by Nicole Dykes
She nods her head. “Yes, I’m going to call my realtor and have her start looking.”
“Okay, I’ll see ya later.”
I leave and drive to the garage. After unlocking the employee entrance, I walk in to Tricked. Carolyn doesn’t work on the weekends, because we don’t use them for clients. It’s mostly just time we use to catch up on our work.
Dylan strides towards the exit and nods his head at me, “Hey man, I was wondering if you would be in today. Thought you might have actually decided to take a day off.”
“Yeah, fuck that. You out of here?”
He nods. “Yeah, going shopping for a crib and other baby shit.”
“Nice. Have fun with that.”
“Thanks.” We both hear someone knocking on the main, glass door and turn.
No fucking way.
Dylan looks over at Senator Dickhead looking through the door over at us, “What the hell is he doing here?”
I’m not ready to tell Dylan about last night today or maybe ever, so I just shrug. “Probably checking on Charlotte’s car.”
Dylan walks over and unlocks the door, putting on his best professional act, “Well, Senator Warner. What can we help you with?”
The asshole points over at me, “I was hoping to have a little chat with your partner.”
Dylan moves out of the way, letting him inside of our shop. He looks over at me and asks, “You good?”
“Yeah, have a great weekend man.”
Dylan seems a little wary, but he leaves. Leaving me and this wife beatin’ motherfucker standing in the middle of the shop. “Should we go to your office?”
I don’t say a word and just lead him back to my office and close the door behind me.
His fake smile is gone and is replaced with a vicious glare that doesn’t shake me in the slightest, “She came to you last night, didn’t she?”
I don’t answer that. I don’t have to.
He nods his head like he’s sure he’s right. He walks around my office, examining the small business awards on the wall, “You know, it’s a nice business that you have here Jackson. Built from the ground up, simply by word of mouth and an impeccable reputation. It sure would be a shame if it were tarnished by one indiscretion.”
My jaw twitches, this asshole really thinks that will work on me. “I’m not worried.”
He laughs at that, “Oh, Jackson. You really should be.”
I walk closer to him, trying like fucking crazy to stay calm. “I’m not.”
He grins over at me, trying to intimidate me. I can’t remember the last time I felt any sort of intimidation. It definitely won’t be because of this weasel dick. “I think a man deserves to know where his wife is. To know that she’s safe.”
I scoff at that, “You mean after the damage you did to her last night?”
He remains composed, “Ah, so she did run to you last night?” I stay stoic, “Well, I hope you enjoyed yourself, because you are nothing but a phase. A rebellion to try to hurt me. When she’s done using you, she will come back to her rightful place.”
I really don’t give a fuck about the shit coming out of his mouth until his next statement.
“I do hope that she will at least make you wear a condom while she sows her wild oats, being the trash that she truly is.”
And that’s all I can take. I grab him by the collar and slam him against the wall, the framed awards shaking from the impact of his body.
I keep him pinned, and he is no longer calm and collected. “Are you insane? I am a United States Senator!”
I growl between clenched teeth, “No, you are a scumbag who throws a temper tantrum when you don’t get your way. A wife beater. If you ever lay a hand on Charlotte again—I swear to you, you won’t have to worry about your next election or your next fucking breath.”
His eyes are bugged out of his head, a look of pure terror on his face, “I’ll ruin you.”
“No you won’t, because my guess is that you care way more about your reputation, than I do about mine.”
With every bit of self-control, that I can muster, I release him and back up.
He straightens his tie, “The better man will win in this scenario, Jackson.”
“I’m betting on it.”
He doesn’t say another word and leaves my office. I sit down at my desk and look at the one and only picture of the whole family at Brooke and Dylan’s wedding.
Fuck, I can’t hurt them. Everything in me is telling me to protect Charlotte.
Chapter 25
Charlotte
I just got back from a meeting with my realtor, she’s looking for a small condo I can rent during my separation from Nicholas.
The events that transpired last night and today swirl around my head, as I unlock the door to Jackson’s townhouse and walk upstairs to the guest room that he has generously offered to let me stay in for a couple of days.
Nicholas has been calling my cellphone incessantly since this morning, but they have all gone unanswered. I have zero desire to talk to him.
It’s quiet, and I see no sign of Jackson being home from work yet.
Just the thought of him makes my heartrate speed up, especially after the way he held me last night while I cried. It surprises me that such a large, tough man can be so gentle.
The feel of his half-naked, perfectly-sculpted, and hard body, holding me tight was too much to handle. I’ve never been so compelled to kiss anyone so much in my life.
Maybe it was wrong, and I should be horrified by my actions, but I can’t say that I regret it.
His lips on mine, my fingers in his short hair is something that I would never want to take back. I am still technically married, and I know that it cannot happen again. I'll never forget the rush of being kissed with a tenderness and urgency that I’ve never felt before.
More than likely it was just the heat of the moment. Just us getting swept up in the drama. Just Jackson’s protective nature, rescuing me.
