Текст книги "Lovely Distraction"

Автор книги: J. J. Dorn

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

CHAPTER TWENTY

November 23, 2011

I had successfully completed my first year of law school and was almost done with my second semester of my second year. School was even harder than I had imagined. I knew it would consume my life and push me to my absolute limits, but I hadn’t realized it would change me so profoundly. Some people crack in that type of high pressure situations, I however flourished. By the end of my first year I was in the top of my class and interning at a fast-paced law firm in downtown Nashville.

When I left for law school in July of last year I was still broken. I was functioning but I wasn’t truly myself. It took me finding myself again to fully appreciate how much of me had let Jamieson have. I also now realized how lucky I was to have regained those broken pieces of myself. School had brought back my confidence; it gave me an outlet and a priority to focus on. I wouldn’t say that I was completely over Jamieson Wellington, but I would say that I now knew I would never give my control away again.

“What do you think, Jenna?” Olivia asked me from across our corner table at Ted’s. It was Thanksgiving Eve. Audrey and I had come home for the week long break.

“Think about what?” I asked confused.

“The hottie in the corner?” Livy said pointing toward a dark haired man sitting at the end of the bar by himself. He was talking to the lone female bartender who was covered in tattoos.

“I think if he’s interested in her, he would hardly be interested in us.” Audrey huffed beside us.

Audrey was also excelling at school. She and I had discovered very early on that we made an excellent study group of two. Our first semester we had tried to study in the law library like all the other first year students, but we quickly learned that was an epic mistake. Neither one of us had been prepared for the level of petty drama that would take place at school. The library was the epi center for it all. Our apartment quickly became our safe haven. It was the only place we would study, since it was imperative to do so every day. Law school was kind of like the Hunger Games, if you could survive the daily reaping of being called on by volunteering as tribute, then you were more likely to survive because it was on your terms not the professors. This was a strategy that had been working well for Audrey and I so we studied our asses off every day to stay one step ahead.

“Maybe I should get a tattoo,” Olivia mused.

“Really?” Audrey questioned her.

I faintly listened to my friends battle over what was more unique having a tattoo or not having one as I studied the guy across the bar. There was something very familiar about him but I was too far away and his back was too me. The way he held himself reminded me of someone, but who evaded me. It really annoyed me.

“Do you guys want another round?” I asked the girls.

“You bet your ass we do. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I have to spend it with my step-monster and my Dad so I will be downing as much alcohol as humanly possible.” Livy said handing me their empty glasses to take to the bar.

I headed over to the female bartender and the hot mystery guy.

“And don’t make a move on the hottie at the bar I called dibs!” Livy yelled across the bar to me which was incredibly embarrassing.

I knew the guy had heard and when I looked in his direction his eyes met mine and I knew instantly who the dark stranger was.

“Hello Jenna,” he said as I approached.

“Hello Ethan,” I greeted him coolly.

“I thought you moved to Nashville.”

“I did. I’m just home for Thanksgiving,” I explained.

“Oh, you here with your friends?” he asked turning around to look at Audrey and Olivia. They were of course watching mouths hanging open in astonishment.

“Yes,” I offered nothing more.

“What can I get you honey?” The beautiful bartender asked me.

“Three more mojitos please,” I told her with a smile.

“No problem.” She went to work on our drinks.

I could feel Ethan staring, analyzing me.

“What?” I asked him, slightly unnerved by his scrutiny.

“Nothing.” He continued to sip his drink.

I tried to ignore him and willed the bartender to hurry up.

“Have you talked to him?” he asked into the distance separating us.

I knew who he was referring to but I didn’t want to think about him. I was in a good place now; I was moving on, I didn’t want to get pulled back under again.

“No,” I said sternly.

“What a fucking moron,” he muttered under his breath.

I don’t know why it ticked me off that he was calling his brother a moron, I mean he was a moron for what he had done and then some, but I didn’t really think Ethan had a right be such a harsh critic.

“That’s a little like the pot calling the kettle black, don’t you think?” I said with grit to my voice.

“Touché, I see someone has enlightened you about me.” He mused.

