CrossFire (Love & Lies #1) (6 page)

“No. Why?” he asked, still staring straight ahead.

“So you’re just always this rude.”

He ran his thumb along his square jaw. “Yep.”

“How did you and Reid ever become friends?”

Aaron sat up and put an arm over the back of Reid’s empty chair.

“Oh, I’m not this rude to my friends,” he said, watching the second baseman catch a grounder.

Jillian’s jaw dropped. “What the hell did I do to piss you off like this?”

He finally looked at her. “Listen, it’s nothing personal. I just know that whatever is going on between you and Reid will never work. So I don’t see any point in trying to get chummy with you. You seem like a nice girl, in all honesty. But if you haven’t noticed yet that Reid’s job isn’t exactly conducive to dating, you will soon enough.”

“Don’t you think you should let me and perhaps Reid be the judge of that?”

Aaron shrugged.

“I need a beer,” she said, standing up. Jillian could not bear to be around this man a second longer.

Reid passed her in the aisle.

“Where you going?” he asked.

“I need a beer,” she said a little louder this time and stomped down the stairs to the nearest concession stand and got in line. God, she was tired of lines.

Someone stepped in behind her and she didn’t think anything of it, until she heard the whisper in her ear.

“Do you miss me yet?”

She spun around, hoping it was her imagination.

“Cameron,” she seethed, coming face to face with her ex-boyfriend.

CHAPTER FIVE

Reid sat back down in his seat, unable to shake the feeling Jillian was upset. Did he do or say something wrong? He glanced over at Wells, who happened to be looking very smug.

“What did you do?” Reid asked.

“What are you talking about?”

“You know what I’m talking about. Why did Jillian just stomp off?”

“Why did you bring her, Jackson?”

“I told you. Rollins gave me an extra ticket. I figured I owed her after the shitty date last time.”

“That shitty date was a perfect example of why you two shouldn’t be dating.”

“What the hell did you say to her?” Reid asked.

“I told her that you two were never going to work.”

“Christ, Wells. Couldn’t you just leave your mouth shut for one day?” Reid got up and went to find Jillian.

“You’re welcome,” Aaron shouted.

“How’s it going, Jillian?” Cameron asked.

“What the hell are you doing here?” God she wanted to wipe that smug look off his face.

“Thousands of people are here.” Cameron waved his hand around the stadium. “Why shouldn’t I be one of them?”

She turned back around to the line that wasn’t making much progress.

“So what have you been up to lately?” Cameron wasn’t taking the hint.

“Not much, seeing as how nobody will hire me.” She rounded on him again. “But you already knew that.”

Cameron frowned, but he couldn’t hide the amusement in his eyes. “Pity. You could always come work for me again.”

Jillian slapped him, surprising herself.

“Damn, Jillian.” His hand went to the reddening cheek. “I never knew you had it in you. Maybe if you’d shown this kind of passion in the bedroom, I wouldn’t have slept with Tina.”

Maybe it was all the pent up anger. Maybe it was her recent interaction with Aaron. Perhaps she’d even had too many beers. Jillian started wailing on Cameron.

“You…little…piece…of…shit,” she said between punches. Everything else around her blurred, and she ignored his yells for her to stop.

Then someone’s arms were around her, pulling her off of Cameron.

“Let me go!” she screamed, straining against whoever was trying to stop her. “The asshole deserves it.”

“Jillian!”

She stopped, realizing it was Reid who was holding her. She tried to catch her breath before facing him and saw the crowd that had gathered around them and security not far off running in their direction.

Cameron’s face peeked out from behind his arms. “Jeez, Jillian. What the fuck was that for?”

Jillian tried to lunge for him again, but Reid tightened his grip on her.

“What’s going on here?” said the yellow-jacketed gentleman.

“I’ll tell you what happened,” said Cameron, “this bitch attacked me for no reason.”

She sucked in a breath and felt Reid prepare for her to pull away again, but she resisted the urge this time.

“Ma’am, is this true?”

“I wouldn’t say for no reason. This man is my ex,” she could hear Reid gasp from behind her, “and the reason I can’t find a job anymore.”

Cameron said nothing, but she could see the twisted amusement in his eyes again.

“Be that as it may,” said the security guard, “you can’t attack people. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“What?”

Reid’s arms finally released her. “Sir, is that really necessary?” he said.

The gentleman nodded. “We have a zero tolerance policy on fighting.”

“But what about him?” Jillian asked, gesturing to Cameron.

“Was he hitting you as well?”

“Well, no.”

He shrugged. Unbelievable. First Cameron cost her her job, and now he was getting her kicked out of the ball park. And life continued to go on as usual for him.

“Ma’am.” He gestured towards the exit.

“Can I at least grab my stuff?” she asked.

“Yes. I’ll escort you.”

Reid said nothing, but followed them both back up to the seat. How embarrassing. Their second date was being cut short, and this time it was entirely her fault.
It must be a sign.

Aaron shot a glance at Jillian as she made her way down the row and did a double take, noticing the guy in the big yellow jacket following her.

“What’s going on, Jackson?” It only added to her irritation that he was not addressing her.

“I’m afraid Jillian and I are going to have to duck out early,” said Reid.

“You don’t have to leave because of me.” Jillian muttered, picking up her bag and sweater. “I’m sure I can catch a cab home. Again.”

