The rest of the weekend seemed to fly by. I was grateful for every second I had alone with Chase. When it was just the two of us, life was perfect. Once again, going back to the real world Sunday evening was hard on the both of us. Chase dropped me off in the parking lot behind my sorority house and an hour later I met him in the library for our study group. Matt and Anita didn’t show up this time, and neither did Chad, which meant no actual studying occurred in the three hours we had the room reserved—and we made use of all three hours.
There was something about doing stuff in a semi-public place that you were not supposed to be doing that made it all the more exciting. After I left, I wasn’t sure I could ever set foot in that room again without blushing. It was like all the stress of the weekend finally came to a head and all we could do was hold on to each other for dear life. Even I could smell the scent of sex in the air as we left.
Two stacks away I heard a giggle so like my own it made me freeze to the spot. Tessa? It had to be her. No sooner had I thought it, than Tessa rounded the corner, pulling down her shirt as Jack stepped out from behind her.
Both their eyes widened, guilt written all over their faces. Looked like I wasn’t the only one getting a little action in the library that night. It never dawned on me that Chase’s arm was still around my waist until Tessa’s eyes turned from guilt to shock as she took in the scene before her.
“Jack,” Chase said, nodding.
“Chase,” he acknowledged in the same manner.
“You two know each other?” Tessa questioned, still looking back and forth between me and Chase. It was obvious she was trying to make sense of what she was seeing—bad boy Chase Westin with her perfect, do-no-wrong sister.
My heart started beating fast in my chest and I feared I might hyperventilate. Taking a deep breath, I turned towards Chase. “Well, thanks for the lesson, and I’ll see you in calculus tomorrow.”
“Oh, that’s right. You have study group tonight,” Tessa said, as if suddenly that made far more sense.
Yet Chase hadn’t let go of me. I wanted to smack him for it, but I could feel his wolf on edge, probably responding to my own threatening panic attack.
I pivoted to walk away, but Chase moved at the same time and I crashed into the hard wall of his chest. His arms instinctively wrapped around me as he checked to make sure I was okay.
“Ow,” I said without thinking.
“Jenna, look at me.” His deep voice rumbled through my body. “Jenna,” he said again, this time a little more demanding.
I shook my head, still buried in his chest. “I’m fine. I’m not hurt, just a little embarrassed.”
To make matters worse, Tessa started laughing. Jack joined in and I could even feel, without looking, that Chase was grinning enough to pop out the dimples, even if he refrained from actually laughing. His arms wrapped around me as his hand rubbed my back. I started to hug him back and then froze.
No one was laughing when I flattened my hands against his stomach and pushed back, giving him a look to tell him to behave.
“Okay then,” I said, nervously worrying my bottom lip. “Tessa, see you later. Jack, good to see you again. And you,” I said, looking up at Chase, “see you tomorrow.”
I turned quickly and walked away.
I didn’t even make it to the stairwell before Tessa caught up to me.
“Wait, wait, wait,” she said. “Jenna, stop.”
I turned around slowly and tried to look as innocent as possible. Fortunately, that was a face I was used to hiding behind.
Hands on her hips, she asked, “How do you know Jack? I didn’t even introduce you.”
Crap. Of all the things for her to pick on, that was one I wasn’t expecting. “I, uh, I met him this weekend. He thought I was you,” I said simply. It wasn’t exactly a lie.
“Oh.” She seemed to ponder my answer. “But you weren’t around campus this weekend, and Jack was visiting his brother and just got back, so where did you meet?”
Jack walked up, then quickly turned and headed back towards Chase who laughed at his quick exit.
I looked back at my sister, still waiting on an answer. I knew I couldn’t lie to her. Not telling her was one thing, lying just wasn’t in my nature. I couldn’t do it.
“Not here, Tessa. Please, let’s go and I’ll answer whatever questions you have.”
She looked back at Chase and Jack, and then nodded.
“Let me just say bye to Jack,” Tessa said.
“Okay.”
While she went to speak to Jack, Chase came over to check on me. We walked into the stairwell for a little privacy.
