There hasn’t really been a single instant where I felt this sort of pull with Leigh. Sure, I comforted her. I assured her we were going to be okay. I promised not to cheat, which in my eyes I really didn’t, since I was moved out. I did right by her. Maybe it took her lying to me for me to take off the blinders and see what I was overlooking. Maybe my infatuation isn’t with Jamie at all, but had been going on for years with Leigh. All I know is that I can’t respect her. She wants to move away from Chincoteague and I’m determined to stay. I have a reason to be here, more than one now. My whole life is here, and it always will be.
Turning on my phone seemed like a good idea at the time. As I listen to the messages and read the texts the only thing I know now is that I have a unhinged ex running around town looking to either murder me, or totally destroy the lives of the people I care about.
I consider calling her, but there’s no calming Leigh down. Apparently she drove by Jamie’s during the night, most likely several times. She knows I stayed here, even when I said I wasn’t going to. I’m screwed.
I look outside for my truck and suddenly come to notice it’s not where I parked it. Panic strikes me when I think about leaving the spare key in the kitchen drawer where we always kept it. I’m not wearing clothes, so I have to rush back upstairs and scrounge to find them. In doing so, Jamie sits up in the bed and wipes her eyes. “What time is it?”
“Early. Go back to bed, babe.”
“What are you doing? It’s Sunday. We should get up and go to Mr. Paul’s for breakfast. Coffee and pancakes. You know you want to.”
My family will be there. Even though we have our own restaurant, we all still share one meal a week at Mr. Paul’s. It’s something we did with my mom, and the tradition stuck after she died. Nowadays we don’t all show up, and it’s never at the same time, but we manage to end up at one little table, sipping on coffee and talking to the neighbors.
Jamie is waiting for an answer, but I’m still freaking out over the disappearance of my truck. Not wanting to alarm her, I pull my jeans on and climb across the mattress to kiss her tempting lips. “I need to tell you something.”
She leans on her elbows while noticing my worry. “What’s wrong?”
I scratch my head and fall back on a pillow, wiping my face while I search for the right way to tell her. “I may or may not have left things unresolved with Leigh yesterday.”
“What do you mean? You talked to her though, right? You told her it was over and you weren’t moving back in?”
“Yeah, I mentioned it being over, but I told her I needed more time, because I didn’t want her going off the deep end.”
Jamie’s body language relaxes. “Shoo. I thought you were going to say you told her you’d be together again.”
“She knows I slept with you, Jamie. It came out. I didn’t want to lie about it.”
I watch her go through the motions of what that means. Her eyes widen. “Is there anything else you aren’t telling me?”
I sigh. “Nothing big, except my freaking truck is missing, and she left me about twenty messages between texts and voicemails. I said I wasn’t moving back in, but I ended up staying here. She must think I lied about it. I kind of did. I mean, we said I’d live back at my parent’s house, but I slept here last night. My truck was right out front.”
“She stole your truck?”
“Apparently.”
Jamie starts laughing. It’s not the time to laugh, but she’s doing it. She’s hysterical, covering her face while she continues her amusement at my expense. “Are you going to call the police?”
“I don’t know what to do.”
She laughs more. “I’m sorry. You’re probably upset and I’m entertained. It’s really funny though. I mean, who steals a car to win back a guy? It’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
She’s right. It’s pretty pathetic. I take her hand and play with it. It’s the smallest things that distract me from the negative happening in my life. Actually, it’s Jamie. The world could come crashing down around us, but as long as she’s still with me I’d be okay. I feel like I’ve waited my whole life for a second chance and I won’t let something ridiculous ruin that. This drama won’t last forever. Eventually it has to end. Right?
“Let’s get dressed and go to breakfast?”
“Are you sure? I know last night you said we should keep things hidden for a while.”
I nod. “I know what I said, but I just don’t give a shit. We’re hiding from Leigh. She’s one person. It’s not a deal breaker for me, unless it is for you.”
