Behind Closed Doors (16 page)

“Hey Bec,” I said, putting on a croaky voice.

“Kyla, what’s wrong? Did you just wake up?”

“No. I think I’m coming down with something,” I continued in a raspy tone.

Jayce was looking at me with a smirk on his face. He raised one eyebrow as he watched my performance. I threw the tea towel at him and turned my back so he wouldn’t distract me.

“Do you want me to come over and look after you?” Rebecca asked, genuine concern in her voice. 

“No. I’m just going to sleep today and rest up,” I said, adding a fake cough for effect. “Did you get your car?”

“Yeah. I dropped by at nine-thirty. Were you awake?”

“No, I was still sleeping.” A smile spread on my lips, the memory of lying in bed next to Jayce still caused a flutter in my belly.

She was silent on the end of the line, which was unusual for Bec and I wondered if she suspected something.

“I’ll give you a call you tomorrow, okay?” I said, breaking the silence.

“Alright then,” she said. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will. Thanks, Bec.” I hung up and shot Jayce a look. “What?”

“Nice performance, Julia Roberts.”

“What could I do? I can’t go out with Bec and leave you here by yourself.”

“I’m sorry if I ruined your plans,” he said, looking genuinely apologetic.

“You didn’t ruin anything,” I said, giving him a chaste kiss on the lips.

“What do you want to do today?” He asked. “What would you be doing with your friends?”

“Shopping. Eating. Drinking.”

He looked amused. “Well, we can’t go out to a restaurant, but how about you give me a tour of Seattle?”

“How do you suppose we do that?” I asked. “Wearing burqas?”

“We can drive around. You can show me the sights from the comfort of your own tour bus.”

“You mean, my Honda Civic?” I cocked an eyebrow.

“Even better,” he smiled.

He took his Oakley’s and a baseball cap out of his backpack. He placed the cap on backwards and then shielded his eyes with the glasses.

“Okay, I’m ready,” he announced.

The disguise did little to hide his appeal. If anything, it made him far more attractive.

Chapter 15

We jumped in my car and I gave Jayce a tour of the famous Seattle sights. I began the tour by driving along Alki Avenue, showing the view of Alki Beach. We then drove on the West Seattle Bridge, past Safeco Field, through Pioneer Square, then to downtown Seattle where we drove around the space needle, viewing the tower from different angles. The whole time, Jayce took photos with his cell phone from the comfort of the passenger seat. He had an adorable smile spread across his lips, clearly interested in what Seattle had to offer.

As I drove, we talked and laughed and when we fell into a comfortable silence, Jayce turned on the radio. He flicked through the stations before settling on a classic rock station. It reminded me of something my father would listen to. Jayce sang along with the timeless classics as I sat there smiling, pretending I didn’t know the words.

On our way home, I stopped at my favorite cafe in Bellevue and bought a coffee for us both. When I got back to the car Jayce was standing outside, leaning against the passenger door as he looked up and down the street. He watched me approach, a loose smile hung on his lips.

“What are you doing?” I half mouthed, half whispered.

“This street’s quiet, no one knows me here,” he said, as he opened his door and hopped back in the car. I handed him his coffee and he took it before kissing me on the cheek.

“I love these tree lined streets.  It’s so quiet and peaceful,” he said while looking out the window.

“What’s wrong with you?” I asked, placing my coffee in the cup holder. “You’re enjoying this a little too much.”

“I’ve been to Seattle before, but I’ve only seen the airport and the inside of my hotel rooms. It’s the same with most cities I visit. I never get out and see what the city has to offer.”

“I’m glad you’ve enjoyed yourself.” I smiled inwardly.

“You’re the hottest tour guide I’ve ever had,” Jayce said, placing a hand on my knee and squeezing it gently.

I gripped my hands on the steering wheel as I tried to hide the blush that spread across my cheeks.

“Home time?” Jayce asked and I couldn’t deny the elation I felt when he had referred to my house as
‘home’
.

“Home time,” I echoed his words with a nod of my head.

