“Ummmm…” I stuttered in response.
“You don’t want to get in the middle of this, little girl,” he growled at me.
I glanced at Sasha, who was standing behind him with tears streaking down her cheeks. She was usually so perfectly put together, but she looked a total wreck right now with her hair mussed up and mascara smudged everywhere. She wasn’t my favorite person in the world, but it seemed like she could use a little bit of help right about now.
“No, I really don’t want to get in the middle of whatever is going on here,” I said as I waved my hand between the two of them, “but I’m exhausted and I really need some sleep. And Sasha looks like she’s had enough. So why don’t you head out and leave this for another time and place?”
“Hell no! This isn’t the kind of shit that can wait. Once she convinces me she will stay out of things that are none of her business, I’ll leave. Now run along like a good girl.” He turned his head to glare at Sasha. “I’m sure we won’t be much longer, will we, Sasha?”
“Jackson, please let me explain. You hurt me so much—” she cried, reaching out to grab his arm.
“Stop! You can’t use that as an excuse. I did nothing to hurt you that you didn’t ask me to do,” he snapped back at her. I gasped and his gaze swiveled back to me. He ran his hands through his messy hair and looked down at the floor. “Fuck! Look, I swear that I will be out of here soon. I don’t want to be here any more than you want to be awake right now.”
“Well, then you won’t mind if I wait while you wrap this up and leave,” I replied, leaning against the doorway with my arms crossed.
Jackson’s eyes trailed down to my chest, where my breasts—sans bra—were lifted up by my arms. A smirk curled the edge of his lips and he glanced back up at my face. “Really? You’re going to take Sasha’s back? No questions asked? Is that supposed to scare me into behaving or something, little girl? Because I’m a lot bigger than you are.”
“Look, I don’t know what’s going on here, but I can’t just leave when she’s a mess and you’re all intimidating and stuff. So just say what you’ve gotta say and let’s get this over with, okay?”
His smirk turned into a full-fledged grin. “You wanna stay for this? Feel free,” he said before turning back to Sasha. “I don’t know what the fuck you were thinking, but the stunt you pulled with Drake’s parents almost ruined his relationship with Lex.”
“But—” Sasha interrupted.
Jackson waved her off. “I’m not done yet. You need to understand that, even if your plan had worked, you still wouldn’t have ended up with him in your bed. He loves her. He wouldn’t have just forgotten about her and moved on to you, especially when he realized you were the reason he lost Lex.”
“That wasn’t what I wanted,” she protested.
‘Then why the fuck did you try to break them up if you didn’t want Drake for yourself? Was it just for shits and giggles?” Jackson asked. It was the question I had been thinking myself.
Sasha tried to defend her actions. “I don’t know! I didn’t even have a plan. I heard the rumor about her job, and I shared it with my mom. That’s all I did.”
Jackson threw his hands up in frustration. “That’s all? You had to have known that your mom would call Drake’s mom. They’re best friends. What the hell were you hoping would happen?”
“I told you! I didn’t think that far ahead! I was just pissed and I did something stupid, okay? I don’t get what you both see in her. That’s all,” Sasha explained, reaching out to try to grab Jackson’s arm.
Sasha’s answer blew me away. And it looked like Jackson felt the same. “Both? What the fuck? That’s what this was all about? You just wanted to hurt Lex because you think she’s the reason I didn’t want a relationship with you last year?”
And there it was. The elephant in the room. Clearly they’d had a fling of some kind and Sasha had wanted more when she should have known better since Jackson never did relationships. And it sounded like the rumor mill had had it right with the talk of Alexa being the reason for his endless string of one-night stands.
Sasha looked up at him pleadingly. “It isn’t fair that Alexa has your heart wrapped around her little finger and then a guy like Drake falls for her too. I’ve known him all my life. He’s a good guy. She doesn’t deserve to have both of you falling at her feet. Maybe I wanted to knock her off the pedestal you’ve put her on a little bit. So what? Are you really going to say that you wouldn’t have jumped at the chance to make Alexa yours if things had fallen apart for them?”
