Hyde and Seek

by Layla Frost

  I opened my mouth to argue when he talked over me.

  “I know, you’re not most women.”

  Seeing as he made my point for me, I closed my mouth but did it rolling my eyes.

  “Don’t gotta decide tonight, but I’d like to get into the same place with you soon, yeah? Packin’ a bag to go back and forth got old long ago. Don’t care if it’s here, your house, or a new place as long as I come home to you every night.”

  “A new place?”

  “Yeah. That somethin’ you might like?”

  It was scary as hell, but the good kind. “Yeah. Someplace that wasn’t mine then ours, or yours then ours. It will just be ours.”

  “I like that. Get some sleep, yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  Within a few minutes, Jake’s breathing evened out. Unable to sleep, I opened my eyes to see my new engagement ring sparkle in the moonlight streaming through the window.

  I didn’t know much about jewelry, but I knew it was exceptional. The unique, platinum band was elaborately intertwined and dotted with sparkling diamonds. In the center was a good-sized, round diamond. It was gorgeous and different.

  It was perfect.

  “I’m gonna be Mrs. Jacoby Hyde,” I whispered to myself as happy tears pooled in my eyes.

  “Fuck yeah, you are,” Jake said, startling me with his gruff response. After shifting me to straddle him, he leaned up and cupped the back of my head. His mouth took mine savagely, leaving me panting when he sank back into his pillow. Using his hold on me, he tucked my forehead into his neck. “I love you, Piper.”

  “Love you, too.” I kissed his jaw, feeling the stubble on my sensitive, swollen lips.

  We lay in comfortable silence for a while until Jake broke it, bizarrely saying, “I’m good at my job.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed. “Though I don’t know why you’re stating the obvious.”

  “The kinda work I do is labor intensive and intricate, which means I can charge a shitload. Which I do.”

  “Okay…”

  “Your place? It’s a home. This is a crash pad. I picked it ‘cause it’s close to work and was available. That’s it. Barely fuckin’ looked at it before I signed the lease. That was seven years ago. Never bothered wastin’ time doin’ shit with it ‘cause it was never gonna be a home.”

  “Really?” I’d noticed the first time he brought me here that there was nothing personal. I’d wondered if maybe he’d recently moved in. I couldn’t imagine living in such a sparse place for seven years.

  “I went out with the guys. Worked on my car and bike. Normally that’d be a seriously fuckin’ expensive habit, but since I get the parts for cost and do the labor myself, it’s not.

  I sat up and looked down at him. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m not following.”

  “I got more fuckin’ money than I know what to do with, but I still worked seven days a week. I had the kinda fun that meant I spent each night alone in a fuckin’ crash pad. I was livin’, but I wasn’t alive. I wasn’t breathin’. I was fuckin’ color-blind, tastin’ nothin’ but sour and bitter.” Even in the dim moonlight, I could see the intensity in his eyes. “You brought me sweetness. Brought me color and brightness. You’ve got me breathin’ deep and doin’ it easy. Lovin’ life. Not just enjoyin’ it. Fuckin’ lovin’ it.”

  “Jacoby.” Tears stung my eyes as I pushed his hair away from his face.

  Grabbing my wrist, he pulled my hand to his mouth and kissed my palm. “I’m gonna spend the rest of my life takin’ you places. Buyin’ you shit. You tell me I don’t have to but you’re wrong. I need to give it to you. ‘Cause I’ve had nothin’ but fuckin’ gray. Nothin’ but a nasty taste in my mouth. Now the rest of my life will be nothin’ but bright and sweet. I could give you the fuckin’ moon and still owe you.”

  “Jake, you give me just as much.”

  “Thirty-four fuckin’ years of that shit, Piper. So I’m gonna keep buyin’ you sexy as fuck dresses and fuck-me heels. Bracelets that you smile while lookin’ at. A home for us. Yeah?”

  “As long as you know you’re the only thing I need. Well, and the home with you. But I’ll help with buying—”

  “Don’t finish that sentence.”

  Unable to work up the fight, I sighed. “We’ll talk about it later.”

  “Never,” he muttered. “Long day tomorrow. Get some sleep, yeah?”

