More Layers: Book Two Layers Series (10 page)

Jules and Nick leave me to greet some newcomers.

I make my way to the bar.

“There you are. Where have you been?” I ask Sam as she joins me at the bar.

“We’ve been...” She smiles. “You know.”

I roll my eyes. “Is that all you two do?”

“No.”

I lift a knowing brow.

“Okay, we do it a lot. Why the hell not?”

I agree. Why the hell not?

Sam touches her ear and laughs.

What the hell?

“What are you doing?”

She smiles and pulls out a tiny earpiece. “We’re playing a spy game.”

I thank the bartender for my drink and sit on a stool. “A spy game?”

Lane walks up and puts his arms around Sam, and then shows me his earpiece. “We got this new wireless surveillance/audio communication system at the security show, and we’ve been giving it a test drive.”

“In other words, you’re eavesdropping.”

“Well, yeah.”

“But discreetly,” Sam adds.

“I see. So if it’s discreet, it’s okay?”

“Well, yeah,” they both reply.

I give them a disapproving look, but I really think it sounds like fun.

“Oh come on, sis. We’re just having a little fun.”

Lane releases Sam and fishes an extra earpiece out of his jacket pocket. “Here, put this in your ear.”

He hands it to me.

I shake my head. “No, I’m good.”

“Oh come on,” they whine simultaneously and laugh.

Lane lifts a brow. “It’ll be fun.”

“I recall the last time you told me that.”

He smiles.

“What?” Sam asks us.

“Nothing,” we both answer.

She frowns. “I hate that you two keep secrets from me. It’s not nice,” she pouts.

“It’s nothing, babe,” he says and kisses her forehead.

“Yeah, right,” she says with a frown.

“Okay, I’ll do it.”

They both smile like idiots. Then Lane shows me how to fit it into my ear.

When I have it in place, they scan the crowded room. They see something, or someone, and then smile at each other, again like friggin’ idiots.

“Okay, what are you two up to?”

Sam looks at Lane and he nods. “I think I’ll pay Jaxie and Mia a visit. He looks miserable, and Mia looks too pleased with herself. Aren’t you curious about what they’re talking about?”

I look over at the table where Jaxson and Mia are sitting. They seem to be having a heated argument. “No, Sam, I’m not.” I lie. “And don’t you dare go over there. I told you that Jaxson and I are okay. We’re going to work on us after the move.”

“Don’t you want to know why they’re together?” Lane asks me.

“Jaxson told me it’s not what it looks like.”

“I know what he told you. And I’m happy that you two are trying to work things out. But what does that mean exactly...? ‘That it’s not what it looks like.’ I’m still sitting on the fence when it comes to Jaxson and I’ll never
ever
get near a fence when it comes to Mia.”

“Me neither, no fucking fence. I’m going over there,” Sam says.

She taps her earpiece. “Testing, one, two, three. Mia’s a bitch, like sitting on a goddamn electric fence, one, two, three.”

Lane laughs. I roll my eyes.

“Sam...I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“If you don’t want to hear, then take your earpiece out,” she says then makes her way toward their table.

I look at Lane. “This is a bad idea, Lanie.”

“Like she said, take your earpiece out. I know you want to trust him but...you want to know why he’s with her. After everything she’s done, he’s still with her. Wouldn’t you drop her like a hot potato covered in acid?”

“Okay, you’re right, I don’t know what to think.” And God help me, I want to know.

Lane looks over toward Sam as she glides to their table.

“Looks like it’s show time,” he quips.

Lane sits on a barstool next to mine. And, God forgive us—we watch and listen in like it’s the next blockbuster movie.

“Can you hear me—copy?”

“Copy that,” Lane says.

I roll my eyes, again.

“Mr. Ryan and Ti...Ms. Mia. Are you enjoying the party?”

“Yes, it’s a fine party,” Jaxson replies as he looks at Mia. “Your sister really surprised them both. Nick is thrilled that his entire family here.”

We hear Mia tsk. Lane and I look at each other. “Who the hell tsks?” I ask.

He shakes his head.

“Do you mind if I join you two?” Sam asks and pulls up a chair and sits between them before they can answer.

“As a matter of fact, we do mind,” Mia hisses out.

“Mia,” Jaxson scolds.

She tsks again, and Lane and I give each other “that look.”

