“Is that what you are calling them now?”
I rolled onto my back. “Typically, that’s what you hit when boxing—or what I’ve always heard them called, anyway. What are you doing today?”
“Looking at a bid for the project in Carefree.”
“Whatever makes you fucking happy.”
“What’s making you happy these days, man? Because from over here, you look pretty sad. And I don’t mean heartbroken—I mean you look pretty fuckin’ pathetic.”
“It’s too early for this shit, Max,” I groaned.
“Nah, it really isn’t. I’m fixin’ to tell you a few things and I think you should listen. First, that stunt you pulled last night was bullshit. Straight up, Cane—that was bullshit. You know it.”
I closed my eyes as I recalled the fuck-up from the night before. “I know. Trust me, I know.”
The country music in the background died out. “So here’s the thing—you either like her or you don’t. But you don’t fuck with her. She’s Kari’s sister, so I will make sure she’s fine. That’s my responsibility to Kari, not my responsibility to you. If you want to go fuck the Lesley’s of the world, no one is going to stop you from that. But you have to let Jada go.”
“I don’t want to let her go.” The words were out of my mouth before I realized it. I grimaced at the thought of actually admitting that out loud.
Max was silent for a second. “Well, that says something coming from you.”
“Yeah. Fuck, I don’t know what to do. Every time I try to talk to her, she gets pissed at me.”
“I feel her pain.”
“Fuck you, too.”
Max laughed. “So make up your mind. Either be with her and be good to her or let her find someone else. I’ve got the Simon angle covered, so don’t worry about that if that’s what’s going on.”
I sat up in bed and kicked off the blankets. “I don’t think Simon is much of a threat anymore. He’s buying Solomon Place, which amazes me, but once that’s gone through, it will be over. He doesn’t seem to have called or bothered Jada and he hasn’t fucked with me any. So I think we can relax a little bit.”
“Let’s hope.”
“I am going to get up and grab a shower. There’s a property I want to check out today. I think if we buy it, we can flip it really quickly. Then I need to go check on the expansion plans for Benjamin Estates.”
“Want to grab a beer afterwards? Kari gets off around six tonight and I told her I would drop off her laptop when she gets home.”
I scrubbed my hands over my face. “Yeah. Just come by when you’re done?”
“Will do.” Max paused before continuing. “You think you’ll call Jada today?”
“She’ll just be pissed.”
“No doubt about it. But if you don’t want to let her go, you better start making shit right.”
JADA
I slammed the dryer closed a little harder than necessary, the force sending one of Kari’s coconut scented candles off of the shelf; I caught it before it exploded against the tile.
At least I can avert some problems. It’s the little things, like relationships, that I can’t do.
I rolled my eyes at myself.
I had spent the most of the morning catching up on errands and chores, trying to keep my mind off of the night before … specifically of Cane walking out with the bar whore.
I had gotten worked up and pushed him away, but his arrogance mixed with the alcohol I had consumed proved to be a dangerous combination.
As much as I hated to admit it—I was angry.
I was angry that he came to get me and left with her. I was angry he showed up at all. I was angry that he acted like I was unimportant. I was angry he was so confusing. I was angry I allowed him to get to me.
I was angry that I couldn’t stop being angry.
He clearly doesn’t want me, but why is he so hell-bent on making sure I know it?
I grabbed the mop from the broom closet, deciding that the kitchen tile could use a nice sheen when my cell buzzed in my pocket. Annoyed, I answered the call even though I didn’t recognize the number.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Jada! It’s Simon Powers.”
I leaned the mop against the door as confusion swept over me. “Hey, Simon. What’s up?”
“I’m sorry for calling you on a Saturday afternoon, but I talked to my loan officer at the close of business yesterday and she had some questions. I got busy and worked late last night, so I hope you don’t mind me calling you today.”
“I don’t mind,” I said hesitantly, “but Zack is handling everything now.”
Although I still don’t know why …
“Oh. Well, I guess I will try him then. She really needs the answers on Monday morning and Monday’s are crazy in this line of work, you know? I hoped to get everything straightened out today.”
“That works. I’m sure he’ll take care of everything.”