Jackson's Love (Lake Hope Book 3)

by Mel Walker

  “Don’t tell me when the evidence is right in front of my face. What I see is a jealous boyfriend with anger issues and apparently a history that I’m unaware of. I’m sorry, Jackson, for trusting you to control your emotions. I’m sorry for trusting you to handle this difficult situation. I’m sorry most of all for trusting you.” The tears are gone, and all that is left is her resolve. Her determination tells me there is no talking my way out of this disaster. I can practically see her erecting the walls between us.

  She raises a hand toward the doorway. “Please leave. And I don’t mean just the kitchen, Jackson. I can’t have you here. Not around my students. Please pack your things and leave, now.”

  “But…” I can’t find the words as Dana steamrolls over my response.

  “But nothing. Please leave now.” Her voice is steel. She leaves no room for negotiation.

  She dismisses me like a four-year-old. I stomp out the room and up the stairs to the room. I whip off my shirt as my angry tattoos scream at me. Broken glass reminds me of my past. Broken promises, broken hearts, broken career, broken friendships, broken love. Shattered past. It’s permanently inked on my skin; it will always be a part of me. It’s what I do—I break shit.

  My chest is pounding so loud it plays a staccato melody in my ears.

  I’m irritated, I’m angry, and I’m disappointed that she won’t listen. I’ve come to Destiny Falls to change, to become a better person, but my past continues to follow me. Have I been fooling myself all these months thinking that things would be different?

  Maybe it’s time I stop trying to deny it. The Zen and balanced world Jackson has created isn’t that different from the world of Chef Zach, just more polite. People here lie and deceive, just like everywhere. What is worse is that I finally lowered my own barriers and let people in, people who I trusted, I believed in, who I love, only for the same result—disaster.

  Hell, if being nice nets me the same results, I’d rather be the asshole chef with the nice restaurant and fat bank account.

  It’s time I stopped denying my past and embrace it. If the world sees me as the bad boy, who am I to deny them?

  I whip out my phone and dial my agent. “You don’t have to cover for me in the morning. I’m headed to the airport right now. I’ll be in LA in a few hours.”

  I grab as many of my things as I can and stuff them into my bag. I’ll text Aaron later with instructions for the morning service and where to drop off my knife set later. I can’t believe a week that started with so much promise has brought me here. I know there is more hell to pay, but hell is a place I’m familiar with.

  I loop the bag over my shoulder and race down the steps, thankful that the lobby is empty. I don’t dare steal a backward glance to the lodge as I pace to my car. Her words still ring in my ear. Leave now.

  I start the car and take a deep breath and one last glance at the lake, which will most likely be the last time I see it. I nod toward the uncaring lake and peel out of my parking spot with my mind already a thousand miles away.

  I do what I always do, something I know I am good at. I run. The setting sun provides the backdrop as I race against the impending darkness. The rain clouds have passed over the lake and now sit directly in my path ahead.

  I press down on the accelerator and head directly toward the storm.

  Farewell, Dana. Farewell, Lake Hope.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Dana

  Dinner is delayed by thirty minutes as I round up the students and walk them through the exit agenda for the morning. It had been covered during the opening session and is listed in their materials, but I needed to buy time for Aaron to clean up the blood and prep dinner with one chef down.

  I don’t have time to fully process what I witnessed. How could I have misread Jackson so badly? Then again, it seems like I have a history of misreading the makeup of the men in my life. I thought this time it would be different—everything about us had been different, yet I’m here again, my trust broken, my partner doing something so destructive that I have no choice but to walk away, or in this case, send him away.

  My mind races in three different directions. Being a one-woman show is a hell of a burden. After helping Aaron to clean up the mess in the kitchen, I quizzed him about dinner coverage and the meals for tomorrow.

  Luckily, Aaron explained, dinner prep was nearly complete, and they had already prepped breakfast as well as the grab-and-go lunch for the dismissal. He’ll need a helping hand in the kitchen for dinner cleanup, but that’s the least of my worries.

