by Ramona Gray
She gave Court’s sister a quick glance and Mel smiled encouragingly at her before leaning in closer and saying quietly, “You’re doing just fine, Julie. Don’t worry. Bev and Tina both like you, I can tell.”
“Thanks,” she breathed.
“Hey,” Tina leaned forward, “how’s Tom?”
“We broke up two months ago,” Mel said.
Tina blinked. “Why didn’t I know that?”
Mel laughed. “I told you, but you were right in the middle of your fling with Arnie.”
“Oh, Arnie,” Tina sighed before grinning at Julie. “Listen, don’t ever sleep with a co-worker, it doesn’t end well.”
She turned back to Mel. “Dating anyone new?”
Mel hesitated briefly, glancing at Julie. Letting Jax Anderson fuck her in her parents’ bathroom certainly didn’t qualify as dating someone but it didn’t stop the image of his face from flickering through her mind.
“Nope,” she said.
Tina glanced at Bev. “Why do I get the feeling she’s not telling the truth?”
“Probably because Mel can’t lie for shit,” Bev said cheerfully. “Spill it, Mel. Who’s the guy?”
“There isn’t anyone,” Mel said firmly as Jax’s rough voice echoed in her head.
The two women stared skeptically at her but before they could grill her further, Julie said, “So, you’re not seeing Arnie anymore, Tina?”
Tina shook her head and launched into the story of her fling with her co-worker. Mel sent a silent thanks Julie’s way. She had spent entirely too much time the last few days thinking about Jax Anderson and she was angry at herself. He was bad news and she needed to stay far away from him and his ridiculously big cock.
“Melanie?”
She glanced up, hiding her grimace of distaste at the blonde woman standing next to their table.
“Hello, Janine.”
Julie stiffened beside her, a soft gasp escaping her lips, and the woman gave her a brief, curious look before smiling at Mel.
“How are you, Melanie?”
“Fine.”
“Good.” Janine smiled at Bev and Tina. “Hi, I’m Janine. I used to date Mel’s brother Court.”
“We know who you are,” Bev said curtly.
“Right.” Janine turned back to Mel. “How is Court doing? I’ve been thinking about him lately.”
“He’s doing very well. Couldn’t be happier,” Mel said.
“Oh? That’s funny because I ran into Stu a few weeks ago and he said Court was miserable. Said he was still really missing me,” Janine said.
“He’s not and he doesn’t,” Mel said flatly.
Janine laughed. “Well, we both know you never liked me, Mel, so you’ll understand if I don’t take your word on it. Besides, I’ve really been missing your brother and have been thinking of giving him a call. I bet he’d like to have coffee and get caught up.”
“Don’t bother,” Mel said. “He’s not interested.”
“There you go again, Mel,” Janine gave another tinkling laugh, “always butting in on your brother’s business. You do realize that Court is a grown man, right? I can’t tell you how many conversations Court and I had in bed where he griped about how often you stuck your nose in his business. I suppose if you had someone, you wouldn’t be so eager to interfere with your brother’s love life.”
Julie watched as Mel turned a dull red and Janine’s grin widened. The woman was stunningly gorgeous with perfect skin, smooth blonde hair and a tall and slender body. Julie wanted to shrink under the table at the thought that Court had gone from someone who looked like Janine to someone who looked like her. Instead, feeling an unaccustomed anger at the way Janine was speaking to Mel, she cleared her throat and said,
“Hi there. I’m Julie, Court’s girlfriend.”
Janine’s mouth dropped open and Julie forced herself to smile as the woman looked her up and down. She might not have the perfect looks and body that Janine had but Court loved her and thought she was beautiful. She was certain of it.
“You’re kidding me,” Janine said faintly.
“No,” Julie replied.
“How long have you been dating?”
“Why do you want to know?”
Janine shrugged. “Just curious.”
