by Rylee Morgan
Shayla: This is all too much.
Dawn: What’s too much???
Shayla: Call me now PLEASE!
Within seconds Shayla’s cellphone began to ring, she answered it just as quickly. But before she could speak Dawn was already firing off. “What’s going on? Where are you? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, it’s just Jackson.”
“Seriously? You give me a heart attack over that? Mr. Yummy? Don’t ever do that again!” Dawn demanded, “Okay, what the hell is going on?”
Shayla began telling her friend snippets of the sordid affair that had just begun not even a full forty-eight hours prior, while appraising the new forming bruise that was beginning to make its appearance on her kneecap. Only for Dawn to go stone cold silent, “Are you there?” Shayla asked.
“Yeah—Wow. Good for you!” Dawn said happily with a mischievous giggle, “Was it good? Never mind, I know the answer to that…it was awesome wasn’t it?”
“Dawn, yet again, you’re about as bad and as pervish as a teenage boy.”
“Answer the question!”
“Yes! It was mind-blowing!”
“Then…what’s the problem?”
“That is the problem. It ends there. He wants to have fun and be a beneficial friend.”
“Darling child, have fun. Just because you’re having some romp sessions doesn’t mean you have to turn it into more. What could be better than having a live-in fuck buddy? With no strings attached?”
“But what about when it’s over? And he moves on?” Shayla said aloud more directing the question towards her own self, oppose to asking her friend, only to be interrupted by a knock on the restroom door. “I got to go, I’ll get a hold of you later.”
“You better, I need better details on this sexercise experience! But listen before you go, don’t second guess this, when it comes to an end or if it does for that matter, you’ll cross that road when you get there.”
“There’s no if, Dawn. Only a when.” She stated as she opened the door, revealing Jackson on the other side. “Talk to you later, bye.” She said ending the call abruptly, placing the phone back into her pocket. Not letting Dawn have another word.
“No ‘if’ about what?” he asked.
“Is the food ready yet?”
“Yeah, your plates getting cold.” He answered her taking a step over the threshold of the restroom towards her.
“Let’s eat then.” Moving past him only to be caught at the wrist.
“We good? Is your knee alright?”
“Yes we’re fine, and I’ll survive.”
“Good, good. Is your friend alright?” he asked concerned.
“Yep, just handing a mild crisis, you know us girls, full of mini breakdowns.”
“Right,” he looked at her skeptically knowing something was off.
Making their way back to the booth where her mother was talking away on her cellphone, discussing an appointment she’d had with a new client at the salon where she worked as a nail technician to her friend. “Listen Barb, the kids just got back to the table we’re gonna eat…yes I’ll tell him…yep—Jack, Barb says hi.”
“Ditto.” Jackson replied.
“Yes I told her to give Allen a call, oh hold on I’ll ask—Shayla when’s a good time to meet up with Allen?”
Jackson cleared his throat, loudly. Growing annoyed more and more so with every mention of Allen’s name. The two males had a long standing feud. Shayla wasn’t so sure either of them even knew what it was about anymore. Both holding the grudge since elementary school. She could only imagine what the grudge had to be about, neither were bullies, so that left it being something more frivolous she had thought, maybe over a toy or who ate the best worms, Jackson would never tell her why they hated each other so much.
Tina looked at Shayla waiting for an answer. “I’ll have to get back to you mom, not sure what my schedule is.” She lied quickly, there was no way she was going to call Allen let alone go on a date with him. She remembered him quite well. He wasn’t a bad looking guy, but his attitude was a total turn off.
Her answer hadn’t pleased Jackson. She could tell by the way he had bitten into the slice of toast only to toss it back on the plate as if it were distasteful.
The trio finished their meal, and headed off to the local shopping mall, where Shayla and her mother browsed through some dress shops and a gift store while Jackson wandered off into an electronics store. Shayla buying a crystal ornament of a lily for Linda and Jim, along with a congratulatory thirtieth anniversary card.