“You really are a spoiled brat, Sasha. That’s exactly why neither of us fell at your feet. Maybe instead of trying to ruin Lex’s happiness, you should take a page from her book and actually give a damn about other people and not just yourself.”
“I did give a damn about you, but you just used me and tossed me aside!”
“You can lie to yourself as much as you’d like about what happened between us, but you asked to be used. You practically begged me for it,” he taunted her. “We didn’t have a relationship, and I certainly didn’t make you any promises back then. But I will make you one now that you better pay attention to. Don’t fuck around with the people I care about or I will make sure you regret it. Do you understand?”
“But, Jackson, just listen to me,” Sasha protested.
“There’s nothing you have to say that I need to hear except that you understand and won’t try to mess things up for Lex anymore,” he growled back.
Sasha dropped down onto her bed and looked up at Jackson with a defeated expression on her face. “Why won’t you let me explain? After what happened between us, you should at least let me have my say!”
If I hadn’t felt awkward before, the direction their argument had taken certainly made me feel that way now. I wished I hadn’t insisted on staying. Being tired was bad enough, but witnessing this was guaranteed to start my day on the wrong foot.
“Jesus, are you rewriting history in your head? I don’t know what fantasies you’ve built up in your head, but the only thing that happened between us was sex. And if I had to stand around and listen to every chick I’ve ever banged, then I would never have time to get anything done.”
“You can really stand here and tell me that our time together wasn’t good?” Sasha asked, like a dog with a bone, unwilling to let go.
“Honestly? Yeah, I had fun with you that weekend. But that’s all it was for me—a little bit of fun. I thought I was pretty clear with you that’s all it was and all it would ever be. If you thought you were more than a quick lay to me, that’s your own damn fault. So don’t take it out on Lex.”
“Arghhhhh!!” Sasha jumped up and stomped her foot in frustration. “I am so sick and tired of hearing about Alexa!”
“Then let me make this easy for you. You stay away from Lex and Drake and you won’t have to hear about her anymore. And if you don’t, then I will just have to ruin the rest of the time you have left on campus. Don’t doubt for a second that I won’t do it, Sasha. Do you understand what I am saying to you?”
“Yes, fine. I’ll leave your precious Alexa alone,” she sneered.
“Then I’m done here,” he said as he turned towards me. “Sorry about disrupting your sleep. It won’t happen again since I should never have another reason to be here. But a bit of advice, you should choose your friends more wisely. Because Sasha sure as shit doesn’t deserve someone taking her back like you just did.”
“I never said we were friends, but even if we were, it wouldn’t be any of your business,” I said as I stepped out of the doorway so he could walk past. I shifted my gaze behind him to see Sasha watching both of us with a sour look on her face. “Now how about you head out so I can finally get back to sleep?”
“You’re pretty sassy for such a little thing,” he teased as he walked by.
“Jesus, Jackson. Seriously? You just totally wrecked me and now you’re going to flirt with Kaylie right in front of me?” Sasha shrieked.
/> Jackson shook his head before he turned back to look at Sasha. “You have nobody to blame for this mess but yourself. And that wasn’t flirting. You want to see me flirt?” he asked as he leveled his gaze at me and trailed his eyes down my body and back up again. He lifted his arms up to grip the doorframe, boxing me in as he leaned closer. “I’d be happy to show her what flirting looks like if you’re game,” he whispered in my ear, sending shivers up my spine.
“I think I’ll pass. I’ve had enough excitement for the day already,” I breathed out on a sigh.
“That’s probably for the best. I guess I’ll see you around. Kaylie, was it?”
I nodded my head in response. “Yes, Kaylie Rhodes.”
He flashed me a smug grin before turning to walk away. I heard Sasha move behind me and didn’t think anything of it until she shoved me through the doorway. “Thanks for nothing,” she snapped at me. “A word of advice. Stay away from Jackson if you know what’s good for you. He might use his body to give you the best night of sex you will ever have, but he won’t offer anything beyond that.”
