by J. L. Paul
“You’re right. I’m not going to let them get to me again.”
He kissed my cheek. “I know you won’t. And you won’t have to deal with this alone.”
Settling more comfortably in my seat, I focused my gaze out the window at the wispy clouds. Things always seemed worse than they actually were … well, most times. I’d just have to remember that.
“Who are you texting over there?” Jake asked.
Turning my head, I looked across the aisle at Nick who was studying his phone.
“No one,” Nick said. “Just reading the hundreds of texts that Andrea has sent me since I arrived in LA.”
“What does she want now?” Jake whined.
Nick shrugged. “Wants to see me as soon as I get home.”
“Imagine that,” Jake mumbled. “Are you going to go see her?”
“I don’t know,” Nick said as he shoved his phone into his pocket. Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes. “It sounds urgent.”
“Doesn’t it always?”
Sighing, Nick squeezed his eyes shut tighter. “Jake, I haven’t actually seen her in at least six months. She texts me all the time, asking me to meet her, but when I get there, she’s never there and never shows up.”
“You never told me that,” Jake said.
Lifting a shoulder, he shifted his head, cracked his eyes, and managed a sheepish grin. “It’s not exactly the sort of thing you want to tell everyone – that you’re ex wants to meet you and you, like a dumb ass, go to meet her but she stands you up.”
“So don’t meet her this time,” I said.
He took a deep breath and lifted a glass of juice to his lips. “I don’t know. I mean, usually she asks me to meet her at a restaurant or a bar or something, but this time, she wants me to come to her house. She can’t exactly escape.”
“No,” I said. “But she could make sure she’s not home when you’re due to arrive.”
“I don’t know,” he said as he turned his head forward, closing his eyes again. “I haven’t decided what I’m going to do yet. I haven’t answered any of her texts.”
I opened my mouth, about to suggest that he just hang out with us tonight, thinking Cammy would come back and stay with us. Maybe the two of them could…something…and he’d forget all about Andrea. But I thought better of it. If I tried to force them together, it would never work.
“Dude, it’s your decision,” Jake said, taking my hand. “You know how I feel about the situation but it’s not my life.”
Nick nodded.
Jake scooted down in his seat, turning his head toward me. He gave me a smile before closing his eyes and wrapping an arm around me. I nestled into his shoulder and, even though my mind was a whir, I managed to doze off until we landed at O’Hare.
When we got home, Nick disappeared into his room. I waited until Jake took our bags upstairs before calling Cammy.
“How’s it going?” I asked as soon as she answered.
“Great,” she said. “I finished all my paperwork and attended orientation.”
“Wonderful! When you come back here tonight, we’ll celebrate,” I said.
“Bella, you dork,” she said, a smile in her voice. “I found an apartment. Actually, Greta found it for me. She used to rent it after her father died – it’s in the basement of this elderly couple’s house. And, it’s just down the road from Jake’s place.”
“Wow,” I said. “Well, you can stay here until you move in.”
“I’ve already started moving in,” Cammy said. “The apartment has been empty for three months.”
“Oh,” I said as Jake returned to the room. “Well, you still need to come over tonight to celebrate. I’ll cook. Well, I’ll ask Jake to cook.”
“Sounds like fun,” she said. “See you tonight.”
Dinner that evening was nice – just nice. Nick was too preoccupied to really participate in the conversation and Cammy’s excitement was overflowing, making her more talkative than ever. Jake and I told her about the baby, which set her into overdrive. It was a pleasant evening with friends, but the wind had left my sails. Not a single spark emitted between Cammy and Nick.
After dinner, Cammy left, eager to get to work on her new apartment, and Nick disappeared into his room. Jake helped me load the dishes into the dishwasher, wearing a knowing smirk.
“Disappointed, huh, Iz?”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
He leaned against the counter, folding his arms over his chest. “I know you far too well. You wanted Cammy over here tonight so you could try to fix her up with Nick.”
“I…” I stammered, face suddenly warm. “So, what if I did? They’d be great together.”