Julie stared silently at her and Janine cleared her throat. “Court and I used to date,” she repeated. “I’m sure he’s told you all about me.”
“No, I’m sorry,” Julie said innocently. “He’s never mentioned a Janine to me. You must not have dated very long.”
Janine’s eyes widened. “We were together nearly three years.”
“Really?” Julie replied. “Three years and he’s never said a word to me about you. Weird, huh?”
Tina and Bev snickered loudly and Janine’s face flushed.
“This is a joke right?” Janine said loudly. “He can’t – I mean there’s no way you’re dating Court. Look at you.”
“What the hell does that mean, you stupid cow?” Mel snapped.
“I hardly think I’m the one who deserves the ‘cow’ nickname,” Janine huffed as her gaze fell on Julie again.
“You fucking bi – “
“It’s fine, Mel,” Julie said hurriedly before placing a hand on Melanie’s arm. “It’s hardly worth arguing with a woman whose best insult is calling a fat girl a cow.”
She gave Janine a frosty look. “That’s not very creative.”
“How long have you and Court been dating?” Janine asked again.
“None of your business!” Mel snapped. “Get lost, Janine.”
“You’d better get used to Mel being in your business,” Janine said to Julie. “She can’t keep her nose out of her brothers’ personal lives. It’s why Court and I broke up.”
“Bullshit!” Mel shouted. “You broke up because you were fucking every guy who looked twice at you.”
“Whatever,” Janine shrugged. “You have no idea the true story. I suppose Court would have tried to protect you from the truth. He loves you, despite your inability to stay the fuck out of his personal life.”
“Go away, Janine,” Mel said. “And stay the hell away from my brother.”
Janine smiled at Julie. “It was lovely to meet you, Julie. Say hello to Court for me, would you?”
“Of course,” Julie replied sweetly. “What was your name again?”
Bev and Tina laughed loudly and Janine flushed again before turning and walking away.
“Bitch,” Mel muttered under her breath as Julie slumped back in her chair.
“Nicely done, Julie. The ‘he’s never mentioned you’ bit was brilliant!” Tina crowed. “There’s nothing Janine hates more than not being the center of attention.”
Julie smiled weakly at her as Mel placed her hand on her arm. “Are you alright, Jules?”
“Yes.”
Mel stared at her worriedly. Julie was pale and trembling and she looked sick to her stomach. She touched her arm again. “Julie, are you sure?”
“Yes. So that was Janine, huh? She’s pretty.”
“She’s awful,” Tina said dismissively. “No one likes her, Julie, and you’re way lovelier than her.”
“Thanks,” Julie said softly before glancing at her watch. “Listen, I’d better get going. I’m pretty tired and I, uh, need to get up early tomorrow.”
Mel jumped to her feet as Julie stood. “Jules, just wait. Janine isn’t – “
“It’s fine, Mel. Really,” Julie said quickly. “I had a really nice time tonight, thank you for inviting me. Bev, Tina, it was lovely to meet you both.”
“Nice to meet you too, Julie,” Bev said. “You’ll have to come out with us again.”
“I’d like that,” Julie hesitated and then hugged Mel briefly. “Bye, Mel.”
“Bye, Jules.” Mel watched her leave, biting worriedly at her lower lip, before pulling out her cell phone.
“Who are you texting?” Tina asked curiously.
“Court.” Mel replied. “Julie is,
well, she’s a bit fragile and I think Court should know what just happened.”
“She didn’t seem that fragile to me,” Bev shrugged.
“I think it was a bit of an act,” Mel said distractedly as she texted Court.
She knew she was doing exactly what Janine had accused her of but she really was worried about Julie.
* * *
Julie dropped her keys on the side table and kicked off her shoes before hanging her jacket in the hallway closet. Her head was throbbing and she felt sick to her stomach. She hated confrontation and she could hardly believe the way she had spoken to Janine. That wasn’t her style, but the anger over finally meeting the woman who had hurt Court so badly had taken over and she hadn’t been able to stop herself.