“Yes, you could say I have had a complete enlightenment about the Wellington brothers.” I bit back at him.

He laughed a cold almost evil laugh at my hostility. “He really did a number on you, didn’t he?”

That was it, I was pissed now. “You know what Ethan; you’re a dick and an asshole. My sister warned me about your family. She told me not to get involved with your brother and I didn’t listen. She was right, you’re toxic and so is your brother.”

I watched as his face changed into regret at my words.

“How is she?” he asked somberly.

I felt bad instantly, even though Ethan was a complete jackass I could tell he was still tormented by the past. “She is good, really good. She has a daughter now.”

“I’m glad for her.”

“Here you go, sweetheart.” The bartender handed me three drinks.

“Thanks, keep the tab open,” I said handing her my debit card.

I was just about to turn and walk back to my table when Ethan spoke up again. “You know, he’s coming back. He can’t keep up this charade much longer.”

I didn’t really know what he was referring to but I guessed he meant Jamieson was going to be coming back from London. “It doesn’t matter.”

“If only that were true, Jenna,” He slyly smiled.

“It is true. None of it mattered and it certainly doesn’t matter now.” I told him defiantly.

“Maybe not but I know my little brother and when he sets his mind to something—nothing will stop him.”

“What he did was inexcusable. There is no coming back from that Ethan,” I said softly.

“He will try, Jenna. Lord knows he will try, so you best get prepared for that,” Ethan warned.

“I really doubt he will, but thanks for the heads up.” I shrugged at him.

Ethan studied my face and then his face lit up in a sexy smile. “You look so much like her, do you know that, Jenna?”

“Yes I do. Jacqueline and I share a lot of traits,” I continued to smile at him.

“Have a good night, Ethan.” I said as I turned and started toward my friends.

“Jenna…” he called out, forcing me to pause and look back at him.

“I really did love her. You know that right?” Ethan said desperately almost like a he was pleading for his life.

I nodded my head in acknowledgement. “I know that and so does she.”

I smiled at him one last time and walked away.

My heart broke for Ethan a little bit; as much as he had screwed things up with Jacks, I could see he was devastated even now. It made me wonder if Jamieson felt the same way and what my reaction would be if he was ever to be so candid about his feelings. I immediately dismissed that thought when I remembered I had walked in on Jamieson engaged in a threesome. He hadn’t just cheated on me, he made me look like an absolute fool and I refused to play that part again. I had learned my lesson. I was done and if Jamieson Wellington decided he was dumb enough to come back into my life a second time, I would not be so naïve this time around.

Audrey, Livy and I stayed at the bar until it closed. We laughed and chatted about school. Olivia had told us all about her job at the advertising firm. She loved it and had already been promoted. I knew she was going to be extremely successful, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that girl was going to rule that firm one day. Audrey and I quizzed her for details on what her dating life had been like since we left for Vanderbilt, but Livy was like a steel trap not giving us any real information. All she would tell us is that she had been seeing someone on and off. I was very curious about the mystery guy but I knew Livy would tell us only when she was ready.

I had outed Audrey to Livy about dating a new guy at school, his name was Brad. He was a total preppy frat guy but Audrey seemed to like him okay. He was in med school and was equally as busy so they had only gone out on a few dates. She seemed excited about him and I was happy for her, but I couldn’t help but compare Brad to Derrick. As much as Derrick could get on my nerves I could tell there had been something between them. I also knew for a fact they still talked all the time. Audrey doesn’t always tell me because she thinks that it reminds me of Jamieson. I haven’t told her that I knew they talk often, I just let her think it’s a secret. I can always tell when she has talked to him as she gets giddy and smiley for hours after. I had a sinking suspicion that Brad couldn’t do that and only Derrick could, which scared me. Derrick was a playboy and quite frankly a bit of a douche. I worried Audrey may just be setting herself up for the ultimate fall.

