Jesse's Girl

by Stephanie Taylor

  To that, neither of them said anything.

  “Nice digs you’ve got here, man,” Michael said over his shoulder to Jesse.

  Again, Jesse said nothing. Something about seeing Michael and Ally together made him uneasy. They were familiar with each other. Too familiar. Like he and Ally used to be.

  He knew it was a matter of time before everything came back to them, but even with their physical attraction, they still weren’t connecting the friendship they’d spent their entire childhood cultivating with their current relationship.

  “Jesse, why don’t we go fix some lunch while these men do their job?”

  Normally, she would have linked their fingers and pulled him behind her. She’d always been that take-charge kind of gal. And he’d followed her like an obedient puppy, waiting for a scrap of affection. But instead she grabbed his wrist like he might be diseased. He dug in his heels and glared at Michael.

  Seeing the silent warning, Michael raised his hands as if Jesse aimed a gun at him. “You took her from me, I don’t know what you have to be upset about.”

  Ally straightened and glared back and forth between the two. “No one took anyone from anyone. And if you both don’t start acting like adults, I’m walking through that door and going straight to my dad’s house, killer or no.”

  “You’re not going anywhere,” Jesse growled, his eyes still set on Michael.

  “Oh yeah?” Ally squeaked in disbelief.

  “Yeah.”

  He registered his own reflexive words too late. Ally was rummaging through her things in his foyer chair. He heard jingling keys and the door slam closed.

  A curse tumbled out of his mouth.

  “Be careful, Jesse. She doesn’t like being told what to do.”

  Jesse felt the sneer as he took one step then two toward the man who made his blood boil with hatred. “She just needs someone who has the balls to follow through.”

  “Is there a problem?” the head of the installation team asked.

  Jesse finally backed down, even if his knee almost collapsed under him. He caught himself on the wall. “No problem. Just get this system installed and get him out of my home.”

  Turning, Jesse walked as fast as his leg would allow him to catch her before she took off in his wheels. He managed to slam the car door shut before she could get in.

  “Ally.”

  “Jesse, this is ridiculous. You two are acting like high schoolers. Why on earth can you not accept that he was a part of my life? He’s not even doing anything to you! You’re the one being aggressive.”

  He puffed through his nose to calm his racing heart. It wasn’t anger he felt; it was fear. Fear that she’d suddenly realize that he’d changed too much for them to be together. Fear that he’d never compare to Michael because he’d been there for her.

  Against his better judgment, he took her hands in his and threaded their fingers together. “I’m scared, Ally.” At his admission, he couldn’t look at her in the eye. He studied their feet between them and prayed she wouldn’t laugh.

  “Why?”

  “I love you. I never stopped. And I’m afraid that won’t be enough.”

  She stooped so she was in his field of vision and grinned. “I was here until you started acting like a buffoon. And I’ve already told you I love you, too. I wouldn’t have ended things with Michael if I was unsure. Your fear will be what ends us, not Michael. Stop letting things come between us.”

  “What if he’s a better man than I am?”

  “What if he is? I’ve chosen to be with you.”

  “What if you regret it? Regret us?”

  “Why don’t you stop thinking about what-ifs?”

  “Because I’ve lived my whole adult life wondering what if you had come to the airport? Where would we be?”

  “Instead of wondering what if, let’s starting thinking about what now?”

  “Well, you’ve stopped all my creative endeavors to convince you what to do. But I have a question to ask you.” His heart pounded, and her eyes widened. “Will you come back inside with me? I don’t trust anyone else to keep you safe, and I need you with me. Forever.”

  She slid him a sly grin. “We’ll talk about forever later. For now, let’s focus on making sure you understand that you have to stop acting like an idiot. That will drive me away faster than jealousy will.”

  Ally touched his face. Where would he be if she wasn’t in his life right now?

  “I love you, Jesse. Only you.”

  He felt the giddy smile on his face before he could stop it. “I love you too, Ally. Will you come back inside with me?”

