"But, what about your family?" she asked.
"I definitely don't want to screw you with them nearby."
She slapped his chest and laughed a little.
"Stop it. I mean, aren't you going home to Austin to see them?"
"No, they're pretty busy with their own thing, so they told me to stay here. I'm just going to stick around and focus on the last couple games of the season and work on my shoulder. I think it's already showing improvement. Don't you?"
"You've definitely been playing better recently."
"Thank you," he said, leaning forward closely enough that she felt his breaths tickle her ear.
"Okay," Jenna said. "Then maybe we see each other through the New Year? After that…I don't know what will happen."
Jenna heard the crack in her words and prayed he missed it. A wash of panic was rushing through her body at the realization she had no clue what awaited her after the New Year. She felt like her body could be a ticking bomb and it was easier for her to ignore how terrified she was about the future — if even for just that moment.
"Are you okay, Doc? You seem upset."
"What? No," she squeaked out. "I mean, yes, I'm fine, just thinking about the holidays."
"Okay, then," he said with skepticism, invading every word. "Just through the New Year. Why?"
"No particular reason," she said slowly, desperately trying to sound calm. "I just figured we shouldn't push it. You know, let's just see how it goes and take it from there."
"Fine, I guess. But for now, let's try to get you out of here without anyone seeing." He opened the door slowly, scanned the room outside and whispered, "All clear. Come on."
Jenna walked back into the main area of Viola trying to look as calm and composed as possible.
Suddenly, she was shocked to hear raised voices — one of them coming from a very upset Tea. Dread sunk into Jenna's stomach as she started to get an idea of why no one had noticed that she and Wyatt had disappeared.
In the middle of the main dining room, Tea and Griffen were in a heated discussion with Carol, the mother of Tea's deceased husband, and his younger brother, Baxter.
"Who are those people?" Wyatt whispered to her.
"The older woman is Carol, the one I told you about. The good-looking blonde guy is Baxter Taylor, Carol's other son. But last I heard he wasn't able to make it to this party. He's been studying in France…"
Tea's voice broke through Jenna's explanation.
"You didn't tell Baxter about me and Griffen? Carol, you can't be serious?"
"Oh, hell. Wyatt, I have to go in there. I'm sorry," Jenna said quickly.
"Okay. I'll be here if you need me…"
Jenna rushed into the room before he could finish his sentence. She found Aubrey on the fringes of the conversation, holding Johnny's hand. She was silent, but her face was red with fury.
"Jenna, there you are," Aubrey blurted at her. "Where'd you run off to anyway? I was looking for you when Baxter burst in here."
"He what? I, um, I called into the hospital to check on one of my patients. Tell me what's going on," she whispered, inwardly cringing at how easily these lies seemed to spill from her lips.
"The FBI wanted to interview Baxter about Jack's death for their preparations for David's trial, so he came home early from Paris. He decided to come straight to this party. He walks in and sees Griffen here, holding Tea's hand and…"
"And he lost it because Carol never told him those two were together?"
"Exactly. He went nuts. Just listen."
Jenna turned her attention back to the scene that had all the partygoers clearly trying to decide between pretending to ignore what was happening or just giving in and completely eavesdropping.
"Carol, please answer me," Tea pleaded, almost in tears. "Why didn't you tell Baxter about me and Griffen? Or at least warn us he didn't know, so we could tell him."
"Warn me is right. This is totally messed up," Baxter grunted out, his fists clenched.
Carol placed a hand on Baxter's shoulder, calming him for at least a moment.
"Well, Tea, sweetie, Baxter was in Paris studying. That's so far away," Carol said, with more confidence than Jenna thought the situation warranted.
It was unreal how much this woman was willing to view the world in her own ridiculous prism. Maybe Tea and Griffen could be patient with her, but Jenna was livid.
"Email, phone, carrier pigeon? Christ, Carol!" Griffen burst out in response to Carol’s hemming and hawing.
"Don't talk to her like that," Baxter growled, pushing Griffen's shoulder.
