Chapter 9 Locke
Locke
“Yo,” I answer the phone without glancing at the screen. It’s Tuesday. I haven’t seen Jade since yesterday, and I’m jonesing to get off work, grab a shower, and get to my woman.
“Yo right back. What you up to tonight?” Jace asks on the other end of the line. I stop in my tracks, bring my fingers to the bridge of my nose, and silently say fuck. All of my plans are being shot to shit in a matter of moments.
“Just got off work. Gonna shower, grab a bite to eat, and call it a night.” I’ve got my housekeys in the palm of my hand, and I’m two steps away from making it up the front porch steps.
“Nah, man. I’m finally off. Slept all day. Meet me for dinner. I’m buying.” This is Jace’s idea of persuading me to go out on a fucking work night. Jesus, I’m getting too old for this, especially since his sister is at work, and keeping my eyes off her is going to be damn near impossible.
“You’re not going to take no for an answer, are you?” I slide the key into the lock, turning the handle while my phone is pressed between my ear and shoulder.
“Nope. Get your shit done and meet me at Twisted Oak. We’ll eat then hit up The Social and go from there.” Yeah, we’re stopping at that last part.
“Brother, appreciate that you’re off the clock, but some of us get called out in the middle of the night or early in the morning.
I’ll meet you at Twisted Oak, and I’ll even have a drink with you, but other than that, my ass will be back home and in bed before the clock strikes midnight.
” Jace won’t push once I stand my ground; it’d be like me pulling this stunt on him when he gets off work from pulling a double.
“Fuck, you’re right. See ya in an hour.”
“Later.” I walk through the door and end the call.
“Son of a bitch.” Not only am I going to have to wait longer to have Jade in my arms, but I’m also going to have to pretend that we’re nothing but friends. This shit fucking blows big hairy ball sacs.
I don’t drop my phone where my keys usually sit.
I’ve got a woman to text, and she better brace.
The way Jace sounds tonight, he’s out on the prowl, and if he ties one on, it’ll be either me or her who pours his sorry ass into bed.
I walk through the house, noticing Jade’s scent lingers in the air: bergamot with its sharp and zesty fragrance and oranges that soften it with a warm sunbaked sweetness.
It’s bold, confident, alive, and untamed, exactly who Jade is.
The house is picked up, the floors are clean, and it looks like shit is practically sparkling. All news to me because when I left this morning, it didn’t look this put together, and the only person who has a key to my place besides me is Jade.
“What did you do, sugar?” I walk deeper, heading to the fridge to grab a bottle of water when I’d much rather have a beer, but since I’m driving, I’ll wait to have one with dinner.
“Fucking Christ.” I pull on the handle to the fridge and see the damn thing is completely packed—fruits, vegetables, coffee creamer, milk, and cheeses.
I grab the bottle of water, then check the freezer beneath and see that’s packed, too.
I’m not even going in the garage to look at the deep freeze.
Though, it shouldn’t need much considering I keep a half cow stocked year-round in there.
Me: Sugar, we got two things to discuss. One: you feeling the need to clean the house when we can both tag-team it. Two: the groceries. The palm of my hand is itching to spank that ass of yours.
I fire off the text, toss my phone on the counter in front of me, and lean my ass on the one behind me, then take a long and heavy pull, not stopping until the damn thing is empty. My phone lights up, alerting me to an incoming message.
Sugar: I help make the mess. Besides, you worked last night and had to do the same early this morning. As for the groceries, it’s only fair. You cook because we both know that’s not my strong suit, so it’s the least I can do. Plus, you in the kitchen, me watching you work, it’s really hot, honey.
Me: Still don’t mean you gotta do it all. Givin’ you a heads-up, meeting Jace for dinner, and then he wants to hit up the bar. Your bar.
Sugar: I like helping take care of you. I can’t say that I’m surprised. He never responded to my messages.
When she tosses out the honey in a text, or when she’s whispering it breathlessly while I’m giving it to her, well, it’s hard to be upset.
Me: Lettin’ you go. Know you’re at work. See you tonight.
Sugar: Later <3
Now that I’ve got shit cleared up, all that’s left is to strip out of my work clothes, hop in the shower, get redressed, and head out the fucking door again. Goddamn, wish I could stay home, and I wish like hell Jade were here with me.
“Hey, big brother, Locke.” Jade looks from Jace to me. I hold her attention for a smidge too long. It’s a good thing Jace has his eyes focused on something else; what that is, I’ve got not one single fucking clue.
We ate our fill of steak, baked potatoes, and salad. Jace had a Jack and Coke, I had a beer, we shot the shit for a bit then moved to The Social shortly after.
“Hey, Jade,” I pipe up when her brother still doesn’t say shit.
“Jade.” Jesus, fuck, I’m gonna have to kick him in the dick tonight.
“Did you happen to get my text?” she asks, heading to the cooler to pull out the two bottles of beer; we each prefer something different.
“Kind of like you picking up the phone when I call you, right?” I don’t wade in, not yet. Jade can handle herself when it comes to her brother, but if he gets disrespectful, all bets are off.
“Yeah, well, when you act like a jerk, it takes me a minute to cool off. You’d realize that if you pulled that shit on me.
And for future reference, I don’t ever call you when you’re on a shift at the Steel Mill because I care about you, and the last thing I want is for you to get distracted.
So, excuse me for worrying about you.” She slams his beer down on the bar top, then does the exact opposite to mine before she turns away to help other customers.
“Shit,” he mutters, “I fucked that up, per fucking usual.”
“Come on, we’ll grab a high top, play a game of pool. When things die down, try and talk to her, maybe start with apologizing. It might help.”
“You’re right. Gotta get my head screwed on right.” He sits down, looking out the front of the bar at the passersby walking down the main drag.
“Yep, that you do.” I settle in, keeping my eye on Jade, and when her brother isn’t looking, she sends a megawatt smile my way. It hits me right in the dick, stirring up a deep-seated need I only feel for, and I see it reciprocated when I shoot her a wink.
Fuck, tonight is going to be a long one. And waiting to have Jade to myself and my hands on her might do me in.