CHAPTER SIX
Jenna
My head throbs behind my eyes and a groan rumbles from my throat.
I’m not ready to wake up. Covering my face, I prepare for the brightness to attack me, but it’s surprisingly dark and not at all as bad as I expected.
The smell of coffee permeates the air as I fumble around for my phone, checking the time with a frown.
Nine a.m. How is it dark? And where the hell am I?
Vague flashes of dancing and laughter dart through my mind and my head catches up.
Jack walked me to bed last night. I can’t remember everything that happened, but that fact is clear as day.
Because I panicked. I’m not someone that turns a guy down if we’ve been having fun together—and Jack was a blast. Only, just like back in our sophomore year, my gut instinct told me not to go there.
Not yet anyway. No matter how often I think about his last letter, talking to him reminds me of the innocent guy he was back in college.
My friend. It turns out, I’m not ready to fuck that up.
The ache in my head turns to a pounding when I try to sit up, but as I rub my temples, my eyes lock on the nightstand and my heart races.
He remembered.
A smile tugs at my lips and I spin around, taking the tablets left out for me and gulping back the energy drink. A moan escapes me as the grape-flavored goodness flows down my throat. Who knew Jack was so thoughtful?
Even more of a reason not to fall into bed with him.
My smile widens as I imagine Blair marking this down on her pros list. He knows your favorite hangover cure. He must be my soulmate.
Soft music filters in from somewhere in the house and I laugh to myself. There will be no thoughts of soulmates today. Jack is a friend. Nothing more. It’s time to get my ass up out of bed.
After a quick shower—in the bathroom conveniently located across from my room—followed by minimal effort getting ready, I make my way downstairs, beelining for the kitchen. I’m in desperate need of some food.
Jack’s waiting when I reach the bottom step, his warm smile bringing about my own. “Good morning. How did you sleep?”
“Like a log.”
“Good.” He chuckles lightly. “And…how did you wake up?” He cringes and it’s my turn to giggle.
“Waking up was a bitch, but I feel better thanks to you. The Advil, or whatever you call it, and energy drink worked wonders. I can’t believe you remembered that.”
“Energy drink?” Jack frowns, glancing away in thought, and my mind whirs.
“Yeah.” I hesitate. “You left it out for me. Didn’t you?”
The furrows in his brow deepen before he barks out a deep laugh. “I didn’t think I was that drunk last night, but my memory seems to be a little sketchy. I’m glad I remembered in my drunken state, and I’m happy it helped.”
“You’re still a lightweight then?” I bite my lip to stifle a smile and Jack winces dramatically.
“Maybe. Though…you were making me drink vodka straight from the bottle.”
“Very true. I’m surprised you were walking let alone able to escort me to my room.”
“Me too.” His belly rumbles in a chuckle, as Mason clears his throat from down the hall, drawing my gaze. I hadn’t noticed he was standing there.
“Oh, fuck.” Jack winces again. “I was waiting here for a reason. How would you like to spend the day exploring Sydney with me?”
“I’d love that.”
“Great.” Jack turns to Mason, giving him a cheesy grin. “Soo…” he begins, eliciting a deep huff from Mason.
“Fine. But you better not crash it.”
“I had one accident and you’ve never let it go.” He turns back to face me. “It wasn’t even bad.”
I snort under my breath and I swear Mason groans. I may have no idea what’s going on, but I love good sibling banter. Probably because I never had siblings of my own. I wanted that.
“Don’t forget about the ground rules, baby bro.” Mason stares pointedly and I enjoy that too. He’s cute when he’s grumpy. “My keys are by the door,” he grates, disappearing out of sight.
“In case you haven’t figured it out, we’re taking Mase’s car. Mine is…” Jack trails off with an awkward shrug.
“Disgusting,” Mason calls out, making me giggle behind my hand. “That’s what it is.”
“Disgusting, huh?”
Jack winces but confirms with a nod. “Yep. I could take better care of it. But I don't.”
“Okay. Where are we going?” I change the subject, silently adding car cleanliness to Jack’s cons list, while his face lights up, embarrassment gone.
“It’s a surprise.”
“Do I need a bikini?”
“Not this morning, but maybe later today.”
“Great. Can I eat first or—”
“I’m taking you out for a greasy breakfast.”
I moan loudly at the thought, my mouth watering at the idea of bacon, until a loud clang brings me back to reality.
“You okay, bro?” Jack calls out, a brow raised in amusement.
“Fine.”
“Okay, then.” I smile at Jack, spinning on my toes. “I’ll grab my purse.”
Jack opens my door when we get to Mason’s car, and my smile grows at finding it in the same spot I was refusing to vacate.
God, he’s a douche. I mentally roll my eyes, but when I sit down, his masculine scent assaults my nostrils, and my body heats against my will.
Damn him. He rubs me the wrong way, but I can’t deny that I’m physically attracted to him.
“Are you ready?” Jack smiles giddily from the driver's seat.
“I sure am.”
There's also no denying Jack’s attractive too, but they are two completely different people.
I could easily fuck Mason and move on, but with Jack…
I’d either break his heart, or he’d break mine, because our friendship wouldn’t be the same after.
It may only be a few letters a year, but he’s been the one constant in my life since college.
