Chapter 14 #2
I’m almost done by the time the bathroom door clicks open and Jamie strolls out. Then he rounds the corner, coming into my line of vision.
And I still, staring at him.
He looks…not unrecognizable, but different in a way that hits me square in the chest.
His hair is styled, shaped with intention instead of just combed into place. There’s a slight sheen to it, gel or wax, catching the light when he moves. He’s wearing tight black pants that fit him so well it borders on obscene, and an elegant purple shirt that looks like silk.
His face is what strikes me the most. There’s color on his cheeks, subtle but unmistakable, not the kind you get from a hot shower. His lips shine faintly, with something thicker than lip balm. Maybe gloss?
Heat rushes through me, sudden and intense, curling low in my stomach. My mouth goes dry.
Jamie looks up and startles when he notices me, pressing a hand to his chest.
“Shit! Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in.”
My gaze catches on his eyes, somehow bluer than usual. I detect a faint, dark line framing them. He must’ve used eyeliner, but it’s way more subtle than the way Seth wears it.
I must look like a creep, the way I just keep staring.
Jamie’s eyes drop to the plates in front of me.
“Oh God.” He slaps his forehead. “I’m so sorry. I completely forgot it was your turn.”
It’s a testament to how far out of it I am that I don’t even start to think why Jamie’s apologizing. Or why he’s dressed like this.
“Is it okay if I eat it tomorrow? I already made other plans, so I’m eating out tonight.”
The words are like a bucket of ice-cold water.
“What plans?” I already know I’m not gonna like the answer.
Jamie’s ears turn pink, matching his cheeks. “I have a date.”
I get the same sensation I did earlier on the treadmill, just worse.
“A date.”
He nods, not quite looking at me.
“With whom?”
“It’s, um, someone I’ve been messaging on a dating app. For about a week. We clicked and decided to meet.”
A week. On a dating app.
So that’s why he’s been glued to his phone, always typing.
“That’s not very smart, meeting someone you don’t know, just like that.” The words come out sharper than I intended.
Surprise and something wounded flickers across Jamie’s face before it hardens.
“It’s not like I’m going to his place, I’m not stupid. There will be people around.”
Guilt hits me immediately.
“Jamie—”
“And how else am I supposed to meet someone? You think it’s smarter hitting clubs or bars instead?
” he barrels on, his hands clenched into fists by his sides.
I’ve never seen him upset like this, which is why it takes me a good while to pull myself together.
And to realize what a jerk I’m being, not to mention a hypocrite.
“No, you’re right. I’m sorry,” I backtrack instantly. What the hell got into me? “I didn’t mean to sound patronizing. I promise I’m not trying to tell you what to do. I just… I guess I’m feeling a bit protective.”
Jamie’s hands slowly unclench and his shoulders sag. He gives me a fleeting smile.
“Thanks. That’s…actually kind of sweet.” So he says, but he sounds sad about it. “Maybe try to be less grumpy about it?”
I huff a laugh. Relief floods me at being so easily forgiven. That’s Jamie for you, too sweet for his own good. No wonder I’m feeling protective.
“I’ll do my best.”
Another of those small smiles, and then he’s heading to the door.
“Jamie? Can you at least tell me where you’re going? Just in case.”
He looks surprised, but I consider it a small win when he doesn’t even hesitate before rattling off the name of the venue.
“Thanks. And remember, if you need to fake an emergency extraction, send me an emoji or something. I’ll get you out of there.”
Jamie tips his head back and laughs. He looks… He looks fucking beautiful, like a mirage.
“My knight in grumpy armor. Noted.”
I almost try to convince him to let me give him a ride. Both to make sure that he gets there safely, and to check the guy out. I hold my tongue on that one, but can’t stop myself from asking one last thing.
“Will you…be back tonight?”
He pauses with a hand on the door. His back is to me when replies, quietly, “Not sure. I guess…I’ll see how it goes. But I’ll let you know if I’m not coming back.”
It takes more physical effort to grit my teeth and say nothing than it does to lift 300lb at the gym, but somehow, I manage.
“Okay. Have fun, Jamie.”
He flashes me a small, stiff smile over his shoulder, mumbles, “Thanks”, and leaves.
When I stop staring at the door and finally get my body to move, it’s to pack all the food back up and shove it in the fridge.
I’m definitely not hungry anymore, the whole exchange has left a bad taste in my mouth and a heavy-ass rock in my stomach.
I suddenly wish I kept alcohol at home. A beer would hit the spot right now.
Instead, I crack open a bottle of tonic water and put on a movie I’ve seen at least half a dozen times.
Fiona keeps me company, having manifested next to me out of nowhere and demanding access to my lap.
She’s curled on my thighs, her mouth and teeth making cute smacking noises as I stroke her back and ears.
Normally, she’s such a good grounding presence, but it does absolutely nothing for me today.
My mind keeps replaying the way Jamie looked when he stepped out of the bathroom. The way everything inside me rebelled when I found out why he looked like that. The sudden surge of…something hot and ugly when he said the word date.
This isn’t jealousy. It can’t be. I don’t do jealous. It’s simply not who I am.
I’m just protective. I’ve felt protective of Jamie since he moved in. Since I found out how gentle and caring he is. Since I learned about his shitty ex.
Since…since he got on his knees and said he was okay with it if I wanted to pretend he was someone else—a woman.
Fuck. He’s clearly used to people taking advantage of him.
I don’t know whether it’s self-worth issues, or because he prefers to see the positives in people and ignore red flags.
Either way, it’s not good. What if the guy tonight turns out to be another asshole, but Jamie refuses to see it?
What am I going to do? How do I protect him then?
This is my fault. All of it. I knew he was acting weird and I took my sweet time to do anything about it. And now that I’ve finally come up with a solution, it’s too late.
I’m a fucking idiot. Brawn and no brain, exactly as Seth said. He’d laugh in my face if I told him everything that’s happened since our conversation.
My phone chimes with a message. I reach for it so fast I startle Fiona. She jumps off and hops away. I shout an apology after her, then curse when it turns out the message is just an announcement of a sale from a nutrition shop.
Thank God I didn’t over-react.
I keep the phone in my hand, periodically checking the time. Which drags. Painfully. My heart skips a beat whenever a notification pops up. It’s never from Jamie, though.
An hour passes.
Then another, the movie having ended by now. I absently press play on the next movie that’s suggested to me.
Finally, my phone rings.
Jamie’s name flashes on the screen, and relief loosens the knot that has formed in my chest.
I answer with a quiet laugh. “Do you need me to rescue you?”
There’s no laughter in response, but I can hear music playing in the background. Loud, grating. Not something you’d hear in a restaurant.
And then soft, broken sobs.
“Jamie?” I sit up straight, adrenaline spiking. “Jamie, what’s wrong?”
“Tyler,” he whispers, his voice cracking. “Can you…can you come pick me up? Please?”