  Ally straightened and crossed her arms over her chest. Her classic defense pose. “On one condition.”

  “Anything.”

  “Not another word to Michael. And no bullying. And nothing that even hints at my feet are bigger than your feet.”

  Jesse smiled. “Deal. None of that matters. I can’t help that I’m aware of how beautiful and amazing you are. I know there’s probably a lot more Michael’s out there waiting to snatch you as soon as I let my guard down.”

  Ally kissed him softly and then shoved him so hard he landed on his butt in his front yard. “Then don’t let your guard down, Richards.”

  “It’s gonna be like that, huh?”

  “Oh yeah.”

  Something in his face must have given him away because she squealed and took off running down the street. Before he could climb to his feet, she was already passed the neighbors house. With a lame leg, he didn’t have any hope of catching her.

  “What’s up?” he yelled after her. “You know I can’t catch you. And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll get back here.”

  He took a step toward her, but she put her hands up to her ears and wiggled them, sticking out her tongue at the same time. “Ally! Seriously! Get back here, or I’ll show you where you can stick that!”

  Something triggered his instincts and the hairs on his neck stood up. A thousand fire ants trailed their way down his spine. His breath caught in his throat. The stillness in the air wasn’t right, wasn’t natural. “Ally,” he called a little more desperately and hobbled toward her, scoping his surroundings but keeping his peripheral on her as she jogged ahead of him

  He wasn’t fast enough. Dimly, his mind registered the gunshot. Time stretched the sound into a heart-stopping roar as Ally crumpled to the ground as if in slow motion.

  Heedless of his lame knee, he ran against the scorching pain radiating through his leg, and his gut twisted with a mix of fear and fury. Sheer adrenaline kept him going, heedless of his physical agony, as he pounded along the uneven sidewalk to reach her. Drawing his pistol out of the back of his jeans, Jesse scanned the area, looking for something, anything out of the ordinary. He was out there watching them right now, he could feel it. He saw nothing, but then again, he wasn’t supposed to. That had been a warning shot.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice shaky and a little too high.

  Ally lay on her back, eyes round, staring upward with shock. Please… his heart drummed against his chest, and he couldn’t complete the prayer. Slowly, she blinked. “Are you okay?” he asked again upon realizing her blood wasn’t draining into the cold ground. Stunned. She was only stunned but seemed unharmed.

  “Daddy always taught me to hit the ground and play dead when I heard a gunshot.”

  His eyes still roamed the area and surrounding houses for anything abnormal. “He taught you to be a possum, huh?”

  “Something like that.”

  Jesse stayed alert and continued to scan the area. Had that been a warning shot? Or was the shooter taking aim for a kill shot? Jesse grabbed Ally’s hand and hauled her to her feet. “Run.” The pain in his knee became a dull ache as he half dragged her running into the house. Once inside, he grabbed his cell and phoned Lucky.

  “Jesse, you need to get off your knee. Now.” Ally tugged at him to sit on the couch, and for the first time, Jesse allowed himself to feel t
he unbearable burn from ignoring his brace and running to Ally.

  While he’d been on the phone, she gathered some ice and now placed it on his swollen knee. He grimaced from the pain.

  Michael rounded the corner, pale. “Are you guys okay?”

  “Yes, we’re fine,” Ally snapped. “Hurry up with that security system.”

  It was all Jesse could do to keep from passing out now that the pain was hitting him full force. “Get me some ibuprofen, Ally. Medicine cabinet in my bathroom. It hurts.”

  “The hospital gave you some stronger stuff. Let me get that.”

  “No,” he issued a little too forcefully. “I need to be fully aware of what’s going on. I can’t do that with a narcotic in my system. Ibuprofen is all I need.”

  Ally left to get him some and returned with his pills and a glass of water.

  “Are you sure you’re okay, Ally?” Jesse huffed.

  “I’m fine. Just tell me you’re okay. I think we should go back to the hospital.”