She swallowed thickly. Janine might be awful but why did she have to be so damn gorgeous? She felt like an ugly lump of coal next to Janine and –
“Jules?”
She jumped about a foot, crashing into the side table and sending her keys and the pile of mail sliding on to the floor.
“Court! You scared the hell out of me!” She stared wide-eyed at him. “Wh-what are you doing here?”
“I’m sorry, darlin’.” Court crouched and scooped up the wayward mail and her keys before placing them on the table and putting his arms around her. He kissed her firmly, sliding his tongue deep into her mouth as he rubbed her back.
“I didn’t mean to scare you.” He kissed the tip of her nose.
“Why are you here?” She repeated.
“I missed you.”
She studied him suspiciously. “Mel called you, didn’t she?”
Court gave her an uncomfortable look. “She was worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” Julie said. She walked to the kitchen and put the teakettle on as Court followed her.
“Janine’s awful, Julie, and I’m really sorry you had to meet her,” Court said anxiously.
Julie sighed. “She couldn’t have been that awful. You dated her for three years.”
“I didn’t know the real her and I was – well, I was just being blindly loyal,” Court said. “I loved her and I thought she loved me.”
“Three years is a long time,” Julie said softly. “I – I don’t want to be clingy or anything but are you sure you don’t still love her, Court? I’ll understand if you have some feelings for her or – “
“Julie,” Court slid his arm around her waist and cupped her face, “I love you. Janine doesn’t mean anything to me anymore. I promise you, okay?”
She nodded. “Okay. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be so needy I just – well, we’ve never really talked about Janine and it was really weird to just meet her like that.”
“I spent three years with her and she lied and cheated on me the entire time,” Court said flatly. “She broke my heart and made me feel like I wasn’t good enough. There’s nothing else to say about her.”
Julie put her arms around him and kissed his throat. “You’re amazing, Court, and Janine is an idiot for not seeing that. Beautiful but an idiot.”
“She’s not beautiful,” Court said. “She’s an ugly person inside and out and I’m the idiot for not seeing it sooner.”
He hugged her tightly and Julie rested her head on his broad chest. It didn’t matter what Janine looked like. Court loved her and she loved him.
* * *
“Mel! You look stunning!” Julie gave her a look of delight and ushered her into Court’s apartment.
“Thanks, you look gorgeous as well,” Mel said.
She smoothed her dark green dress down as Julie looked her up and down.
“That colour is so pretty on you.”
“Stop it, you’re making me blush.” Mel grinned at her before glancing up. “Wow, Court – nice.”
“Thanks.” Court’s face was pale and Mel gave him a closer look.
“Are you alright?”
“Just fine.”
“He’s not fine, he has a migraine,” Julie said sympathetically.
“Maybe you should stay home,” Mel said.
“No, it means a lot to Cal for us to visit the nightclub. I’ll be okay.”
Mel nodded as Court helped Julie into her jacket. She was feeling nervous and unsettled at the thought of having dinner at Mr. Golden’s nightclub, but she could hardly say no when Cal had called and invited her. Her parents would be there as well and she was determined to support Cal in his new job.
She followed Court and Julie out of the apartment and down to Court’s truck. “Are mom and dad meeting us there?”
“Yep.” Court confirmed. “Dad texted me ten minutes ago and said they had just left. We should hurry.”
Julie squeezed her arm and gave her a small smile. “Okay, Mel?”
“Yes.”
“Why wouldn’t she be?” Court frowned at them as he opened the door and lifted Julie into the truck.
Julie just shrugged as she slid to the middle and Court helped Mel into the truck before slamming the door shut. As he crossed in front of the truck, Julie gave her a tentative smile.
“Maybe he won’t be there.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
“Do you want him to be there?”
“I don’t – I don’t know,” Mel said honestly as Court opened his door and climbed in.