  I sleepwalk through the rest of the session and finally give in and motion for Sanjeev to take over and read the rest of the dismissal schedule. I know that by selecting him the women will not object. By placing him front and center, the women are being given permission to openly ogle this man, as opposed to stealing glances as they’ve been doing all week.

  I use the distraction to slip to the back of the room and pull out my phone. A momentarily wave of disappointment flows through me when I don’t see a text or missed call from Jackson. “Get it together,” I whisper to myself and type away a text.

  Me: just checking on you. You sure you don’t need to go to the hospital?

  Ty had refused any assistance and wouldn’t even let me or Aaron even help him rinse out his mouth and examine the size of his cut.

  Tyrone: I’m good. You did the right thing in firing him. He’s got issues, D.

  I shake my head as I didn’t fire Jackson; I asked him to leave. But I’m not going into it with Tyrone. It will only lead us down yet another rabbit hole.

  Tyrone: I noticed there aren’t any classes on the schedule this evening. You want to swing in the hammock with me? Get away from this madness for a while?

  The look on Jackson’s face the last time I was in the hammock with Tyrone jumps to mind. I’ll probably never swing in a hammock ever again.

  Me: I’ll pass, but please go. I’m going to hit the hay early. Big day tomorrow. Remember FedEx will be here around ten thirty with your car keys.

  Tyrone: I remember. You feel up to company? I can just sit quietly in the room with you. I brought a paperback copy of The Notebook. I can read it to you.

  I bite my tongue as even a blind person can see that Tyrone is using our shared history to soften me up. He just so happened to pack my favorite book of all time. I force myself to remember who this man truly is. He plans every move and is not above manipulating people or the situation to get what he wants. I cannot for a second give this man a flicker of hope.

  Me: I just want to be alone. Good night.

  Several hours later, I drop the mop into the dark dirty bucket, the kitchen finally cleaned. I nod to an equally exhausted Aaron. I’ll have to apologize to Mia for wearing out her man this week.

  “Just leave it there in the doorway,” he murmurs through a yawn. “I’ll take care of it first thing in the morning. Thanks for helping with the cleanup. You didn’t have to do that.”

  I may have no luck in finding a righteous man, but Mia doesn’t. Aaron is a trooper, taking on more than he ever signed up for all week. “No way I was leaving you to do all this alone, not after sending away your help.”

  A chuckle escapes his throat. “I recall me being the one who dismissed him.”

  “Yeah, but I’m the one who took it to DEFCON 1, telling him to leave the premises.” I place my hand on my back pocket, the silence from my phone disturbing me. “You think he went back to Destiny Falls?” I hate that the question escapes my lips.

  Aaron runs his fingers through his disheveled hair. “I really haven’t given it much thought, Dana. But if you want me to find out, you know I can.”

  His infamous Parker smirk hints to Aaron’s talent of finding things. “Not necessary. Let’s just call it a night. I’ll meet you here in the kitchen at 5:00 a.m. to help out with breakfast, which is in what, an hour?”

  I’m bone-tired and barely notice Aaron approach and wrap his arms around me. He smells of bleach a
nd Lysol. I dig my head into his shoulder and close my eyes.

  “You need to get some rest. I’ll text Ryan to join me for breakfast. I’ll take care of the kitchen. I’ll have Candice join you for the morning session as well—you need your rest. Remember, when things crumble, don’t concentrate on what falls down; take note of what is still there holding you up. We’re here for you, Dana. Don’t be afraid to lean on us.”

  I don’t know how he knows it, but these are the exact words I need to hear at this moment. I attempt to choke out a reply, but it comes out as gibberish that quickly transforms into tears and whimpers. His warm arms tighten around me as he places a chaste kiss on my forehead.

  Aaron holds me in his arms for nearly ten minutes. His T-shirt is soaked in my tears as I finally thank him. I avoid his gaze, embarrassed by the moment. Where is the boss lady who kicked Jackson off the property? With the adrenaline of that moment far gone, all I feel is insecurity and loneliness. “I’m going to get some rest.”