He had a clear enough head to end it. I’m grateful to him for that, because I’m not sure I could have. He didn’t want to talk about it today, and I don’t want to push it.
I sit on the bed and start going through my shopping bags from earlier today. I take the tags off of the clothes and admire my new wardrobe.
I know it seems crazy, but just having clothes I picked out for myself seems like a huge step in the right direction.
“Hey.”
I look up from my clothes at Jackson, who is leaning in the doorway with a grin on his gorgeous face. “Hi. I didn’t know you were home yet.”
“Just got here. I brought Chinese takeout if you’re hungry.”
I hop up from the bed and walk over to where he is standing, “I’m starving.”
We walk down the stairs to his dining room, and I see that the very nice oak table is set with dishes that look brand new. Chinese food containers are scattered over the tabletop.
He pulls out a chair for me and I sit down before he sweetly pushes the chair in, “This is so nice of you.”
He sits across from me, “I know it’s not what you’re used to.”
“That’s a good thing.”
He smiles, “I thought as much. So, how was your day after I left?”
I think he’s genuinely interested in my answer. This is so different from what I’m used to. “It was alright. I talked to my realtor, and she said that she will narrow it down and call me in a couple of days to go and look at some condos in the area.”
“That’s good.”
“How was your day? Did you manage to get any work done?”
His face grows slightly dark as he places egg rolls on his place, “Yeah, it was fine.”
I get the sense that something happened, but I don’t want to prod him. I fix my plate and we both start to eat. The mood lightens up a little as we eat. We talk about the clothes I picked out and what I’m looking for in a condo.
Then when I’m finished, I bring up a subject that came into my he
ad this afternoon, “Jackson, I hope that you can still finish my car. I know that Nicholas may try to cancel it, but I will gladly pay for it.”
He smirks over at me, “Never crossed my mind to stop working on it, Charlotte. It’ll be your car one way or another.”
Jackson finishes eating and we both clear the table together, rinsing the dirty dishes and then putting them in the dishwasher. Another first for me, but nothing too difficult.
When the kitchen is tidy we go into the living room, it’s casual and easy. Not awkward like I had expected.
Sitting on the couch next to Jackson, I know I made the right decision staying here. At least for me.
I feel safe and more comfortable than I have in years.
We sit on the couch and make small talk. We take turns flipping through channels on his large flat-screen television. Nothing's on we want to see.
After an hour, I stretch and yawn. “I think I should try to get some sleep.”
Jackson yawns, “Yeah, I’m pretty tired myself.”
We both stand and he turns off the television. When I walk over to the stairs, he flips off all of the lights and follows me up them.
It’s been such a long day and my mind is jumbled, full of possibilities for the future.
I’m still not sure if I will go back to my husband or ask for a divorce. That thought scares me deeply; it would go against everything I was taught growing up. It would alter my life drastically, but maybe that’s a good thing.
One thing is for sure, things have to change.
We reach the guest room and I turn on the light, still standing out in the hallway with Jackson, “Thank you again for everything.”
“You’re welcome. Again. You gotta stop thanking me.”
“I’ll try. Goodnight, Jackson.”
“Goodnight, Charlotte.”
After that, I watch as he strolls to his bedroom, leaving his door open.
I do the same and walk into the beautiful guest room. I go into the bathroom to change into the night gown that I bought today, it’s not quite Jackson’s t-shirt, but it will do. It’s a very simple, dark purple t-shirt style night gown that goes below my knees and fits me properly.
It’s boring, but appropriate for staying at Jackson’s place. Even though I kissed him last night, I don’t want him to think that I’m desperate and trying to seduce him.
I pull the comforter and sheets back on the bed, turn off the light and then climb in.
The light from my phone ringing brightens up the dark room. The sound tenses my entire body, because I know who it is.
I take a deep breath and answer. I suppose I have to talk to him sometime. “Hello.”
“Charlotte, I’ve been calling you all day. Where are you?”
“That’s none of your business right now, Nicholas.”
He scoffs, “None of my business? You are my wife, Charlotte.”
“I told you. I need time to think.”
“Right and to commit adultery with that piece of garbage, Jackson Garrett.”
It’s not a question, it’s an accusation, “Leave Jackson out of it. It has nothing to do with him.”
“You need to keep in mind who you are. I hope that I don’t see any news that you have been out in public with that man. There is to be no evidence of any of this indiscretion. What would your parents think?”
I haven’t told my parents or anyone about leaving Nicholas, but I know it will be quite the battle. “I need some space. Please, do not call me again.”
I don’t wait for his rebuttal and I hang up the phone. I turn it off, which is what I should have done earlier.
I slowly drift off to sleep. I pray that is the last I will hear from him for a while, so I can get my life in order.
I pop up in bed after hearing a loud, masculine scream. Or screams.
Oh my God, is that Jackson?
I jump out the bed and run into his room. When I fly in I see him on the bed, he’s lying still and quiet.
Did I imagine that?
My fears get confirmed. He thrashes on the bed and screams her name, “Emma.”