When we left the bar, we turned down the side alley to get to the main street to hail a cab. It was cold and all three of us were bundled up and huddled together as we walked behind the bar. We were almost to the main street when the back door of the bar flew open clattering against the brick wall startling us. All three of us watched shocked as the tattooed bartender and Ethan stumbled against the doorframe completely making out. I felt like a voyeur watching as Ethan pushed the dark haired girl against the brick and hungrily devoured her lips. We all stood open-mouthed as he slid his hands down her torso and under her shirt. I shivered watching him take what he wanted from her.

“Get a room!” Livy shouted at them and we continued to walk past them.

Ethan titled his head just enough to look at us while he was still kissing the bartender. His eyes locked with mine and I saw a devilish grin spread across the side of his mouth as he moved down to bite the girl’s neck. And to think this was the guy who was just confessing his love for my sister and now he was practically fucking the bartender in the alley. What a prick!

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Jamieson continued to drive me to the barn while my car was in the shop. He would come home mid-morning from work drive me to the barn, and then return in the afternoon to pick me up. Things between us definitely had become more comfortable. We easily chatted to and from the barn, mainly about riding and how my job search was going. I had gone on two interviews already this week but unfortunately had not received any call backs. I was convinced now more than ever that Cain and his family had something to do with it. I had made stellar grades in law school, graduating in the top of my class. It made no sense that I was being shut-out of every job out there. I was starting to consider looking for something other than an attorney position. It was either that or think about moving. As much as it would pain me to do it, I was getting desperate. The time was counting down on the ninety day requirement before I could secure a divorce and I wanted to be living back on my own with a secure job by then.

I considered how the next two months were going to go while I urged Leo the big gray gelding over the next set of three rail jumps. When we made it over the last jump, I felt Leo shift underneath me not sure about his landing. I tried to adjust to where he was going to land but I overcompensated and went over the side of the saddle landing hard on my right shoulder and leg.

“Shit! Jenna!” I heard Jacks scream from across the pen.

I had the wind knocked out of me so I couldn’t respond. I wanted to call out and tell her I was okay. It looked worse than it had been.

“I’ll grab Leo.” Grayson said hoping down from his mare and chasing after the loose horse.

“I’m alright,” I choked out as Jacks knelt down beside me.

“Can you stand?” She questioned.

“I think so.” I said taking her hand to help steady myself. I rose to my feet slowly and felt the shooting pain in my right ankle. “Shit, that hurts.”

“Let’s get you back to the barn,” she said propping me up by the waist as we hobbled back to the barn.

Jamieson found me sitting in a chair with an ice pack Grayson had found for me. I had texted him to let him know I would be ready whenever, but I left out the reason why. I hadn’t meant for him to drop everything and come to pick me up, I was just merely letting him know that whenever he was ready to come get me, I would be able to leave.

“What happened?” he asked as soon as he spotted me nursing my hurt ankle.

“I took a spill off the side of Leo,” I explained nonchalantly.

“Is it broken?” He kneeled in front of the chair, examining my leg.

Jacks rolled her eyes at me from down the aisle at Jamieson’s overprotective reaction. Falling off your horse was a common occurrence in jumping. Sometimes you overshot the jump and missed, sometimes you went over the jump and your horse forgot to follow and sometimes you didn’t plan your landing exactly right, like I had done. The unspoken but common rule was if you weren’t going to the hospital then you needed to get back on. I’d had my fair share of spills and this one didn’t even rank on the list of bad ones.

“It is fine, it’s just tender. I will wrap it and stay off it for a bit and it will be alright. Probably just a sprain,” I reassured him.

He looked back at me, unconvinced.

“Jacks, do you need my help with anything else today?” I shouted down the barn aisle to her.

“Nope you can take your fragile butt home,” she kidded.

“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I slowly rose out of the chair.

Jamieson scrutinized me as I tried to hobble on one leg—ever so slowly.

“’Bye Grayson!” I called back toward the tack room where he had been.

“Take care, Jenna. Call if you need anything.” He stuck his head out the door and waved.

Jamieson grumbled something low and then I’m pretty sure said a cuss word or two before swooping over and picking me up.

“What the hell Jamieson?” I demanded trying to push out of his hold.

