Chapter Fourteen
Silas
Fuck, this is awkward.
My arm’s wrapped around the back of the couch with Jamie glued to my side while we watch Cruel Intentions. I haven’t seen it in years but it’s her favorite movie, so she insisted.
But now that I’m remembering the premise, it’s a bit uncomfortable considering it’s about stepsiblings and she went on a double date with her stepbrother.
I don’t think Posey noticed the suspicious way Jackson kept looking at Jamie, but I did. Every time she’d lean into me, his jaw would tighten and his eyes would narrow in on her, but then he’d play it off by looking at Posey and smiling.
Perhaps I’m reading things wrong but there’s definitely something weird going on between them that we’re not privy to.
Jackson’s on the other end while Posey sits in the chair next to him. When she excuses herself, she taps on Jackson’s leg to follow her. I can’t watch where they go without stretching my neck and being obvious.
“Oh my God, I love this part.” Jamie snuggles in closer and places her hand on my thigh, squeezing it.
I should tell her this isn’t working for me and I’m not interested in the way she seems to be, but I’ve never been good at dating.
Exhibit A: Telling Posey we couldn’t be together because I was seeing someone else even though she’s who I wanted in the first place, then letting her walk away.
Exhibit B: Not realizing how awful my fiancée treated me and allowing her to continue belittling me for two years.
“Do you have any popcorn?” Jamie asks halfway through the movie. “I could totally go for some.”
My stomach has been in knots since Posey and Jackson left, so if I eat anything right now, I’ll get sick. But at least this’ll give me an excuse to get up.
“I’ll go look.”
Laughter echoes from the kitchen. They’re standing around the island with items scattered everywhere. It’s hard not to think about what happened between us last night when my gaze shifts to the exact spot she was standing.
“What’re y’all doin’?” I ask.
“Bakin’ muffins!” Posey grins, adding some crumble on top of them. “We wanted to give you and Jamie some alone time.”
“Oh…” My heart races at how I’m going to get myself out of this. “Do we have popcorn? Jamie was askin’.”
“In the pantry.” She points behind Jackson.
“She loves salt and extra melted butter on top,” he says once I put a bag into the microwave.
Posey hands me a large bowl and puts a spoonful of butter in a bowl.
“Who’re you makin’ these for?” I ask over her shoulder, inhaling the floral scent of her shampoo.
“I was gonna send a few home with Jackson and Jamie, then save the rest for us. Assumin’ you like blueberry muffins.”
“Are you kiddin’?” I smile genuinely for the first time since dinner. “That’s my favorite.”
Once the popcorn is finished with the extras, I bring it back into the living room and finish watching the movie with Jamie. She doesn’t try anything beyond touching my leg but I do need to let her know I’m not interested in a second date.
“Wow…these smell amazin’!” Jamie exclaims when she sees the muffins.
I set the empty popcorn bowl in the sink and keep my distance from her, but subtly watch Jackson every time she moves closer to me. Perhaps he’s an overprotective brother type but it’s bordering possessive rather than protective.
“I saved some y’all to take home. Warm ’em up when you’re ready to eat and they’ll melt in your mouth,” Posey says, handing her a Ziploc bag.
“Thank you! Can’t wait to try ’em.” Jamie puts them in her purse that could double as a weapon with how big and heavy it looks.
Posey cleans up the kitchen while we chat and I quickly pitch in and load the dishwasher.
“Tonight was fun! Hopefully, we can do it again. Maybe go to the movies.”
“Definitely!” Posey says.
“I’ll actually be movin’ soon, so I won’t be able to for a while, but don’t wait on me. I gotta go furniture shoppin’ and get everythin’ for my kitchen and bathrooms.”
Posey stops what she’s doing and glances at me. “You found a place?”
I swallow down the lump in my throat. “Yeah, the one I looked at yesterday. They emailed me a bit ago to tell me it was mine if I wanted it. It’ll be available in a few weeks.”
Warren knows the landlord and gave me a good reference.
It’s a smidge above my budget but I can make it work, especially if I find a different job that pays better.
Not that I don’t like working at the goat farm, but the wages aren’t enough to be sustainable on my own.
But finding a job around here is even harder than finding a nice apartment, so it’ll probably take a while before I find something.
“That’s so excitin’!” Jamie beams. “We’ll have to throw you a house warmin’ party. I could help you shop too if you want. I’m pretty good at house design.”
“She is,” Jackson agrees. “Should see what she did to my new place. Looks like a HomeGoods warehouse.”
“You’re such a liar!” Jamie flicks some of the crumble at him. “It’s cute and cozy.”
“Just what every single man wants,” he deadpans.