When the shopping spree was over they parted ways with Tina. Shayla gave Jackson directions to Linda’s home as they exited the malls parking lot. Driving the fifteen minute distance in silence until finally he spoke. “Why is your mom pushing for Allen?”
“Haven’t got a clue.” She answered him truthfully.
“He’s a prick. I swear if he comes anywhere near you I’ll break his damn neck.”
Taken aback, she sat back speechless at his declaration.
“This must be it,” he said nodding his head towards the white ranch-style home with pea green shutters, with a lineup of vehicles parked on the lawn and on the street.
“This is it.” She confirmed.
Jackson did a U-turn, parking his Cadillac CTS-V Coupe on the opposite side of the street. One of his first purchases upon moving home besides the bedroom furniture, when she’d first seen it her only thought was it was so him. Sleek and sexy, a beautiful machine. Stepping out she grabbed her gift bag and had Jackson place her purse in the trunk of the car.
She didn’t know why but for some reason she felt a wave of nerves hit her as she and Jackson walked up to the door and knocked.
“Shayla! You made it!” Linda beamed when she opened the door.
“I promised you I’d be here.” She said with a huge smile as she embraced the older woman into a hug.
“Oh, whoa…hello handsome!” Linda said, making Jackson blush when she spotted him standing just behind Shayla.
“Linda this is Jackson, Jackson this…” She began to make introductions but was interrupted.
“Linda, I’ve heard a lot about you, I can assure you all good things, Shayla speaks very highly of you.”
The older woman swooned, “All lies.” Linda said, “I kid! Come on out back. Follow me.” They did as instructed, following Linda through her home, out to her rather large backyard where her guest were all mingling.
Shayla handed the gift to Linda and gave Jim a hug wishing them both a happy anniversary, as Jackson excused himself to take a phone call. Linda looped her arm around Shayla’s. “He is gorgeous, if men were made like that back in my day…poor Jim wouldn’t have had a chance!” Linda said making Shayla laugh.
“But then you wouldn’t have the beautiful family you have now.”
“That’s very true, but I would have given him a run for his money! Speaking of beautiful family, I wanted you to meet my nephew Noah.”
“I’m not sure…you know what they say…friends and family don’t mix.” Shayla said quickly, not wanting to feel awkward meeting a guy while Jackson was only a few feet away. But he had said they were just friends having fun. They never set any rules or guidelines. Right? So really what harm would it do?
“Honey, if it doesn’t work out that has nothing to do with our friendship.”
Shayla didn’t have a chance to make a rebuttal, when a tall clean cut, good looking guy with great dimples approached them. “Happy Anniversary, Aunt Linda.” The stranger had said.
“Oh, thank you sweetie.” Linda smiled fondly at her nephew. “Noah this is the young lady, Shayla, I’ve been telling you about.”
“Hello.” Noah greeted extending his hand.
“Hi.” She said returning the gesture by shaking his hand.
“You two get to know each other, I’ve got to get Jim Jr. moving on that grill.” Linda excused herself winking at Shayla while making her fast retreat.
“She’s a smooth one
isn’t she?” Noah chuckled, running his hand through his wavy blond coiffed hair.
“She’s definitely something.” She agreed.
“So…you work with my Aunt Linda?”
“Did. Until a month ago.” She explained. The conversation was going smoothly, she liked this guy he was pretty easy going. Even if this didn’t turn into anything romantic, she could see herself becoming friends with him.
“Ah, I see. And now?”
“Transferred to the hospital, you?”
“In my residency, pediatrics.”
“Oh, wow, you’re a doctor. Where at?”
“Mercy Memorial.”
“Me too…well an RN in the ER.”
“Small world.” Noah smiled. “Are you attached or single?”
“Single.” Shayla told him, unaware that Jackson had appeared at her side listening intently to her conversation with Noah.
“Hey,” Jackson said as he stood next to Shayla, eying Noah like he were his arch nemesis.
