by Nicole Dykes
I grab Dylan’s arm, “Hold on. Let me talk to you for a second.” I nod to Shriller, “Watch her.”
He agrees and I pull Dylan to the side, “Let me take her home.”
“What? Fuck that. It’s not your problem.”
“You guys are my family. Just stay here and chill with Shriller. Let me handle it.”
He looks uncertain, “Jax, you don’t have to do this. You’ve already been taking up the slack as it is.”
“Not a big deal, you have a lot going on. Let me see if I can talk some sense into her.”
He rubs the back of his neck, “I don’t think anything fucking will. I don’t understand that girl.”
I pat him on the shoulder. “Well, you can use the break at least.” I pause and then add, “And nothing happened with Charlotte today.” I owe him some peace of mind at least.
“Man, I hate accusing you of that shit.”
I shrug, “Then don’t.”
He nods his head. Dylan isn’t one to meddle in anyone else’s life so I know that bringing it up has to bother the shit out of him.
“Please take Cass straight home.”
I nod, “Aye aye, captain.”
“Fucking hilarious, Jax.”
I smirk at him and collect Cass, walking her out to my car, pouting like a toddler.
She flops down in the passenger seat; arms still folded all pissy like.
I close her door and get behind the wheel, starting our drive to her house.
I don’t say anything; it’s a nice little game of chicken, seeing who speaks first. It won’t be me.
After a couple minutes, she huffs and drops her arms, “So aren’t you going to lecture me and tell me how stupid I’m being?”
“Nah, you already know that.”
“I’m not being stupid. I’m legally an adult. I’m just making decisions for myself.”
“Ah, well good call; going out to a bar, on a school night, alone. When no one knows where you are or even that you were gone in the first place. Very adult.”
“Screw you, Jax. I wasn’t alone.”
I play it nonchalant, like I don’t give a fuck. “Well, you better not have been there with Brent, because if Dylan sees him there he will tear him apart.”
Part of me hopes her dipshit, ex-boyfriend is stupid enough to be there. Of course I don’t want Dylan getting arrested.
She looks down at the floorboard, “Brent isn’t there. He’s away at college, but if he were, that should be my decision.”
This fucking girl. I don’t get it. We’ve all sat around and talked about it since that asshole showed his true colors the first time she dated him. He’s been trouble since the beginning. Getting Cassie to sneak out, disrespecting her left and right. “You’re right. You’re the adult and if you want to fuck up over and over and not learn one lesson that’s your right.”
“You’re being sarcastic.”
“No, I’m not. Hell, Cassie, that’s what life is about. Trying to recover from your last fuckup and holdin’ on tight to the things you actually do right.”
She leans her head against my window, “I’m not trying to mess up all of the time. I just seem to.”
“Look, this rebellious thing that you are doing, I get it. Been there. But Brooke and Dylan aren’t the enemy and they have a shitload on their plate at the moment.”
“Don’t you think I know that? They are busy all of the time. And Brooke is super pregnant, so I shouldn’t stress her out. And soon I’ll be out of their hair anyway.”
I pull up into Brooke and Dylan’s drive, “Cass is this about the baby? Because you were doing pretty good there for a while.”
“No, it’s just. Maybe. They aren’t my parents. They shouldn’t have to deal with me. They are just a married couple that is about to have a kid of their own and is stuck with three more kids.”
I shake my head at that, “No. That’s not how it is at all. Cassie you should damn well know that by now. Dylan knew exactly what he was getting into when he came here. And he didn’t want it any other way. He could have fled, but he didn’t. And the same with Brooke, when she married Dylan, she did it with eyes wide open.”
She rolls her eyes at me, a really annoying teenager trait, “Whatever.”
“No, not whatever. They both love you guys more than anything. And just because you are technically an adult and will be going to college soon doesn’t mean that will stop.”