“I won’t lie to her, Chase. She’s already questioning where I was all weekend and how I know Jack. My evasive answer didn’t appease her, and let’s face it, I’m just not any good at sneaking around. I’ve never been able to really tell a lie.”
“Jenna, it’s okay. She’s your twin sister. You should be able to tell her anything.”
I sighed. “It’s not the same for us like it is with you and your brothers. We’re just different.”
“Do you want me to stay with you? We can tell her together. Whatever you want. Just tell me what to do,” Chase said sweetly.
“I don’t know if that would be better or worse. I guess I should talk to her alone,” I said, still not certain of the decision.
“If you change your mind, I’m only a phone call away. And you will call me regardless once you’re done talking, right?”
I rolled my eyes. “Do you really think I’d fall asleep without telling you goodnight?”
He grinned and leaned down to kiss me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close, channeling his energy to boost my confidence. Of course, Tessa chose that moment to open the door to the stairwell.
“Oh, um, sorry,” she said, stumbling back into the library.
“Tessa, wait. It’s fine, come on. We have a lot to talk about,” I said, feeling a little more confident.
“You got this,” Chase whispered, kissing my temple before releasing me.
I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile before turning my focus towards Tessa. Halfway down the stairs I stopped. I didn’t want the sisters to overhear us. I wasn’t sure where we could go to truly have privacy. I briefly thought about going to Chase’s room where he had the dampener, but then I remembered Chad was staying there now and that wouldn’t be fair.
Turning back, I saw Chase still watching us from the landing.
“We need a place to talk,” I said. “Can I borrow the Jeep?”
Chase didn’t hesitate as he tossed his keys down towards me. I caught them mid-air.
“Thanks,” I hollered back up to him as we turned and walked out of the library.
Tessa and I walked in silence across campus towards the doghouse. Brett was in the parking lot near the Jeep.
“Hey, Jenna. Where you off to tonight?” He looked back and forth between me and Tessa. “I’m not expected to actually know which one is you and which is your sister, right?”
Tessa shot me a side glance. I knew she was used to being the popular one and I was just “the sister.” I could only imagine how she must have felt, like she just got pulled into some weird alternate universe.
“Jenna,” I said, waving. “This is Tessa. Tess, this is Brett.”
“Hi,” she said softly, with none of her usual flirtations.
“Where you ladies off to this fine evening?”
“Not sure yet, just going for a drive.”
“Chase actually handed over the keys to his baby?”
I jangled the keys for him. Brett laughed and shook his head, but I was thankful he kept his mouth shut from further comments.
“Drive safe. It was nice to meet you, Tessa. See you later, Jenna.”
Tessa didn’t say a word until we were both in the Jeep. She turned and looked at me as I started it up. There was hurt in her eyes.
“It’s like you have this whole life I know nothing about, Je
n. How is that even possible?”
I sighed. “I’m sorry, Tess. I know we have a lot to talk about. And I promise to answer any questions you have.”
I put the Jeep in reverse and pulled out of the parking spot. I headed off campus not certain where I was headed. As soon as we were on the road, Tessa turned her full attention on me.
“Okay, clearly you wanted to make certain no one heard us, and I can sort of guess why. So, spill it. What is going on with you and Chase Westin? Don’t think for one second that it has gone unnoticed that he too has been MIA the last two weekends. Were you with him? Are you two like together?”
I took a deep breath, started to close my eyes, then forced myself not to since I was behind the wheel of his baby.
“Um, yes,” I said, nibbling on my lip. I was so nervous.
“Okay, so where did you go? Were you just at the doghouse all weekend? Matt and a few of the guys said they hadn’t seen him.”
“Um, no. We weren’t on campus,” I said honestly.
“So, what, you take off on romantic weekend getaways with Chase Westin? Did he take you to some exotic place?” Tessa laughed at the thought.
“Tess, this isn’t funny. If you’re just going to poke fun at me, we can head back to campus.”