Chapter Eight
“Hey,” Noah said acknowledging Jackson with a nod of the head then turned his attention back to Shayla. “So ‘Single Shayla’, are you up for catching a bite sometime?”
“Um…sure.” And there it was that nervous feeling was back, like a sucker punch to the gut. Why was she feeling this way? Jackson was nothing but a friend with extracurricular benefits, she didn’t have a reason to feel so guilty. But she did. Nevertheless, she handed Noah her phone so he could program his number in it. When she looked at her contacts screen she couldn’t help but smile. He’d programmed his number under “Cuddly Noah”.
“Shayla we need to get on the road.” Jackson broke into their conversation.
“We just got here.”
“And now we have to leave.” He said looking more irritated than ever. “I’ll say goodbyes.” Jackson said before storming off not letting her have a chance of arguing.
“Sorry, my friend just moved back to town, he must have left his manners in California. Obviously, he’s overeager to see his family.” She apologized trying to excuse Jackson’s rude behavior, she’d never been so embarrassed.
“Are you sure, it’s not because your talking to me that’s got him upset?”
“No. Not at all.” She reassured him, without thinking she rested her hand on his chest.
“You ready?” Jackson cut in, he was fuming at the sight of her touching another man.
“No, but I guess...” She told him startled by his expression, she turned to Noah, “It was nice meeting you.” She said extending her hand.
Noah took her hand in his, “It was nice meeting you, too.” Giving her a small peck of a kiss to the backside of her hand.
And that was it, the straw that broke the infamous camel’s back. Jackson took hold of her by the waist and ushered her out. She didn’t protest, she was just floored at Jackson’s audacity of acting like a Neanderthal!
He had already used his key fob to unlock the car doors as they approached his vehicle. She could barely keep in step with him with the pace he was going. “Get in.” he demanded harshly like he was scolding a child, as soon as he opened her door. He walked around the car opening the trunk to retrieve her purse, settling in the driver’s seat, he started the car and took off like a bat out of hell.
Shayla sat silent, stewing on the events that just occurred. Until forty minutes into the drive on the highway, she couldn’t take it anymore. “What the hell was that Jackson?” she blurted out.
He clenched his jaw. She could see a nerve in his neck twitch. “What?” he all but snarled, still reeling with an emotion that was foreign to him.
“What do you mean ‘What’? You know exactly what I’m talking about Jackson!” she’d had it and snapped. “First at the diner, then the comment about Allen, and last but not least how rude you were to Noah!” He didn’t answer her. Just continued to drive, frustrating her more and more with every passing minute that he didn’t speak. “Are you not going to answer me?”
“No.”
“No?” she yelled. “Are you serious? I want an answer Jackson Hathaway! I don’t understand what the problem is, what do you think because you’ve fucked me, I’m not allowed to have another man interested in me? We’re friends having ‘fun’ remember?” she said giving air quotes to emphasize the word fun.
Feeling livid at his dismissal of her, not realizing that he’d taken an exit off the highway and he was pulling the car onto a deserted back road in the countryside, until he brought the car to an abrupt stop, jolting her forward. Before she had time to react to him, he released his seatbelt and had one hand at the nape of her neck pulling her towards him and crashing their lips together in one fluid motion.
“Just…shut up Shay.” He whispered nipping at the corner of her mouth, pulling away he sat back in his seat. Leaving her breathless in a haze as he refastened the seatbelt and took off, turning the car in the right direction.
It was just half past three o’clock in the afternoon when they finally arrived at the breathtaking Hathaway family cabin that sat on Torch Lake, the remaining hour of their journey had been a torturous tension filled road trip. Partly to do with frustration and part anger.
As soon as Jackson had put the car into park Shayla quickly exited the vehicle, having to get some distance from him after being in such close proximity. Half wanting to throttle him and the other half of her wanted to know the inner workings of his thought process, something she’d always thought she’d known.
