by Nicole Dykes
“That’s a shame, you should tell that husband of yours to take you all over. There is a lot to see.”
I shake my head and take some heat off of Charlotte, “Brooke and Dylan know that you are in town?”
“Nope, I’m just passing through and I know they are busy.” He nods to someone across the room, “I better get going, but we should go out. Get shitfaced. Get laid. Like the old days.”
I feel Charlotte’s eyes on me. She’s married, she can’t care about me getting laid. “The old days? As in a few months ago?”
“Hell yeah, been way too long.”
I nod my head, “Sounds good, man. Stop by the shop tomorrow.”
“Alright.” He takes Charlotte’s hand in his and kisses it. Friend or not, I’m going to knock him out if he doesn’t get out of here. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Charlotte. Hope to see you again.”
She blushes, “It was very nice to meet you, Adam.”
He leaves and I’m relieved because Charlotte and I can finally have some time together to talk.
I need to stop thinking that, because now her fucking husband is headed over in our direction.
I despise this fucking guy. And again, there is nothing I can do about it.
Chapter 14
Jax
Senator Dickwad wraps his arm around Charlotte’s waist, pulling her to his side and then holds his hand for me, “Well, Jackson Garrett, it’s great seeing you out at an event like this.”
I reluctantly shake his hand and probably do it a little too firmly, “Senator. Yeah, they occasionally let me out.”
His cheesy laugh is grating as he points at me and looks over to Charlotte, “This guy. He has a wonderful sense of humor, doesn’t he?”
Charlotte is standing fucking stiff at his side. Like she can’t fucking move. “Yes, he’s quite humorous.”
Quite humorous? Come on Charlotte, where the hell is the happy, giggling woman from my office today.
The Senator just keeps the conversation going, “So, Charlotte tells me that the Mustang is coming along nicely.”
I nod. I want to be anywhere else right now than talking casually with this asshole.
I want to ask him what his fucking finger was doing in her face earlier and why he thinks it’s okay to lecture his wife in public or any fucking time.
I don’t. I stand with a fake smile to match his and Charlotte’s with my hands clenched at my sides, “Yeah, it’s still going to be a while before it’s finished though.”
He laughs and pulls Charlotte even closer to him, “Ah yes, I was telling Charlotte about that. The quality of work you men put out takes time. We can wait.”
We. I can’t believe a woman like Charlotte is with this tool.
He leans over and kisses her on her cheek. I swear I see her pull away. It’s slight, but I know what I saw. “Charlotte, sweetheart, I think we should go home now. I’m beat.”
She nods and her sad eyes meet mine, “Goodnight, Jackson. I hope you have a wonderful night.”
I want to pull her away and make sure that she is okay, but I know that I shouldn’t.
I hear Dylan’s fucking words in my head, telling me that he has faith in me and I can’t mess with that. And she is a grown woman, who is capable of taking care of herself.
Of course, if she ever asked for my help I know damn well I would be right there in no time.
Fuck the consequences.
“Goodnight, Charlotte. I’ll see you soon.”
It’s a promise.
She finally has a genuine smile across that pretty face. The Senator shakes my hand again and then they are gone.
After Charlotte leaves I don’t stick around very long. When the valet hands me the keys to my truck, I tip him and hop in. I make a quick stop at a grocery store before driving to Brooke and Dylan’s.
It’s a little before 10:00 when I walk up to the front door and use my key to open the door. I don’t want to wake the kids on a school night by knocking.
I see that the lights are on in the living room and walk in cautiously, I don’t want to startle Brooke, “Hey, it’s Jax. I brought you some ice cream.”
Brooke is flipping through channels on the couch wrapped in a fleece blanket, she doesn’t seem that surprised to see me. I stop by a lot. “Hey, did you say ice cream?”
I nod and hold up the carton of chocolate fudge brownie ice cream I bought at the store. Dylan had told me recently that she’s had a huge craving for it lately.
Man, the conversations we have now are so fucking different from what they once were. We went from the weirdest place we ever received a blow job to pregnancy cravings.
She slowly gets up off of the couch and takes the carton into the kitchen. “Thank you, that was really sweet. And a little weird.”
I laugh, “Yeah well, I wanted to apologize for earlier.”
“Right, you mean about you and Dylan arguing in the office.” She gets a bowl out and nods to me, “You want some?”
I shake my head, “No, thanks.”
She puts one hand on her hip, “You gonna tell me what’s going on between you and him?”
I’m guessing Dylan must not have told Brooke anything about Charlotte, “Nope. It’s nothing though I promise.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what he said too, Jax. I thought you two were actually going to hit each other today.”
“Nah, it really wasn’t anything Brooke. We’ve been friends for a fucking decade, nothing is going to change that.” At least, I hope not. “Where is he, by the way?”
“He’s upstairs, passed out.”
“At 10:00 at night?”
She smiles, “Well, he’s been going in really early and traveling a lot to meet clients. Plus, doctor’s appointments and hanging out with the kids after school.”
“Yeah, our lifestyle doesn’t actually mesh well with having a family.”
She scoops the ice cream into a bowl, “No it doesn’t, but we are making it work.”
