Chapter 4 #2
In my situation, the last thing I needed to be thinking about was a man, but there was something about that rich baritone and his oaky cologne that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I wasn’t interested in adding anything or anyone into my life right now, but a girl could look.
I tried to be casual as I turned on my heels to face him. I tried not to blush as I let my eyes travel up to his face. When our eyes connected, I gasped, sucking the gum that I had been chewing down my windpipe in the process. I coughed, leaning forward in an attempt to keep from choking.
His heavy hand landed on my back, causing me to jerk out of his reach. This could not be happening. I was not about to die at Jase St. John’s feet in the middle of a freaking grocery store.
“You good, Harp?” he asked.
My eyes were on his huge feet as he took a step to close the space I’d purposely created between us.
If he was asking if I was dying, the answer was a definitive no.
If he wanted to know if I were completely humiliated and wishing that I could disappear right now, then no, I was absolutely not good.
“Um, . . . yeah, something just went down wrong,” I lied, before attempting to sidestep him and get the hell out of there. Of course, he stepped right into my path, cutting me off before I could make a clean getaway.
“Where you running off to, Harp? How long have you been back in town?”
I sighed and rolled my eyes as I quickly weighed my options.
I could easily push past Jase with or without my groceries, or I could be an adult for five seconds and answer a simple question.
As much as I wanted to act like I was still the seventeen-year-old girl I was when we met all those years ago, there was no use in avoiding the inevitable.
If the twins were living and/or working around here, there would be no way of avoiding them forever.
“A little over a week, close to two,” I revealed.
“And no phone call or nothing?”
“We haven’t spoken in years. Why would I call to let you know I was moving back to my own home?” I didn’t give a damn how sexy Jase was or how damn good he smelled. I was not about to cut any corners with him. I wanted him out of my face and hopefully out of my life for good.
“Have dinner with me,” he suggested, completely catching me off guard. I didn’t even know why I was stunned because one of the many things Jase St. John had been blessed with was audacity.
I threw my head back. “You have got to be kidding me!”
“I don’t play about too many things. Have dinner with me, Harper. We need to talk, and you know it.”
I waved him off. “That’s where you’re wrong. There is nothing for us to talk about.”
“Actually, there’s a whole lot for us to talk about, Harper. Let me make it up to you.”
“No, it’s been years. Enough years to where I’m healed and completely at peace. I’m not willing to go back to that dark place you and your brother took me to, so if you would excuse me,” I said, walking to my shopping cart and turning to push it in the other direction since Jase refused to move.
“He still misses you, Harp,” he said to my back, causing me to stop in my tracks.
I knew it was a huge mistake, but I turned to face him before speaking. God, he was even sexier now. Why were some people so blessed?
“Jase, I understand your desire to speak up for your brother, but let’s not pretend that we’re still those same great friends that spent late nights cramming for tests or drinking shots and playing Gin and Warcraft all night.
I came to terms with what it was a long time ago.
I’m sure you forgot I even existed up until now.
The only reason you’re even asking me out to dinner is because I’m standing right in front of you. ”
“What terms did you come to exactly?”
“That I was just a nerdy, little experimental freak for y’all. All that we love you bullshit was just that, bull shit.”
“Nah, but what you just said, that’s the real bullshit.
Let me right my wrongs and straighten my face with my brother, Harper.
He moved out of our apartment after you left.
He moved back in with our parents and wouldn’t speak to me for a month.
I know he still harbors some feelings behind the way things went down, but I can’t blame him.
I swear it was all my fault. Even if you never forgive me, don’t hold it against him.
I know you know how much he misses you, Harp.
I can only imagine how heavily you’ve been on his mind because I’ve never stopped missing you even for one day after you left.
We came looking for you. There’s no telling how many times Joe looked for you on his own. He never stopped loving you, Harp.”
I sighed, dropping my shoulders as my resolve started to crumble. “Jase.”
“Neither did I. I’m not asking for much, just one dinner and a chance to make it up to you.”
“It’s just not a good time right now. I just moved, and I’m trying to get everything settled with my son. He’s not adjusting so well to the move. The only thing I need to focus on right now is him.”
“What about his father?”
“Shouldn’t that have been a question that you asked before you asked me out to dinner?”
“We’re old friends. We can’t have dinner?”
“Bye, Jase.”
“I’m not giving up, Harper, and I know you already know how Joe is coming.”
“Please respect my wishes and stay the hell away from me, Jase. I’m not falling for your shit again,” I said, shaking my head as I turned to walk away from him, hopefully for a long ass time.
A hand clasping around my arm caused me to stop walking.
“For the record, I don’t give a damn about your husband.
I need you to understand that before I make my next moves.
You already know who you belong to, Harper.
I know you don’t need a reminder, but neither of us have an issue with reminding you.
Have dinner with me. I just want to show you a good time and offer you a sincere apology for my stupidity.
Wear something sexy for old times’ sake.
I’m sure you remember my favorite color. ”
“Go to hell, Jase,” I spat, snatching my arm away from him.
“I’ve been there since you left, Harper. I’m glad you’re home now.”
“Whatever. You’re still just as delusional as ever. I hope you’re medicated now, Doctor.”
“See you soon, Harp. By the way, you look even more beautiful than I remember,” he said before winking and turning to walk away.
I pushed down the urge to speed walk as I got as far away from Jase as I could.
This town was turning out to be way too small for me.
I searched my mind for ways to get the hell away from here as soon as possible.
Even if I could afford to move, it would deplete what was left of my savings.
Living in my grandma’s house also eliminated the need to pay rent.
I didn’t need to add on to my expenses. I was penny-pinching as it was.
I considered leaving everything in the basket so I could get up out of those people’s store, but I was a big girl.
I could handle a simple purchase. I had done enough running in my life to hold me for the rest of my days.
Thankfully, I didn’t run into Jase again before I made it to my car and tore out of the parking lot.
Once I made it home, I checked the mailbox next to the door as I nudged my way inside.
There was a bunch of junk mail addressed to my grandma and resident that I would toss as soon as I made it to the garbage can.
As I sifted through the stack, I came to a letter with my name scribbled across the front.
I frowned, wondering who even knew I was here, other than my mom and brother.
Either of them knew to call me if they needed anything.
If it was a letter from Cameron’s school, so help me.
My confusion only grew as I tore into the envelope and removed what was inside.
As I took the letter out of the envelope, I almost dropped it again when a check for twenty-five hundred dollars slipped out and fell onto the table.
My breathing literally stopped when I saw who it was from. What the actual hell?
Harper,
Welcome home, baby. My mom was able to find out that you relocated to your grandma’s to start over after your divorce.
I wanted to give you a little something to make your transition easier.
I removed a 0 because I didn’t want to scare you, but make no mistake, I plan to take care of you. You are mine, Harper.
I need to see you. I need you around. Don’t make me beg, but you know I don’t mind. Stop playing and come back to me, baby. Let me make it right.
JoJo
Fuck. How did he find me? I didn’t even have time to finish that thought before I realized it was my big mouth mama.
Telling her not to make a big fuss about me being back was pretty much giving her license to go blabbing to anybody who would listen.
I’d made a mistake asking about the twins.
Of course, she’d told her friend Doctor St. John about her son’s old girlfriend being back in town.
The thought alone made me cringe. So much for keeping a low profile.