That’s not something I’m prepared to risk for sex.
Pushing my thoughts out of my mind, I stare out the window, drinking it all in as we cruise the streets of Sydney. “Where are we going for breakfast? Or I guess it’s brunch now.”
A siren blares through Jack’s speakers, making me jump as he curses. “Shit. That’s my phone.”
“Your phone?” What kind of ringtone is that?
“It’s, ahh….” Disappointment mars his features as he pulls over to the side of the road. “I have to get this.” He disappears out of the car, and my brows furrow as I watch him, his disappointment turning to anger until he jumps back in and his sadness hits me.
“Is it okay if I take you home?”
“Huh? Why? What happened?”
“Remember how I told you about my friend—the one that’s constantly getting into trouble.”
“I do…” I say slowly, my chest tight, filled with a mix of anger and concern. I’m all for friends helping friends, but sometimes I wonder if she’s taking advantage of his kind nature.
“She needs help.” Of course she does. “She’s—”
“You don’t have to explain. You’re the one she needs, right?”
“I don’t want to go.” His puppy dog eyes plead with me to believe him, and my chest aches.
“It’s fine. You’re a good guy. I get it.” I wink, biting back a smirk. “I’m in Sydney for a little while longer. Maybe I can meet you when you're done. I’ll find a hotel close by and come back in a few—”
“Hotel? No way. You’re staying at our place. No arguments. I’ll make it up to you when I get back.”
My nose scrunches. The thought of being stuck with Mason is not as thrilling as one would think, even with his enticingly ripped body and delicious smell. But when Jack smiles in anticipation, I can’t say no.
“Okay. I’ll be there.”
“Thank you.” He breathes a sigh of relief and some of my unease lessens. “I promise I won’t be long.”
Despite Jack giving me a key, I ring the doorbell and wait for Mason to open up. The sound of movement alerts me to his presence, and I swear I hear footsteps moving my way, but after two buzzes, he still hasn’t answered the door. I’ll bet my life savings that he saw me on the camera.
“Open up, Mason. I’m not going away.”
The footsteps get louder again, and he fakes a smile as he yanks open the door. “Hey mate. Good to see you. What did you forget?”
“Nothing at all. I’m back to hang out with you. I’m staying for a few days. Yay!” I raise my hands to cheer and Mason’s smile drops from his face, eliciting a triumphant grin on mine.
I’m about to sass him some more when he surprises me, his expression turning cold. “Where’s Jack?”
“He had to do something and—”
“He had to do something? Did you two have a fight?”
“What? No. That friend of his that—”
“Are you fucking kidding me? He left you for Tracey?”
“I don’t know her name, but he said she’s always getting in trouble and—”
Mason growls, stopping me from saying more, and I find it oddly erotic. Which unfortunately adds to his appeal. My mind drifts to his wet body, the flex of his muscles when he— Shit. Nope. There are so many attractive people in Australia. I don’t have to settle for an ass.
He curses under his breath, mumbling something about Jack being a dick before turning my way. “Are you okay?” His voice softens and it catches me off guard, making me giggle awkwardly.
“Of course. I’m fine. Why would you ask that?” I really am fine, despite the waver in my voice. I wasn’t expecting him to care.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I say confidently. “I can take care of myself. I’m sure he won’t be long. And if he is, I’ve got my car fifteen minutes away. I’m good.”
“Good. She’s not worth his time, but as I’m sure you’ve realized, Jack is much nicer than I am.”
“Nooo. Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
With a shake of his head, Mason walks away, leaving me awkwardly standing in the entry. What do I do now?
I rock back on my heels for a beat until my stomach grumbles. Food. Dammit. Guess I’m helping myself.
After cursing the guys for not having any bacon or eggs lying around, I make a peanut butter sandwich, thankful I could at least find bread. I’ve just made myself comfortable on the couch when Mason appears.
His eyes flash to the sandwich raised to my mouth and he scowls. Whoops. Am I not supposed to eat in here?
“Is this—”
“I’m going to the beach.” He cuts me off and I inhale sharply at his tone. Until it hits me…
“You’re going to the beach?” I jump up, excitement coursing through me. “Can I come?”
“What?” His eyes grow comically large and I almost laugh, only holding back because I imagine that’s the quickest way to piss him off. Instead, I smile. Politely.
“Can I come to the beach? Please.”
“Why?” He frowns and this time I have to physically bite back my amused response.
“To buy groceries,” I deadpan, but he doesn’t see the humor.
“The fuck?”
“To swim and sunbathe, Mason. Why is this concept so hard for you to grasp?”
“That’s not what I meant. Why do you want to go with me?”
“Obviously because we get along so well.”
He opens his mouth to argue, but my words must sink in because he hides a smile, shaking his head. “Ha. Ha.”
“Can I come or not?” I plant my hands on my hips and huff, my brow raised.
“Sure, it’s a free country.” Boredom oozes from his tone. “I’m leaving in five minutes.”
“Great. But I need fifteen. I’ll meet you at the door.”
I brush his shoulder as I walk past, and a spark of something runs through me. Ignoring what was obviously static electricity, I bounce up the stairs, a huge smile on my face. Jack may have promised the beach later, but I’m a water baby… I’ll take the beach over anything else.