“Maybe so,” he said, lifting a shoulder, “but it’s not up to us. If there’s something between them, they’ll figure it out. In the meantime, you can’t try to force it.”
Closing the dishwasher, I turned it on and then fell into Jake. He wrapped his arms around me as I closed my eyes, breathing in his scent.
“You’re right,” I said. “I just wish they’d realize that they would be so good together. Then Nick would forget about Andrea and Cammy could settle down with a nice guy.”
“It’s a sweet idea, Iz,” he said, dropping a kiss on the top of my head. “I wish it would work, too. But, like I said, we have to let it happen on its own – if it’s going to happen at all.”
I didn’t necessarily like what he had to say, but it was the truth. I needed to butt out and let nature take its course. Anyway, I had enough on my plate without worrying about other people’s love lives.
Later, in bed, just as I was drifting off to sleep, Jake propped his head with his hand, leaning closer to my pillow.
“Iz?”
“Hmm?”
With his free hand, he stroked my hair, making me even drowsier. “Remember when we talked about getting married?”
My sleepy brain jolted awake. “Yeah.”
“Well,” he said, dropping his head on my pillow. “I think we should do it. I mean, go to the courthouse or something. Unless you want a big, fancy wedding.”
Turning to face him, I could just make out the features of his face. His wide eyes found me and he smiled. “Really?”
“Sure, if you want,” he said. “I know you want to be married before the baby comes. And I’ve wanted to marry you practically since I met you. If I wouldn’t have screwed up, we probably would be married already.”
I could hear the guilt in his voice and I wanted to staunch it before it could seep out like blood from an open wound.
“How about we not live in the past, huh?” I said, placing a hand on his cheek. “And I agree that we should do it. I can make some calls; find out what we have to do.”
He pressed a long kiss to my lips. “I love you, Iz.”
“I love you, too,” I said as I snuggled into him, my heart at rest for the first time in days.
***
“So,” Greta said as she waltzed across the deck to the table where Jake and I were sitting, drinking coffee. “Congratulations are in order, huh?”
She hugged both of us, her smile wide.
“Yep,” Jake said, kissing her cheek. “How are you feeling?”
“Better,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “But you know it would have been nice if my brother would have told me that he was going to be a dad instead of my husband telling me.”
Flashing a wide smile, Jake shrugged. “I didn’t want to deprive Matt of the honors. He is one of my best friends, you know.”
“Whatever, you jerk,” she said, plopping in a chair. Matt ambled through the sliding doors moments later, phone pressed to his ear. “Iz, I’ll give you the phone number for my doctor, if you’d like. She’s great.”
“Okay,” I said, eyes darting to the dour look on Matt’s face. “What’s up?”
Greta sighed as she yanked a magazine out of her bag. “The Star Gazer picked up the story about Iz going to the hospital; only they are citing
an anonymous source that supposedly confirmed the pregnancy.”
Jake snorted as he shoved the magazine away from him. “Of course. Well, we knew it was only a matter of time.”
I followed Jake’s lead and left the magazine where it was. I had no desire to read the latest speculations about my life.
“Wait until they find out the latest,” Jake said as he gave me a wink.
“What latest?” Greta asked, her gaze shooting from Jake to me and then to Jake again. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing much,” Jake said, stretching his arms before folding them behind his head. “Except Iz agreed to marry me.”
“Seriously?” she asked, her eyes as wide as dinner plates. “Wow! It’s about time! Let me see the ring.”
Jake’s cocky expression fell. “I didn’t get her a ring yet.”
“Jake,” Greta groaned. “Please tell me you didn’t just say something stupid when you proposed.”
“It wasn’t stupid,” Jake argued as he looked at me. “Was it?”
“No, it was sweet,” I said. I looked at Greta. “I’m not all that fancy anyway, remember?”
“Sure,” she grunted, firing a disgusted look at Jake, who just grinned. A moment later, my cell rang.
“Hey, Jenny,” I greeted. “How are you?”