“I’m not you, Sasha. I won’t make the same mistakes you have.”
“That’s what you say now, but I saw the way you were looking at him. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she said before slamming the door in my face.
I wandered next door to my room, mulling over my encounter with Jackson. He definitely was hot as shit, but there was no way I should go there. It was pretty clear from what I’d overheard that he was into things that I had no interest in trying. Add in that he was only interested in short flings because he was in love with his sister’s best friend and starting anything up with him would be way too complicated. But that shiver being near him had sent up my spine? That could mean trouble for me. I wasn’t sure I would be able to resist him if he decided to make a play for me even though I knew I should.
I was just lying back down when Charlotte stormed into the room, two coffees and a bakery bag in her hand. She and I had been paired up as roommates our freshman year in what was probably the strangest match-up ever. She was from a huge family, and on the surface she seemed like the perfect Southern belle. Until you got to know Charlotte and realized that under the shiny surface was a wicked sense of humor that could rip you to shreds if you crossed her or someone she cared about. And I was lucky enough to be one of those people even though I wasn’t used to developing truly close relationships.
After losing my parents and spending a couple years with my ice queen of an aunt, I’d learned to keep my distance from people. I’d put up walls to protect myself, but Charlotte had refused to stay at arm’s length. She was always doing nice things and had been super patient with me. Before I’d known it, I’d found myself talking to her about the highs and lows of my day.
At five foot four, I wasn’t exactly tall, but she was a tiny dynamo compared to me. Calling her a steel magnolia seemed so cliché, but she really did have a backbone that just wouldn’t quit. And once she decided she liked you, there was no swaying her from her decision. There had been no way I was going to be able to change her mind, and soon, I hadn’t wanted to anyway. She was an amazing person to have in your corner. Like today when she came bearing caffeine and treats to share while I was exhausted.
“Tada! Rise and shine, sugar,” she chirped. “I bring you liquid gold to bribe you to join the land of the living.”
“Gimme, gimme,” I begged as I giggled.
“Gasp! What is my Kaylie-belle doing up this bright and early?” she teased, holding the cup of coffee just out of reach. “I usually have to drag your butt out of bed. Have you been holding out on me all this time? Waking up while I am out and about bright and early so you can get alone time and then feigning sleep when I get back?”
“Of course not! Whatever could possibly have woken me up from a deep sleep? I’ll give you one guess with just a little clue. Her name rhymes with Tasha and she lives right next door.”
“Shut up!” Charlotte said, handing me one of the cups. “What did I miss?”
“You are not going to believe this, but she and Jackson Silver were in the middle of a shouting match about Sasha trying to break up Drake and Alexa,” I said before taking a big gulp of my coffee.
“For real? Did ya eavesdrop shamelessly?” she asked “Please, please, please make my day and say that you did. I’d love to have been a fly on the wall for that one. Ooooh, I bet that Jackson put Sasha in her place super fast. He’s always struck me as the kind of guy who wouldn’t take crap from anyone. C’mon now. Spill!”
“Gee, I don’t know. Are you sure you’re really interested? ‘Cause I couldn’t really tell, gossip girl,” I teased while I reached for the bag to peek inside, but Charlotte held it just out of reach.
“Ah, ah, ah. Sharing is a two-way street. You know, I was fixin’ to share these yummy cranberry muffins with you since they’re your favorite, but if you can’t be bothered to spill the sordid details from this morning’s escapade, then I just might have to eat them all myself.”
“Like I wasn’t going to tell you anyway. No need to bribe me, but seriously. Hand them over or else. If I’m not going to get a good night’s sleep, then at least I can start my day out right,” I answered with my hand held out for the bag, which was a good thing because she tossed it at my head. I managed to grab it before the muffins spilled out and pulled one out to munch on as I continued. “Thanks for these. They will make the day almost bearable.”
“Ummm, hello? I don’t want your gratitude. I want my story, and I want it now! That boy's so bad he whups his own ass twice a week. I bet Sasha would have been shakin’ in her boots if she had any.”
