The moment Grace answered the door, I knew she had something up her sleeve. She wore a look of consternation, and reminded me of someone who just sunk her teeth into a bitter orange rind. It didn’t take her long to jump into her thought pool.
“I’m coming to the party.” She announced.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea?” I wanted to talk her out of going.
It was a terrible idea. She couldn’t go. Essentially she was the reason for the party. If the idea was to cheer Mike up, she shouldn’t be there. End of story.
“I thought about nothing else for the last couple of days.” She explained. “When you met Reece, he was at that party trying to forget his ex-girlfriend. What if Mike meets someone? What then?”
“I thought you found him repulsive.”
Grace shook her head, “When he told me he loved me, I got scared. All of a sudden my life was changing.” She paused, deliberating what more to tell me. “My parents were talking about having my grandmother move in with us. Only we don’t have enough room, so we would have to move. And because property is so expensive here, we’d have to go somewhere further south. Like the Carolinas or something.”
“I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
She nodded. “What could I say? If we have to help my grandmother I’d have no choice, no say. In anything. So I pushed him away.”
I shook my head, “Still, I don’t know.”
“I do.” She insisted. “I already dropped Conner off at his friend’s house. He’s sleeping there. Text Reece and tell him there’s a change in plans, I’m driving you.”
Chapter 34
I didn’t mean for my makeup to match my mood. I worked hard to apply it carefully, but as I pulled the pencil across my bottom eyelid, my hand jerked the teensiest bit. Not a big problem, I just needed to compensate a little, make the black line just a little thicker in the corner. Once I made that correction, I noticed the top line needed to be thicker there too, so my eyes looked balanced.
In a way, it made my eyes look bluer, brighter. I used Grace’s straightening iron to smooth the curls out of my hair. With a quick glance in the mirror, I almost didn’t recognize myself.
“Are you ready yet Jenna?” Grace barreled through the bathroom door. Noticing the startled look on her face as she stared at me, I felt like backing out of going altogether.
“That bad?” I asked, afraid to hear the answer.
Grace looked me over from top to bottom, circling me. “You look hot!”
I swallowed hard, and looked down at the tight black shirt, and jeggings, both hugging my skin so close, I felt like I wasn’t leaving enough to the imagination. I twisted my mouth to the side in a nervous gesture. “I don’t know. I look like someone else.”
Grace shook her head. “It’s a bit severe for you, but you look gorgeous!”
“Are you sure?”
“Trust me,” she linked her arm through mine, “You’ve never looked better.”
The closer we got to the suite, the more anxious I felt. I heard the music pounding as we climbed the steps. I wondered if we should bother to knock on the door. I opted to just walk in, knowing if the music was loud in the hall, no one would hear us from the inside.
Once we were through the door it took my eyes a moment to adjust to the dim lighting. Christmas lights were strung up around the perimeter of room, along the crease between the wall and the ceiling. The light bulbs in the free standing lamp had been replaced with blue and violet ones. The smell of alcohol permeated the air around me. I looked around the packed room, feeling out of sorts.
A large body colliding with mine sent me stumbling forward a few steps. I turned toward the large oaf, wanting to shout out a profanity.
“Jenna!” I recognized Brandon and immediately stopped myself from doing anything to antagonize him. “C’mon,” he took my hand and led me through the crowd to a far corner where Reece stood talking to a guy I didn’t recognize, a cup of beer in his hand. “He’s been waiting for you,” Brandon shouted.
The smile that spread across Reece’s face when he saw me warmed me from the inside out. He slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me against him. I couldn’t help but notice his eyes wandering from my face, all the way down my body, soaking me in.
“You look amazing!” he spoke close to my ear so I could hear him over the pounding music, leaving me with the sensation of a seductive whisper.
I felt charged by the high voltage of electricity flowing between us. My focus narrowed. Everything faded into a dull thrum of background noise. All I could see, hear, or feel was Reece. His hand running slowly down the side of my face to the back of my neck, made my nerve endings tingle and my temperature climb. The heat flowing through my veins had me boiling over.
It felt as if we were alone in the room. Like no one else was there. His lips sought mine with the hunger of a coyote devouring his prey. Drawing back to catch my breath, I snapped back into the room full of people.
I noticed the friend he’d been speaking to moved on. I looked around the room for Grace. I thought she’d been by my side, but she was nowhere in sight. It didn’t matter. There wasn’t anything I could do to help her. She needed to face Mike herself. Given my past with Mike, my getting involved could only put more gas on the fire.
I turned my attention back on Reece. I sidled up against him, fitting myself into the contours of his body. I noticed his eyes riveted on something or someone across the room before his eyes flashed back to mine. Unfortunately a split second passed, in which I was able to track his line of vision.
My heart wrenched. She stared at Reece longingly. She looked like a pinup model in her short pleated skirt and two sizes too small tee shirt. Let’s not forget the thigh high boots, just a bit over the top. The worst part, I’d been expecting it all along. I knew who she was without ever even hearing a description of what she looked like.
Reece swallowed hard. He guzzled down half the beer in his cup, clearly uncomfortable. “Want some?” He offered, pushing the cup in my direction.