“As long as she’s not stealing my car I can handle it. I mean, she thinks I’m a slut, and that I’m the reason you left her, but whatever. Technically I think you were mine first.”
I kiss her hand again. “Yeah, that’s true.”
She bites down on her lip. “So breakfast? Should we get dressed?”
“These are the only clothes I have. My truck had all of my belongings in it.”
Jamie shrugs. “Don’t guys put their underwear on backwards after the first day?”
My face scrunches. “Maybe dirt balls. That’s sick.”
She giggles. Her mood is completely different from yesterday, and I know I’m the reason. In the midst of the crap, it makes me smile.
Jamie pulls me toward the bathroom shower, undressing me as we go. I feel like we’ve been together our whole lives. It’s crazy, but true. She gets me. She owns my soul and I’m okay with it. The longer I stay the deeper I fall. I have to believe my mother helped make this happen. I hope she’s smiling today too. It makes my heart fill with contentment imagining it.
Jamie does a good job distracting me in the shower, her wet, sexy body rubbing against mine as the hot water beats down on our skin. She turns to face me, her full breasts pressing against my chest while we kiss. I get hard instantly, knowing the ache between my legs isn’t going away until I have her again. Without warning, I spin her back around bending her petite frame over so her ass is the only thing in the air. My palms course over her back, while the tip of my erection is positioned. I’m quick to enter her, grabbing her hips so I’m in total control. Our bodies make a smacking sound the moment I begin my pace. Jamie gets loud, moans escaping her as I continue bucking into her wet channel. I take hold of her wet hair and yank back, seeing her body arch and hands coming up flat against the tile wall. I’m close, but to be fair I pull out to prevent her from having to walk around all day with a mess between her legs. Jamie twists and finishes me off with her mouth. It feels so good my eyes roll back in my head as I grip a chunk of her drenched blonde hair.
When she comes up and kisses me I don’t find it at all revolting. I smash my lips against hers and promise to never let her go again. This is what I want forever. Time no longer matters to me. When it’s right you feel it, and when it comes to Jamie I’ve been experiencing that since the day we first met.
Chapter 21
Jamie
Brant gets a call after we’ve started walking to the restaurant for breakfast. It’s about a mile away, but the sun in shining and my hand is in his. I know people are going to talk about us being together, because they expected Brant to marry Leigh, but they’ll get over it. Small town chatter isn’t going to deter me from sharing every free moment with the man I love.
Yep, I love him. Nothing ever felt so right to me. It’s almost like we’ve been living together for years. We work. It’s so natural it’s almost scary.
We’re almost to the parking lot of the restaurant when we see it. It’s hard to miss. Sitting in the far corner of the grass, where the sign is displayed is what remains of Brant’s truck. I feel his hand let go of mine as he makes a mad dash toward it. I already know this isn’t going to go over well, since he said everything he owns was in it.
When I finally reach the vehicle it’s worse than I first suspected. The windows are busted out on the sides and front. There are huge dents in the doors. The front is smashed up against a pole, looking li
ke the bumper got sucked into it. Brant walks around and assesses the damage while my eyes catch what’s been spray painted on the sides of the truck bed.
CHEATER
It’s everywhere!
Since it’s still early, the parking lot is pretty empty, but plenty of people are stopping to take a look at the wreckage. I pull my cell phone from my pocket and start to call the police, but Brant rushes over and stops me. “I know what you’re doing, but it’s a bad idea.”
“Seriously? Look at this. My god it’s awful. Brant, you have to press charges. Insurance won’t even cover this kind of vandalism.
I spot his father pulling into the lot. He sees us and brings his car in our direction, stopping a mere feet from where we stand. He hops out and at first I think he assumes we were in an accident. “Are you both okay?”
Brant shakes his head, but I’m the one to answer since he’s clearly having a breakdown. Alice is at Buck’s side, both of them taking in the amount of damage. “We weren’t in the truck. It was stolen overnight and left here. He thought Leigh took it to spite us.”