  “Yeah.” I tried to fall to the side, but Jake’s hold on me tightened.

  “No. Just stay like this a little longer, yeah?”

  “Just for a few minutes, then I need to get comfy.” I closed my eyes, enjoying his hands rubbing my back and playing with my hair.

  Another minute or so.

  Five, tops.

  *******

  I woke up the following morning, still sprawled on top of Jake, and said a prayer to the sleep gods that I hadn’t been drooling or snoring.

  After a quick shower, I began digging through my bag to find clothes. Realizing I didn’t know what to wear because I didn’t know what we were doing, I called out to Jake to ask.

  “Nothin’ fancy. And it’s gonna be fuckin’ hot,” he answered, setting a mug of coffee on the dresser. “Gonna shower. We gotta go soon, yeah?”

  I pulled on a pair of dark washed jean shorts and a black tank top. After applying a little eyeliner and mascara, I attempted to tame my wild hair. I was tying my high-tops in the living room when Jake came out of the bedroom.

  His hair was still damp and wavy from the shower. He was wearing a gray Red Sox tee with red, three-quarter-length sleeves, a pair of gray basketball shorts, and some sneakers. Pulling his hair into a knot, he threw on a worn and faded Sox hat.

  You slept without drooling, Piper. Don’t start now.

  “Got somethin’ else for you.” Reaching into the closet, he handed me a white, fitted, Red Sox jersey.

  “Baby, I’m sensing a theme with the clothes today.”

  “I did some work for a guy and got tickets, so I thought we might catch a Sox game. If you wanted.” Though his voice was indifferent, his eyes were bright as he watched me failing to contain my excitement.

  I grinned up at him. “Totally.” I pulled the jersey on, but left it open.

  His eyes darkened as he looked me over. “I’m thinkin’ maybe I don’t wanna go now.”

  “Too late. Let’s go!” I bounced.

  “Sweets, that isn’t makin’ me move any faster. Hell. Want one of my sweaters? A coat? At least throw some damn sweatpants on.”

  “It’s gonna be unseasonably hot today so pants aren’t happening. Now, let’s go.”

  “You’re lucky we’re meetin’ Floyd and Nat there or I seriously doubt we’d be leavin’.”

  “Hooray! Now I extra can’t wait. Dad used to take me to games a lot.” I flung the door open and headed towards the driveway. “You coming or what?”

  *******

  “Never again. Do you hear me, Piper? Never. Again.” Jake stormed through his condo, throwing his hat on the couch as he went.

  I trailed after him. “Baby, it really wasn’t that bad.”

  He stopped suddenly and turned to face me. “Are you kiddin’ me? You and Nat almost got us kicked out of the game.”

  “Did not! The security guards thought we were hilarious.”

  “No, the security guards thought you were hot.”

  I rolled my eyes. “We weren’t even that bad.”

  “Not even one day.” He held up his finger. “Not even one day with my ring on your finger and you were yellin’ your love for another man.”

  “To be fair, Anderson is the catcher for the Red Sox, not some random guy.” At Jake’s warning growl, I quickly moved on to my next defense. “And that wasn’t even me yelling the dirty stuff. That was Natalie!”

  “Never again. Not goin’ anywhere with the two of you,” Jake muttered as he headed into the kitchen.

  Following him, I hopped up onto the island and tried to figure out why he was so exasperated. Since I was pr
etty tipsy, it was a difficult endeavor to focus on.

  *******

  When we arrived at the stadium earlier and I showed Dad and Nat my ring, neither of them were surprised. I found out that the reason Jake had called my dad in the first place was to ask for his blessing. Though I’d already told Dad, and more so, Nat, about him, that didn’t mean a phone conversation was going to suffice. Since my surprise birthday celebration was already in the works at that point, they’d decided the party was the perfect opportunity to meet Jake.

  After finding our seats, which were so close I could reach over and touch the dugout, I looked at Jake with raised brows. He returned my unspoken question with a wink and smirk.

  The work Jake had done wasn’t just for some guy with an extra bunch of bleacher tickets. It was for Jason Pasters, the third baseman.