I made a quick stop at the market on the way to my house, while Jayce waited in the car. My fridge and pantry were shamefully empty, so I bought the necessities to tide me over until I returned to Los Angeles. Jayce carried my shopping from the car and placed the three overflowing bags on the kitchen countertop.

“You must be hungry,” he said, referring to the packed shopping bags.

“I’m going to make you pot roast for dinner,” I said as I started to unload the groceries.

“No, you don’t have to do that,” he started to protest. “We can order in.”

“You don’t want to eat my cooking?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.

“I didn’t say that…” he licked his lips nervously.

“Here,” I said, shoving a bag of M&M's and a bag of Skittles into his chest. “Don’t say I never do anything for you.”

He smiled, a genuine heartwarming smile and then he kissed my cheek.

“Never!” He opened the Skittles immediately and started munching on the coated balls of sugar.

“What can I do to help?” he asked between chews.

“Go and watch some TV. I’ll join you soon.”

He didn’t protest as he walked into the living room and switched on the television. I couldn’t stop staring at him, sitting on my sofa, his feet resting on the coffee table. To outsiders looking in, it would have looked as though I was enjoying a regular Saturday afternoon at home with my boyfriend. Only I knew the truth.

I forced myself to stop staring long enough for me to prepare dinner. It was the first time I’d cook for Jayce and I was eager to impress. There was something about cooking for a man that made me nervous. It was a big deal.

I diced the beef and chopped the vegetables, adding them to a pot with herbs, before seasoning. I placed the pot in the oven and then joined Jayce on the couch as he flicked through the channels.

“You know, I hardly ever sit down in front of the TV, but when I do, I can never find anything to watch,” he said.

“That’s because you’re only interested in sports,” I said brazenly.

“Not true. I’ve been known to watch documentaries from time to time.”

“Deadliest Catch doesn’t qualify as a documentary,” I laughed.

We watched a few re-runs of Seinfeld before Jayce resumed his channel surfing. He stopped on one of the commercial stations. I didn’t realize what was airing until I heard Nadia’s shrill voice come through the surround sound. It was a repeat of the previous weeks Australian invasion show.

“Change the channel!” I shrieked.

Jayce held the remote in the air as I tried to reach for it. He wrapped his free arm around my waist, holding me in place as he laughed at my repeated attempts to steal the remote from his clutches.

“Come on,” he said. “It’s good to watch yourself on television.”

He hid the remote under a cushion and I sat back on the couch, sulking with my arms crossed over my chest.

Leo had just finished his rendition of a Gotye song and I knew I would be singing next. Jayce came on the screen, commenting on Leo’s performance. And yes, he looked amazing on screen. He was wearing torn blue jeans with a fitted t-shirt, rocking his usual grungy look. His green eyes sparkled as the studio lights hit them and I was entranced by his every word.

The station cut to a commercial and Jayce finally changed the channel.

“How can you sit there and watch yourself?” I asked.

“Did you see how hot I looked? I couldn’t tear my eyes away!”

He laughed when I rolled my eyes at him.

“I’m kidding, babe. You get used to it.”

The oven timer chimed and I made my way to the kitchen to check on dinner. I could hear that Jayce was watching basketball and I grinned at how predictable he was. Even after only knowing him for a few short weeks, I knew he would land on a sports channel.

I served up healthy portions of pot roast onto plates and placed them on the tabletop. I poured two glasses of red wine and lit a candle for the middle of the table. I called Jayce into the room and his mouth turned up into a smile.

“Wow! Look at this,” he said. “You’re amazing.”

He grabbed my waist and pulled me into him, kissing my lips hard.

“I’m starved.”

“Really? Because I noticed that you ate a whole bag of Skittles.”

“That’s not real food,” he pouted adorably before sitting down at the table.

“This is great, babe,” he said as he stabbed a piece of carrot with his fork.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Yep. You’re definitely a keeper,” he stated between mouthfuls.

I smiled slightly, as always, reading too much into his words. It was hard not to and I absolutely wanted him to keep me. Forever.

We ate our food and chatted casually, Jayce inhaling his plate and even having a second helping, which was the ultimate compliment. When I heard the knock at my front door, I instantly thought it was Rebecca coming to check up on me. I cursed as I rushed into the living room and turned off the TV. But it was too late. The television was playing too loud for me to pretend I wasn’t home.