  Aaron nods. “I have a few things to finish up but will see you in the morning.” I climb the steps and pause and turn toward Aaron, who is still in the doorway staring up at me. “If you can’t sleep and need to talk, I’ll have my phone right next to me all night.” His kindness and consideration cause the tears to reappear. I race up the steps and enter Jackson’s room, and immediately the feeling of loneliness overwhelms me.

  Two drawers have been left half-open, empty, his rapid departure evident. A chill races through me as I replay the scene over in my head. None of it makes sense. What did he think would happen after injuring Tyrone? Did he want him off the property so badly that he’d put him in the hospital? And then what? I would just leap into his arms?

  My head hurts, and my pounding heart tells me something is off. I don’t have the strength nor the energy to figure it out and plop onto the bed.

  My eyes shut, and before I can take a deep breath, sleep takes over.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Jackson

  I stuff my travel bag with an assortment of T-shirts, jeans, and undergarments. I have no idea how long I’ll be in LA. All I want to do is get on the road. There is only one flight left tonight headed to LA and I’ll need to race to get to the airport in time. Missing it is not an option.

  “Shit,” I mutter as I hear the front door opening downstairs. I had hoped to be in and out before my cousin Jason arrived home. I move my toiletries from the duffle bag I used at the lodge to the suitcase.

  I zip the case just as Jason appears in the doorway, all six four of him. His deep black curly hair, with matching thick brows and black eyes, beam with joy. “I wasn’t expecting you till tomorrow night.” He takes in my suitcase and presses his back against the doorframe as I step past him. “Oh, you forgot a few things. You can’t be headed back to the lodge at this hour. Stay the night and drive back up in the morning.”

  I can easily let the assumption lie and head back to the car, but I’ve had my fill of assumptions and lies. Besides, Jason has been my safety net, giving me a place to lick my wounds and recover.

  “I’m not going back to the lodge. I’m headed to LA. The Food Network called.”

  The concern on his face shifts back to joy, his youthful exuberance ever present. He’s only twenty-three, but he’s always had this view of the world, I hope he hangs on to it as long as possible. “That’s amazing. Congrats. Is this something you still want?”

  The wheels on my case stop spinning and my feet pause. I nod, on autopilot, as my head races to consider the question. “This has always been the plan.”

  He nods as his brow arches up. He bites his lower lip for a split second before speaking. “Plans change. You’ve taught me that. Is Dana on board with this? I’m assuming she is since you left the retreat a day early.”

  I need to run. I feel the pressure building with every second I remain. But I won’t lie to Jason. It’s not just because of my living arrangement. I’m only a few years older than him, but I’ve always been the big cousin, and he’s always followed me. Even though I’ve disappointed just about everyone in my family, Jason has always stuck with me.

  “Dana sent me packing. Her ex showed up.” Just saying the word ex causes my blood to boil once again.

  “Ex? She would never… She adores you.” He comes to her defense, his rose-colored glasses when it comes to Dana totally justified.

  “No, not that. The bastard manipulated the situation. Used my past against me. Faked an injury and blamed me.” I paint the picture in broad strokes, confident he will fill in the picture.

  His heavy hand lands on my shoulder. “And you’re running again. You can’t. Did you tell her how you feel about her?”

  I sigh. Wouldn’t it be nice if all it took was love to conquer all? The real world doesn’t work that way. It’s filled with deceit, darkness, and selfish people. “I did, and it didn’t make a damn difference. Now I’m going to go get mine.”

  I march down the steps, and he follows. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be out there, or if I’m returning. I’ll text you.”

  “That’s it?”

  I toss the suitcase in the back seat and turn to face Jason. He is standing a few feet away, arms crossed against his massive chest, a look of disappointment on his face.