  When he came over before the game to shake our hands and talk with Jake, I barely kept my screams in my head. Nat looked like she was fighting the same battle.

  It quickly became obvious that Dad liked Jake. Nat told me that he’d met them for breakfast after their flight landed. According to her, Dad had to work hard to keep a stern face when he was greeted by a guy in scuffed motorcycle boots, well-worn jeans, and a t-shirt, instead of some pretentious yuppie from my mother’s line-up of men. It still wasn’t until Dad saw Jake and me at my party that he’d pulled him aside to give him his blessing.

  While we watched the game and Nat filled me in on everything, we drank. A lot. Which led to us declaring our undying love for Teddy Anderson in the bottom of the ninth when he was going up to bat. I loved him because his batting average was rocking and he went by Teddy, not Theodore. Nat said it was because of his fine ass.

  Regardless, he hit a double and got the two RBIs they needed to win.

  Nat and I might have also heckled a few of the opposing team’s players.

  Just a little.

  Like hardly noticeable.

  Okay, maybe not.

  Probably very noticeable.

  *******

  As I silently accepted that maybe Nat and I had gotten a little wild, Jake handed me some pain meds and a tall glass of ice water. “I don’t need those, I’m not even drunk.”

  “Yeah, you are.”

  “Okay, maybe a little. But not really.”

  Jake looked up and inhaled deeply. “Piper, take the damn pills.”

  “Fine. But I don’t get hangovers, so it’s a total waste of perfectly good medicine. You never know when you might need some and you’ll go for the bottle but it’ll be empty. And you’ll only have yourself to blame ‘cause I really don’t need these.” I stopped talking when Jake’s deep laughter filled the kitchen.

  “No. You’re right. You’re not drunk at all. What woulda made me think that?”

  “What’s so funny?” I asked, hiccupping in the middle and making his laughter start again.

  “You. You’re also fuckin’ cute.”

  “Yeah?” I smiled as warmth spread through me.

  “Yeah, sweets.” Jake moved between my knees. “Did you have fun?”

  “So much. I never knew I could be this happy. It was the best birthday, but also just the best weekend of my life,” I whispered like it was a secret.

  “Piper,” Jake returned hoarsely.

  Leaning up, I pressed my lips to his jaw. “About Nat and I. Maybe we did get just a little crazy.”

  “Yeah, babe.” Grabbing my ass, he lifted me off the counter. “Just a little.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Worth it to see you happy.”

  “Fuck, I love my man.”

  Did I think that in my head?

  “Love you, too. But no more with the love shit to anyone other than me, yeah?”

  Nope, I said it out loud.

  Okay, so more than a tiny bit drunk.

  *******

  “Earth to Piper.”

  I opened my eyes, ready to open a can of whoop-ass on the cute voiced intruder for interrupting my sleep. “Huh, what?” Looking around, I realized I was still at school.

  “You went into robot shutdown mode. Class is done,” Harlow said, grabbing her backpack.

  “Shit. Did Professor Marns notice I was asleep?”

  “No. You just looked like you were really focused on your book.”

  “Thank the Sandman.” Standing, I packed up my bag quickly and headed towards the door.

  The hallway was loud and chaotic as we tried to weave through groups of people.

  “Long night with your sculpted from marble, god of a fiancé?” Harlow put the back of her hand onto her forehead dramatically. “Oh woe is you.”

  “If by that, you mean elbow deep in fondant drama, then yes.”

  “God, you guys are kinky.”

  I laughed. “And that’s not including what we do with whisks, oven mitts, funnels, and baking sheets.”

  “Do you guys really…” Harlow held up her hand. “You know what? Don’t answer. The image in my head is hilarious, I don’t wanna ruin it. So what’s the deal with fondant?”

  “I just hate it.” I scrunched up my nose. “It tastes nasty and it’s so shitty to work with. I was up until way late trying to get it all right. I have no clue how I’m going to get through my last class.”

  “At least you only have one left. Fridays are my longest days. I’m gonna need an IV of coffee.”

  “So I take it you can’t go out tonight?”

  “Nope. I can do Monday, though,” she said, her voice hopeful.

