CHAPTER64
After I’ve cleaned up our mugs and straightened the kitchen a little, I head to my mother’s room, pulling out my cell to call Jake while sprawling across the comforter.
He answers immediately, glad that I’m here and that I sound okay. I’ve nothing much to tell him; I’m simply happy to hear his voice. I tell him that I won’t see my mother until tomorrow and don’t want to talk about her tonight.
He makes me laugh, talking about how much he’s pining in my absence and being silly. My normal, mischievous Jake, that’s what I need right now.
“You know, tiny, I don’t have anything much going on. Just Daniel’s birthday.” I hear Daniel in the background protesting in response, but Jake ignores him and continues, “I could hop a plane and keep you company.” He seems serious despite the casual tone to his voice, with an undertone I recognize.
“He’s your best friend; you can’t bail on his birthday bash,” I object, but sigh at just how much I adore him for it.
“I’m sure he won’t even notice if I’m not here; he has a new porn star to keep him occupied. This one has even bigger breasts than the last. I swear he’s going to die from implant suffocation one of these days.” Again, I catch Daniel’s voice as he reacts to what Jake is saying, but it’s not clear. Jake muffles a reply to him with a jibe and then a laugh as he tells him to stop eavesdropping like a girl.
Men!
I laugh at Jake’s joke, trying to picture Daniel with another brainless bimbo. He seems to choose girls who wear underwear as day wear and have a collective IQ of four.
“I needed that,” I giggle as I wipe moisture from my eyes, smiling like a fool. “You always cheer me up, you know?”
“It’s my job, bambina, as your official shoulder to cry on.” He sounds like he’s moving around, and I recognize the sound of jangling keys, my mood dying because I know he has to go.
“Are you getting ready to go out with him now?” I probe, wishing he was here. I get a heavy feeling knowing that soon he will need to hang up, and I don’t want him to.
“Sure am, but I can change plans if you say the word. One little word, Ems, and I’m on a plane to windy Chicago.”
“Jake, don’t. I’m okay, really,” I brush him off, ignoring the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach while hating myself for refusing him. He sighs noticeably and the humor drops from his tone.
“I just want to be there for you and make sure you’re all right, Emma. Is that so wrong?” The pleading edge is so far removed from who he is, it just stirs guilt. My heart constricts for him while picturing that wounded face.
“No. It’s just complicated with my mother, and I don’t want this life to touch on the one I have now,” I try to explain, hoping he won’t get annoyed, that he’ll understand.
“Guess I’ll just have to get smashed out of my head and drunk-call you in the early hours then, bambina. Better get prepared for it,” he chuckles softly, and I just shake my head, groaning mockingly to ease the tension.
“Please, just don’t ask me to research any fetishes for you. I don’t want to know what weird and kinky things you get up to on nights out.” I grimace at the thought, pushing that horrid tightness in the pit of my stomach away.
“I could always come and show you some of the weird and kinky …”
“Jake!” I break in laughing fully, relieved at his inuendo on the other end of the line, his mood back to fun.
“Can’t blame a guy for trying.” There’s the return of that smirk in his voice, back to the mischievous Jake who I miss most.
“You never stop trying,” I point out with a raised brow. “I need to go; it’s getting late, and I have to get up early.”
“Okay, shorty. Call me tomorrow, okay? I swear I’ll try not to drunk-dial you, but I ain’t making no promises,” he says with a chuckle. “For some reason, your cute little face comes into my head when I want to have 4.00 a.m. drunken chats about the weather, cats, and weird fetishes,” he laughs, a deep, hearty, tumbling noise that only highlights how far away he is.
“Go away, Carrero. I’ll be silencing my cell so you can’t do that to me again,” I laugh convincingly, hiding the pang of sadness coursing through me at having to hang up.
“Sweet dreams, bella. Dream of your sexy boss; I hear he’s a big, manly hunk.”
I roll my eyes and sigh heavily, shifting on the bed where I have gotten relatively comfy.
“You know you could bottle all your excess ego and make a killing with it as a new Carrero product. You certainly have enough to spare,” I jest, lingering to keep him on for a few more seconds as I cradle my cell.
“Good idea, Anderson. I notice you didn’t disagree that I was your hunky boss though. That’ll keep me warm tonight.” I can almost hear him winking down the line. “Go to bed. Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite … that’s my job, bambina.”
“So many things I could sue you for, boss! I should record our telephone calls. I would make a killing in lawsuits,” I jibe back, my mood is definitely lighter with his jokes.
“Baby, you would miss my attempts at sexually harassing you. I don’t want you thinking that you’re some ugly little wallflower that no man wants to bed. I have to keep your self-esteem high, to keep up with mine.”
“Jake, I’m hanging up now. I can tell you’re already on the vodka.” There’s a faint voice behind him that sounds a lot like Daniel Hunter again, still eavesdropping.
“Whiskey actually! I like my drinks to put hairs on my chest. Goodnight, Emma. I miss you, kiddo.” The smile in his voice makes me picture his best Hollywood sex god smile and dimples, and again the pit in my stomach starts aching.
“Goodnight. I miss you too, Jake.” I really do.
I reluctantly put the phone down, wishing he was here with me. His light carefree banter, even just for ten minutes, was enough to put my whole evening in a better mood. Sighing and getting ready for bed, I let nothing but thoughts of him fill my head, keeping the shadows at bay.
I find that he’s on my mind as I fall asleep, not my return to Chicago, and it helps push me to peaceful slumber."