  “No. We’re not leaving this house. Whoever this is wants to make it clear that we’re not safe.”

  “I got that part already,” Ally said with a grin.

  “It’s not a time to joke. Stop joking and take this seriously. You could have been shot just now. You witnessed a murder, and they want you dead too. Or they’re playing with us. I don’t know which yet, but when I find out…”

  “Calm down, Jesse. I’m fine. You, however, are swelling even more.”

  “I don’t care about my stupid leg.” Jesse lifted up the back of his shirt and handed the gun to Ally. She took it, keeping her finger off the trigger and pointing it at the ground like a pro. “Keep this. Use it if you have to. And don’t point it at anyone unless you mean business.”

  “I know how to shoot a gun. Daddy taught us.”

  “Good.” Jesse sighed. “I love you, Ally. And I think it’s time I took you away from here until the killer is found.”

  “So we’re going to run?”

  “I’ll run forever if it keeps you safe.”

  Ally studied him. Apparently coming to a conclusion, she nodded. “I’ll call Lucky about that cabin.”

  “Good.”

  Jesse lay back on the couch. A gunshot. In the middle of broad daylight, no less. He was starting to think they were in over their heads.

  Chapter 9

  “This cabin is nice,” Ally said as she helped Jesse up the porch steps. He grunted his acknowledgment and grimaced when he put weight on his bad knee. Another trip to the doctor had revealed he’d done further damage to the tendons and ligaments inside. Instead of just the swelling, he was now sporting nasty bruising that went all around his leg.

  “You sure you’re okay?” Worry didn’t begin to describe what she was feeling. She was worried, anxious, scared… Jesse’s injury put them on equal footing when it came to dealing with an intruder. But Jesse had planned ahead and had a security system installed with the owner’s permission while they stayed. They were just as safe here as they were at his house. At least they had that.

  “I’m fine.” But the thin film of sweat on his forehead spoke louder than his words.

  Once inside, Ally settled Jesse on the couch and looked around. One bedroom. Awesome. Jesse sat across the room, watching her closely. When she noticed the sleeping arrangements, her gaze immediately shot to his. He waggled his eyebrows.

  “Gonna make an honest man outta me?”

  Ally laughed. “No. We’re not here for a romantic getaway.”

  “True. But I thought we could work in a little romance while we were here. Lucky gave me some pointers.”

  Again, Ally laughed. “He did, huh? I’ll have to tell Lana about this.”

  “Noooo…” he drawled. “From what I hear, she’d have my head. I remember growing up she was pretty protective over you.”

  “As she should have been. I had a lecherous boy after me.”

  Jesse thought about it for a second. Then agreed. “Yeah. I was pretty into you.”

  “And now?” she asked, casting a sly glance over at him as she walked toward the couch to join him.

  “Lecherous is a good word. Randy is better. But right now, I’d go with just plain old horny.”

  Ally plopped down next to him and giggled. His arms came around her, and she felt safe. She felt loved, and it warmed her belly in a way that nothing and no one else ever had.

  “Love you,” he said, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

  Ally sighed. “Love you, too.” She laid her head against his shoulder, loving how homey and right everything still felt between him.

  “Remember that summer things changed for us?” His grip around her tightened.

  “How could I forget? It felt so weird to feel that toward you.”

  Jesse chuckled. “It just kind of happened, huh? I was helping you out of the lake and you were wearing a red and white polka-dot bikini. I slipped and brought you down with me. You were what? Fourteen?”

  Ally nodded, remembering vividly.

  “I wanted to kiss you so bad, but you looked terrified. You were pale and breathing hard. I was afraid you’d die of a heart attack.”

  “I probably would have. I wanted you to kiss me, but I was only fourteen. I was terrified I would stink at kissing.”

  “Took me five more years to try again.”

  “The night of my graduation.”

  “Yes. The best and worst night of my life.”

  Ally looked at him, confused. “Why?”