  I approach and pull him into a hug. “Thank you, Jason, for everything you’ve done for me. Without you these last few months, I’m not sure…”

  He pushes out of the hug. “Forget all that bullshit, cuz. I wasn’t looking for a thanks. We are family. I got you no matter what. I meant that’s it for you and Dana? You can’t go out like that, Jackson. You already have a lifetime of regrets—don’t add to it. I see the way you talk about her, the way you act in her presence. There’s no coming back from this one. This will haunt you.”

  He pulls me back into the hug. This time he controls the squeeze. It is tight, so tight I can barely breathe. He whispers, “She deserves better. And I know you don’t believe it, but so do you.”

  It’s my turn to push out the hug. “She deserves better.” I step backward toward my car. “And she deserves better than me, that’s for damn sure.”

  Jason’s glare lingers on me as I slip into the driver’s seat and start the car. Our eyes connect, and both of us remain silent, unspoken words on our lips.

  A slight tilt of his head, a nod, grants me the permission to leave. We are family. We will always be there for each other regardless of what happens.

  His words already haunt me as I pull away. I love Dana—she is a permanent part of me, my soul. Yet, I can’t stop myself from racing away. If I don’t go to LA, wouldn’t this just become yet another regret?

  When the whistling wind doesn’t respond, I decide I don’t need to answer the question this second. I have a three-hour plane ride to figure it all out.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Dana

  The knock on the door sends shivers through me. I fell asleep in my clothes and apparently slept through the night. I must have forgotten to set the alarm and spot the rising sun. My first thought is that I missed the early sunrise class.

  “One second,” I shout and hop to the door wiping the sleep out of my eye. I reach for my phone, but it’s dead. I forgot to plug it in as well. I open the door, and a pissed-off Aaron is in my doorway. Up till last evening I’ve never seen Aaron upset and wonder if this is his new normal. “What time is it? What’s up, Aaron?”

  He ignores both questions as he merely turns on his heels and barks, “Follow me.”

  I can tell by the quietness of the lodge that it’s still early. Aaron must’ve gotten an early start on breakfast, and I ponder for a second if he’s upset that he wasn’t able to rustle up Ryan to drive up to the lake at the crack of dawn and I’ve left him to fend for himself in the kitchen. That thought evaporates as we pass the stairs and head to the other wing of the lodge. He’s marching directly to my old room, the one Tyrone is staying in. “Aaron, care to tell me what’s going on?”

 
“You’ll see,” he says with ice in his words. He pounds on Tyrone’s door. It takes a minute before we hear movement, and the door swinging open slowly.

  Tyrone rubs his eye as he looks at Aaron. He is wearing a Boyz II Men T-shirt, another glimpse into our past on display. His back straightens, and his eyes come to life when he spots me. “Hey, what’s going on?”

  Aaron reaches into his back pocket and holds up a pair of keys, the distinctive BMW logo prominent on the fob.

  I attempt to catch my breath as Tyrone glances out the corner of his eyes toward me for a second before speaking. “You found my keys. Awesome, that’ll save me a ton from ordering a spare.”

  “Don’t play us, Tyrone,” Aaron begins. He pulls back the keys before Tyrone can grab them. “You never ordered a spare. You knew they were never lost.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” His voice shakes as he spits out the words in a cadence I recognize. It’s the buy some time so I can think of a more plausible lie tone.

  Aaron glances at me before responding. “It’s over, Tyrone. Don’t you know what I do for a living?”

  Tyrone shakes his head. “I don’t know, bake cookies?”

  Aaron’s lips go tight, and I can sense his rage. “I find things for a living. These keys were never lost.”

  “I really have no idea what you’re talking about. If you found them, then maybe someone else put them there.” His index finger taps his chin. “Jackson. It must’ve been Jackson. He must’ve done it to make me look bad.”

  I can’t take it any longer. “That makes no sense, Ty. Are you saying Jackson hid your keys—why? So that you’d stay here with me longer? Don’t insult our intelligence.” I turn to Aaron. “Where did you find the keys?”