I sit at the bar in their kitchen, “Had no doubt that you guys could, but I can pick up some more of the slack if need be.”
“You do enough.” She points to my formal attire, “How was it?”
“Stuffy, I fucking hate rich people.”
She laughs at that, “No, you just hate most people, Jax.”
“True, but Jesus Christ, Brooke, you should hear these people talk. I used to beat up the rich kids in school and now I’m hangin’ out with them.”
Brooke was raised by her grandma and they didn’t have much so we come from similar backgrounds. I never in a million years would have thought I would be attending events at the country club when I got older.
Truth be told I feel like a fucking sell out.
“I believe that, but things change.”
“People don’t.”
She shakes her head, “So, you didn’t have any fun tonight?”
“Well, Shriller is in town.”
“What? He didn’t tell me.”
“Yeah, well, he knows you have a lot going on. He’s stopping by the shop tomorrow.”
She takes her bowl of ice cream and heads back into the living room where I follow her, “Oh, you guys are going out?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Maybe.” She nods like it isn’t really out of the ordinary. And it isn’t. Now that Dylan is married, Shriller has become my new wingman when he comes in town. “Alright, I’ll see ya Brooke. Take care of that kid and yourself.”
She settles back in on the couch “I will.” I turn to leave and then she says, “Hey, have you talked to Alex recently?”
Turning back to face her, I shake my head, “Not since New Year’s, why?”
“I haven’t talked to her much lately and I’m worried about her. She really misses Stephen.”
I groan, “Yeah, well she doesn’t want to marry him.”
“Oh sure she does. She’s just scared and of course, that would mean that you two would have to let each other go.”
I crinkle
my forehead, “What are you talking about?”
“Please, Jackson. I know that you two have hooked up.”
“Yeah, I believe you were there the morning after the first time. Got an eyeful if I recall.”
We didn’t know each other very well back then, seems like a long time ago now, but from the first time I saw Alex I was attracted to her. New Year’s Eve a few years ago, Dylan wanted Brooke and I wanted Alex. We both got what we wanted.
Of course Brooke and Dylan’s love story began there, but it was an unexpected friendship that I formed with Alex after that.
She grins, “Sure did, but I’m not talking about that one time, Jax. There have been several over the last few years. You guys lean on each other and that would be fine, except for you both use sex to do that.”
Fuck. Sometimes talking to Brooke is exhausting. She just has so much figured out and is too fucking smart.
“She tells you every time we hook up?”
She rolls her eyes with a smile on her face, like I’m clueless, “Girls talk. A lot. Yes, I know everything and I have watched you sabotage her relationships since.”
I sit down on the big, comfortable chair in the living room. “I haven’t done that.”
She puts her now empty bowl on the coffee table and leans back into the couch, “Yes, you do. Alex trusts you, whole heartedly. No guy she dates, especially Stephen has been good enough for Alex in your eyes and you’ve let her know it.”
“Are you suggesting I want to be with Alex?”
“No, I’m not. I think that you love her, but as a friend. I just think that you’re scared.”
I stand up abruptly, her hormones must be getting to her. I’m not scared of anything. Not true. “I’m leavin’.”
She tilts her head, “Stop and listen to me for a second. You’re scared to see her married, and Dylan and I are married now. You think that everyone’s leaving, but they aren’t. We are all right here and not going anywhere.”
“Dammit Brooke.”
She laughs, “I know. I’m good.”
She is. She’s a damn good friend to have around too. “Maybe you’re right. A little. I’ll talk to her.”
“Good. Because you both deserve to be happy, but maybe you just need to let that part end.”
I walk over give her a quick hug while she stays seated, “Thanks.”
“Anytime and thank you for the ice cream.”
I lock the front door so Brooke doesn’t have to get up again and climb into my truck. According to the clock, it’s only 11:00. I’m sure Alex is still up, and there’s no way I’ll sleep if I don’t talk to her.
I drive to her apartment that’s located near the shop, park my truck and walk up to her door.
Suddenly, I’m nervous. I’m never nervous around Alex.
Knock, you pussy.
I lift my fist and knock on her door.
After a beat I hear the lock click and Alex opens it in shorts and a t-shirt. She’s dressed for bed, but I don’t think she was asleep, “Jax? What the hell are you doing here so late, is everything okay?”
I nod, “Yeah, I just wanted to talk.”
She looks suspicious, “Talk? Jax, I’m not in the mood for a hookup tonight.”
“Come on Alex. We only do that if we are both lonely, drunk, and fucking horny as hell. And I barely had anything to drink tonight.”
She grins and gestures for me to come inside. I do, and after she closes the door she turns back to me, still looking warily at me, “So, what do you want, and why the hell are you in a tux?”
I slip the tux jacket off and place it on the back of her chair. “I had to go to a charity thing tonight at the country club.”
She laughs, “Ah, fun.” She goes to the kitchen and pours a glass of wine, “You want some?”
I shake my head, “Nah.”
I take a seat on her couch and she joins me, “So what’s up, Jax? It’s late.”
“I know. Look, I ran into Stephen tonight.”