“You can’t walk and if you strain it worse, it’s only going to take that much longer to heal,” he said clutching me to his chest.

“This is embarrassing,” I grumbled knowing full well Jacks and Grayson were watching the ridiculous scene play out between us.

Jamieson walked me to the truck and lifted me up into the cab effortlessly. When he got in the other side, I thanked him for his help. He didn’t reply just smiled gently at me.

“How did it happen?” He asked quizzically.

“I was being stupid and not paying attention. I had just finished the course and was coming down my last set of three rails but I got distracted. I didn’t think about my landing. Leo went in one direction and I went in another.”

“What distracted you?” He asked.

His question caught me off guard. “Uh, what?”

“I asked what distracted you.” Shit what do I tell him?

“I was just thinking about stuff not about the ride.” I hoped that would appease him.

“It must have been pretty important to make you lose your focus that much,” he mused, cocking an eyebrow.

“I guess.”

“Do you think we should have your ankle looked at?” he asked.

“No I’ll be fine I just need to rest it.”

“Okay but if it’s not better by tomorrow morning I think you should be seen by a doctor.” he said sternly.

“Okay,” I agreed just so he would drop it.

We pulled up to the house. It was early afternoon and the guys were all at work. Jamieson and I were all alone and for some reason that sent a bolt of excitement through my veins.

“Don’t get out, let me help you,” he told me.

I complied and waited for him to come to my side of the truck. It was high and I knew I would need his help easing down onto my one good leg.

Jamieson however, had other plans. When he swung open the door, he gently placed his hands underneath my legs; lifting me easily against his chest. I tried again to protest but quickly gave up the fight knowing it would do no good.

Jamieson carried me into the house and up the stairs to my room. When we reached the top of the stairs, I thought he would put me down but he didn’t. He continued on into my large room and into the on-suite bathroom. He lightly set me on my feet but didn’t leave.

“I figured you would want to shower,” he said looking at my once white breaches and my pink polo shirt that was now covered in dirt.

“Yeah, I could use one,” I said studying myself in the mirror. Even my hair had chunks of dirt in it and I could see the outline of a faint bruise above my right eye. I was a hot mess.

Jamieson cleared his throat nervously. “Do you need help?”

I guess I could have completely scoffed at his suggestion but I knew it wasn’t coming from a place of lust, well not all of it. He was genuinely concerned for me.

“No I’ll be alright,” I replied.

“Okay, just yell if you need something.” He looked me in the eye once more before closing the door behind him.

I stripped down and turned the water on extra hot to soothe my aching muscles.

I slowly climbed down the stairs after my shower. I had thrown on my favorite University of Tennessee shirt and a pair of white Victoria Secret sleep shorts. I left my hair towel dried not wanting to take the time to blow dry it. I was hungry and needed to eat something so I could get a few Tylenol in my system to help with the swelling in my ankle.

When I reached the bottom floor I heard the T.V. on which was odd. I couldn’t imagine Jamieson still being here; surely he had gone back to work.

I had been wrong. He was in the kitchen dressed in his favorite sweatpants and white V-neck t-shirt. Jamieson Wellington made even casual clothes look sophisticated. I stood in the doorway admiring him for several seconds.

“What are you doing down here? I was just going to bring you some lunch,” he said not even looking up from his cooking.

“Smells good, what are you making?” I asked curiously.

“Grilled chicken Caesar wraps,” he announced confidently.

“Delicious.” I said slowly wondering over to take a seat in front of him at the bar.

“They’re almost ready.”

“Great,” I watched Jamieson meticulously rolled the wrap together.

When he was done, he handed me one and then put the other on a plate next to mine. He took a seat next to me and we quietly ate lunch together like it was the most normal thing in the world.

When I was finished, I attempted to hobble over toward the dishwasher with my plate but Jamieson stopped me taking it from my hands. “I’ll do that.”

“Thanks,” I said a bit sheepishly at my own inability to do simple things. I wandered slowly into the main living room that held the large flat screen T.V. and comfy gray couch. I threw myself down into the fluffiness. The television was already on CNBC. Jamieson must have been watching it while I was showering.