“Oh, Mia, don’t be such a sourpuss. It’s a party for hell’s sake. And FYI, girlfriend, that tsking—not a good thing.”

Jaxson chuckles and Mia gives him a dirty look.

“You’re right about my sister. She knows how to throw a surprise party. The look on Jules’ face when she saw both her parents in the same room—priceless.”

“Yes, I agree, priceless,” Jaxson replies.

We watch as Sam looks over at Mia. I’m guessing she’s daring her to tsk.

“So how are you and Lane?” Jaxson asks. “You two look good together.”

“We are wonderful, thank you for asking. And I agree, we’re fucking hot.”

Lane laughs. “That’s my girl.”

I smile.

“Mia, it looks like you got too much sun. Your very...substantial ta-tas look like they’re sunburned.”

“Oh my God. I can’t believe she just said that.”

Lane smirks. “That’s my girl,” he says again.

He has no idea how similar he is to Jaxson.

“Ta-tas?” Mia questions.

“Tits,” Jaxson answers without hesitation and I almost spill my drink.

Sam laughs. “You couldn’t figure that one out, girlfriend? Your tits are the only substantial things about you.”

Mia hisses. “First of all, I’m not your ‘girlfriend,’ and second, they’re called breasts. What are you—like five?”

Sam grins. “You’re funny, Mia. No, I’m not ‘like’ five. I’m like twenty-five. Even when I’m like eighty-five—I’ll still call them ta-tas.”

Jaxson laughs. “Why do you call them ta-tas? I never asked your sister.”

Mia gives him another dirty look.

“It’s all on me, I’m afraid. I couldn’t say my ‘I’s very well. Tit came out as ‘tat’ and tits came out as ‘tats’ so we started to call them ta-tas.”

Jaxson laughs.

Mia tsks.

Sam laughs. “Oh Mia, you’re somethin’.”

“Somethin’ all right,” Lane replies.

“I’m curious Mia,” Sam says, “how do you not tip over? Like, face plant it?”

“Oh my God,” I say out loud.

Sam gives me a quick look then turns back to Mia.

“Like, are you so jealous?”

“Like—fuck no, girlfriend. Just looking at you makes my back hurt. I’m very happy with my ta-tas.”

“And so am I,” Lane adds.

Jaxson smiles at Sam.

“What?” she asks.

“You remind me of your sister, that’s all.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, Jaxie. My sister is my hero.”

I gasp at her statement and Lane puts a hand on my shoulder.

“Hero!” Mia spouts.

Sam doesn’t say anything for a few seconds. She chews on her bottom lip. She’s thinking. “Yes, hero. We all need one. She’s rescued me from more shit than I can count. She’s a survivor and has done so with class.”

“Yeah, low class.”

“Mia!” Jaxson warns her.

“Low class!” I say out loud. “Better than fucking no class. I bet she can’t even spell class.”

Sam smiles at my comment. “It’s okay, Jaxie, I can fend for myself and my sister. Can you even spell ‘class,’ Mia?”

“Well, I never!” Mia hisses.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll help you.
C-L-A-S-S
,
” Sam spells out slowly.

“Ha ha. Aren’t you a funny one?”

“Yes, I believe I’m quite the comedian.”

Jaxson chuckles.

“Like, are you just going to sit there?” Mia asks him.

He shrugs it off.

“Well, I never!”

“You don’t do much do you?” Sam says. “Except say ‘like’—’like’ a lot.” She giggles.

“Well, I never!”

“Well maybe that’s why you’re such a bitch, Mia, because you ‘never.’“

“Jaxson!”

“Sam, I think that’s enough.”

Sam just laughs. “Oh come on Jaxie. I’m just having a little fun with your little Tinker Hell.”

“Oh my God,” I whisper.

Lane chuckles.

“Tinker Hell? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“My dearest Mia, that’s what everyone calls you.”

“Everyone?”

Sam looks around. “Everyone. As in all the people in this room.”

“You would like, think, with all your money, you could at least buy some class.”

“Oh my hell,” I say to Lanie. “I’d like to throttle her tinker ass.”

“Get in line,” he replies.

Sam laughs. “Money can buy you many things—like triple D ta-tas, a Barbie nose, chin, eyes, and ass, but not class.”

“Oh my hell,” I say again.

Lane smiles.