Reid caught her arm when she stepped back into the aisle.

“I’m not letting you take a taxi home.”

She looked over her shoulder at Aaron. “What about Mr. Sunshine over there?”

Reid smiled at her jab. “I’m sure he’ll be fine. I’ll call you later, Wells.”

Aaron looked confused, and then pissed, as he waved good-bye. Jillian didn’t really care.

Security walked the two of them to the nearest exit and confiscated their tickets before sending them on their way.

Reid kept step with Jillian, who was walking with her arms crossed and eyes focused on the sidewalk.

“You didn’t have to leave,” she said without looking up.

“I wasn’t going to stay without you.”

They walked another block in silence before Reid asked, “Are you going to tell me what that was all about? Or should I worry about being attacked on random outings.”

She looked at him in shock and he smiled. “I was only joking. I don’t really think you’re going to attack me.” Reid put an arm around her. “Plus, unlike that poor loser back there, I think I could take you.”

Jillian tried to hide it, but Reid caught the hint of a smile on her face. “C’mon, let’s get you home,” he said.

He opened the passenger door for her, and she paused before climbing in.

“Do you think this is a sign?”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Date number one, you had to…leave early. And now on date number two I managed to get us kicked out of Safeco Field. Do you think it’s a sign?”

“I don’t believe in signs. I’m assuming you don’t make it a habit to get kicked out of ball games.”

“That was a definitely a first for me,” she said.

“And while I often have to leave at a moment’s notice, it’s because of the nature of my work, nothing personal.”

“So you’d be open to going out with me again?”

“Who says tonight is over already? Hop in. I have an idea.”

Her forehead wrinkled, but she climbed in.

“Are you going to tell me what this idea is?” she asked as he turned onto the freeway.

“Are you going to tell me what the fight was about?”

“Do I have to?”

“No, of course not,” he said. “But would you be interested in going on a motorcycle ride with me?”

“A motorcycle,” she whispered.

“Yes. Have you ever ridden one?”

She shook her head.

“Would you like to?”

“Is it safe?” she asked.

“With me, it is”

“Okay.”

“So now are you going to tell me your story?”

Jillian sighed. “He’s my ex-boyfriend.”

“I heard you tell the security guard. And how did he cost you your job?”

“Well,” she said slowly, “he was my boss.”

“You were dating your boss?”

“He didn’t start out as my boss. We worked for the same company, just not together. Eventually he ended up in that position.”

“What happened? Did you guys break up and he fired you?”

“No, I quit.”

“You quit? I don’t understand.”

“I found out he was cheating on me with his assistant, so I moved out and quit my job. All in the same week.”

Reid didn’t blame Jillian one bit for going ape shit on the guy.

“But I’m still not sure I follow how that cost you your job if you’re the one that quit.”

“He won’t give me a decent reference. I keep applying for other jobs in my field, but that position was the only one I’d had and without it on my resume, I’m having trouble getting an interview. But when they do the reference check, Cameron tells them that I was a lazy employee or something. And that is why even though I have a very expensive degree in graphic design, I am working as a cashier at Safeway and living with my dad.”

“You should be talking to
his
supervisors. Let them know what he is doing.”

“Problem is his father owns the company. I’ve thought about suing, but I think it would be more trouble than it’s worth. I’ll figure it out eventually. I’m sure he’ll tire of this game.”

She turned to stare out the window, and Reid noticed her slumped shoulders, as though she were admitting defeat.

“Hey,” he said, and she turned back around. “I think you showed him today that he’s been messing with the wrong woman.”

She smiled. “Thanks. But just so you know, I don’t usually attack ex-boyfriends, or anyone for that matter. I guess I was caught off guard running into him like that. And especially after—”

“After what?” he asked.

“Nothing, never mind.”

“No, what were you going to say? After what?”

“Right before I had gone downstairs, Aaron and I were arguing. That’s to say that I was already in an irritated mood when I ran into Cameron.”

“Aaron told me he talked to you. Sorry about that. Don’t mind him.”

She started to say something, but they were pulling up in front of her dad’s house.

“It’s going to be chilly on the bike,” he said, stopping the car. “Why don’t you change into jeans, grab a warmer jacket, and meet me in my garage?”

She nodded and climbed out. Reid watched her walk into the house before pulling into his driveway.

As Jillian walked up to Reid’s house, he was rolling out a red motorcycle. Even she, who knew nothing about bikes, could appreciate the beauty of this machine. She had a feeling this was going to be fun.

“What kind of motorcycle is this?” she asked.

“A Ducati 1199 Panigale,” he said with such reverence that Jillian couldn’t help but smile. “Grab the two helmets off the shelf,” he instructed, pointing to the right side of the garage.

“The rules are simple enough,” Reid said when she had brought them over. “Lean into the turns with me. You don’t need to put your feet down when we stop. That’s my job.”

Jillian nodded, trying to soak it all in.

“Experienced passengers,” he continued, “will often just place their hands on their knees while riding.”

He stepped closer and placed a hand on one of the helmets she was holding.

“But you can hold onto me as tight as you need to feel safe,” he said quietly and Jillian felt a tingle sweep though her whole body. “I promise you won’t fall off the back. You’re safe with me. Got it?”

She nodded again.

“Good. Now let’s get this helmet on you.” He took the helmet from her hand and helped her put it on, tucking her hair into it.