He’s kicked his covers off, and is only in his boxers. I feel the need to wake him. The dream is far from a pleasurable one, he seems terrified.
Not a look I’m used to with Jackson.
He’s still moving around, viciously, almost seems to be running while lying down.
I move over to him slowly. I don’t want to frighten him further.
I gently touch his bare shoulder and loudly whisper, “Jackson.”
“Emma! Wait! Don’t go!”
I jump back slightly and then try again, shaking him harder, “Jackson, wake up.”
Jackson’s body shoots up. His eyes are wide open. He’s panting heavily. “Charlotte? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
I nod my head slowly. “You were dreaming.”
He rubs his eyes, leaning forward. It’s dark, but I can see the strong muscles in his arms flex, “Oh shit. I’m sorry for waking you.”
I sit down on the edge of the bed, keeping my distance as much as I can. “That’s not what I’m worried about. Does this happen often?”
“No. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
For the first time since I met Jackson, I get the feeling he’s lying to me. “Jackson, I know we haven’t known each other long, but I hope you know that you can trust me. You’ve helped me so much, I’m here if you want to talk.”
He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. He whispers harshly, “We all have our ghosts, Charlotte. I’m handling it.” Well that’s vague. I can see his perfect, white teeth in a smile, “Thank you for checking on me.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about it?”
He nods before I quietly exit his room.
I feel like there is so much more to Jackson Garrett, so much I want to know.
I hope he knows he can let me in.
Chapter 26
Jax
I unlock my front door and walk inside. After my dream last night, I couldn’t go back to sleep. Several long hours of staring blankly up at my bedroom ceiling passed before I gave up and went for a long workout.
I left Charlotte a note on the kitchen counter to let her know where I went. I haven’t lived with anyone since Dylan, and we never left each other notes. I just didn’t want her to worry, especially after last night.
Shit. I can’t believe that I woke her up.
She looked so terrified for me, and I couldn’t offer her any comfort. I don’t and won’t talk about these fucking dreams.
When I walk in the house, I see Charlotte is sitting at the dining room table quietly eating cereal.
My body is exhausted from lack of sleep and the intense workout I just had. I’m covered in sweat. I really just want to go upstairs and take a long shower, but I decide to walk in to greet Charlotte.
She looks up from her cereal when I walk in, the bruise on her cheek still there; evidence of how much of a prick her husband is. “Good morning, Jackson.”
I walk over to the sink and fill up a glass with water. “Good mornin’. You get my note?”
She smiles, “Yes, I did. That was very considerate of you. You really didn’t have to do that though.”
I gulp the water down, still cooling off from my workout, “I didn’t want you to worry.”
Her face is full of concern, “I am worried about you.”
Oh damn. I was hoping she wouldn’t bring up last night. “There’s no need to be.”
She stands up and walks over to where I’m standing by the sink, rinsing her cereal bowl under the water, “You sounded so scared.”
I cringe at that word. I hate that she saw me that way. “It was just a dream.”
She places the bowl in the dishwasher and then turns back to face me, “I understand if you don’t want to talk to me about it, but have you told anyone? Maybe Dylan?”
We are getting dangerously close to an intervention here.
I put my glass d
own on the granite counter top and place my right hand on her shoulder, “Charlotte, it’s nothing. You have more important things to worry about than me. It’s nothing personal, I just don’t talk about it.”
She nods her head, “Okay. I’m here if you want to talk.”
“Thanks. I’m gonna go shower before I go into the shop. I’ll see ya later.”
I walk up the stairs to my bedroom. I know that I didn’t help put Charlotte’s mind at ease, but I can’t discuss this. I’ve went twelve years without talking about Emma, and I’m not about to start now.
After my shower, I say a quick goodbye to Charlotte and then drive to the shop. There shouldn’t be anyone here today except for maybe one body work specialist and a mechanic.
I walk inside and go straight to my office. Really, all I have to do today is go over some concept designs for a couple of upcoming projects and then I’m out of here.
I get settled in my chair, pull up my design program on the computer, and then Dylan knocks on my door as he opens it. “Jax?”
What the hell is he doing here?
He hasn’t worked a Sunday since he married Brooke. He walks in and takes a seat in the chair across from me, “What’s up, Dylan?”
“You wanna tell me about yesterday?”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. “What about yesterday?”
He sits up in his chair, he doesn’t look too pissed. Yet. “Luke was working yesterday. He heard you and the senator getting into it, and he said Senator Warner look really shaken up when he came out of your office.”
Good.
Shit, I had no idea Luke was here. “It was nothing.”
“Look, be straight with me so we can talk about this and figure out a plan. Did something happen between you and his wife?”
I crack my neck. The tension from lack of sleep and everything else going on is really catching up with me, “No. I told you, Charlotte and I are just friends. I see her solely as a friend who happens to be married.”
“Ah, okay, so you look at her the same way you would look at Brooke.”
Not exactly. I sigh heavily, “There is an attraction there, but it’s a line that I won’t fucking cross.”
