Those eyes then dropped to my lips. I could see his chest rising and falling. He swallowed hard. Holy shit. Something was happening. My heart was going a mile a minute.
And then…
“What are you doing?”
Jace dropped me like a hot potato at the sound of Nathan’s voice. My body hit the water with a loud splash.
Wha
t the hell is he doing here? My voice was shaky as I wiped the water from my eyes. “Wha…why are you home? I thought you were driving to meet that girl.”
“She canceled on me, so I came back after the job interview.” Nathan’s eyes traveled between Jace and me. He seemed suspicious.
“Oh.” I exhaled, moving a strand of hair out of my mouth. “How…how did the interview go?”
“It was okay. Too hard to tell if they’re gonna call me back, though.” He looked straight at Jace. “You guys seemed to be having fun. Didn’t realize I was missing out on a…pool party.”
Jace was silent.
I felt the need to chime in. “Jace decided to take his debut dip in the pool. We were just playing around.”
Nathan looked between us again. “I see.”
Jace finally spoke. “Well, it’s hot as all hell today. So…”
“You guys down if I make some dinner?” Nathan finally asked.
“We actually already ate,” I told him. “Jace went to Checkers.”
Nathan turned to his friend. “Since when do you eat dinner this early?”
Jace cleared his throat. “I was starving.”
“We didn’t think you were going to be home,” I said. “Otherwise, we would’ve waited.”
“I guess I’ll give you that.”
Jace got out of the water and dried himself off. He then laid out on one of the loungers, displaying his gorgeous, tanned body in all of its glistening glory. His feet dangled off the end of the chair.
Nathan snapped his fingers in front of my face. “I asked if I got anything in the mail. Earth to Farrah.”
Jesus. I hadn’t even heard him the first time. “Oh. No. Nothing came for you today.”
“Shit. I’m waiting for a part to come so I can fix the toilet in the master bath.”
“Bummer,” I said, still itching to look back over at Jace.
“Guess I’d better figure out something for dinner if you guys aren’t eating with me.”
When Nathan disappeared into the house, relief washed over me. Rather than put my towel back around me, I went over to where Jace was lounging and lay down on the chair next to him.
“How are you holding up?” I asked.
He opened his eyes and turned toward me. “Good. You?”
The Crush Page 4