18. Chapter 17
Chapter 17
AJ
D reams of Blake kept me up most of the night, so after taking a shower, cold enough to make a polar bear happy, I stopped by Grannie’s for a large coffee before driving to Dallas.
I texted Jay when I was twenty minutes out so he’d know to expect me early.
Blake occupied my thoughts far more than I cared to admit. More than I wanted. Seeing her relaxed and laughing had done funny things to my heart.
Getting to know her better on the ride home had put her front and center in my mind, and fantasies, all night.
I’d need a coffee IV to get through the day.
And the will of a saint.
“Thanks, man,” Jay said when I handed him the coffee I’d grabbed in town. We stood beside his car, enjoying the early morning sun as we talked. The forecast called for perfect spring weather, with sunny skies and warm temperatures.
“Anytime. All good here?”
“Quiet night.” He sipped his coffee. “I’ll be glad when I get to see some real action.”
My anger flared, because in this instance action meant a threat to Blake, but I choked it down and reminded myself he didn’t mean it that way. He was young, and used to the action that came with being in the Special Forces in a war zone. Overnight security duties would seem boring in comparison.
“Give it time, we all started out doing the boring jobs,” I said. “And remember, in our line of work, boring is good.”
“That’s what everyone keeps telling me,” he said. “If you’re good, I’ll take off.”
“Yeah, I’m good.” I clapped him on the back and said, “Go get some rest.”
Thankfully, Jay didn’t ask me why I was early. He didn’t need to know it was getting harder to leave Blake's safety in anyone else’s hands, no matter how much I trusted them.
An hour later, my phone buzzed.
“Janerek,” I answered.
“Jay says you relieved him early?” I could hear the laughter in Jack’s voice.
I should’ve known he’d mention it.
“Is that a problem?” I asked.
“No. Not as long as we’re providing the coverage we promised.”
I grunted and scanned the area to remind myself I was there to do a job, not to see Blake.
“You got it bad, dude.” Jack didn’t bother to hide his laughter. “I’ve never seen you look at or react to anyone the way you do to Blake.”
“Fuck you, Sheppard.” Great come back, idiot. I had a better chance of being crowned Miss America than I did of convincing Jack I wasn’t falling for Blake.
“That’s what I thought.” He paused. “Listen, I’m the last person to tell you not to get involved, but you have a job to do. Don’t let your emotions be a distraction.”
“Yes, sir.” I was being an ass to my best friend. “Sorry, man, I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”
“I do, you’re in love.”
Fuck.
“Hell no.” That couldn’t happen. Not only would she never feel the same way about me, but I’d vowed to never get married or have kids. I couldn’t turn out like my father if I didn’t have a wife or kids.
Of course, Jack didn’t know that. He only knew the lame excuse I’d given; there were too many beautiful women in the world to settle down.
He laughed again. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Will do.” I disconnected the call before he could say anything else.
Not wanting to be alone with my thoughts, I stared at the front door, willing Blake to come out early. When that didn’t work, I walked the driveway, making sure I never lost sight of the door.
After what felt like a million years, the door opened. I started to move before seeing Blake, eating up the distance to the steps in a few long strides.
“Good morning,” I said as I waited for her at the bottom.
“Morning.” Her sad smile made me want to swoop in and destroy whoever or whatever had caused it.
I stepped in behind her and escorted her to the sedan. “Front or back today?” Please say the front .
“Front, if that’s okay.”
It was more than okay.
“Of course.” I tried to sound neutral as I opened her door.
I wanted to ask her if she’d had more nightmares, but knew from experience it was never a good idea to ask a woman anything she might interpret to mean she didn’t look good.
Blake was quiet, staring out the window most of the ride.
I wanted to offer her comfort, an ear to bend or a shoulder to cry on, but it wasn’t my place to pry. No matter how badly I wanted to.
I’ll have to settle for being the strong, silent type, and hope she reaches out .
She didn’t.
Not long after getting to campus, I figured out one reason she was upset. Her friends, though I was loath to call them that, were ignoring her. Fuckface shot daggers at me as we approached. Before Blake could say hi; he walked away, dragging Paige with him. Paige shot Blake an apologetic look over her shoulder.
Who needs enemies with friends like that ?
Blake sat in the back of the class. She packed up and walked out before the professor finished the lecture.
“Can we go off campus for lunch?” she asked.
“Of course. Do you have somewhere in mind?”
She did. When we got to the restaurant, she asked me if I wanted to sit with her.
Hell yeah . This wasn’t a date, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t keep her company, and maybe get to know her better.
“Unless it’s against the rules.” She sounded sad and defeated.
I missed her feisty side. Hell, I’d let her call me an ogre a thousand times if it’d bring back the spark in her eyes.
“It’s not.” When the hostess seated us, Blake claimed the chair facing the door before she realized I’d pulled out the other one for her. I fully expected to get an earful for being chivalrous, even if it wasn’t the main reason.
“Can you sit here, please?” I asked.
“Sure, but why?”
Hearing her agree, without so much as a hint of irritation, made me want to show Fuckface what it really felt like to be tackled. He deserved it for making her feel like shit. Blake had no control over the circumstances making me necessary.
“So I can see the door.” I said as I pointed. A reminder to myself—my thoughts were dangerously close to overprotective boyfriend territory.
After the server took our orders, Blake asked me if I ate alone often when I was working.
“Depends on the job, but I suppose I eat alone more often than most people.” Eating alone, or in the car, was a normal part of the job.
“I hate eating alone.”
Which explained why she asked me to sit with her. Not because she wanted me here, but because she didn’t want to eat alone.
At least she thinks eating with me is better than eating alone.
It wasn’t much, but it was an improvement over how she felt two days ago.