Chapter 4 I Had Some Help
CHAPTER 4: I HAD SOME HELP
JACE
I watch as Lacey swims toward the ladder on the back of the boat, and when she pulls herself up out of the lake, my eyes lock on her body. She has more curves than she did nine years ago, and fuck if I don’t want to trace every inch of them with my fingers. Water drips between her breasts and down her stomach. I have to adjust myself under my swimsuit so my dick doesn’t make a show of my attraction to this girl.
Georgia summers are hot, but watching her move in that tiny black bikini, without being able to touch her, is making me feel like I’ve fallen into the pits of hell.
I need to cool the fuck down. She wants nothing to do with me, and as much as I want to know why, I know she’s not going to talk to me in front of a bunch of people. I need to get her alone.
The sun hits the gold and silver chains around her neck and immediately makes me question everything I thought I knew. I rub my hands over my eyes like it’ll somehow make my vision better. Is that really what I think it is?
“Move your boat to the back and I’ll help you tie it off,” Tanner yells, breaking my thoughts. I hear a loud splash as he jumps in the lake and swims to meet me. I pedal the boat close to the pontoon and throw the rope towards my roommate. He catches it and ties a knot. I carefully stand, climb out, and up onto the boat where my ex sits with a girl I’ve never met.
“Hi, I’m Gray,” the brunette says.
“Jace, but I go by Jacks,” I say, offering her a wave. Lacey lets out a laugh, but doesn’t look in my direction.
“I work with Lacey, and once Poppy’s license gets approved, I’ll work with her too.”
I nod my head. “Cool, so are you all nurses?”
“We aren’t nurses. We’re therapists,” Lacey says.
“Oh, right. I knew it was something like that. Dad told me you worked at a nursing home, but I couldn’t remember.”
Gray studies Lacey and me, trying to figure us out.
“Assisted living facility,” Lacey corrects me.
“Isn’t it the same thing?” I ask.
She diverts her gaze down to her phone and away from mine.
“Technically, no,” Gray explains. “The residents at a nursing home require constant care. Dogwood Manor has different levels of care, but most of our clients can do a lot independently.”
“ I gotcha. So, what kind of therapists are you?”
“Well I’m a physical therapist, Lacey is an occupational therapist, and Poppy is a speech therapist,” Gray explains.
“Cool. So, Lacey, what does an occupational therapist do?” I look at her, hoping she’ll talk to me. She looks up and I’m surprised to find her eyes aren’t full of hatred, instead they look like they’re full of pain. For a second I think she may answer my question, but then her phone pings and she looks away.
“You want a drink, man? We have beer and White Claws.” Tanner is digging around in a large, turquoise cooler. On the lid, a large version of Logan and his pickleball team mascot is surrounded by other various stickers.
“Sure, a beer is fine.” I walk over and grab the can from his hand. “I tried texting you, but it wouldn’t go through. You think I should leave?”
“My phone is dead. And no. You’re here now, so you might as well stay and hang out,” he whispers.
I nod, tip my beer up, and swallow hard. Tanner walks over and spins the volume control on the radio. “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone blares through the speakers.
“So, tell me the funny story about how y’all know each other?” Gray yells over the music.
“Tanner grew up playing lacrosse with my cousin, Archie,” I explain.
“Yeah and five years ago I needed a roommate, and Jacks did, too, so Archie introduced us. While Jacks traveled for work, Logan subleased his room for a bit. We’ve all been friends since,” Tanner says.
My eyes shift over to Lacey. She’s looking at Tanner while he speaks, and for a split second, I think I see her eyes fill with tears. I wonder if she knows what brought me back here. There’s no way, because if she did, then I would have seen her five years ago, right ? Then again, she could know and maybe she really hates me that much. She quickly covers her eyes with her sunglasses and goes back to scrolling on her phone.
“We didn’t know Lacey and Poppy knew Jacks until Poppy’s graduation party last weekend. Funny how fate intervenes,” Tanner continues to explain the situation with a big grin on his face.
“Interesting,” Gray says. “So, how did this never come up?” she asks hesitantly, her eyes jumping to Lacey and then back to me.
“I travel a lot for work. I’ve been out of the country for the past year off and on, so I had no way of knowing Poppy and Logan had started dating. Lacey, Poppy, and I knew each other a long time ago. The girls call me Jace and the guys call me Jacks.”
“Oh my god. So y’all thought he was two different people?”
“Yeah,” Lacey says. She’s still staring at her phone, pretending to avoid the conversation all together.
“I really should stop missing girls’ night,” Gray laughs. “So, what do you do for a living, Jacks?”
“I’m a photographer.”
“What, no way. That’s so cool.”
I nod and take another sip of my beer. Lacey stands and walks past me like I’m not even there. I try to think of something to say, but nothing seems right. I know she doesn’t want to talk to me, but maybe if I keep trying, she’ll let me back in.
“Don’t be modest, dude,” Tanner starts. “Jacks is?—”
“Just a photographer,” I interrupt him. He throws me a look and then sips from his can, but doesn’t try to finish his sentence. My eyes settle back on Lacey who’s filling her cup. The gold chain shimmers around her neck and it’s confirmed. She’s wearing exactly what I think she’s wearing, but why? Before I can stop myself and because I need an answer, I stand and move to where she’s standing by the cooler.
“Can I help you?” she asks, taking a sip from her cup.
“I was just grabbing another drink.”
She lets out a long sigh and goes to walk away.
“Wait,” I beg, knowing I need to say something. Anything. She freezes, but doesn’t turn around, so I continue. “I like your necklace.”
She slowly turns and meets my gaze, giving me a quizzical look. Her hand finds the locket and she rubs it between her fingers. “Thanks. It was a gift from my brother.”
“Colton?” My heart deflates in an instant. She thinks Colton bought her the necklace?
“Yes, Jace. The one and only brother I have. I know you’ve been gone a long time, but I didn’t acquire any more siblings while you were away.” She shakes her head and starts to walk back towards the others.
“Wait, I—” I start, but Gray interrupts me.
“Jace, will you take our picture?” she asks.
“Huh?” I look at her confused.
“Will you take our picture?” She hands me her cell phone. “Come on Lacey!”
Gray and Tanner move together on the back of the boat. Lacey squeezes in close to Tanner. Jealousy consumes me as I watch my roommate throw his arm around her.
“Wait, we want to get in it,” Poppy yells. I hear a splash and then before I know it, both Logan and her are in the boat and walking over to join the group. I’m used to being behind the camera. I usually prefer it, but seeing the five of them sit there like the cast of Friends, while I take the picture, totally blows.
“Say, summer,” Poppy yells.
I click the camera button on Gray’s phone. Fuck, I definitely shouldn’t have come.