I slowly stand on shaky legs and go to the mirror in the hallway. I look at my reflection and I don’t recognise the person staring back at me. I look pale and my eyes have lost any sparkle that they may have held before. My whole body starts to shake uncontrollably, and sheer exhaustion takes over. I’m so tired. I can’t face seeing Jake at the moment, so I head for the guest bedroom, needing to be alone with my thoughts.
I walk in a daze until I reach the bed and curl up into a ball with my back to the door as I close my eyes. Emotions are rife within me and I don’t know how to dissect all that I am feeling. I hate Donnie for what he has done. I despise men who make women feel powerless. I feel used, I feel angry, and I feel lost. I am lost. I have no home, no job, no family, and it looks like I have lost my best friend.
Everything is whirring around in my head so quickly that I don’t notice that Jake has entered the room until he sits behind me on the bed. He doesn’t say anything, and I don’t turn to look at him.
I feel his weight shift as he lies down behind me and puts his arm around me. He just holds me, and I let my tears silently fall. I don’t attempt to move away from him because his touch brings me comfort.
I am hurting, and right now I will take any little bit of comfort that I can get.
Chapter Thirteen
I open my eyes to a darkened room. I must have fallen asleep. I feel behind me, but Jake isn’t there.
I turn over, reach for the bedside lamp and turn it on. The time on the alarm clock shows it’s just before quarter to four in the morning. I have been asleep for about twelve hours and I feel groggy as I head to the ensuite and use the facilities. I choose to avoid looking at myself in the mirror. I already know that I must look awful without having to see it. My mouth feels dry, so I decide to head downstairs to get a drink.
I quietly tip-toe along the hallway and down the first flight of stairs as I don’t want to make any noise. I presume Jake is asleep and I don’t want to wake him. I only make it to the first floor though, when I hear voices coming from further along the hall way.
Voices at this time of night?
I freeze and turn my head in the direction of the noise. The voices are faint as they appear to be in one of the rooms, so I tip-toe along the hallway a bit in order to hear what is being said.
“What the fuck is wrong with you, Jake?” a woman’s voice says. Whoever she is, she sounds agitated.
“Nothing is wrong with me.” I hear him sigh. “I just don’t want you here. Now, please will you leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you explain why you are doing this to me. I love you, Jake, and we are good together. Why won’t you just accept that?” The woman now sounds desperate. I suck in a breath of air as I wait to see what Jake’s response will be.
“For Christ’s sake, Caitlin, we are not good together. I don’t know how else I can sugar coat this, so I’m just going to be blunt. You are crazy. The only reason I indulged you for so long is because I didn’t want you completely losing it. I don’t love you, and I never have.” This doesn’t sound like the Jake that I have come to know, and I know I shouldn’t be listening, but I can’t just walk away now.
“Jake, baby, please don’t do this to us. I am not crazy. I just love you so much.” The woman, whom I now know is called Caitlin, starts to cry.
“Oh for fuck’s sake, Caitlin, don’t you think that turning up at my home at three in the morning is just a little bit strange? I don’t want to hurt you, but you are just so infuriating. I am telling you that nothing is going to happen with us anymore, and it never will again. I made a massive mistake by ever sleeping with you in the first place.” He sounds mad.
Shit, is this the real Jake?
I barely know the guy. What if the nice Jake is all an act?
I quietly move back along the hall way and up the stairs to return to my bedroom as I don’t want to listen to any more of their conversation. My heart is racing as I try to figure out what to do next. I need to leave here. The way he spoke to that woman was horrendous. I definitely won’t be able to go back to sleep now. I reach my room and sit on the bed, my mind racing with what options I have. Who am I kidding, I have no options.
My thoughts are quickly interrupted by the sound of something smashing downstairs.
Oh my God, what the hell was that? Do I go and see? Do I pretend that I am still asleep?
My feet seem to make the decision for me as I stand up off of the bed and head back out into the hallway. This may be one of the worst decisions ever, but I need to see what’s happened.
I hear the front door slam shut as I reach the first floor before I hear a grunt coming from one of the rooms.
I gingerly walk down the hall way and reach the door that is open slightly. It’s Jake’s office by the looks of it. My heart is beating wildly as I push the door open fully.
As the door opens, Jake comes into view. He’s stood clutching his arm, which is covered in blood. My eyes go wide, and my mouth drops open at the sight.
“Oh, fuck.” I can’t help the words escaping from my mouth. Jake looks up at me and I can see fear in his eyes. I quickly rush over to him to take a look at the damage to his arm. There is a large slash mark going down his forearm, and a broken vase lays scattered all over the floor.
“What the hell happened in here, Jake?” I ask, panic evident in my tone.
“I just knocked the vase and cut myself,” Jake answers through gritted teeth.
Really? This is the best excuse that he can come up with?
“That’s bullshit, and you know it.” However, I don’t have time to quiz him on the matter right now. “Wait here. I’ll go and grab some towels and then I’m taking you to the hospital.”