“I know she’s not your favorite person, Char, but Jackson was royally pissed at her. He is not the kind of guy I would want to cross, and she wasn’t making things any better for herself. Although he was cool with me insisting that I wasn’t going to leave them alone until he was ready to leave.”
“Whoa there. Hold up a second. Are you telling me you went next door to interrupt their argument?” Charlotte asked.
“I know, I know, but I had to do it. I just went over expecting to ask them to keep it down, but then Jackson made a joke about me being a little girl, and what was I supposed to do then? He irritated me, and Sasha looked like she could use some support. So I stayed, but believe me when I say that I wish I hadn’t.”
“Why? What happened?” Charlotte asked as she plopped down onto her bed across from me.
“Nothing much, really. He yelled at her. She whined. He tried to make sure she wouldn’t hurt Alexa again. She blamed it all on him, his screwing her over after they had sex and the fact that he’s really in love with Alexa. Then he made it very clear that she pretty much was just an easy lay for him, and Sasha argued that it must have meant something to him. When she finally got the message, Sasha agreed to leave them alone. Jackson flirted with me a bit as he was leaving, and then she was a bitch to me and warned me away from him before slamming the door on me on my way out,” I blurted out as quickly as possible while hoping that Charlotte wouldn’t pounce on the bit about Jackson flirting with me.
“What?” she shrieked. “You went over there to help her out and Sasha had the nerve to slam the door on you? I swear she’s one fry short of a Happy Meal, that girl. And you wonder why I don’t like her that much. Well there you go. She’s an ungrateful bitch. It would totally serve her right if you started dating Jackson and she was forced to see the two of you together living next door to us and all.”
“Yeah, she’s an ungrateful bitch, but you can be a vengeful one so I’m glad you’re on my side and not hers,” I teased as Charlotte rubbed her hands together like she was plotting something. Usually when that happened, it didn’t bode well for someone else.
“So when you said that Jackson flirted with you, what did he say? Did he seem interested, or was it ‘let me get in your panties’ for a bit type of flirting?”
“Char, stop! I am so not going to go there. It’
s pointless because you and I both know he doesn’t do relationships. And as sexy as he might be, he just isn’t my type,” I protested.
“Oh, please. Jackson Silver is every girl’s type. That’s why he’s been able to go through so many girls on campus. Can you honestly sit there and tell me that he doesn’t make your panties the teeniest bit wet?”
I held my hand up to interrupt her flow of thought before she got going any further. “Jesus, Char! Fine, yes, I will admit he’s hot. But he’s super intense, doesn’t do anything but super-quick hook-ups, and based on what I overheard between him and Sasha, I don’t think we would be a good match in bed.”
“It’s not like your relationships last that long anyway. And you always pick safe guys so you don’t risk getting hurt too much. Maybe you need to go out with someone more like Jackson, even if it’s not him. A guy who will challenge you a little bit, who won’t let you dictate the pace of your relationship. One who won’t let you get away with keeping him at arm’s length,” Charlotte said before hopping out of her bed and climbing into mine with me. “I worry about you. We’re graduating soon, and I won’t be there to make sure that you pick well if you wait to really fall for someone once we’re gone.”
I wrapped my arms around her as I realized that she was really worried about me. “I love you too, Char. No matter how far apart from each other we end up, I promise that you will get the chance to give me the thumbs up or down on guys, okay? But I really worry about your choices if you think that Jackson would be considered picking well. You don’t even know anything about him except that he’s hot and intense.”
She looked at me, her green eyes narrowed on mine as she replied. “I know more than that, Kaylie. He’s someone who managed to get a rise out of you, you think he’s hot even if you won’t admit it, and it would piss Sasha off. I get that the third reason isn’t a good one, but the first two work for me. Add in that his sister is pretty awesome from what you’ve said about her when you talked about helping Aubrey out in the dance class you’re taking together and he can’t be all that bad.”
The Blythe College Complete Series Box Set Page 20