This poor kid, she’s been through hell in her young life. She lost her parents when she was only fourteen. She’s always looked up to Brooke and was probably the most excited when she found out Dylan and Brooke were going to be married, but now she might be feeling like she is going to be replaced.
“I just wanted an escape for tonight. Maybe a way to forget about things for a little while.”
I swear before I came here and became involved with this family I never fucking talked this much in my life.
“I get that more than anyone. And I can’t tell you what to do. I’m not your brother, although I do see you as a little sister.”
She gives me a small smile, “I see you as another big brother, but I feel like I may have too many at times.”
I shake my head, “Not possible. Someone’s gotta keep you in line. I know that Brooke and Dylan are busy right now and things probably won’t slow down for a while, but they will make time for you Cassie. You just have to ask them.”
She nods, “I know, I thought I could try to handle it myself. I’m graduating soon. I’m supposed to move out and become an instant adult. And my parents are supposed to be there.”
“I wish they could be there for you too, kiddo. But you have all of us instead. Hell, you have my number. Use it. Or Alex. Don’t call Shriller unless you absolutely have to, he’s a dumbass, but you do have quite the support system.”
She grins at that, “I do.”
I nod my head toward the door, “Go inside. Tell Brooke what is going on with you. Tell her about tonight, if Dylan hasn’t already beaten you to it.”
“You aren’t going in with me?”
I shake my head, “No, I trust you to do it.”
She gives me a big hug, “I’m glad that you’re around.”
I hug her back, “Me too. Now go.”
She gets out of the car and slowly goes up the walk and into the house.
Oddly, I don’t feel like going back to the club.
I can’t go by Charlotte’s where I really want to be.
So I drive myself to my townhome.
I have to find a way to think of her as only a friend.
I can’t let my family down, no matter how much I’m tempted by Charlotte Fucking Warner.
Chapter 20
Charlotte
It’s officially February today. It is two days after going to the city market with Jackson.
It’s also ten thirty in the morning and I’m still in my bed, lying here looking up at my ceiling. I can’t seem to get that day out of my mind.
I have no idea why, it’s not like anything truly significant happened. Except for possibly going a little past the boundaries of friendship while being married, with our conversation.
I don’t know what got into me, but when he mentioned his friend Alex again, curiosity took over.
I think that’s all it was.
It’s true that Nicholas and I don’t talk about sex and my parent’s certainly never broached the subject. I didn’t even talk about sex with my girlfriends before I met Nicholas. It was just considered taboo where I’m from.
Classless.
But hearing Jackson talk so freely about it made me think it may be okay to talk about.
Although, part of me is embarrassed about the questions I dared to ask him. One-night stands and having fun in bed are both topics I never dreamed of talking about.
And then after our conversation I invited him inside of my home when my husband was out of town.
I keep rethinking that part. Why did I do that?
That is most certainly crossing a line, no matter how legitimate my offer was. I simply didn’t want the night to end, but it could easily be misconstrued.
The attitude that I possessed that day is nearly nonexistent now.
Nicholas will be home tomorrow and the battles will commence.
There will be no more staying in bed this late or wearing casual clothes.
My phone rings next to my bed. I don’t want to answer it.
I fling the covers off of me and sit up in my bed, grabbing my phone.
Fully expecting to see my husband’s name lighting up. It’s actually the number for Tricked.
I hit the Answer button a little too quickly, “Hello.”
Jackson’s deep voice comes over the speaker, “Hey, Charlotte. How ya doing?”
“I’m doing well, thank you.”
“That’s good. I’m calling about the car. They are working under the hood and it’s coming along nicely so I thought you might want to come in and pick out a stereo system for it.”
The possibility of seeing Jackson excites me, “Today?”
“Yeah, if you are free. I should be here most of the day.”
I stand up from my bed. Already contemplating what I’m going to wear, “Okay, I’ll be in this afternoon.”
“Cool. See ya then.”
We hang up and I rush to my huge, walk-in closet. This is probably my last day to dress casually for a while, but I also don’t want too much look like a slob.