I don’t give Jake time to respond as I race out of his office and upstairs to my bedroom. I grab a couple of the plush white towels and race back to Jake as quickly as I can. He is sat in his office chair and is on the phone talking to someone. I don’t ask questions, I just go and wrap the wound as best as I can with the towels to try and stop the blood flow.
He says to whoever is on the phone that he will be waiting outside and then he gets up, walks past me, and heads for the hallway.
“Um, Jake? Where the bloody hell are you going?” I stand with my hands on my hips and wait for him to answer me.
“To the hospital. Eric is on his way to take me.” He doesn’t even turn around to look at me.
I scurry after him. I manage to overtake him in the hallway and I stand in front of him so that he has to stop walking. He looks at me and I can see a range of emotions flicker through his eyes.
“Now just you hang on. Don’t think for one minute that I am not coming with you,” I say defiantly.
“You don’t need to do that. It’s late and Eric will wait for me.”
“Jake Waters, I am coming with you whether you like it or not. I will only sit here worrying about whether you are okay otherwise.” I fold my arms across my chest and just stand there.
There is no way that I am staying here by myself. I prepare for him to try and fob me off, but to my astonishment, he doesn’t.
“Thank you,” is all he says as he offers up a weak smile. I nod my head, turn around and race downstairs to get my shoes on. I help Jake with his shoes once he reaches the bottom of the stairs, and I put a jacket around him.
I open the front door and step outside to see that Eric is already waiting on the driveway. Jake takes some door keys off of the hooks by the door and goes to lock the house up. I grab the keys off of him as I point to the limo. He walks off muttering as I lock the door. I catch up to him and follow him into the limo.
Jake has now gone pale and is perspiring. I hold his hand, of his uninjured arm, as we make our way to the hospital.
It doesn’t take long for Eric to reach the hospital, and together Eric and I help Jake out of the limo. We get Jake to the reception desk and the receptionist instantly gets Jake sat in a wheelchair. A doctor comes racing over a few seconds lat
er and then we are on the move.
We head past a few doors before the doctor enters a big spacious room, complete with bed, sofa and television. It is only now that I realise that we are in a private hospital rather than the NHS one.
Of course, he’s a millionaire, why would he not pay a fortune for healthcare?
I go to exit the room with Eric when Jake grabs my arm with his good hand.
“Stay with me,” he says in a quiet voice. His eyes are pleading with me, but it doesn’t take me more than a second to make my decision. I smile and gently shake my arm from his grasp before taking a seat on the sofa. He smiles at me and the doctor tells Jake to sit on the bed.
I remain silent as the doctor examines Jake and says he will need to have some shards of glass removed from his arm, and then he will need a few stitches.
Jake lets out a groan as the doctor leaves the room to retrieve the required equipment.
“How are you feeling?” I ask him as I walk over and stand by the side of the bed.
“Scared,” Jake answers.
“Scared?”
Jake sighs. “I hate needles.” I can’t help but giggle at him. “What’s so funny?” he says, raising one eyebrow and looking at me quizzically.
“You mean to tell me that a big, strong man like you has a fear of little, tiny needles?” I can’t stop laughing.
“Oh, I’m glad you find this so funny,” he says. He may not sound too thrilled, but I can see his eyes light up as he watches me.
“I’m sorry. I just wasn’t expecting you to be scared of something like that.”
“It’s my only weakness, I swear.” He manages a tiny smile, but it soon evaporates as he grimaces from the pain in his arm.
The doctor returns, so I once again take my seat on the sofa. Once the doctor is satisfied that he has removed all of the glass, he cleans the wound, which I can tell is causing Jake immense pain if his facial expressions and use of foul language are anything to go by.
I jump up and go over to hold his good hand. Jake squeezes my hand slightly which I take to mean as a thank you. The doctor then stitches Jake’s arm and bandages the wound.
“You will need to rest, Jake. The wound isn’t as bad as it looks, but you need to make sure you don’t do anything to aggravate the healing process. I will see you in two days’ time. I will book you an appointment and forward you the details,” the doctor says before standing up.
Jake and I both thank him for his help. He smiles, nods and then exits the room.
“You heard the doc, you have to rest,” I reiterate to Jake.
“I don’t do resting. I have a company to run.” He does not look pleased. Jake doesn’t seem like the type of guy to follow orders.
“Well, it’s lucky for you that I will be on hand to help then, isn’t it?” Jake frowns and I give him a smirk before walking towards the door. “Come on then, scaredy cat. Let’s get you home and away from any sight of needles.”
“Ha ha, very funny,” he replies. I can hear the amusement in his voice as he follows me out of the room and out of the hospital to the limo.
Chapter Fourteen
We arrive back at the house as the early morning workers make their daily commute. I leave Jake talking to Eric as I go and unlock the front door. I walk straight into the kitchen where I grab Jake a glass of water and decide to make some toast as well, seeing as neither of us has had anything to eat.
Jake appears a few moments later and watches me from the kitchen doorway.
“What?” I ask him.
“Nothing,” he replies.
“Well, in that case, get your butt up to bed and I will bring this up to you,” I say as I point in the direction of the stairs. Jake stands to attention and salutes me before marching off up the stairs. He really does make me smile.