She sits up straight and puts her glass down on the table by the couch, “Stephen, where?”
“At the event.”
She’s really excited to just be hearing his name, “Oh, how is he?”
“I don’t know. I think he misses you.”
“He asked about me?”
“Yeah, of course he did.”
She folds her arms across her chest, “And what did you say?”
I can’t talk to women. They want to account every second of a conversation. “I don’t know. I think I said that you were doing great. Back on the horse or some shit.”
“What? Why did you tell him that? I’m not back on any horse.”
I rub my temple. She’s giving me a fucking headache. “Alex, would there have been a suitable answer?”
She thinks that over, “Probably not. So what else did you talk about?”
“I think you should call him and ask him about that. It seems to me that he just wants to make you happy, Alex.”
“But he wants marriage and kids.”
“And you don’t?” I sigh, “I seem to recall him saying that he would live in a cardboard box with you, Alex. I think you just need to talk to him. Talking has never been a problem for you in the past.”
“Except with my boyfriends.”
“Well, that probably has to change.” I think about my conversation with Brooke, “Along with our friendship.”
She looks worried, “What do you mean?”
“I talk a lot of shit, it’s how I am. I’m probably always going to call him Nerd Boy, or pencil pushing geek, or…”
She puts a hand on my arm, “I get your point.”
“Right. And you’re great, so of course I’m not going to think that anyone is good enough for you. But if you do, then that’s what needs to matter.”
“That’s pretty sweet, Jax.”
I groan. Just what every man wants to be. “Yeah, well I spent some time with Brooke.”
“Ah, yeah she’ll get ya every time.”
I laugh, “But she’s right. I was uh….” I mumble the next word, “afraid.”
She rolls her eyes at my aversion of admitting my fear, “Oh no! Big, tough Jax is afraid.”
“I like having you around. You get married and have babies, who knows where you will end up. And we definitely won’t be able to have sex occasionally.”
She laughs, “And I’m gonna miss that as much as you, but maybe it’s time to put that to bed for good anyway. We are almost thirty. At some point having a friend with occasional benefits is kinda pathetic.”
“Yeah, probably.”
She gives me a big hug, “We will always be friends though. And who knows, maybe you will find a nice girl to settle down with soon.”
I stand up, “Fuck that. I’m talking about you here. I’m not looking to get coupled up any time soon.”
“You never know. Brooke and Dylan, then Luke and Hannah, maybe me and Stephen, it would seem that you are up next.”
“And I would say that there is a better chance of dancing at Gabby’s wedding, before you dance at mine.”
She stands up to walk me to the door, “You didn’t have to come here tonight, but I’m glad that you did. Maybe you are ready for that next step.”
“Just call Nerd Boy and tell him what you want.”
She kisses my cheek and lets me out of her apartment.
When I’m back in my truck and heading home, the events of the day play in my head. What a fucked up day.
Of course it’s dominated by Charlotte, like most of my thoughts these days.
She looked so sad when she had to leave with him.
I wonder what she is doing right now and if she is okay.
She’s my friend now, I’m allowed to wonder.
Chapter 15
Charlotte
I hear a noise downstairs and look at the digital clock next to the bed, where I was reading comfortably. It’s only five thirty in the evening.
It can’t be Nichola
s at this hour.
I walk down the stairs cautiously and see Nicholas hanging his coat in the closet in the foyer.
“Nicholas, you are home early.” A flash of panic comes over me. Please tell me I didn’t forget another event. “We don’t have anything scheduled for tonight, do we?”
He sighs, clearly irritated with me. It’s been three days since Monday night when I forgot about the charity event at the club. He has barely spoken to me since then. Not like that’s that unusual lately. He can be so loving when we are out but, when we are home, he’s cold. “No, Charlotte, we don’t have plans. I have to fly to D.C. tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes, there was an emergency and I’m needed first thing in the morning and will probably be gone for several days.”
I can’t decide if I’m saddened or pleased by this news.
He brushes past me and starts up the stairs.
I follow behind him, “So you aren’t sure when you will be home?”
He starts to pack his suitcase, “No. I’ll be home when I can. I think this time apart will be beneficial. It will give you some time to think and get your priorities straight.”
Let it go, Charlotte. Don’t say anything.
Oh to hell with it.
“My priorities? You mean having a baby?”
He neatly folds pairs of socks into his bag. Clearly not pleased by my challenging him, “Yes. That is exactly what I mean. You have obligations to our marriage.”
I sit gently on our bed, “I can’t bring a child into this for all of the wrong reasons.”
He groans, loudly, the frustration with me palpable, “Charlotte, for the love of God, we have been over this and over this. I want a child with you because you are my wife and it is time to expand our family. Yes, it would be good for my career, but it would also benefit you a great deal. You knew exactly what you signed on for when you married me.”
Something inside of me just snaps. The last few weeks have been by far the worst in our marriage, but looking back our marriage has always been one sided. I have tried to make him happy. Nothing has ever been good enough and I continue to try to please him. I never fight him, never argue, just try harder the next time. “How exactly would having a child with you benefit me?”