I took it from him and took a sip, trying to get down as much as I could without gagging. Not immediately realizing it, Reece repositioned us, so that my back was against the wall and his back faced Rebecca. He rested his hands on my hips and leaned in, his mouth travelled from my lips to my neck, his body swaying to the music against mine. Only now, instead of feeling the delicious desire he turned on my body, I felt insecure.
The stomach cramps I’d been suffering all day intensified. It wasn’t Reece. I usually enjoyed the attention he showered me with, especially the touching and kissing, but this felt different. It almost felt like he wanted to prove something. To her. I just went with the flow, or I tried to.
I couldn’t help taking my eyes off Reece and stealing a peek at Rebecca, all pouty and perfect. Still her eyes were glued on him, her red lips pursed together. I ran my hands under Reece’s black tee shirt and over his warm, taut skin.
I remembered how jealous it made me when that girl on the boardwalk did it. Watching another girl with her hands all over Reece made me want to drop to the ground and slither away. I hoped it would have the same effect on Rebecca, but the little voice inside my head told me the only place she’d like to slither would be up his leg.
I heard someone next to me shout my name. I turned and saw Grace standing there, teary eyed, looking very unhappy. Reece released his hold on me. I didn’t want to let him out of my reach. I stretched my hand out to grasp him before he could move any further. I pulled him back, entwining my arm through his.
“You were right.” Grace sniffled. “He’s still mad at me.”
“I’ll give you girls a minute,” Reece offered, breaking away.
“No.” I tried not to panic. “Don’t go.”
He laughed at my sudden possessiveness. “I’ll be a minute.” He assured me, “Besides, I need a refill.” He leaned down and gave me a long open mouthed kiss.
I watched him walk across the room where Mike stood,
next to the keg. He shook his head in an animated fashion. No doubt talking about what just transpired between Mike and Grace.
Returning my attention to my friend, I pulled Grace into an embrace. I didn’t know what to say to her. I had no idea how to make any of it better.
“He doesn’t want me back.” Grace said.
“That’s because he’s hurt.” I explained. “He knows he’s got you on the ropes and he wants you to hurt too. Give him time.”
Grace looked down at the ground, breaking eye contact with me. Naturally I used that moment to let my eyes dart over to Rebecca. She was gone. No sign of her. I looked toward the keg, no sign of Reece.
My pulse quickened.
I swallowed hard and searched the room, full of angst. Just before giving up, I caught a glimpse of Reece. I breathed, amused at how jealous I could be. He pushed through the crowd going in the direction of his bedroom. Behind him, Rebecca followed. My entire body tensed up.
Everything told me to go after her and rip her hair out. I stood frozen in place as I watched her reach out to take his hand in hers, to no avail. Like he couldn’t bear for her fingers to touch his skin, he yanked his arm away quick and purposefully.
My heart sank from my chest to my toes. It crashed and broke in pieces. I couldn’t believe my eyes. He would never cheat with me in the next room. I made my way through the swarm and headed for the bedroom. No way could I just stand out there and pretend like everything was fine.
My eyes stung as I stared at the closed door. I wanted to cry. Not here. Not now. First I’d confront them, tell him to go to hell. I turned the knob and pushed, but the door didn’t budge. He locked it! Or did she? It didn’t matter. He had no reason, no business taking her to his room to begin with.
I turned and hurried toward the door. Someone stopped me. Brandon reached out and took hold of my arm in one of his large hands. “Are you okay?” He asked, as if he really cared.
I couldn’t speak. I summoned all my strength, all my pride to just nod my head. So close to the door, I knew I just had to hold on a bit longer, and then shoot out, I could lose it, but not in front of Reece’s friends. Especially not this one.
“Hey Brandon!” Some big jock I didn’t recognize came over and clapped him on the back. “I can’t get over Reece. He’s got one girl after another.” Mr. Tall, Dark and Athletic certainly didn’t have much of a brain. “Becca won’t even give me the time of day, and she’s having another go around with him.”
Nail in the coffin hammered.
Brandon’s shocked face told me I could easily escape his loosening grip on my arm. I snatched my arm away from him and got out of there as quickly as I could. I ran down the steps and out the front door into the night air.
Hugging my arms around myself, I walked around to the back of the building and found a thicket of trees fifty feet away. I ran over and sank down to the ground just past the first trees. I pulled my knees into my chest and succumbed to the tears and pain crumpling the already broken pieces of my heart.
Chapter 35
There were no lights to illuminate the back of the building, that’s what drew me there. If I’d been in my right frame of mind, I’d never have ventured to an area so dark and isolated. At the moment it seemed the perfect place to hide. I wanted to be alone. The last thing on my mind was personal safety.
Not more than two minutes could have passed when I heard twigs snapping and someone rustling through the grass in my direction. I regretted settling for this spot. I should have ran further. I figured someone from the party followed me out. A do-gooder, or worse, Reece, feeling obligated to make sure I was okay.
Newsflash, I wasn’t.
“Hey,” a male voice called from above me, “You alright?”
I sniffled a bit, trying to find my voice. “I’m fine,” I croaked, keeping myself curled up as tightly as I could, not looking up from my cocoon.