She stared out the window as Court backed out of his parking spot and headed down the street. If Jax was there she would be polite and not think at all about what it had been like to have him inside of her. He was bad news and she would do the smart thing and stay away from him.
Chapter 6
“Damn, little brother, I didn’t think you’d wear a suit.”
Court grinned at Cal before clapping him on the back. “You said it was fancy.”
Mel glanced around as Cal kissed Julie on the cheek. The club was smaller than she had imagined and it was decorated in dark red and grey. A bar, long and curved with a shiny wood top, was directly in front of them and rows of liquor bottles lined the shelves behind it. About twenty tables were scattered around the room, most of them filled with couples and small groups, and a small stage with an even smaller dance floor was at the front of the room. There was a jazz band, all of them men and all of them wearing tuxes, playing and she jumped a little when Cal took her arm.
“Hey, Mel. You look nice.”
“Thanks, Cal. So do you. Are mom and dad here?”
He nodded. “Yes. Come with me.”
She took his arm and followed him across the room to the corner furthest from the stage. It was a bit quieter there and she smiled at her parents as Cal helped her out of her jacket and pulled her chair out for her.
“Butterfly, you look so pretty.” Her mom kissed her cheek.
“Thank you, mom. Is that your new dress?”
“It is,” Darla confirmed. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.”
“Thank you.” Her mom turned to smile at Court and Julie. “Hello peanut, hello jelly bean.”
“Jelly bean?” Court said.
Her mother grinned. “It’s my new nickname for Julie. Do you like it?”
Julie smiled happily at Darla. “I love it, Mrs. Thomas. Thank you.”
“Oh goodness, call me Darla,” her mom said cheerfully. “How’s that scarf coming along?”
“Good. I’m almost finished,” Julie said as a waiter, he was dressed in a tux as well, approached them.
“Good evening. My name is Randall and I’ll be serving you this evening. Could I interest you in a wine list?”
“Randall, this is my family,” Cal said quickly.
Randall smiled politely. “Then a bottle of our best on the house is in order.”
He unfolded Mel’s napkin and placed it on her lap before doing the same for Julie and Darla. He gave a slight bow and disappeared as Cal rested his hand on the back of Court’s chair.
“Are you going to join us, pumpkin?”
“I can’t, mom. I’m working.” Cal glanced at the door as a coup
le strolled into the nightclub. “But I’ll check in on you in a bit, alright?”
“Alright. Have fun, pumpkin,” her mom replied before picking up the menu.
Melanie scanned the room nervously. She was not looking for Jax, she told herself and ignored the trickle of disappointment when she didn’t see him.
“Son?” Bill was staring at Court and Court gave him a strained smile.
“What’s up, dad?”
“Do you have a migraine?”
He hesitated before nodding and Darla reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “Oh, peanut. You shouldn’t have come tonight.”
“I’ll be alright.”
“He had so many migraines as a boy,” Darla said to Julie. “We were terrified he had a brain tumour but the tests came back negative and the doctors said it was stress that caused the headaches.”
She squeezed Court’s hand again. “What are you stressed about, peanut?”
“We’re behind on a build,” he replied. “It’ll be fine. The client isn’t freaking out,” he hesitated, “yet.”
“You’ll get it done, Court,” Bill said reassuringly.
“Thanks, dad.”
Julie rubbed his back as he squinted at the menu before closing it.
“What are you having to eat?” She asked.
“I don’t have much of an appetite,” he admitted.
“You should try and eat something,” Mel said. “I know you don’t want to, but it might help with the migraine.”
He nodded and opened the menu again as Julie gave him a worried look.
Mel took another quick glance around the club. There was still no sign of Jax and she forced herself to study the menu.
* * *
“I ate way too much,” Darla said before dabbing delicately at her mouth with her napkin. “The food is amazing here.”
Bill grinned at her, “I’ve always loved a woman with a healthy appetite.”
