Chapter Twenty-Five
Mase
Before Jacob made his feelings for Jennifer known to us, there was a moment in one of my classes that I found myself having a conversation with her. She had been sitting in front of me, golden blonde hair flowing down her back.
We had answered the same thing at the same time, then she turned around with a glowing smile and started talking to me.
I don’t even remember the conversation, but I do recall thinking she was really pretty and smart, and she made me want to keep talking to her. That weekend, Jacob had told us about this gorgeous blonde named Jennifer he liked, and how he wanted to ask out but was too afraid to.
I avoided her after that, not only for my own reasons, but because I thought he deserved her and I didn’t.
I still watched her from afar, wondering what it would be like to have someone like her. To be worthy. I took in every detail Jacob shared with us and stored it away, all while feigning disinterest or teasing him about it.
The truth is, I liked her, and I never told a soul about it. I barely admitted it to myself.
After that night, my world was fucking rocked to the core for multiple reasons.
Now that same girl, who turned into a fucking beautiful woman, is staying with me.
Muscles straining, I push the dumbbells all the way up with a grunt, then hold for a second before slowly lowering them again. I repeat the process, sweat beading along my brow as I push myself with these heavier than normal weights, over and over.
I fucking need this bit of release.
At the end of the set, I drop the dumbbells to my sides, breathing like I was being suffocated.
I know it’s not smart to push excessively hard, but being in the presence of Jayne for the past two days has pushed me to this point.
She hasn’t even done anything except exist in my space.
Things started changing between us when I told her about my mother. I didn’t even mean to say it, but once that information was spilled, she finally stopped resisting my help, or at least, resisting as much as she was.
For the last two days, she’s actually been agreeable and talks with me, asking questions, and letting me see parts of the woman beneath the multiple guarded layers.
But I knew it was a mistake to have her stay with me when I accidentally ran into her walking back to her bedroom, wearing nothing but a towel, with drops of water sliding down her body.
She bolted to her bedroom, arms pinned to her sides, while I hid myself in my bedroom and ended up hard as a rock for at least an hour afterward while I imagined the body beneath the towel.
Then there were the threads of warmth that had curled around my ribs when I watched her play with the kitten in my living room. I saw her entire being light up with a smile on her face, and even heard her laugh genuinely for the first time.
I’ve also gotten used to being around her. And for someone who has actively made himself live a solitary life, enjoying someone’s company like that poses a problem.
It was easier when she was ignoring my presence and being extra prickly with me, because then I was able to keep it strictly as me just trying to atone and make life a little better for her.
A woman standing closer than needed smiles at me through the mirrored wall as she lifts dumbbells that are far too light for her. I give her a tight-lipped smile, then pick up my weights, getting ready for another set.
Who am I kidding? I knew it was a mistake before I opened my mouth and offered her a place to stay, but I did it, anyway.
At least she’ll be leaving tomorrow, and we’ll have that space between us again.
It really was all about helping Jayne at first. And considering her mood seems to have improved with her being at my apartment, I’m achieving that original goal.
Leaning back on the inclined bench, I thrust the dumbbells up, muscles tightening and burning with each push.
I haven’t asked her about the cuts on her arms or why she thinks she’s worthless. I know it’s best not to pressure anyone in these situations, and just be there for them.
It’s not like I have a right to force her to talk about it, anyway. I have my own demons that I keep hidden, and I’d rather they stay that way as well.
When, and if, she’s willing to talk, I’ll be here.
I can’t say the cuts don’t worry the fuck out of me, though. That, along with her choice of work, given her history.
I have no problem picking her up at two a.m., but I hate that it’s from that shithole.
The woman to my right shifts a little closer. “Hey,” she says, lifting one dumbbell, then the other.
Here we go.
I lift my chin in acknowledgment, taking some deep breaths when I finish the set.
The woman starts to speak again, but my attention is grabbed by the sight of Jayne, who is slowly wandering through the machines in the mirror, causing an uptick in my pulse.
Never thought I’d see the day she’d turn up here without me forcing her.
She’s dressed in workout clothes for a change, the long-sleeved top ending a little above her bellybutton, leaving a band of creamy skin exposed.
Apart from at the club, she usually dresses in baggy sweaters and looser fitting pants, but the clothes she has on now are tight, accentuating the perfect curves of her body.
I quickly lift my eyes back up and watch as she inspects the machines, then steps farther away from a few losers ogling her, discomfort evident in the way she discreetly hugs herself.
I rise to my feet, shelving the weights and quickly wiping the bench before making my way over to her, the ashy blonde’s voice a fading sound in the background.
The sight of Jayne’s face brightening when she sees me, and her moving toward me, instead of away, makes me feel like a fucking rock star.
The totally messed-up thing is that she shouldn’t be feeling safe and gravitating to me at all.
“This is certainly unexpected,” I greet. “Are you angry at me again, or are you here for a quick workout before heading to the club?”
With a cute roll of her eyes, she shrugs and glances at the machine beside us. “Someone told me feeling stronger would be good for me.”
“I’m surprised you listened.”
A small smile. “I do that sometimes. Now, if you want to point me in the right direction to where you think I should start, then I can leave you be.”
I should do that.