“Fine,” she said. “I was at the store today and saw you on the cover of a tabloid. So, you’re pregnant now, huh?”
I laughed. “Actually, they got one right this time.”
She shrieked and I winced, smiling at her reaction. Jake got out of his chair, holding up his coffee cup. I shook my head, indicating that I didn’t want anything while Jenny continued to rave about my news. A second later, Greta followed Jake into the house, presumably to give him more grief for his method of proposing.
“So, besides the baby news, what else is going on?” Jenny asked.
“Nothing much,” I said. “I haven’t heard from Brad since we changed cell phone numbers.”
“Me, either,” she said. “It seems as if he’s left town. Kevin’s been hearing stuff at the office about how Brad’s had issues in the past. Kevin hasn’t heard any solid information, but the rumor is that he got into some trouble some years back, stalking a woman.”
My heart shivered as my eyes shot to the door. I was safe and Jake was near. Brad couldn’t touch me now.
“Well, it wouldn’t surprise me,” I said. “He’s been weird, you know? Going to the tabloids, calling everyone’s cell phone numbers – stuff like that. He just never seemed the type before.”
“I know,” she said. “And what he did to the Children’s Center…”
The Children’s Center! I’d forgotten all about it with everything going on in my life.
“Oh, Jenny,” I said. “I’m so sorry. I’ve let everything get in the way and I haven’t even thought about the Center in a while.”
“Oh, that’s okay, Bella,” she said. “I know you’ve been busy.”
“Have they found a new building?”
“Yes,” she said. “A man in town has donated a building he owns – he’s writing it off for tax purposes. Also, I’ve been helping Charlotte Godfrey apply for grants and stuff. You know Charlotte, right?”
“Yes, I’ve met Charlotte a few times. She founded the Center,” I said. “Are the Board members doing anything?”
“No,” Jenny said. “The Center is officially closed and the Board members are gone. Charlotte is going to reopen it as a private daycare. She hopes to eventually offer more services but for now, she wants to get the daycare center up and running. The only problem is that she doesn’t have the funds to get the building up to standards. It needs some work. Plus, the yard needs to be fenced.”
I bit my lip, ashamed that I’d forgotten the needs of the children. But maybe it wasn’t too late. Maybe there was still something that I could do to help.
“Jenny,” I said, excitement building in my stomach. “I have an idea but I need to work on it before I spring it on you. Can I call you back?”
“Sure,” she said. “I can’t wait to hear it.”
I ended the call just as Jake and Greta stepped out on the deck.
“How’s Jenny?” Jake asked as he settled into his chair.
“Fine,” I said. “Brad and Henry Stanich withdrew all funding for the Children’s Center and evicted them from the building.”
“What an ass,” Jake said with a loud sigh. “What’s going to happen to the Center now?”
I quickly explained to Jake, Matt, and Greta what Jenny had told me and then broached the idea that Cammy had given me before I boarded the plane to LA.
“Another benefit concert?” Jake asked, shooting Matt a questioning look. “I suppose we could do that.”
“Rob never has a problem with any of that,” Matt said. “But, it’s going to take some organizing. I mean security-wise.”
“Yes,” Jake said. “Do you know anyone who specializes in that sort of thing?”
“No,” Matt said, pulling out his phone. “But Ronnie does. I think his little brother works for a firm. I’ll give him a call.”
“Thanks,” I said with a smile. “But, besides the concert, I think we should do something else. I mean, the concert is great for adults, but what about the children?”
“How about some sort of fun fair?” Greta suggested. “My school used to do family fun fairs all the time to raise money.”
“That’s a great idea,” I said, hurrying into the house. I ran into the kitchen and shuffled through the junk drawer until I found a notepad and a pen. I returned to the deck to start jotting down ideas.
The four of us brainstormed for the rest of the morning, throwing out ideas. It would take a lot of work but hopefully we could do it.
After speaking to Ronnie, we managed to enlist Carly to help, as well as several phone calls to Jenny and Cammy. Between the five of us girls, we worked out a planning schedule and made arrangements to meet at Jake’s house the next day.