I busy myself getting the toast ready and then I find a tray to carry it all upstairs on. I decide against making any coffee as I am hoping that I will be able to have a little nap, and with caffeine in my system there would be no way I would be able to rest.
As I make my way up the stairs, I cast my mind back to the conversation Jake was having with the mysterious Caitlin woman in his office. I just can’t understand why Jake spoke to her like that. I am yet to see a bad side to him, and I don’t want to think badly of him because he has helped me so much in the last couple of days.
God, is that all it’s been? Two days?
It feels like I have been here so much longer with all that has happened so far. I don’t know how much more shock I can take. I still haven’t really had much time to process the whole Donnie situation, but maybe that’s a good thing. Keeping busy is better than dwelling on it. I wish I could call Lydia though. I feel saddened as I think of how she walked out on me, and how I haven’t heard from her since. I shake my head as I reach Jake’s bedroom. I can think about that another time. Right now, Jake needs my attention.
The door to his bedroom is open, but I don’t feel comfortable just walking in. I can see Jake’s bed, which is even bigger than the one that I have been sleeping in. How is that even possible?
I spot a sofa which runs along the length of the window on the back wall, and the décor is very simple. Cream walls and black furnishings. Very manly. Jake comes into view, emerging from a doorway in his room and striding across his bedroom. He is wearing just a black pair of silk boxer shorts. My God, he is perfection. I admire his physique as he sits on the bed and looks at me standing in the doorway.
“Are you coming in?” he asks, a smirk visible on his lips.
“Uh, I didn’t feel right just walking in without asking,” I say, feeling stupid. I start shuffling on the spot due to nerves creeping in at the thought of going into his bedroom.
“Don’t be silly. You’re welcome in my bedroom any time,” he says as he winks at me, and I feel myself swoon.
Get a bloody grip, Stacey, I tell myself. The guy has just come home from the hospital. He is your friend and nothing more.
I casually stroll over to the bed and put the toast and glass of water on his bedside table. I motion for Jake to get into his bed and lie down. He does, and I turn and walk from the room without saying a word. I quickly go to my bedroom across the hall and retrieve the soft blanket that lies across the end of my bed as well as a pillow. I go back to Jake’s room and head for the sofa.
“Stace.” Jake says my name to get my attention. “What are you doing?” He looks puzzled as I put the pillow on the sofa and get myself settled under the blanket. I sink into the sofa and my body is instantly grateful for the pure softness that is enveloping my body. I stifle a groan at how comfortable it is.
“What does it look like I’m doing?” I answer sarcastically. He remains silent and I grin. “I am staying in here with you just in case you need anything. Is that a problem, Mr Waters?”
“There really is no need. I haven’t lost a limb. I’ve just cut my arm.”
“Don’t argue with me because you won’t win. Now, eat your toast and then get some rest. I don’t know about you, but after the events of the last few days, I’m exhausted.” Forgetting about needing to eat any toast myself, I close my eyes and hope that he will take the hint.
I hear Jake chuckle to himself as I curl up on my side and get some much-needed rest.
Chapter Fifteen
I am awoken by the sound of banging downstairs. I groggily look over to Jake’s bed, but he is fast asleep. That’s weird. Maybe it’s Eric?
Whoever it is, they are making quite a racket for me to be able to hear it up here on the second floor. I drag my body off of the sofa and head downstairs to see what all the noise is about. As I get closer to the ground floor, it appears that the noise is coming from the kitchen.
I walk along the ground floor hall way and enter the kitchen to see a blond-haired woman banging pots around. The kitchen is an absolute mess with food and crockery scattered everywhere.
What the fuck is going on?
The woman has her back to me, so it
isn’t until I speak that she realises that I am here.
“What the hell are you doing?” I ask the strange woman. She spins around and fixes me with a deadly stare. Her dark brown eyes burn into me and make me feel uncomfortable. Her face is screwed up and she looks pissed off. I can only assume that she is annoyed at my unexpected interruption.
“I’m cooking. What the fuck has it got to do with you?” she snarls at me.
Thank goodness that she is on the other side of the kitchen island because she looks positively evil. I stay in the kitchen doorway to keep my distance from her. For all I know, this woman is a complete psycho.
“Um, should you be here?” I am more than confused as to what is going on.
“Of course I should. I am making Jake a meal. Who the hell are you and what are you doing here?” The venom in her voice is obvious. This woman lacks some serious manners.
“I don’t think that’s important, but I do think that you should leave,” I say firmly. I start to feel extremely wary around her.
“I’m not going anywhere.” And just like that it appears that we are in a stand-off. I really don’t have the energy for all of this. So much for all the shocks being over and done with.
“Jake needs to rest, and he isn’t up to visitors at the moment. Why don’t you come back another time?” A change of tactic may work? At least I am hoping that it will.
“Who are you?” she asks again, her eyebrows draw together and her eyes narrow.
I sigh. “I’m a friend of Jake’s. I’m looking after him seeing as he has had a bit of an accident.”
She scoffs. “Accident? Is that what he told you?”
The Complete Perfect Series Page 9