He settled himself down in the grass next to me. I shifted my body slightly away from him. I hoped he’d get the hint and leave me alone. Instead he moved closer. Close enough for me to feel him next to me, not so close that we were touching.
“Is there someone I could get?”
I picked my head up to look at him and tell him exactly where he could go. As soon as my eyes met his, my hands began to tremble. My mouth opened, but nothing came out.
“Jenna? What happened?” Tyler asked, his voice swathed with kindness.
I couldn’t speak.
“Wait here. I’ll go get Reece,” he said scrambling to his feet. Much more concerned and accommodating than I would have thought.
The mention of Reece’s name brought forth a new wave of sobs. I shook my head and Tyler sat back down, knees close to his chest, arms wrapped around his shins. Just his presence unnerved me. I wished I could dissolve into the ground as he sat there, staring at me in silence.
After a few minutes I returned to a guise of calm I didn’t truly feel. “You don’t have to stay, I’m fine,” I wiped at my eyes with my fingertips.
“Like hell you are.” Tyler smirked. “No worries. I’ve nothing better to do. It’s not like I was invited to the party. Or like I’d go even if I was.”
If he wasn’t at the party how did he find me? “I don’t want to talk.”
“Then don’t. I’ll just wait with you until Prince Charming, comes to save the day, or you decide to go back in there.” He motioned with his head toward the building. Tyler brought a green plastic bottle up to his mouth and offered it to me just before placing his lips on it.
I shook my head. “No thank you.” I said eyeing him suspiciously.
“Oh come on.” I could hear frustration ring out in his words, his eyes looked stormy. “Like I knew you’d be here.”
I didn’t answer.
“Don’t know why I bother,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. He lifted it to his mouth again and took a long swig.
“What is it?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.
Tyler sniggered, “Goldshlager.” He tipped the bottle in my direction.
I never heard of Goldshlager. It sounded strong. I wanted something to numb me. Seeing Tyler drink it made me less jittery about trying it myself. I reached for the almost full bottle tentatively. I took it from him and brought it up to my mouth. I tilted it so the contents would pour down. It was strong, but the heavy cinnamon flavor made it easier to swallow than vodka or beer.
I guzzled down what I could before handing it back. “Thanks.” I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Feel any better?”
I shook my head. “It’s over.” I croaked. “They’re back together.”
“Who?” Tyler asked with interest.
“Reece and Rebecca.” I reached for the bottle again and took another long swig.
“That’s why you’re upset?” Tyler asked looking mildly amused.
I nodded, grasping the bottle with both hands, holding it tight, as if I could find comfort in it.
Tyler smiled at me, as if he were in on some inside joke and I wasn’t. He shook his head, “There is no way in hell Reece would get back with her.”
“I saw them at the party.” I insisted. “I watched her gawk at him from the minute I got there. He walked away from me for a minute. One minute. And the next thing I knew, they went into his bedroom.” I closed my eyes, wishing I could erase the memory. “And locked the door.”
“And this is what has you so upset?” He asked as if he never heard anything more bizarre.
I nodded.
Tyler reached for the bottle. I passed it back to him.
“You’re wrong.” He stated with so much confidence, I hoped he could convince me. “First of all, Reece has too big an ego, too much pride, to ever get back with her.” He brought the bottle to his full pouty lips and drank. “She made him look pretty bad.” I noticed a mocking smile cross his lips.
I didn’t want to get into all of the facts backing me, like how hung up on her Reece was the
night we met, or my dire predictions. If Reece didn’t buy it, something told me there was no shot Tyler would. Besides, I knew what Tyler lost. My losing Reece wouldn’t even register on his scale.
Tyler passed the bottle back to me. I accepted it and drank some more, aware of how easy it went down now. “Second of all, I never saw Reece act territorial and possessive the way he did with you.”
“You noticed?”
“I hate to see what he would’ve done if I tried to shake your hand?” Tyler joked. “He’s not going to just give you up.”
“You’re just saying that.” I dismissed his case.
He narrowed his eyes at me. “What do I get for telling you what you want to hear? If I’m right, you two make-up, which leaves you right back in his arms and in his bed.” I looked down, embarrassed he automatically assumed we were that intimate. “If I’m wrong you hate him, but you hate me even more for giving you false hope. Either way I lose.”
I swallowed hard, looking at him, really taking Tyler in. I detected no sign of that dark, dangerous energy filling Reece’s bedroom when we met. I even felt something healing radiating from Tyler to me. Lord knows his heartache was so much worse than mine.
It felt like the Earth shifted under my feet with that heady sense of comprehension. Tyler wanted to comfort me, in spite of my relationship with Reece, whom he desired to hurt very much. Although alone in a dark isolated place, with someone who terrified me the first time we met, I felt safe, reassured. I swallowed hard, suddenly incredibly aware of him.
His eyes were unrelenting, like they were examining me, unwilling to give me an ounce of privacy. I couldn’t help but notice how they lingered below the neck line from time to time, making me a little self-conscious. I felt each beat of my heart. Not an adrenaline pumping heartbeat like I had around Reece, this was slow and steady. A strong life force.
Heart Waves Page 19