“You sure you’re up to all this, angel?” Jake asked that night when we crawled into bed.
“Yes,” I said, kissing the corner of his mouth. “I need a project like this. Plus, the kids need this. That Center was a wonderful place, full of resources and educational programs.”
“Well, it doesn’t sound like it’s going to be like it used to be,” Jake warned.
“No, not at first,” I said. “But hopefully, with this fun fair, we’ll be able to get some volunteers and maybe some family agencies to help out.”
Jake rolled to his side to face me, concern lurking in his eyes. “I’m glad that you have this project – I know how much it means to you – but I’m worried about Stanich.”
“I know, but Jenny says he’s left town.”
“Still,” Jake said, brushing the hair off my cheek, “I’d prefer if you didn’t go down there alone. I’d feel much better if someone like me or one of the guys or even Frankie were with you.”
I smiled as I thought about Frankie, one of the band’s massive bodyguards. “I’d love to see Brad try to stand up to Frankie.”
Jake snorted. “Rob is on board, too. He says Ross Records will help in any way that they can.”
I scooted closer to Jake, toying with the collar of his shirt. “Thanks, Jake.”
“No problem,” he said, kissing the top of my head. “And, I’d like to take you away Saturday night. Just me and you. What do you say?”
I lifted my face to accept his kiss. “I say that it sounds great.”
Twenty-One
I couldn’t suppress a smile as Jake drove the BMW up to a familiar hotel and parked. He turned to me, grinning like mad, and took my hand.
“I guess you recognize this place.”
“Yes,” I said as nostalgia rushed through my body. “The hotel that where the concert was the night I met you.”
Still smiling, he pecked my cheek before getting out of the car to retrieve our bags. I followed him inside, clutching his hand, as he che
cked us in and got our key.
“I don’t remember what room you were in or I was in that night. Sorry.”
“That’s okay,” I said as we rode the elevator up to the top floor. “I don’t even remember if this is the same elevator.”
“Well, I’m kinda hoping that it’s the thought that counts,” he said.
“It does.”
Our room was much larger and more luxurious than the adjoining rooms that Seth and I had stayed in that night. The wide windows overlooked the city lights, blinking in the early evening dusk.
Jake dropped our bags and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“Let’s not get comfortable yet,” he said. “I’m starved. Let’s get some food.”
“Okay.”
I should have expected it, but I was too wrapped up in the idea of being with Jake all alone, without worrying about if Nick was roaming around downstairs or if one of the band members was going to come barging in, wanting to have a jam session.
But when Jake pulled the BMW through the drive-thru of a Burger Kastle, my heart went wild. He ordered a few burgers and drinks and then drove through town, heading for an old dirt road. I squeezed Jake’s hand as he maneuvered the road, avoiding potholes.
“I can’t believe that you remember where this place is,” I said.
He smirked. “It took awhile. I started looking for it years ago, after I made you leave me. I’d drive down here, check into the hotel, and then search for this road. I finally found and it and then came often, when I was feeling down, you know.”
My heart ached for him and the pain he’d gone through. I vowed to never let that happen again.
Once we reached the top of the hill, he killed the engine and climbed out of the car. The hood was a bit too hot to sit on so we leaned against the car, eating our burgers while the sun completed its descent.
“Come here,” he said when we finished our burgers. He took my hand, leading me to the edge of the hill. Staring down at the fields, I recalled that magical night with the fireflies weaving in and out of the tall corn.
“Iz,” Jake said in a soft voice. I turned to him, shocked to see the emotion in his eyes. “I brought you here because that night was probably the best night of my life. I’d always wanted to be a big rock star, writing and playing music, but when it happened for me – for us – it happened quickly. We were lucky as far as that goes. We didn’t have to spend years playing cover songs in bars and stuff. We were discovered quickly and signed so fast that it made my head spin. The next thing I knew, we were on top of the charts with an extremely large fan base. It was hell trying to go anywhere without being recognized and girls surrounding us, demanding autographs or yelling out phone numbers.”