It’s not like I own that many laid back clothes anyway. I decide to wear the only other pair of jeans that I own and match them with a charcoal gray, cashmere sweater my parents sent me last year for Christmas.
After showering, I leave my make-up very minimal and pull my long hair into a loose French braid.
After a quick lunch, alone in my dining room, I leave my house. I have a few errands to run before I drive to Tricked.
After parking my car, I walk through the glass door that had become so familiar to me this past month.
I greet the receptionist, Carolyn, “Good afternoon.”
She smiles brightly at me, “Good afternoon, Mrs. Warner. Let me tell Jax that you are here.”
“Thank you.”
I stand and wait while she phones Jackson. When she hangs up, she says, “You can go on back to his office. And he said to tell you that you don’t have to wait next time.”
I smile at that and thank her before walking back to Jackson’s office.
Right before I reach his office I’m caught off guard when his partner, Dylan walks out of his. “Mrs. Warner, hi.”
“Hello, Mr. Monroe. I was just going to meet Jackson.”
He nods, of course that’s what I’m doing, “Right. I saw your car yesterday, looks like it’s nearly done.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, it should be done this month. Just in time for the spring.”
I smile, although, I’m not sure how I feel about this news. It’s only been a month, and at the beginning I was told it could take up to three months. “Wow, that was fast.”
“Yeah, well the Mustang isn’t too rare so it’s not hard to find all of the parts. Plus, you are a VIP client so it was put as top priority.”
I should be thrilled. I will have my car sooner than originally planned, but I feel slightly sick. Jackson and I’s friendship has just begun and it’s been so nice to have someone to talk to. Now I’m afraid that without him working on my car, we will inevitably drift apart. “Well thank you, I appreciate that, but I don’t really expect preferential treatment.”
He’s studying me, “Well, we hope that you will leave here pleased with the results. Don’t worry about your car, nothing will be rushed and will be perfect. It was good to see you again.”
Jackson walks out in the hallway, examining us both, “Dylan, you bothering my client?”
He’s joking with his friend, but strangely enough it feels awful when he refers to me as a client only.
Dylan laughs, “Wouldn’t dream of it. Don’t forget that we have a meeting with Rimes in two hours.”
“How can I forget that pain in the ass?”
Dylan chuckles again before going into the main lobby and Jackson gestures for me to follow him, “Ready?”
I nod my head and we walk back to Jackson’s office where I take a seat in my usual chair, “So, Dylan tells me that my car should be finished this month?”
He looks surprised by this bit of information, “What? He said that?”
I don’t want to start any trouble, “Well, I think so. Out in the hallway, it sounded like that was what he was saying. I think he was just trying to reassure me that it will be completed in a timely manner.”
Jackson’s hand moves to his chin, “Yeah, probably. It is moving along, but I think this month may be a little too optimistic. Maybe early next month though.”
“Well, no hurry. Nicholas won’t want me to drive it in the winter anyway.”
He drops his hand and moves it to the computer mouse, “Speaking of him, when is he coming back into town?”
“He called me last night to tell me he will be home tomorrow.”
Jackson’s face remains emotionless, at least I can’t read what he is thinking. This feels awkward, like there is an elephant in the room.
“Alright, Charlotte, let’s pick out a stereo system”, Jackson starts. At the same moment I blurt, “Jackson, I have to apologize for last night.”
Jackson’s interest is peaked though, “Apologize for what exactly?”
Maybe I should just keep my mouth shut. This certainly isn’t how I was brought up. I’m an expert at keeping my true feelings to myself. But with Jackson, it’s like I have zero control. Which is frightening and exhilarating at the same time, “Last night. I feel like I may have crossed a line when I asked about your sexual habits.”
He laughs at that, it’s a bold, full laugh like he couldn’t stop it from escaping from his mouth, “My sexual habits?”