  “No can do. I’ve got a fully booked baking schedule for the beginning half of the week and dinner at my mother’s house on Friday. Next weekend?”

  Her brows lowered as she thought it over. “Maybe lunch on Saturday. But Sunday is packed with school work. Hooray,” she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

  I smiled at her. “I’ll look over my calendar and see.”

  “Sweet. I’m gonna haul ass to a vending machine for a much needed dose of caffeine. Talk to you soon.”

  “See ya!” I waved as we went in opposite directions.

  As long as there was nothing that absolutely had to be done next weekend, I’d rearrange to make lunch happen.

  I felt like I worked all the time, but it was nothing compared to Harlow. She took more classes than I did, worked an internship, and bartended at a crappy place in the city. Even though she must be running on fumes, she was always perky and happy.

  If I didn’t like her so much, I’d hate her for it.

  *******

  “I’m so pleased. Just thrilled. I mean, he’s a little rough, of course. But the way he looks at you? That thing he does with his thumb and your jaw? Wow. And that ring?”

  Seeing my mother flustered by all things Jake, I burst out laughing. When she’d dragged me into the kitchen, I hadn’t known what to expect. “I know, he’s very wow.”

  “I only wish I hadn’t invited Elaine and Dana. I know you like Dana, so I thought you’d want her here.” She shrugged. “And, fine, I may have wanted to rub Elaine’s nose in your engagement. Sue me.”

  “Mother! I’m shocked.”

  “See what it gets me? They’re making a scene. James is sulking. And Dana’s father is drinking all of Thomas’ good scotch.”

  “At least it’s been entertaining.”

  “Well, yes, there is that.” She smiled mischievously. “Speaking of, we should get back so we don’t miss anything.”

  “I’ll meet you in a few.” I gestured with my head towards the bathroom.

  Now that Jake and I were engaged, Mom had put her foot down about meeting him. This meant throwing us a small engagement party with her and Thomas’ friends.

  How she’d managed to throw it all together in two weeks, I had no clue.

  Though Jake wasn’t a big fan of my boring dress or my pulled back hair, he was being his usual charming, bossy self. It was no surprise that the women were gawking at him with a mixture of fear and lust in their eyes.

  Is that how I look at h
im?

  The worst, by far, was Dana and her mother. Dana was there with James, though they’d hardly said a word to each other. Elaine was blatantly flirting with Jake, and her husband wasn’t paying attention since his eyes were glued to whatever legs or chest were in his line of sight.

  Mother had told me that Elaine didn’t treat James like he was a potential son-in-law. She was also more than friendly with her pool boy and gardener. Then there were the tennis lessons she took, though no one ever saw her play.

  With overly processed blond hair, big, fake, stripper boobs, and a baseball mitt tan, she was a walking cliché.

  I’d felt bad for Dana until she’d begun hitting on Jake so overtly it made her mom look demure.

  I opened the bathroom door to go rescue my fiancé from whatever fresh hell he was facing when I was pushed back into the bathroom and a mouth was on mine.

  I jerked away and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “James! What’re you doing?”

  “Just a friend, Piper? Then you were just casually seeing him? And now you’re marrying him? Him?” James threw his arm out towards the door, his brows lowered and his expression filled with both confusion and contempt.

  “Yeah, that’s kinda the way relationships progress.”

  “Don’t be stupid. You see the way he’s flirting with all those women out there. You want that life? A man like that who’s going to fuck around on you and use you for your money?”

  “First of all, Jake hasn’t done anything wrong. If I were you, I’d be looking at Dana’s behavior because he isn’t encouraging shit. The fact she didn’t sit her naked ass on his dinner plate is surprising. It certainly would’ve been subtler.”

  “Don’t be vulgar.”

  “If you think that’s vulgar, it’s a good thing we never got together. I’d like to get back to my fiancé. I’d suggest you get Dana and leave, or I might have to talk to Thomas about what just happened. Which means in addition to finding a new woman, you’ll be finding a new job. Don’t pull that shit again, James.”

  Disgusted, I stormed out, leaving James in the bathroom as I went to find my man.