Chapter 13
You should be thankful and reel in your claws
“Hey you,” Jett said as I met him in the parking lot of my dorm building on Thursday night. He leaned in to kiss my cheek. “You look great.”
Tonight, I had opted for a cobalt-blue dress with tan ankle boots and a jeans jacket. Chic enough, but not too chic. My hair was loose and curled into soft waves.
“Thanks,” I said, wondering if my face was beet red now.
Always a gentleman, Jett opened the door for me to slide into his car just like he had done on our first date. “You still okay about going to Henri’s?”
I toyed with the ring around my middle finger. “Sure.”
We remained silent for some time. Jett’s attention was focused on the road while I watched the scenery through the passenger window.
The weird feeling that had invaded me after we exchanged text messages a few days ago still made me feel queasy.
I had no clue why, but a part of me somehow believed tonight’s date wasn’t a good idea.
I hadn’t canceled because it sounded silly when I thought about it.
It was just a hunch. I had no words to describe the feeling tightening my insides.
The atmosphere in the car wasn’t as easy as the last time we rode together. We were both lost in our own heads, and the stretches of silence felt long and heavy.
“Did Jules tell you about that designated driver service she’s putting together?” he asked after another minute.
“Yes. It’s pretty incredible.” Finally, a topic that would help break the awkward silence we’d been experiencing so far.
“After the accident, she was so depressed. For a while, my parents thought she might end her own life… All her dreams crushed… She had worked so hard to get where she was…” Emotions coated each one of his words.
I reached across the console to squeeze his forearm, not sure what to say, but hoping the small gesture would translate my thoughts.
“Then, one day, it all changed. She said her accident wouldn’t be in vain.
She created her first support group and found a new meaning in her life.
She discovered her purpose. I’m glad that the world gets to experience firsthand how fantastic and driven she is.
It will be a better place because of her. ”
“She’s quite exceptional. Is that why you chose medicine? To help people like your sister?”
“In a way. I wanna specialize in plastic surgery. The doctor who did work on Jules’s face after the accident was a magician. I wish I could give back to other people whose bodies have been affected by an accident or a medical condition.”
“I think it’s very noble of you, and I can tell Jules is proud of you. You two are quite a pair.”
“Thanks.” Jett grabbed my hand and held it in his, but it felt wrong, so I jerked it away and pretended to scratch my cheek to get out of his grip. He returned his hand to the steering wheel.
Henri’s was a pizza place disguised as a fancy restaurant.
White tablecloths, red leather booths, soft jazz music playing from ceiling speakers.
I’d heard about this place but never tried it.
It was popular amongst Crestwood University students.
The menu was simple, and they were famous for their breadsticks and lasagna.
“Table for two?” the hostess asked.
“Reservation under the name Chambers.”
She grabbed menus from under the counter and motioned us forward with a tight-lipped smile. “Follow me.”
Jett’s palm lingered on the small of my back as the hostess led us to a table by a large window. A lit candle had been set in the middle, and a bottle of nonalcoholic cider lay in a bucket of ice as if it were an expensive champagne.
Jett helped me slide in first before rounding the booth and taking a seat on the opposite side.
“Enjoy,” the hostess said before turning away.
My insides twisted with unease, but I refused to let a stupid hunch ruin my night. I scanned the small eatery and relaxed a little in my seat. “This is nice. I love the atmosphere here.”
“The pizza is really great. It’s one of my favorite places to eat in town when I visit Jules.”
He was busy pouring cider into flutes when I gasped and choked on my breath. No. This couldn’t be. I was dreaming the entire scene.
The hostess led the Pierce brothers to the booth next to ours.
It had to be a coincidence, right? A little voice inside my head told me it was all but.
That stupid hunch. I should have listened to my intuition.
Sinking lower in my seat, I pretended to rummage through my purse for a lip gloss as they sat down.
Maybe they were meeting friends and would be too busy to notice me…
or perhaps they were on a double date. Once again, the idea of Mason dating another girl sent acid swirling inside my stomach.
I had no reason to be jealous, and yet, I couldn’t help myself even though it sounded ridiculous in my mind.
“To us,” Jett said, raising his glass and waiting for me to do the same.
I plastered a smile that I hoped looked genuine on my lips and clinked my glass with his.
“To us.” We each took a sip. “Anything you recommend?” I asked, surveying the menu while trying to use Jett as a barrier so Mason wouldn’t notice me, desperate to keep the conversation going to make sure I stayed busy.
