“You girls are bitches,” Jemmy said almost conversationally. Then she leaned over Gavin’s other side and smiled at me. “Tamara is intimidated by most pretty girls and her new friend is just as bad. Why is she here again?” Jemmy pointed at Bridgette as she looked at Jax.
Jax looked slightly uncomfortable. He always hated confrontation and was a peace maker through and through. “Tamara likes her and wants Bridgette to feel welcome. She’s new here.”
“Jemmy,” Will said sternly, although there was laughter and pride gleaming in his eyes. “Language please.” He looked over Bridgette. “So, Collin and you both attended Pine Grove High School, but you didn’t?” he inquired, looking at me.
Bridgette’s eyes widened slightly as if she realized her faux paus and I realized in that moment she was also working with Collin and Zach. My stomach turned as I contemplated what she had to do with all of this. I’m sure she was babysitting the guys. Just like Collin was babysitting me, but what was she capable of doing?
His eyebrows knitted, clearly piecing it all together, just as he was opening his mouth, I looked over at him. “Please drop it. Please for your, and everyone’s, safety,” I tried to compel my thoughts into his head.
His head snapped over at me, and he looked back at Bridgette. I’m pretty sure I saw an imperceptible nod, before he took another bite of his chicken. “I look at files all day. It gets hard keeping track at times.” Will smiled.
His phone began to ring, and he smiled apologetically at us before he stood up. “I apologize for the interruption, but I must take this.” He stood up and I noticed he turned and looked at me with a puzzled expression, before he headed into his den.
“Awkward,” Tamara giggled in the silence of the room when he left.
Drake gave her a slightly annoyed look before he turned to look at Jax. “How many people are we planning for tomorrow night? Do you want to do some sub trays, pizza and wings maybe?”
I sat there slightly stunned. In the past, I was able to make people do what I asked them to do, but I never tried to talk to them before. I mean, Jaxson and I had a connection since I was ten. We had been able to carry conversations when I was scared or angry, but I had never tried to talk to anyone else or project my voice in my head.
I felt both giddy and shocked that my gift seemed to be back. Was it because Collin was too far away from me? I decided to continue testing my theory out.
“Gavin,” I called silently.
His head snapped over at me and his jaw dropped.
“Don’t talk. You can hear me?”
He looked around the table. Then he looked down at his food and nodded his head.
“We need to leave. Now,” I insisted.
He nodded once more and then wiped his mouth with his napkin. “That was a delicious meal once again. Thank you, Drake. I think it’s time for me to head home, though,” he said before standing up and walking towards the kitchen.
“I thought you had a lesson with Remy tonight,” Jemmy said. She looked disappointed that he was leaving suddenly.
I would have giggled if the situation was slightly different. Jemmy grew easily bored with guys, and she never clung to or demanded their attention. The fact that she was trying to convince Gavin to stay showed me a lot.
He looked like he wanted to reach out and touch her, but then he looked around guiltily before he withdrew it. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I forgot I told my mom I was going to pick up some cat litter for her on the way home.”
Even to my ears, the excuse sounded lame.
“Blake, would you like a ride home?” he asked suddenly.
I looked up at him and smiled. “Sure, thanks. Thank you for the meal, Drake. You’re an amazing cook.”
“I can take her home,” Noah stood up quickly.
I laid a hand on his arm. “It’s okay. Thanks, though.” I tried to sound reassuring.
I knew he wanted more answers, and he was hoping to get them from me tonight, but I had to talk to Gavin in private.
We said our good byes, and I ran upstairs to grab my bag. I hadn’t realized that Noah had followed me up the stairs.
“Why are you running off? I don’t think you should go home to Collin. It doesn’t feel right.” Noah was staring down at his feet as he put his hands in his pocket.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I need to go.” At his crestfallen look, I quickly added. “I should be able to tell you everything…soon, ok?”
He grudgingly nodded. “Call me if you need me,” he insisted.
I smiled and reached up to give him a passionate kiss. “I will. Thank you.”
He smiled and pulled me in for one more kiss and I found myself reluctant to leave.
On the way out the door, I looked at Gavin. “I’m sorry if I ruined your night. If you want, you can stay here,” I said, feeling guilty suddenly.
He shrugged, but gave me a reassuring smile. “It’s fine. I’m here for you. Besides, if you’re right, I have a long time to make it up to Jemmy.”
“Have you gotten her phone number yet?” I asked, hoping to assuage my guilt.
I could see the look of hesitance enter his eyes. “What happens if she’s just flirting and she’s not that in to me?” he rubbed the back of his neck.
“I’m sure she is, trust me,” I insisted.
“Oh, I am,” Jemmy said saucily from the doorway.
I never saw Gavin so red with embarrassment.
“Good then, it’s settled. Gavin, call Jemmy’s number so she has it.” I smiled widely.
Jemmy rattled off her number, then smiled like the cat that ate the canary. “I’ll be expecting a text from you,” she stated.
“Uh, okay, I will,” Gavin said, still flustered.
“Bye,” Jemmy blew him a kiss, and I laughed as I pulled Gavin out into the mudroom.
As I opened the garage door, I smacked into a wall. Not a literal wall, but it might as well have been. I tripped over my own feet and landed hard on my rear. I looked up at Remington, aka Remy, slightly stunned.
He was the tallest of the guys at well over 6’3 and built like a mountain, but he was light on his feet, thus the reason why he had been my running partner. A longing to feel his hands through my hair left me momentarily breathless. A pang of sadness filled me. I wanted him, wanted them all back in my life.
“Are you okay?” his voice was filled with concern, and I realized he must have repeated himself.
I attempted to smile and stood up, brushing my butt of imaginary dirt, because I knew Sue, the housekeeper, was thorough in her job. “Fine,” I finally murmured. “Just suffering from a bruised ego at my clumsiness.”
Gavin couldn’t stifle his laughter. He was aware of how nimble and sure footed I was.
Remy’s eyebrow knitted at Gavin. “She fell pretty hard,” he gently scolded him.
Gavin wiped a nervous hand across his mouth. “Yeah, you’re right, sorry, Blake.”