“Leigh did this?” Alice asks.
I nod my head while staring over at Brant who is bending over holding onto his knees like he’s about to get sick. I know he’s strong, so I doubt he’s falling apart, but it’s got to be devastating. “We think so.”
Buck treks slowly around the damaged vehicle assessing the damage before addressing Brant. “Son, you need to call the cops.”
“Why? It’s my fault this happened.”
“You didn’t do this. She took matters to extremes,” he argues.
Finally I see Brant putting his phone to his ear and I feel relieved. Maybe once she’s picked up this will all be over. I can only hope it’s a fast resolve so I don’t have to look behind my back every second of the day worried someone is going to sabotage my life.
When Brant notifies us that the police are coming we already have an audience. People are whispering to each other while they point at the written words, probably assuming the worst of Brant. Our eyes meet and I know he’s too broken up to talk to me. He moves to the other side of the truck and starts arguing with his dad, and Dane, who inadvertently pulled up without me noticing. I hear my name several times before I feel hopeless and unwanted. I know Brant is trying to wrap his head around this, but he’s blaming himself for someone else’s actions. I understand why, and I feel somewhat responsible too. That’s why I turn to Alice and ask her take me home.
We’re in the car before Brant sees us. I wave, but don’t ask Alice to stop so I can talk to him. I just want to go home and wait until the dust settles. Leigh proved her point.
A few minutes later we pull up out front of my house to see a fire in my front yard. It takes us a matter of seconds to realize it’s all of Brant’s belongings going up in flames. A can of lighter fluid sits on the front porch step. Alice turns off the car and we both run to locate the hose and put out the blaze. My elderly neighbor comes out and tries to assist, but his hose won’t reach the spot that’s now turned into a giant bonfire.
Thankfully we manage to put it out, but what’s left isn’t going to be salvageable. Everything Brant owned is gone. His clothes, photographs, personal belongings are all destroyed and it’s because of me.
I sit down on the front porch steps out of breath. Alice comes to sit beside me. She puts her hand on my knee as comfort. “I can’t believe this is happening. I’m almost thirty years old and Brant’s ex is lighting fires in my front yard. What kind of person does this?”
“One that’s got a vendetta, I’m afraid. It’s unfortunate she’s doing this, because it’s not going to get her what she truly wants.”
I look to her and answer before she’s able to. “Brant.”
She nods. “Are you going to be okay?”
I’m still in disbelief. “I have no idea. I’m more worried about Brant. He has nothing.”
“Everything he lost today can be replaced. The police are coming to the restaurant. We’ll get it figured out.”
I cover my face with my hands. “I never should have let him stay the night.”
“Buck told me about you and Brant. You can’t help how you feel about each other.”
“Yeah, but he went about the breakup with her all wrong. Now he’s paying for it. The thing is, I never would have gotten involved with him if I knew this would happen. I care too much about him to see him struggle. We could have waited. We should have.”
Alice rubs my back. I don’t know her that well. She knew my uncle better when they were kids, but I appreciate her company.
Warn tears start to fall down my cheeks. Brant was right about her causing a fuss. More cars are now driving by my house, looking at the mess in the middle of my once manicured grass. Then my uncle and his girlfriend pull into the driveway. He’s obviously been to the restaurant and probably assumes this has to do with me. He warned me to steer clear of Brant when I first moved to the island, but back then I told him I had no interest in rekindling the failed romance.
Boy was I wrong. I didn’t know Brant had lied to me. I thought he was a bad person back then. Now I know better, and I have to stand up for him no matter how angry people get with me over it.
Alice stands and greets my uncle and his girlfriend, while his angered eyes are fixed on me. “You okay?”
“Peachy.”
“We were headed to breakfast when we saw the Wallace crew. I thought you said Brant was just renting a room.”