His laugh of course is contagious and a small giggle comes out of my mouth, “Wrong word choice?”
“You can ask me anything you want to, Charlotte. I thought I made that clear. You never have to say you’re sorry for it. Even asking about my sexual habits.”
Good Lord I am awkward. He’s teasing me and it’s actually quite funny, “Right, well I was just afraid that I crossed a line of our friendship. I wouldn’t want to do that with you.” He shifts uncomfortably in his seat and I add quickly, “I mean I wouldn’t want to jeopardize your business if anyone got the wrong idea about us.”
Jackson stands up from his chair. Wow, he’s so tall. He walks over and sits in the chair next to me, looking daringly into my eyes, “And what idea would that be, Charlotte?”
Eyes still connected. I can’t seem to look away.
I can’t think. I can’t breathe. Solely because of his close proximity, “I…”
“Charlotte?”
Jackson winces and I dart up at the sound of my husband’s voice coming from the doorway. I distance myself from Jackson, as if we were caught in the throes of passion instead of talking in his office and walk over to greet Nicholas, “What are you doing home so soon?”
Nicholas, dressed as he usually is in his pressed suit and tie answers me with nonchalance, “We finished early and I thought I would come home and take my wife out to dinner.”
“How did you know that I would be here?”
He shrugs his shoulders, acting like it’s no big deal, “Well, you weren’t at home or the club, so I took a chance and decided to check here. I figured if you weren’t here, then I could at least check up on the progress.”
He holds out a bouquet of roses. Truth be told I find them cliché, always have. I am actually partial to daises. I take them from him, “They are beautiful, thank you. Welcome home.”
I feel Jackson walk behind me and see his hand reaching out to shake Nicholas’s. “Senator Warner.”
Nicholas grips his hand eagerly, “Well,
Jackson Garrett, it’s always so wonderful to see you.”
Jackson just nods his head. “We were just going over a stereo system for Charlotte’s Mustang.”
Nicholas perks right up at that, “Oh yeah? That’s great. What did she decide on?”
My eyes bug out. Oh we haven’t even talked about the car this afternoon. Jackson speaks before I fumble this, “Well unfortunately, I only got as to far as to tell her about the progress we had made under the hood.”
Nicholas nods his head like an expert, “I see, well then it’s a good thing I’m here. I can help you pick out the stereo.”
That is the last thing I want at the moment. To sit while my husband tells me what’s best for me in front of Jackson.
Somehow Jackson saves me, “Well, as much fun as that sounds, I can’t do it right now.”
Mine and Nicholas’s eyes snap to Jackson. Nicholas stays calm, but I can tell he’s irritated, “Oh? Something more important?”
Jackson just gives him a confident grin, “Now what could be more important than the Warners?”
I have to catch myself and not laugh. Because I know he’s being sarcastic, but Nicholas has no clue. Jackson is surprisingly good at feeding his ego.
Jackson looks at me, “I’m very sorry, but I actually have to get to that appointment Dylan mentioned earlier. If it’s alright with you, of course.”
I nod my head and put my hand on Nicholas’s shoulder, “Yes, I actually just popped in here to check on things. We didn’t have a standing appointment.”
Nicholas pulls me to him and kisses me on the top of my head. He’s never this affectionate anymore and I know it’s only for Jackson’s sake. “Well I guess great minds think alike. I was excited to hear about your car, but I suppose you can tell me everything over dinner.”
I smile sadly at Jackson who looks tense, “Thank you for catching me up today.”
Jackson nods his head, “Not a problem. I’ll call you soon to have you come in for that stereo system. I’m sorry that we couldn’t get to it today.”
We say our quick goodbyes and then I leave with Nicholas.
When we walk outside of the building, I unlock my car and look over to Nicholas, “So where are we going to dinner?”
He studies my outfit, “Well, we can’t exactly go anywhere nice now can we? Charlotte, what were you thinking? Why would you wear that in public?”
