Chapter 42
JESSI
I’ve avoided Jack at all costs over the past week.
I even have Sonny pick me up and take me home from work.
Jack leaves the club before I show up, which is fine by me.
Still, I continue to make food and pop it in the fridge for him since that’s the deal, but our interaction doesn’t stretch much beyond that.
It’s as if our connection in the alley and everything leading up to it never happened.
When we’re both home, we go to our rooms. Time has made my anger grow. How dare he treat me like a child after doing everything he can to convince me that I’m an adult and open to making my own decisions? Hypocrite.
I make a few more friends at the club, which feels more like having a family than a job.
I really like it. A few of the guys have flirted with me or tried to get me to hang out after my shift.
I’m friendly in return, but I don’t give anyone extra attention.
After Tanner and what happened with Jack, I need to play it cool.
During a particularly dead part of Friday, Sonny comes over smiling and tapping her fingers across her mouth and cheeks.
“Hey. I know you probably don’t care, but Kade asked about you.
He and his friend are going to the movies tomorrow, and he thinks we should come with.
As a double date. He doesn’t fuck around.
He wanted your number, so I told him I’d ask you first, but not to get his hopes up. ”
“Why do you do this to me?” I whine, smacking my forehead and throwing her a glare.
She shrugs.
“He’s kinda cute,” I relent, “but I haven’t had great luck with dating. I should give it a rest for now.”
“I know. I know. But you can always block him if it doesn’t work out. Failing that, Jack can put the fear of God in him.”
Sonny doesn’t know what happened outside of the club. No one does, but the mention of Jack gives me the push I need. Screw him. Out of spite, I say, “Sure, give Kade my number. Let’s go on that double date.” I hope it’s not weird.
“Eek, yes! That’s perfect! Yay!” She claps her hands and bolts back over to Kade.
Unknown
Hi! It’s Kade.
Me
Hi!
Kade
I hear we’re going to the movies.
Me
Yes. Is that okay with you?
Kade
Of course.
Me
OK, maybe you can pick me up?
Kade
I’d love that. Do you like to ride?
Me
Love it.
Kade
I talked to Sonny. She said I “have to” pick you up. See you at 9.
Me
Ok
Kade seems sweet enough. I probably acted too rash, seeing as it isn’t fair to go on a date with someone when you have feelings for someone else. But one date with a nice guy can’t hurt.
My eyes follow Kade over the next hour. He has girls that show interest, but he doesn’t pay them any attention.
His eyes find mine after each girl leaves.
I wonder if he’s concerned that I’ll think he’s flirting with them.
He seems to always be in conversation with Mike or some of the other members.
I assume it’s business related, because there isn’t any laughing or joking around.
At one point, Mike collars Kade and speaks into his ear.
Whatever he says has Kade nodding before walking out.
I don’t miss the fact that a gun is tucked into the waistband of Kade’s jeans.
I’m sitting at the bar waiting on Sonny to finish her shift when the club door opens and Kade reappears. It’s been about an hour since he left, not that I was counting. His hair is disheveled and his shirt’s plastered in dark splotches.
“Is that blood?” I ask myself, my mouth agape.
Mike walks up to him and pinches his shirt, causing Kade to drop his gaze.
After a quick exchange of words, Kade heads to the back of the club and toward the hallway with the bathrooms. After a few minutes he returns, his hair in place and wearing a fresh shirt.
His eyes find mine as he removes his phone from a pocket.
My phone chirps.
Kade
Don’t you normally leave around 6?
Me
Sonny is giving me a ride, so I’m waiting for her to finish up.
Kade
I could take you home if you don’t want to wait.
Me
Oh no. She gets off in like 15 min. Thanks though!
Kade
OK.
The screen shows never-ending bubbles of incoming text.
Kade
Jessi, you good? Are we good? You still want to see the movie tonight?
Me
Yeah! Everything is fine. I’ll see you later.
“You ready?” Sonny startles me.
“Yeah,” I say as I grab my jacket.
I don’t know what happened today, but whatever I saw made Kade wonder if I’d changed my mind about him. My gut tells me he had blood all over him, and not from a fistfight.
Maybe I should have taken the out he gave me.