“I’m sorry, Jen. I didn’t mean to upset you. You really like him, don’t you?” she asked.
I nodded.
“Oh, Jenna. I truly hope you’re having a good time, but you’re not exactly a fling sorta girl, and this is Chase Westin we’re talking about. He’s way out of your league and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Chase won’t hurt me,” I told her.
“We all want to believe that when it’s happening to us. You think I don’t dream about a happily ever after with Jack? I know it’s not possible. Besides, Daddy would never allow it. But hey, at least he’s a feline. Chase is a wolf, Jenna. Daddy will freak.”
“Daddy will freak out about anyone who isn’t a black panther and you know it. Jack isn’t any better than Chase just because he’s a cat. The fact is he’s not panther and that’s all that matters to our father. I’m well aware of what’s going to happen when Daddy finds out about me. I haven’t told you about Chase because I didn’t want it getting back to him. I didn’t want him to take you away from me. I’m not ready to lose you.” Tears pricked my eyes as I spoke.
“Jenna, don’t cry. I don’t care what Daddy says. You’re my sister. My twin. You’re never going to lose me,” she said, causing tears to streak down my cheeks.
“You don’t know how much I wish that were true. I love you Tessa,” I told her honestly.
Throughout our admissions, I wasn’t really paying attention to where I was going until I was turning into the driveway of the cabin. I gasped.
“Where are we?” Tessa asked.
“I, um, I don’t know what I was thinking. I didn’t mean to come here. Shit,” I said. “Well, I suppose if we’re going to have this talk we’re going all in.” Suddenly my reserve strengthened and I was ready to face the facts.
“Wow, look at this place, it’s amazing,” Tessa said, craning her neck to look at the house.
I parked the Jeep and got out, motioning for her to follow.
“Wait, is this where you’ve been hiding out with Chase?” she asked.
I laughed. “Um, yeah, for the most part.”
I unlocked the house and escorted her in, remembering to stop and turn off the new alarm system Kyle and Patrick had installed. I hesitated for a minute to see how I’d react. Home. I sighed in relief, thankful I felt no fear or worries after the incident with the tigers. I was confident in my mate and his ability to protect our territory.
“Want something to drink?” I asked Tessa as she looked around, not even bothering to try to hide her interest.
“Sure. So, does Chase’s family own this place?” she asked.
“Um, something like that,” I told her. I knew I was terrible at evading questions.
I went to the kitchen and poured us both Cokes. I suspected it was going to be a long night. I only hoped Tessa kept her word and I really wouldn’t lose her after this—at least not yet.
I brought the drinks into the living room and sank down on the couch. The familiar smells surrounding me helped calm my nerves. I kicked off my shoes and sat criss-cross-applesauce with my back to the arm of the couch. Tessa came and joined me. I motioned towards her glass.
“Thanks,” she said, taking it and looking a little uncomfortable. “So, spill it, what’s going on with you?”
I took a deep breath. I still hadn’t come up with an easy way to say it; so, much like with Anita, I just blurted it out.
“Tessa, you don’t have to worry about Chase hurting me, because he can’t.”
“Jenna, I know you want to believe that, but . . .”
“No Tessa, you’re not hearing me. He can’t hurt me. Chase Westin is my one true mate. Trust me, I know how crazy that sounds, but it’s the absolute truth.” I waited with baited breath to see how she’d react. The last thing I expected was for her to laugh in my face. Hurt, I recoiled, pulling my knees up to my chest and wrapping my arms around them as if that in some way would protect me.
“Your true mate is a freaking dog?” Tessa asked, laughing even harder.
Tears silently streamed down my face at the pain in her words.
When Tessa finally caught her breath and looked over at me she turned white as a sheet of paper. “Oh, no, Jenna, I didn’t mean it like that. Look there’s something you need to know that made me find that funny. I wasn’t laughing at you. Actually, I was laughing at Daddy, but I’ll explain that in a bit. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Tessa wrapped her arms around me and held me while I cried.
“I know how Daddy feels about mating outside our kind. You don’t know how hard this was to tell you,” I sobbed.