I snort. “Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll be okay. I can’t buy everythin’ at once, so I’m gonna get the essentials first and go from there.”
Posey avoids eye contact with me while the rest of us talk. If I didn’t know any better, she’s not happy about me leaving, which is confusing since she kept saying I was here temporarily.
Once we’re done, Jackson asks Posey to walk with him to his truck, leaving me and Jamie inside the house.
“Thanks for tonight.” Jamie slides on her shoes, adding a few inches to her height. “I had fun.”
“Good, I’m glad.” Nervously, I stuff my hands in my pockets and rock back on my feet.
“Would you wanna go on a second date before the weddin’? Maybe just the two of us?”
I swallow hard.
It’s now or never.
“I wanna be honest and not lead you on…” I breathe out. “But I don’t think goin’ together is a good idea. You’re gorgeous and fun, but I feel nothin’ besides friendship.”
“Oh.” She sucks in her lower lip. “That’s disappointin’ but I appreciate you being honest with me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t be. I’d rather you tell me now than months from now. Plus, it’ll save Jackson from wantin’ to kick your ass.” She giggles. “He gets overbearin’ sometimes ‘bout the guys I date.”
That’s one way to put it.
“I’ve noticed.”
“Yeah…” She winces, waving it off. “But he’ll be fine.”
I open the door and walk her down the patio steps, then wait for Posey to return. Once she does, I follow her back into the house and lock the door.
“Did you want a muffin before I put ’em away?”
“No, I’m good. Still full from dinner.” And the popcorn I stuffed into my mouth as an excuse to keep my hands busy.
“Okay, then I’m gonna get ready for bed.”
“Posey, wait.”
When she turns toward me, I freeze up.
“What?”
“Um…did you have fun tonight? You and Jackson seemed to be gettin’ along well.”
“Yeah, it was nice to get outta the house and have a nice dinner. Hope you didn’t mind we left you two. Jackson and I couldn’t talk without disruptin’ y’all so that’s why I suggested we go into the kitchen and bake somethin’.”
“Oh, right. Makes sense.”
“Did you have a good time?”
I scratch over my temple. “Yeah, it was fine.”
She nods before walking away. I go through the house and turn off the lights and TV before going to my room. Moments later, Posey pads down the hallway, most likely putting her comforter in the dryer.
Although I’m not super tired, I get myself ready for bed, then get under the covers. Since I need a new bed, dresser, couch, and a bunch of other things, I start a list in my phone and look up ideas.
At some point I fall asleep and wake up when a banging noise echoes from somewhere in the house. When I check the time, I see it’s after two in the morning. Posey should be long asleep by now.
Deciding to check it out, I walk out of my room and find every light on.
“What the hell?” I murmur, going into the living room to find the TV on. Although the volume’s muted, the screen’s flickering between channels, but the remote isn’t where I put it.
Another bang comes from the kitchen and it’s the last thing I expect when I get there.
Every cabinet and drawer is open, silverware scattered on the floor, and the flour bag Posey left out is tipped over on the counter.
“The fuck?” A wave of cold air makes me shiver.
I go to Posey’s room and knock quietly before entering. As expected, she’s passed out.
After turning the lamp on, I lean above her.
“Posey,” I whisper, shaking her shoulder as gently as possible.
She doesn’t move, so I repeat her name louder and shake harder.
Her eyes pop open and before I can apologize for waking her, she throws a right hook in the face.
“Shit!” Holding my nose, I stumble back and fall on my ass.
“Silas?”
I respond with a groan.
“Oh my God, whaddya doin’?” She kneels next to me, squinting.
“You punched me!”
“I was asleep and you scared me!” Leaning over my body, she peels my hand away. “You’re bleedin’.”
“No kiddin’…” I try to sit up.
“Hold on.” She rushes to her bathroom and returns with a wet washcloth.
“I’m so sorry. I’m used to livin’ alone and hearin’ someone in the middle of the night made me go into fight or flight mode.”
Keeping it on my nose, I stare at her and can’t even be mad. “I’m glad you know how to take care of yourself, but goddamn, that took me off guard.”
She chuckles. “Better be glad I didn’t reach for my bat.”
I’d laugh if it wouldn’t hurt.
“What were you doin’ anyway?”
Oh right.
“I heard noises and well…come and see.” Standing, I lead her out and show her the living room and kitchen.
“You didn’t do this?” she asks.
“Of course not. I was sleepin’.”
“Shit.” She glances around, worry etched in her features as she takes it in. “It’s Marjorie.”
“Posey, come on…” My shoulders sag. “It looks like someone broke in.”
“No, she’s done this before.”
“You’re serious?”
Did it get colder in here?
I’m still in only my boxers but there’s definitely a chill in the air.