I heard the dishwasher start and then Jamieson emerged from the kitchen tossing himself down next to me on the couch.

“Don’t you have to go back to work?” I asked confused.

“Nope, I took the afternoon off,” he relaxed back with his hands behind his head. That was odd. The Jamieson I remembered worked insane hours. He would never just take time off in the middle of the day like this.

“You did?” I was still confused.

“I thought it was best I hang around and keep an eye on you,” he informed me, casually handing me the remote.

I furrowed my brow but didn’t respond. I took the remote and searched for some mindless afternoon talk show to preoccupy my brain. I quickly found Maury so I tossed the remote onto the edge of the couch.

“Really?” he asked giving me a questioning look.

“What?” I demanded.

“Maury Povich?” He feigned disgust.

“Hey it’s a good show. Don’t act like paternity test results aren’t entertaining.”

“I’m beginning to think your taste in crappy T.V. shows is a family trait,” he mused.

He was referring to the first time he had met my family and how they were all sucked-in to this horrible reality show when we walked in the door.

I scowled at him and then focused on the show. Maury was just about to reveal whether or not this guy who had allegedly gotten two sisters pregnant was the father of both the kids.

“What do you think the odds are that this guy is the dad of the brother cousins?” Jamieson asked.

“Hmm…tough one. The kids both have his nose but I don’t trust the younger sister, she seems like a liar. I think he isn’t the Dad,” I said seriously considering the options.

“You want to bet me?” he asked smiling slyly.

“Okay…what are we betting?” I asked curiously.

“If I win we go on a date.”

I was shocked at his suggestion. “Jamieson…I…I don’t know.”

“Nope you already agreed to it,” he said.

“Fine, what do I win if I’m right?” I asked a bit miffed I had been baited into such a bet.

“Whatever you want,”

“I don’t know what I want,” I thought out loud.

Jamieson said something under his breath but remained unwavering. “I’ll let you think about it.”

“Okay,” I agreed and focused back on the show for the big reveal.

Maury ripped open the envelope and read the results. The guy was the dad of the brother cousins. Fuck!

“Seriously?” I yelled at the T.V.

Jamieson chuckled next to me. I had walked right into that one and he knew it.

We watched television together for the next few hours. At some point I fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up it was to Jamieson quietly carrying me up the stairs to my room. I remained still against his body not wanting him to know I was awake. I relished in his gentle touch. It brought back the memories of how things had been between us all those years ago, the deep craving I had for him.

Jamieson brought me into my room once again and lightly laid me on the bed. I don’t know why I did it but for whatever reason I snapped my eyes open the minute my head hit the pillow showing him I was very much awake.

Jamieson didn’t act surprised instead he just stayed still letting his eyes communicate with mine. He was questioning me and himself. He was torn, I could see that clearly.

I cast my eyes away breaking our connection in an effort to ease his decision. I should have known better though, Jamieson Wellington has never let me help him in any decision.

He closed the tiny distance between us letting his lips crash onto mine. It was a desperate kiss, not gentle or sweet but it awoke something in me. I pushed forward meeting his hungry lips. Jamieson in turn threaded his hands through my still damp hair latching me to him. I opened my lips slightly and Jamieson’s tongue demanded its way inside. He lightly bit my lip in appreciation.

I had forgotten how strong our pull was to each other. Our bodies communicated in a way I had never experienced with anyone else. It was easy to lose control with him and let him take whatever he wanted, but I knew that would only complicate matters.

I lightly slid back toward the headboard, trying to pump the brakes on an already out of control situation. “Jamieson…”

He wouldn’t look at me. He only looked at the yellow and gray duvet cover on my bed. “I’m sorry, Jenna.”

“It’s okay; I just don’t think we should complicate things,” I said.

His eyes locked onto mine. “Aren’t they already complicated?”

He was right; things couldn’t possibly get any more complicated. “Yes but you know this will end badly and I can’t take that again.”

“You don’t know that, but if that’s what you want I will respect it,” he snapped and jumped up from the edge of my bed storming out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Great, we are back to him acting like a pissy teenage girl again.