"Bax, you're like a brother to me, too, but I won't hesitate to shut you up if I have to," Griffen responded angrily, his face dangerously close to Baxter's.
"Calm down, you two. I'm sorry Baxter found out this way, but I just couldn't figure out how to tell him. I was worried it would upset him so much. And he was so busy getting admitted to Carnegie Mellon for his business degree, and… Well, I thought there was a chance you guys might break up before he got back."
"Christ, Carol. Why would you think we would break up? Althea and I are engaged!" Griffen said more loudly than anyone expected.
"What the fu—" Baxter growled.
"Baxter! Language," Carol exclaimed.
"What the…heck, Nicky?"
"He goes by Griffen now," Tea said faintly.
"I don't care."
Jenna understood Baxter's shock. Griffen had been best friends with Carol's son, Jack, growing up, but Griffen's vagabond life after high school meant he'd never met Jack's wife. It was a surprise to everyone when Tea and Griffen's connection was revealed. Either way, the two fell in love so quickly, that even Carol had to accept their relationship.
Unfortunately though, Baxter wasn't present for any of that. All he saw was his dead brother's best friend suddenly in a serious relationship with his widow, without any warning. It was sure to upset even the calmest person. Considering Baxter was a notorious hothead, Jenna was grateful no furniture had been thrown, yet.
Jenna watched with worry as Griffen's jaw clenched and Tea looked completely distressed.
"Don't talk to Althea like that, Bax. She did nothing wrong," Griffen said to him in a rough tone.
"Sorry if I'm not being a gentleman, Griffen. Maybe I'm a little off my game, seeing as I'm just finding out you betrayed my brother. I'm kind of thinking I should kick your ass."
"Is everything okay?" Wyatt whispered in Jenna's ear, making her jump.
"No, it's not okay, Wyatt."
"Fuck right, it's not," Aubrey whispered.
"Auntie Bwey, am I allowed to say that word yet?" Johnny asked, making Jenna and Aubrey's eyes widen. In all the craziness, they'd forgotten he was witnessing all of this mess.
"We need to get Johnny out of here," Jenna said frantically.
"No. I want to stay," Johnny demanded. "Why are Uncle Bax and Gwiff fighting?"
He looked up at Jenna with wide, confused eyes and her heart squeezed in her chest. She loved this little boy like he was her own and always admired his ability to respond to all the changes he'd faced recently. Regardless, him seeing Baxter lose it over Griffen would be a lot for any kid to try to understand.
"It's no big deal, little man. They're just talking loudly," Jenna said lamely. She took Johnny's hand from Aubrey, who immediately headed over to Tea's side.
Jenna started looking around the room frantically for something to distract Johnny.
"How about we check out some of the presents people got you?"
"Here, I'll take him," Wyatt whispered in her ear, as he took Johnny's hand from hers with ease.
"Are you sure?"
"Don't worry. I got this. Your friend needs you."
"Oh, okay," but Jenna had no other words, because she was too lost in the relief of the moment.
It wasn't just nice having someone there for her, it was actually incredible to have this specific man stand in front of her and give her peace in a moment that was so disturbi
ng to her.
She couldn't think of a single time in her life when a man had made her life easier. The thought that it was Wyatt McCoy delivering that comfort was downright stunning.
This feeling of happiness I have right now is a tad disconcerting, but not entirely unpleasant, she thought carefully, trying to pull her feelings into order.
"Besides, Johnny and I are old friends, right, buddy?" Wyatt said smoothly.
"We are!"
Wyatt crouched down to talk to Johnny at his height.
"Have you been practicing the throwing tips I gave you a few weeks ago?"
"I have!" Johnny turned to Jenna. "Auntie Jenna?"
"What?" she stuttered out, completely entranced by Wyatt's kindness to the boy who was so dear to her. "Oh, right, sorry, Johnny. What is it?" Jenna had been staring at Wyatt without even realizing it. He was looking right back at her with an easy smile that rarely graced his face.
