“Anyway,” Derek continued, “she mouthed off at me and tried to run away, but I followed her home and made her listen to me.”
“I don’t think that’ll work with Bristol. I didn’t just leave her after we had sex together. I lied to her about who I was to intentionally get to her brother. There’s no coming back from that.”
Their silence was answer enough, and I feared there was nothing I’d be able to do to win Bristol back. It would take a miracle. Hayden stood and started pacing the room. “That might not be true. There’s always something you can do to win a girl back. Do you think she loves you?” she asked.
I shrugged. “I’d like to think so.”
“Then you need to do something special for her. Not just a phone call or showing up at her work, demanding that she speak to you. It needs to be something else, a gift of sorts. And I’m not talking chocolates or flowers.”
It was as if a lightbulb turned on in my mind. I knew exactly what I needed to do. My gift wouldn’t be meaningless like a box of chocolates or some stupid shit like that. No, my idea was one-of-a-kind.
“Thanks, guys. I think I have a plan.” Now I just had to hurry and get it done. I got up and started toward the door, but Derek stopped me.
“Jax, hold up.” I stopped and turned around. “You’re coming over for Thanksgiving dinner, aren’t you?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know.” Usually, I’d fly to Tampa and have dinner with my mother, but that wasn’t going to happen anymore.
“Come on, it’ll be fun. Hayden and Michael are going to have us a nice spread for when we get home. If things work out with your girl you could bring her too.”
“Yes,” Hayden replied happily. “I’d love to meet the girl who brought you to your knees.”
Derek tried to hide his chuckle and failed, but I made sure to flip him off, which only made him laugh harder. “Thanks, guys. I’ll be there. Whether Bristol comes with me or not all depends on my plan. We’ll see.”
“Good luck,” they both called out as I walked out the door. I was going to need it.
Chapter 19
Bristol
Almost two weeks had passed and I thought with time my heart would heal, but it had only gotten worse. Work wasn’t distracting me enough, even though I brought some of it home so I could work at night. Jaxon started out strong trying to contact me, but over the past couple of days the phone calls had stopped. I didn’t realize he’d give up so fast. That was what hurt the worst, knowing I wasn’t good enough for him to keep trying.
Angela had been by to bring me meals, and even though I was grateful, I had to tell her to stop. Her being here only reminded me more of what happened. I wanted to sever all ties with Jaxon. My phone rang and when I looked down at it, it was the number for the security desk.
I picked it up. “Hi, Stan.”
“Good evening, Ms. Thomas. I have your brother down here. Shall I send him up?”
Not only had I ignored Jaxon, but I’d done so with Ryan as well. I couldn’t blame him for trying to protect me. “You can send him up. Thanks, Stan.”
“My pleasure.”
We hung up, and it took less than a minute for Ryan to knock on my door. When I answered it, I could tell our separation had taken its toll on him. His eyes were sad and there was no hint of a smile on his face when I greeted him.
“Hey,” I said.
He glanced down at the floor. “Can I come in?”
“Sure.” I opened the door wide and he strolled in.
“How have you been?” he asked.
I shut the door. “Fine. Just been busy with work.” The first part was a lie, but I didn’t want him to know how weak I was. I still missed Jaxon, or the person he seemed to be before I found out who he was. I didn’t even know if that was really what he was like.
Taking a deep breath, he turned to face me. “Have you forgiven me yet?”
I opened my arms and flung them around his shoulders. “There’s nothing to forgive. You were only looking after me.” His arms closed around my waist and held me tight. “I’ve missed talking to you. I just needed some space.”
“I understand, Bris. That’s why I didn’t want to push you. Although I am relieved you let me see you. It wasn’t fun trying to pretend with Mom that everything was all right over here. I’m assuming you didn’t tell her?”
I let him go and laughed. “Definitely not. I didn’t want her to know how stupid I was.”
“You’re not stupid,” he growled. “You didn’t know Jax was going to play you.”
The sound of his name made my chest ache. I walked over to the couch and sat down, hoping like hell I didn’t break down in tears. “He’s the one you told me stories about it, isn’t he? The one who tried to make Evan believe he slept with one of the cheerleaders so he could get his girl?”
Sighing, he sat down beside me and nodded. “I’m sorry, sis. I know it’s not what you wanted to hear. Jax has a reputation with the team. He’s wild, obnoxious, and an arrogant ass. Surely you saw all of that when you were with him.”
I shook my head. “Actually, I didn’t. He had me completely fooled. Has he been gloating around the team about how he fucked your sister?”
His jaw tensed and he flinched. “No. In fact, it’s been the opposite.”
“What do you mean?” I asked curiously.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s kept to himself all week. I guess it could be from his mother’s passing.” He knew what I was getting at and reached for my hands. “I know you want to think he’s pining over you, but he’s not. It’s not the kind of guy he is. Staying away from him is the best thing for you.”
“I know. It’s just taking me a little longer to adjust to what happened.”
He squeezed my hands. “And it’s okay to be upset. You don’t have to hide that from me. Why don’t we go out and have some fun. We could play some minigolf or ride go-karts?”
“You always know how to make me feel better, don’t you?” I said with a smile.
“I’m your brother; it’s my job. Now come on.”
I threw on my shoes and followed him to the door. Maybe having some fun would take my mind off Jaxon. Hell, at this point, I was willing to try anything.
—