It was obvious now that maybe she didn’t know him as well as she thought. But if that were the case maybe it was just as true for him in the same accord.
She started making her way to the front door, only to be stopped by Jacksons arm coming around her bringing her to a stop mid step, pulling her back towards him, lifting her and turning her in the direction of a more secluded area of the property, away from the prying eyes of his family. “Let go of me!” she said trying to resist as he moved her along with ease.
Jackson grunted out in pain as her heel made contact with his shin. “You wanted to talk, we’re going to talk.” He bit through the pain as she made contact again, this time on the opposite leg.
“You don’t have to be a brute. Now let go!” She hollered trying to jab him with an elbow.
“What’s going on?” Jackson stopped in his tracks at the sound of his father’s voice, turning to see both of his parents watching the scene. Shayla pulled herself from him and began making her way towards the cabin leaving him to explain to his parents.
Only he didn’t bother explaining himself, instead choosing to reach out grabbing Shayla’s wrist before she could make her way across the gravel drive to the cabin. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Get your hands off me Jackson, or I swear…” she said spinning around facing him wrenching free her arm in the process.
“Or what?” Jackson provoked.
“You really want to have this discussion with your parents not even twenty feet away, watching?” She shot back throwing her arm behind her, pointing a finger in the direction of where his parents had stood, only to find that they had scurried off inside leaving her out there alone with him.
He took a step closer to her and gave half a smirk when she squinted her eyes, giving her best try at an evil glare. “You’re sexy when you’re angry.”
“Jackson! Stop your bullshit!” she said sternly, “You’re being ridiculous.” She added with an eye roll, crossing her arms at her chest.
“Ooh…” he said standing in front of her now, their bodies only what seemed to be a mere few centimeters from each other. Bending his head down, he brushed his mouth against her ear, “get angry with me baby.” The smooth yet harsh sexual overtone of innuendo in his voice was enough to make the saintliest nun do naughty things.
She wasn’t sure how she’d done it, holding back from reaching up and taking him down to the ground to do some of the naughty things that were running through her head at that moment
in time. There was something so sexual with the way he stood in front of her, with the element of fresh woodsy air mixed with the smell of pure male endorphins.
Trying to keep it together, she pushed herself back. The affect he had on her, she wasn’t even certain where she was able to summon up the willpower to not have given up, thrown away her irritation and given into whatever it was that he was trying to do at that moment.
What a dirty fighter he was with using his sex appeal against her! Nope. Wasn’t going to work not today, she thought to herself. Well maybe later…but not right now! He was going to have to try harder than that. Was it unfair of her to feel a little peeved at him? Over his rudeness, now his sudden about face. Making her frustration into a mockery of sorts. “Jackson, you’re an asshole”
“Oh, Shay-Shay…but I’m your asshole.” He said followed by the wolfiest of smiles he could have ever mustered up. He was the only person that she’d ever truly known that was so full of himself, it made her want to scream.
She knew all too well that he was fully aware of the effect he was having on her. And he knew all the right buttons to press to get her fired up. Even when they were kids. He would do things to get her going, just for his own entertainment. However, this was possibly the first time her feistiness had kick started his libido.
Oh, how he had wished his parents weren’t inside the lakefront cabin at that very moment! Pulling himself from his own thoughts, he wanted to calm her down, without explaining himself to her as much as possible. “Look, let’s forget about earlier. We’re here, my parents and family are inside. Let’s just enjoy the remainder of the day.”
“Don’t you think you owe me an explanation and at very least an apology for the way you’ve been acting today?”
“No.”
She couldn’t believe he had just said that with a straight face. “You cannot be serious!”
“I am serious. I don’t need to explain and I definitely do not find it necessary to apology. Not my fault you were basically allowing your mother to set you up on a date with Allen. And then you go and practically throw yourself at the good doctor. Honestly, Shayla I’m surprised at the way you carried on with that cheeseball.”