"Will everybody be okay if I hang out with Mr. McCoy?" Johnny asked her.
"You are such a good boy, Johnny. We'll be fine." Jenna looked over to Wyatt and quietly said, "Thank you so much. If I don't get over there soon, I'm worried Baxter will get punched."
"Is Griffen like that?"
"Not sure if he is, but Aubrey will cut anybody that makes her friends upset. Tea is beside herself right now — especially after everything Carol put her through since Jack died. I'm worried Aubrey might break Baxter's teeth if he says the wrong thing to Tea right now."
"Then you better head over there. I told you, I've got this."
"Thank you, Wyatt."
"My pleasure." Wyatt leaned toward her like he was going to kiss her cheek, but thought better of it and backed away. Even though she knew secrecy about their physical relationship was the smart idea, it made her feel oddly empty at the lost promise of his touch.
"Bye, Wyatt," she muttered, and rushed to Tea's side, as well. It wasn't a moment too soon, because Aubrey was already yelling at Baxter, her finger wagging in his face.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Aubrey dropped her packed duffel bag and purse beside their apartment door. With a sigh, she turned around to look at Jenna, a frown marring her delicate features.
"What's wrong, Brey? You're going to miss your flight to Denver if you don't get going."
"It just feels weird leaving for Christmas. I mean, we've spent it together every year — you know, with Tea and Johnny, and now…"
"I know. But she's got Griffen this year and it makes sense they want to spend it alone."
"I suppose so. They'll probably have lots of privacy now that Carol will be focused on Baxter."
"That's true. I'm glad everyone was able to wrap up Carol's party without anyone breaking someone's nose…you included, Brey."
"Can you blame me? Baxter's lucky I didn't clock him. I was pissed."
"Me, too, that's for sure."
"And we owe Wyatt one for keeping an eye on Johnny before Tea and Griffen decided to give up and call it a night." Jenna began to study the woven material of her sweater at the mention of Wyatt — anything to avoid eye contact with Brey.
"Yeah, I guess we do," Jenna mumbled.
"Either way, it's all so weird this year — so different all of a sudden."
"Things couldn't stay the same forever, you know."
"I don't see why not, Jenna. You know I hate change, right?"
"Yes, you've made that clear about a million times," Jenna said, with a laugh, before her voice dropped and became more serious. "But things are always going to change. That's how life is. Everything ends, Aubrey."
"Merry Christmas to you, Scrooge McDuck. Jeez, Jenna. I don't want to leave you with this lack of holiday spirit."
"Oh, stop. I'm not being like Scrooge McDuck. I'm just being honest. Though, I wouldn't mind diving into my own gold coin pool. Look, Brey, if you're worried about my Christmas spirit, don't be. I'm fine."
"Of course I'm going to fret thinking about you. What will you do while I'm gone? You've been all over the place lately, babe. You make me want to nix this trip. Are you going to be okay?"
"Of course. What do you mean?"
"It's Christmas. And you've been acting funky lately. I hate the idea of you being here alone. What about going home to see your dad?"
"No, it's too late to get a flight, and we wouldn't know what to do with each other if I went down there."
Jenna always balked at the idea of returning to Georgia, ever since Chase started playing in Atlanta as a backup quarterback. She told herself it was silly to let him bother her so much — but the thought of being near him always sent a cold trickle of fear down her spine.
Even if Chase weren't in Georgia, visiting her father this particular Christmas was out of the question. The mere idea of seeing her father with the specter of breast cancer looming over her head, made her want to throw up. She hated the thought of putting him through any of that worry and sadness again. So she would just have to delay it as long as it was in her power to do so.
"Because you aren't even trying. I know it makes you sad to see your dad at Christmas. You know, what with it being the same time of year your mom died. But Jenna, at some point you both are going to need to learn how to deal with each other."
"At some point, is right. That point is not this year."
"Fine. Then why don't you come home with me to Denver? We can go skiing. Maybe invade some five-star snotty resort in our snow boots and pretend we're aliens that only learned the Finnish language before crashing here on earth."