I rub my thighs because I’m nervous to admit I’ve let him down. “He was at first. Then things changed. We’re together.”
He huffs and puffs as he responds. “That man is engaged.”
Alice and I answer at the same time. “They’re no longer together.”
“Apparently someone didn’t get the memo,” he reprimands.
I’m trying not to cry, but this is too much. I haven’t been sleeping because Brant and I end up talking for hours throughout the night. I’m emotionally drained. “I can’t do this right now!” I say quickly before retreating inside of the home.
Their voices are apparent as I make my way up to my room. I listen and hear one car leaving, while the sound of the front door tells me the other has stayed. I’m making my bed as a distraction when I see my uncle out of the corner of my eye. “Jamie, you have to tread lightly in this town. We have a reputable name to uphold. I didn’t spend my entire life running that veterinary clinic to have people drive off the island for animal care.”
“You’re being harsh. This has nothing to do with how I run that practice. I’m having personal problems that aren’t your concern.”
“That man was to be married. Is that why you came back? Was it for him?”
“No,” I defend. “Of course not.”
“I pleaded with you to stay away from Brant Wallace.”
“I love him. Okay? Nothing is going to keep us apart this time. Things are different.”
“I’ll say,” he’s says with a flip tone. “You’ve clearly made a good impression by stealing a prominent person in the community from his fiancée.”
He’s being a jerk, because let’s face it, reputations are all these people have here. “You don’t live here anymore, and I’m a big girl. I’ll fix this on my own, but thanks for stopping by.”
For the first time in forever I woke up happy, and now it’s almost impossible to fathom. It’s enough to make me sick.
While I wait to hear from Brant, I decide to clean up the mess we’ve made in the kitchen for the past couple of days. I’m doing the dishes when there’s a knock on my door. Not sure of who to expect, I wipe my hands and prepare for the worst.
Coop stands on the other side, waving when he sees me look through the glass. I open the door and welcome him inside, looking around to make sure he’s alone before closing it behind him. “Is Brant okay?”
“He’ll manage. He sent me to check on you since he’s tied up with the cops or cop that is. There’s only one on duty.�
�
“Small town life.”
“Yep.”
I sit on the couch, while he stands with his hands in his pockets taking in the room. “Has Brant flipped a gasket?”
“He’s pretty pissed, not that I blame him. I told him that bitch was crazy. We have mutual friends and they say she’s manic, although I’ve never seen it until now.” He points to the front yard. “Is that Brant’s shit out there?”
I nod. “Everything he had.”
“Damn. That bitch needs to be locked up.”
“Are they going to do that?”
“Yeah, if they can find her. We already drove by the apartment. She’s not there. I looked through the window. She trashed the place.”
“Your brother never should have stayed here last night.”
“Brant does what he wants, and I think we both know when it comes to you he’s not holding back anymore. He was freaking out when you left. We pulled up and he wanted to go find you instead of waiting for the police. He’s got it bad.”
“Coop, can I ask your advice?” I’m not changing the subject. I honestly need to know how much of a mess we’re involved in.
“Shoot.”
“Do you think I should give Brant some time to figure all this out before we jump into a real relationship? Don’t get me wrong, I’m ready. I don’t know if you remember me from when we dated before, but...”
He cuts in. “We all remember you, Jamie. Your pictures are still on the walls at the house. I think there are two. I heard Leigh bitching to Brant about it once, asking him to replace them with new ones of them, but Dad wouldn’t let him. Something about the past being a part of our lives.”
“I appreciate you telling me that.”
“Don’t get me wrong. Alice had hung probably a hundred pictures since they’ve been married, so it’s not like it sticks out. I’m just saying we all remember because of that.”
I smile and fidget with my hands. “I’m not sure what to do here. Your brother and I have this connection. We can’t deny it. I hate that he hurt someone because of me. I feel awful about it. I even considered talking to Leigh to tell her that.”
Half Shelled Heart (Oyster Cove, #2) Page 14