What a joke. When I stared at Jett, two blue irises connected with mine over his shoulder.
Mason’s heated gaze sent electric discharges down to my toes.
My body had no right to react to his presence. We were on the same team. It shouldn’t betray me.
“Their lasagna is legendary, but I prefer their pizza. The prosciutto supreme and the Italian combo are both very good. If you’re not a meat fan, then the broccoli garden and the carbonara grande are great choices.
Or we can share a plain cheese pie or choose spaghetti and meatballs. Whatever you feel like eating.”
He grinned, and I mirrored it genuinely this time.
“Okay, gimme a minute to look at the menu. Everything sounds amazing.”
Jett and I exchanged stories about our part-time jobs and our sports as we waited for the server to bring our food. We had chosen to split a broccoli garden and a prosciutto supreme pizza with a basket of cheesy breadsticks and marinara sauce.
His phone rang while he was halfway through the retelling of his latest game. “It’s my roommate. I must take this. Can you give me like five minutes?”
“Yeah, sure. Take your time.”
He motioned to stand as he brought the phone to his ear and said, “Hey, man. I was wondering when you’d get my message…” The chatter of the restaurant and music drowned his words as he sauntered toward the hallway leading to the restrooms, no doubt to get away from the noise.
The moment Jett disappeared from view, a voice I tried so hard to block broke the silence. “Hey, Mel. How is it going over there?”
I reined in my anger as I faced a smug-looking Mason and a surprised-looking Craig. “What are you two doing here?” I asked, clenching my hands under the table. This was no coincidence, I could tell. Mason had planned this little meet-up.
“What do you think?” Mason asked. “We’re on a date. Sibling date. What about you?”
“Mase, you know perfectly well I’m on a date. Don’t play stupid.”
He clamped a hand to the back of his neck and frowned, pretending to think about it. “Nope. That’s not what it looks like.”
“Ma-son. Why are you being like this?” Irritation tinted my words.
“Like what? Awesome? Wonderful? Great-looking?” He scanned around him.
“We could eat together. It would be just like our high school days all over again, only in college this time. Wouldn’t it be fun, bro?
” He looked at his brother. “The four of us sharing pizza and talking about our lives and our dreams. Yes, I think it’s a marvelous idea. ”
“No,” Craig and I replied at the same time.
“Yes,” Mason repeated. “I’m glad we all agree. Anyway, I’d like to meet that Jett guy. See if he’s good enough for you. Someone needs to vouch for him, Mel. Clarke isn’t here to do so, and I’m sure he would appreciate my looking out for you. You can’t be too careful about strangers nowadays.”
I thrust my arms up, not believing what I was hearing. “He’s not a stranger. Gosh, he’s my friend’s older brother. I already told you. Stop with the paranoia and all the nonsense.”
“Still. Some people fake being nice and turn into psychos once you put your trust in them.” We both knew he was making a not-so-subtle reference to what had happened with Nathan back in high school.
“Jett isn’t like that. You don’t know him.”
“Neither do you. I would feel better talking to the guy and making sure he’s not a creep hiding behind a pretty face.”
“You’re exhausting. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that?”
“A girl. Once. I miss her. Every fucking day of my life. She wasn’t just my best friend but my everything. We were good together.”
His eyes bore into mine. All traces of humor vanished from his handsome face. I had no right to miss him, and yet, that was how it felt now that we kept bumping into each other.
My mouth went dry.
I tried to speak but couldn’t find the words. Did Mason render me mute?
Jett chose the same exact time to return. “Sorry about that,” he told me, before noticing Mason’s gaze swallowing me whole. “And you are?”
Without losing a beat, Mason stood and neared our table, holding out his hand. “Mason Pierce.” He flashed a ten-thousand-dollar smile at my date, and I rolled my eyes at his antics, making sure he caught it.
“Jett. Chambers.” He paused, and his eyes widened in recognition. “The Mason Pierce?” His palm met Mason’s. “Like Crestwood U’s new legendary quarterback?”
I rolled my eyes again. This night was a nightmare waiting to happen.
“The one and only.” That cheeky grin again. Gosh, Mason had a way to make me want to murder him sometimes.
From the pride radiating from his features and the quick glance he sent my way, I could tell he was enjoying this little game. With a long huff, I tilted my head back. God, this night would be long—so, so long.