“Oh, sissy, please don’t cry. I’m so sorry,” Tessa said, using a pet name she called me when we were small children. “Look, just because Chase is your true mate doesn’t mean you have to accept him. That’s your decision to make.”
“Don’t you think I know that? It was my decision, Tessa, only mine, and I already made it.”
“Wh-what are you saying?”
I pulled back and dried my eyes. “Chase is my one true mate, and he always will be, Tess. I’ve already chosen him. This cabin is ours. We bought it last weekend. It’s not wolf and it’s not panther, it’s just ours. A safe place no matter what happens. Chase wanted that for me, for us.”
Before she could respond, my phone rang. I looked down and saw Maddie’s face on the screen. My stomach dropped as I tried to think of what could possibly have happened for her to call me.
“Sorry, Tess, I need to take this,” I said, grabbing the phone.
“Hello?”
“Jenna? Hey, it’s Maddie.”
“Hi Maddie, is everything okay?”
She must have heard the panic in my voice. “Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to freak you out. Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s just fine.”
“Oscar, the baby, everything?”
“Absolutely everything. I just wanted to give you a heads up about this weekend. We’re kidnapping you Saturday for a girls’ day! Elise wanted it to be a surprise, but I didn’t want to just spring it on you. She and Kelsey and Lily can’t wait to meet you. It’s going to be fun, I promise and if it’s too much, just let me know and I’ll tame it down a notch.”
“Oh, okay.” I couldn’t believe they’d be that excited to meet me. It was a little overwhelming already.
“You sure everything’s okay?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine, but hey look, I’m talking to my sister right now. Family stuff. Can I call you back later?”
“No need, Jenna. We’ll talk on Friday.”
“Right. Friday. Thanks for the heads up, Maddie.”
“Looking forward to hanging out and getting some girl time in.”
“Me too. I’ll see you soon.”
I hung up the phone. Tessa was staring at me.
“What was that? I don’t think I know a Maddie.”
“No, you wouldn’t. She’s Chase’s sister-in-law. I’m not going to Cabo this weekend, Tess. I’m going to San Marco to meet the rest of Chase’s family.”
“Oh. Right. So, you’re like serious with him then? You’re really going to go through with the bond?”
I pulled my shirt down and exposed his bond mark on my neck. “We’ve already sealed the deal, Tessa.”
I bit my lip, waiting for her to yell or scream or do something with the news. The last thing I expected was the loud squeal that came out of my sister.
“Oh Em Gee!!! You’re serious? My baby sister is all properly mated and everything? What was it like? Tell me everything.”
I had seen this side of Tessa with friends over the years. Never with me, though.
“Um, what do you want to know?”
“Did it hurt?”
“No, not really. Not like you’d expect. I mean it stung a little, I guess.”
“Oh my gosh, you’re not a virgin anymore, are you?”
I shook my head.
Tessa pouted. “You, Anita, what’s wrong with me? I’m going to be the last of all our sisters to get laid.”
I laughed. Of all the things to worry about, Tessa focused on me losing my virginity before her. It was an odd situation I had never considered.
“Wait, you mean you and Jack?” She shook her head. “Never?”
“Never. Hey, you never did tell me how you and Jack really met.”
I know my whole face must have changed because I saw Tessa’s pupils dilate with concern. I told her about how Jack and his brothers were using the cabin and what went down over the weekend. I explained that his brothers were really bad, but that he was actually a decent guy and set free in the end. She didn’t seem quite as surprised to hear it as I had expected.
“You knew?” I challenged.
“Not everything. Jack did tell me how he lost his virginity. It was disgusting and heartbreaking what his brothers did to him. He was forced to rape a girl, Jenna. It’s, um, it’s why we haven’t, you know, sealed the deal and all that. He still struggles with the guilt of it. He was caught with his brothers and held in captivity for years. He only escaped this past fall and has been trying to rebuild his life. He’s really not a bad guy, Jenna.”
Confusing Hearts (Westin Pack Book 4) Page 20
