CHAPTER335
That’s not a good sign. Oh god.
“You sure?” Jake’s even voice is simmering with rage. His no-nonsense posture and tense muscles make my heart pound through my chest.
“Positive. I was screwing her friend Amy last night, that’s how I found out she was pregnant. Amy told me where she is.” Ben shrugs into his jacket.
What is it with these Casanova men and random hook ups?
“Why haven’t you gone to see her then? Asked her before you saw Jake?” I wish he had, we could’ve avoided all of this, saved it for a time when Jake is sober, and this isn’t so fresh. I can feel anger bubbling inside of him and it’s only spelling disaster.
“I needed space to think. Then when I saw you two at the club earlier, I figured some confirmation was a good idea. For all I knew Amy was lying.” Ben is seemingly more accepting of this situation than Jake, but it’s most likely because he hasn’t had months of Marissa badgering him, arguing, and digging her claws in.
There’s something so … Jake-like in Ben … old Jake. It’s in his mannerisms and alarmingly similar face, something disconcerting about his presence and authority too. Only, Ben is less fiery, calmer, in the way that Hunter appears to be. Jake always seems like he has something hot brimming under his surface, a sense that you know he’s capable of pouncing. Changing from laid back to crazy aggressive in an instant, but Ben doesn’t. He seems to be a calmer and more relaxed person than Jake.
“No better time than the present.” Jake’s already on his feet, pulling me with him, that spark simmering, highlighting what I was thinking. I wonder if it’s the hot Italian blood Sylvana likes to boast about.
Uh oh.
“Jake. Wait until tomorrow or maybe I should go home?” inner panic is setting in and a wash of fatigue. I don’t want to get into an all-out screaming match with Marissa again, as much as the last one ended in happy tears, this one might not.
“No. I want you with me, baby. I swear we won’t need to stay long. I’m sure Ben will want some time alone with her to talk when we’re done, then I’ll take you home. I want you to witness this too.” Jake leans in, kissing me tenderly, his hand grazing my face softly and I catch Ben’s eyes on me. Jake doesn’t want to be with Marissa without me being there, always in the back of his head that I won’t trust him. I would rather he went without me in this.
“This is a better fit,” Ben says suddenly, nodding at me, “You and Emma. I see what Marissa always wanted with you and never got. It’s obvious how much you love her; it was never obvious with Marissa.” He drops his chin to his chest. “I don’t have that with her either … I don’t think I ever will, even if the kid is mine. I can’t trust the bitch anymore.” He lets out another deflated breath.
Ouch.
Ben lifts his head and gets to his feet, a showing seriousness to his face and we all head out. Jake all but has to drag me out into the crisp dawn air on a mission I want to be no part of. Jefferson appears as though by magic, and I wonder where he’s been hiding all night.
Surely that isn’t what he has to do? Sit around and wait for us?
We slide into the car and Jake pulls his phone out and dials before sticking it to his ear with a look on his face of sheer determination and a somewhat sardonic expression. It rings for a few minutes before she answers him. I can almost make out her sensual purring on the other end of the receiver even from my distance.
“Marissa, it’s Jake. I need to see you, where are you?” He sounds deceivingly sexy as he tries to keep his tone even. I know he wants to make her think he’s begging to see her for something she may actually like.
I shiver with jealousy but bite it down. He sounds like the guy from the office, the one who used to call dates and arrange casual hook ups, back when I was nothing more than his assistant. Casanova in full control.
“Stay there. I’m on my way.” He slurs a little, trying to make sure she thinks he’s coming to see her for a booty call in the middle of the night or early morning whatever it is, believing that she’s getting a drunken Jake and some sort of reunion. He’s making sure she’ll open the door to him, alone. I know it’s pretend but it still makes me hurt and emotional. I look at my lap and instantly feel his mouth against my temple.
“I love you, baby,” he whispers quietly in my ear brushing my hair back, his eyes finding mine reassuringly with a small tender smile.
Always so in tune with me.
I smile up into his adoring face and melt.
“Still a clever fucker.” Ben smiles and Jake pulls me closer, an arm around my shoulders between the two men, as he helps me get my seat belt on in the black Lexus. Ben is still on the pavement at the open door, leaning in.
“Much smarter than you ever were Benny-boy.” Jake smiles back, a moment of friendly sparks suddenly fill the air. It’s weird yet strangely comforting.
“That’s true, you saw through her shit and got the fuck away … I kept getting dragged back, repeatedly it seems.” Ben sighs and climbs in beside me. I notice that Jake has no qualms about sitting me between them. Jake of yesterday would’ve put me on one side away from Ben, guarding me possessively from the guy he hates so much. But, in the last hour something has changed between the two men, some sort of truce and forgiveness in such a simple conversation."