Instead, with a flick of my wrist, I check my watch. “I have half an hour before my next client will be here. How about I spot you on a couple machines, then leave you with some things to work on?”
I wait for the refusal, for her to say that I don’t need to, or some other excuse. But after she nibbles on the corner of her plump lip, she simply nods, the dyed hair in her messy bun flopping with the movement.
Okay. That was easy.
Trying not to let my smile free, I angle my head to the side. “Follow me then. We’ll start with your chest and back.”
Twenty-five minutes later, I have her sweaty and panting, face flushed.
On the last rep of the lat pull down, she starts struggling, arms shaking, so I press in behind her, placing my hands on top of hers to help her finish.
“You did it.” Slowly, we release the bar together, and I hold on to her hands until they lower to her lap, since I’m sure they feel like jelly.
She must be feeling lightheaded because she leans back into me with a soft laugh, breathing heavily. “Barely.” The heat of her body melts into mine, and I’m acutely aware of every single place she’s touching me.
Too close.
Our eyes connect when she tilts her head up, the smile slowly transforming into something else, something electric.
“Yo, Mase.”
Startled, I quickly separate myself from her, making sure she doesn’t fall back, then turn toward the source of that interruption standing nearby.
Zach gives me a grin, looking between me and Jayne.
“You’re early.”
“Not really,” he says, smile growing. “I always do some stretching first. Plus, our session is in like, five minutes.”
Oh. Right.
Before I can make an introduction, a ringing sound comes from Jayne’s pocket, and she quickly fishes her cell out with a frown. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen her use her phone. She’s as friendless as I am, unfortunately.
“Hey, Clint,” she answers, her eyes flicking to mine for a second. Ah, the landlord I went and talked to about not taking care of her as a tenant, only to find out she didn’t even tell him about the ceiling.
I take a few steps away to give her some privacy, and gesture for Zach to do the same.
“I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.”
“I don’t.”
“Is she one of your other clients, then?” Zach asks, shamelessly checking her out. “I haven’t seen her before.”
Annoyed, I step in front of him to block his view.
“No. She’s just . . .” A woman from my past who was assaulted by my friend, who now works as an exotic dancer, even though I can tell she doesn’t like it, and what started as me helping her has now grown into having complicated feelings for her.
“I was helping her with her form. And she’s too old for you, so stop looking. ”
“You never stand that close to me when I’m working out.” His eyes sparkle with humor.
“I doubt your mom would appreciate it if I did.”
Jayne finishes her phone call and walks over to us before Zach can say anything else. Her forehead is bunched, frustration pressing her lips together.
“What’s wrong?”
“It was my landlord.” I knew that much, so I nod, waiting for more. “He said his guys found a few issues when they opened the ceiling and checked the roof.”
“Okay.” He better not try to make her pay for any of it. I widen my stance and fold my arms at the thought. “So, what’s the problem?”
Jayne huffs, looking almost panicky. “The problem is that it’s going to take longer than he thought, and I can’t go home while they’re doing the work.”
My muscles tense imperceptibly, and my brain sends out a warning, which I promptly ignore. A few extra days won’t kill me; I’ll just work out a little more. “I don’t see why that’s a problem.”
Her face turns incredulous. “I was only supposed to stay at your place for a few days, Mase. I need to figure out where to go tomorrow.”
I clear my throat, trying to hide my discomfort. Not because I don’t want her to stay, but because I do. “Why do you need to go anywhere?”
“Because” —she tugs at her sleeves— “it could be a few weeks. I can’t impose for that long.”
A few weeks. The sounds of the gym fade into the background as my pulse picks up. I was already struggling after just a couple of days. I assumed it would be just a couple more.
Even so, I know I’d never make her leave and figure it out on her own, even if she needed to stay for two months. Regardless of my personal struggles, I owe it to her to help.
“It’s not imposing.” I grab a wipe and start wiping the machine Jayne was just using to give my hands something to do. “I offered you a place to stay, and the offer stands. It’s no problem. We can stop by your place this week and pick up some more things if you need to.”
Cheeks still flushed from her mini workout, Jayne places her hands on her hips, contemplating, wanting to say no. I can see it in her eyes. “I’ll pay you some rent,” she finally says. When I ignore her, she keeps going. “And I’ll buy groceries this week.”
Tossing the wipe into the garbage, I stand to my full height in front of her. I have at least half a foot on her. “If it makes you feel better.”
Jayne blinks up at me with her stormy eyes, no fear there, just that same apprehension about accepting help. “Okay,” she finally concedes. “Thank you.”
My tone is soft when I answer. “You’re welcome.”
This is about helping her, I remind myself.
“I should let you get back to work now.” She takes a step back, lips curving ever so slightly. “Oh.” She pauses before turning around. “I also made you dinner, so you don’t have to cook when you get home. I left it in the microwave for you.”
“You did?”
She dips her chin. “I’ll see you later?”
“I’ll be waiting.” I watch her drift away toward the next machine I suggested, freeing her hair and refastening it as she goes.
“So, you were just helping her with her form, huh?” Zach pipes up from behind me.
Eyes fluttering closed, I sigh. I forgot the smart-ass was still here. Turning around, I face Zach’s shit-eating grin.