  “I realized I had to compete for you. I was no longer the only guy in your life. You weren’t just little Ally any more. You were turning into a woman and leaving me behind.”

  “Never!”

  “Oh yeah. You didn’t see it, but you were. I mean, dry humping a guy at that party and drinking? Not to mention under-age drinking.”

  “I paid for that the next morning. Threw my guts up and felt terrible. Never drank like that again. And I felt horrible for worrying Daddy.”

  “Either way, you kissed me back that night. Like you meant it.”

  “I did mean it,” Ally said. “You were a pretty awesome kisser.”

  “And now?” His smile turned cocky.

  “Now you’re just sloppy.”

  Jesse reeled back like she’d struck him. He narrowed his eyes and studied her then shrugged. His fingers found her ribs. With a squeal, Ally tried to get away but his arms had her pinned. She squirmed and squiggled until Jesse had her underneath him.

  “Got you where I want you.” He used his fingertips to reverently brush her hair behind her ear.

  Ally was awestruck. It was as if time stood still as they gazed at each other. His dark hair fell over his forehead, and his eyes crinkled as he smiled. This time, his fingertips outlined her jaw. She could still get lost in those blue eyes the way she had as a teenager. Her heart squeezed. It took her a minute to realize why, but when she finally did, she smiled.

  “What?” His eyes were bursting with unfulfilled lust.

  “I think we were meant for each other. I just realized that nothing has ever changed for me. I’ve loved you for so long, I don’t think I could ever not love you.”

  “Even when I’m bald and you have to knock me out with your cane?”

  “Even then.”

  Slowly, deliberately, Ally rose to meet him for a searing kiss. She speared her fingers through his hair and sighed as his lips worked over hers. He owned her. She’d never give him the pleasure of knowing that, but she reveled in the fact that her best friend, the boy she’d grown up with her whole life and loved more than anyone else, still loved her back. Even after all the hurtful things she’d done to him.

  Would he ask her to marry him again? Better yet, would she say yes? Ally tried to think of a single reason why she shouldn’t. Did they know each other as well as they used to? She felt like they did, but she realized there was a gaping hole in their history. Did she want to know about all the other girls? What had he done with hims
elf in all the years they’d been apart?

  Doubt filled her. Had he loved someone else? Was he comparing her to another girl right now?

  Ally turned her head to stop his kiss and pushed at his shoulders. “Jesse, get up.”

  “But we’re just getting started.”

  “We didn’t come here to do this.”

  “Maybe not specifically—”

  “Jesse!”

  That got his attention. He raised himself up carefully, a grimace on his face as he did so.

  “See? You’ve hurt yourself. How on earth am I going to protect both of us if you continue hurting yourself?”

  Jesse said nothing, but rather ran his hand down his face. He stared off into space. Ally sat up and looked at him. His dark hair was playfully rumpled and his eyes were full of confusion.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “One minute you’re hot and the next your cold. Physically.”

  Ally stood and began to pace. “We’ve been down that road, Jesse. It didn’t end well.”

  “History doesn’t have to repeat itself, you know.”

  “Maybe not, but I think we need to make sure we’re not in love with a memory. I don’t know anything about you in the years since I saw you last.”

  “You know everything there is to know. I went to school, came home, bought a house, and then you walked into the station and passed out in my arms. You know the rest of the story.”

  Ally did. But so much was still missing. She needed those gaps filled in.

  “Did you work after college?”

  “Yes. Working as a cop in New York was stressful, and I didn’t like all the stuff I had to see in the field. It also made me realize how short life was. I didn’t want to waste it in New York City, away from my family and friends. And you.”

  Ally chewed on that for a moment. “Did you date?”

  “Of course. I missed you, but I also had a life to live. I tried for a long time to forget you.”

  “Did you sleep with anyone?” Knowing they’d been each other’s first meant the world to Ally. The idea of another woman’s hands on Jesse made her nauseous.

  When he didn’t answer, Ally turned to him. “You did, didn’t you?”