“Wait there.” I mouthed to Jayce and he nodded, setting his fork down on his empty plate.

I grabbed the throw rug from the couch and wrapped it around myself in an attempt to look unwell.

I opened the door, trying my best to look miserable and froze when I saw him standing on my doorstep. I let the rug fall to the floor as I stared at his familiar face.

“Hey,” he said simply.

“What are you doing here?”

“Can I come in?”

“No, you cannot come in!” My voice was raised and I had to take a breath to calm myself. Looking at Brody, standing on my doorstep was overwhelming, to say the least. He was holding a bunch of white roses that he tried to hand to me. Instead of taking the flowers, I crossed my arms over my chest.

“I don’t want your flowers.”

“Kyla, we need to talk,” he persisted.

“We have nothing to talk about, Brody,” I said, attempting to close the door, but he put a sturdy foot in its way.

He looked good, he was in his uniform, probably having just finished a shift or perhaps he was on the clock, I didn’t know with him anymore. I didn’t want to admit it to myself, but he was still the same attractive man I had once loved.
Thought I had loved.

“Kyla, I love you. I am not giving up on us, just let me in so we can talk about this.”

“How did you even know I was back in town?” I asked, but he ignored my question.

I knew he was still in contact with Rebecca and the thought that she may have told him I was back briefly crossed my mind. Her words from a previous conversation echoed in my ears.

“He says he loves you more than anything Ky... I believe him.”

Rebecca wouldn’t betray me like that,
I told myself.

“I know you still love me,” he continued.

“You’re delirious,” I said with venom.

“I have not stopped loving you for one minute, Ky. Don’t give up on us.”

“I gave up on us the moment you cheated on me!” I shouted.

“What I did was wrong. I get it. I regret it every single day, but you are the love of my life and we are meant to be together.”

“We will never get back together, Brody. So save yourself the time and get over it.”

He continued talking, ignoring my plea. “I watch you every week,” he swallowed roughly as tears welled in his eyes and for a moment, I thought he might actually cry. “I know when you sing you are thinking about me. I can see it in your eyes.”

Wow, he really was delirious.

“That’s funny, because I haven’t given you a second thought since I left Seattle,” I lied.

Brody’s face resembled someone who had just been punched in the gut. I felt no sympathy for him.

“Give me another chance, Ky. It’ll be different this time.” He was begging. A grown man, in a police uniform was standing on my doorstep, begging me to take him back. It was a tragic scene, pathetic almost.

“I have to go now, Brody. Please move,” I bit out harshly.

“Kyla, don’t do this to me. You’re killing me!” He sounded desperate.

“Don’t play the victim, Brody. You caused this.”

I wanted Brody to know that I’d moved on. That I had found another man that made me happy. I wished that Jayce would step out from the kitchen, wrap an arm around me and tell Brody to leave. But he couldn’t show himself.

We both knew it and it was in that second that the inevitable truth hit me. Jayce would only ever be my secret and not my reality.

“I really have to go now, Brody. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

“Is there someone here?” He looked past me, his eyes scanning the house behind me.

“No.” I said, unconvincingly.

“You have someone here, don’t you?”

“No,” I repeated, firmly this time. “Even if there was, it would be none of your business.”

I moved to close the door again, this time Brody bent down and placed the flowers inside the door. He then took a step back, moving out of the way.

“I wont give up on us,” he said staring at me, his eyes pleading me to reconsider.

“Goodbye Brody,” I said before slamming the door.

I turned toward the living room and Jayce was already walking toward me, he looked furious and for a second, I thought he was going to rush outside and punch Brody in the face. But instead, he reached for my arm and pulled me in to his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and bent his head to kiss the crown of my head.

“Fuck, Kyla. It took every ounce of my self control not to come out here and kick his ass.”

“You heard everything?” I asked.

“I heard,” he sighed.

Silently, tears began to fall down my cheeks. I desperately did not want to cry in front of Jayce, but seeing Brody, it was too much for my heart to bear.