Chapter 15
JESSI
Irub the sleep from my eyes as panic rushes through me. Where am I? Then everything from last night hits me like a Mac truck. At Jack’s house. In his room.
I don’t have my phone. Therefore, I have no clue what time it is. Did Rachel make it home last night? Does she know what happened?
Jack’s room is not what I expected. Last night was so chaotic that I didn’t take any of it in.
Its moody, with hunter green walls and honey-colored wood floors, and the furniture matches the vibe, wood dressers and a broken-in tan leather armchair.
I’m enveloped in the pine and leather smell I’ve craved since he towered over me the night of my birthday.
Never in a million years would I have guessed that biker Jack would have such good design taste. I wonder if a girlfriend helped him. That thought irritates me the minute I think it, so I shove it aside. I have zero claim to him. Why do I care if someone helped him decorate?
I sit up and try to wrap my mind around the fact that I slept in Jack’s bed last night. Over the last few months, I’ve dreamed of this moment a hundred times. None of those dreams included the reason I ended up here last night, though.
My feet hit the cool floor. I need to get up and moving. As much as I wish I could hide in here rather than face Jack, I know it’s not an option.
I’m extremely upset about what happened with David, but I’m not shocked. They’re all assholes who always get what they want. If they don’t, they take it. I hope I broke his perfect pretty nose. Screw him—and Austin too.
I rip the Band-Aid off and head downstairs, despite only being in a T-shirt, Jack’s T-shirt.
Jack’s already dressed, and his clothes are covered in grease and dirt.
How in the hell does he make them so appealing?
He must already be working on a bike in his garage.
“Good morning,” I say quietly. “I wanted to thank you for everything you did last night, and I’m sorry for any trouble I caused you. ”
Jack doesn’t reply. Maybe after sleeping on his rash decision, he has decided this might not be the best idea, and he’s trying to figure out how to break the news to me, so I blurt out, “I think things are good. I’m sure it was because they were drunk.
I’ll be sure I’m not home for any more parties. I’ll head back now.”
“Like hell you are,” Jack protests. I’m stunned into silence, not knowing what to say or do.
“Here’s the deal. I can’t let you go back there alone.
I also believe that calling Shannon home could cause you more harm, unfortunately.
The way I see it, either we call your dad and he comes back, or you stay here. Those are your two options, darlin’.”
I stare at him. Why does he want to protect me so much? “I’m nineteen. I can take care of myself,” I say.
“Do you like coffee?” He’s moved on like it’s no big deal.
“Yes.”
“Good. I made extra. Pour yourself a cup. I don’t have any fancy creamer, but milk is in the refrigerator.
I need to go to the grocery store. I figured we could go together, assuming you choose option two.
” He lays his palms flat on the counter.
“Once you’re ready, I’ll walk you to your house to get the things you need.
” He taps his knuckles on the counter, then heads back into the garage.
I’m left standing there, speechless. Well, if this is how he talks to people, I understand why he spends a lot of time alone.
I pour myself a cup of motor oil. Opening the fridge, I find a half-empty milk carton, a bottle of hot sauce, leftover pizza, and a case of beer.
“Doesn’t he eat?” I ask myself. “He can’t possibly live on pizza and beer.” He’s right. We need to go grocery shopping ASAP.
I guzzle down the cup of coffee, then open the door to the garage. “Over my dead body am I calling Dad home, so you win. I’ll stay with you. For now, anyway. You ready?”
Jack stands to his full height and takes a rag from his back pocket. He wipes the grease from his hands and smiles at me. I can’t help but return it.
“Yep,” says Jack. “Let’s go.”