"And we can clomp around the lobby asking for herring and a flux capacitor?"
"Ooh, nice. Time-traveling, Finnish-speaking aliens. Even better!" Aubrey said, jumping up and down, clearly very excited at the idea. "Just come home with me, Jenna. I'm worried about you."
"Oh please, you're not really." Yet, Jenna felt like her protest was halfhearted. Heck — it wasn't even a quarter-hearted.
Jenna knew Aubrey well enough to recognize when she was truly worried about her, and it made her feel terrible.
"Thank you for inviting me, Aubrey. It does sound like fun, but really, I'm okay. You never get to see your family. I know you're excited to see you parents and your brothers, please don't let me interfere with that."
"I don't want you to be by yourself."
"I won't be… I mean…I'll be fine."
Jenna suddenly felt her heart clench. God, how she hated secrets, and keeping so many from her best friend was terrible.
Why don't I tell her? she wondered. Why don't I say, I just had my biopsy and a slew of other tests. Now I'm waiting for the results. I'm worried I may die in the same terrible way my mother did.
I won't be alone because I've wrapped myself in the madness that is Wyatt McCoy. I don't want to tell anyone about any of what's going on, because I'm scared and confused and I don't know what to do with this odd — but good — feeling that keeps bubbling up inside of me when I'm near him. No matter how much I may be terrified right now, that man makes me feel alive. I don't know how to tell you because I don't understand any of this myself.
But those words didn't come. Instead, Jenna merely swallowed hard and put on her best sensible façade and said, "Aubrey, things have been nuts the last few months with everything going on with Tea and the investigation, and all these changes… I think it will be nice to just chill out by myself. I may binge watch a series or two on Netflix."
"That sounds so depressing. Promise you'll call me if you get lonely?"
"I promise, but I mean it, I'll be fine. Go home, spend Christmas with your huge family and all your hot mountain men brothers."
"Gross, don't talk about them that way. Ick. Though if you come with me, I will avert my eyes if you want to hook up with Kyle again."
"One time! One time, I hook up with a brother of yours, and you never let me forget it."
"Of course not. That's your punishment."
"It was eight years ago!"
"I'll reconsider after two more."
"I think it's totally fair to torment you about this."
"Fine, I'll just keep waiting you out. All right, now get out of here, you. I can't start missing you if you won't leave."
"All right, all right, I'm leaving," Aubrey answered, turning to pull Jenna into her arms and kissing her cheek. This soft side of Aubrey always tugged at Jenna's emotions, and today it was even more powerful.
Jenna let the hug continue a little longer than usual. Finally, with a hard squeeze she released her and fought back the tears that wanted to break through her composure.
"Bye, Brey. I love you."
"I love you, too. I'll call you when I land, and on Christmas…and whenever else I feel like it."
"Okay, Brey. I'll be waiting."
Jenna watched as Aubrey grabbed her things and left their apartment.
Suddenly, she was completely alone, with nothing but the twinkling of their small, brightly decorated artificial tree to keep her company.
Jenna waited a moment to make sure Aubrey was really gone before heading into their kitchen to face her daunting mental to-do list.
Some list, she thought.
Go to the grocery store? Check.
Do laundry? Check.
Help Aubrey pack and get out of town? Check.
Contact doctor for results of invasive biopsy? Still not yet checked.
She'd be leaving to meet Wyatt at his place in about an hour, which didn't leave her much time. As scared and confused as she was, it gave her a surprising sense of peace to know she would soon be enjoying the distraction he always seemed to provide her.
They'd texted back and forth over the last couple of days. Those little stolen moments of communication had been the only thing that seemed to take her mind off her worry. She'd even let herself get a bit brazen — sending him a shot of her cleavage, with no face, of course, and the message:
Would you like these wrapped or unwrapped for Christmas?
That was the last text she'd sent him before he got on his plane ride back from Oakland, and she hoped it set the tone for lots more fun to happen between them.
City of Champions Page 19