“Are you going to sit there and let her talk to your wife like that?”

I choke on my drink and it comes up through my nose. Lane grabs a few napkins and hands them to me. Like that’s going to help.

“Did she...did Tinker Hell just say ‘wife?’ Tell me I didn’t hear that.”

“I’m going to kill the bastard,” Lane says.

“Oh, fuck, fuckery,” Sam says and looks our way.

Jaxson looks at Sam and follows her gaze. “What’s going on?”

Sam turns and faces him. “You tell me, Jaxie. Is it true? Are you married to Tinker Hell?”

“Tinker Hell! Stop calling me that!”

Sam looks over at Lane and me again.

“That son of a bitch. I’m going to fucking de-ball him,” I say.

“You take one and I’ll take the other,” Lane adds.

“Jaxson, say something,” Mia whines.

“Mia, I think you said enough. You promised me you’d keep your big mouth shut.”

“I’m not going to sit here and be verbally assaulted by this...low class bitch.”

“I thought it was ‘no class,’“ Sam pouts. “At least I’m coming up in the world.”

“Jaxson. You’re not going to defend your wife’s honor?”

I bite the inside of my cheek in an effort to suppress tears and flying fists.

“You have to possess honor before it can be defended.”

“Good one, Jaxie.”

“Well, I never,” Mia spouts once again and gets up and grabs her clutch off the table. “Are you coming Jaxson?”

Sam puts a hand over his. “I think you need to explain something first.”

“Take a cab back to the hotel, Mia. I’ll join you shortly.”

She stomps her tinker foot. “Well, I never!”

“Jesus Christ, woman!” Sam tells her. “We get it—’you never.’“ Sam opens her clutch and pulls out what looks like a business card and hands it to Mia.

Mia shakes her head refusing to take the card.

“For the love of God,” Sam says, “take the damn card.”

Mia reluctantly takes it and reads it. Her face turns red and throws it back to Sam. “You whore!” I’m leaving, Jaxson. Are you coming?”

“Take a cab, Mia.”

She gives him a dirty look, stomps her tinker foot again, then storms out.

Jaxson picks up the card and reads it out loud. “Last Resort Male Escorts. We’re there for you when no one else is.”

Lane laughs. “That’s my girl.”

“So, Mr. Ryan, is it true? Are you married?”

He pauses before he answers. “It’s not what you think.”

I can no longer hold back my tears.

Marco walks up to Lane and me. “What the fuck is going on?”

I shake my head and look back toward Sam and Jaxson.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Sam asks him. “You’re either married or you’re not.”

He shrugs.

I hold my breath willing him to say “no.”

“Yes, I’m married,” he whispers.

Lane hops off his barstool. “I’m going to fucking kill the bastard!”

I grab his arm. “Lane, please don’t. Don’t cause a scene. This is Jules’ and Nick’s night.”

Marco looks at us. “Will someone please tell me what going on?”

“Nothing is going on,” I tell him.

“The hell it’s not.”

“Why?” Sam asks.

“It’s a long story, Sam. One that I don’t want to get into right now, and please don’t say anything to Lex. I’ll tell her.”

She looks over at me. “I think...she might already know.”

Jaxson follows her gaze. Our eyes meet. “What the hell is going on?”

I shake my head.

He looks back at Sam. “Tell me what’s going on.”

Sam pulls out her earpiece.

Jaxson turns and looks at me as his regret washes over him and lands on me.

I take my earpiece out and hold it out so he can see. Then I turn to Lane. “Game over.” I hand him my earpiece and all but run out of the room.

I hear Lane and Marco calling me, but I just keep running. When I get to the elevators, Lee is right behind me. I’d forgotten that he was even there.

“Lex, what’s going on?”

I wipe a tear off my cheek as the doors open.

We step in.

“Nothing Lee, I’m fine I...I don’t feel well.”

He frowns. “Alexia, what the hell happened?”

I put a hand on his shoulder. “Let it go Lee.”

The doors open on our floor. I take my keycard out of my clutch.

Lee takes it, swipes it, and then opens the door.

I wait by the door as he walks through the room making sure it’s secure.

“Okay,” he says, “all’s good.”

“Thank you, Lee. I’ll be staying in for the rest of the night.”

“Okay. I’ll be right next door if need me”

“I’ll see you in the morning, Lee.”

He nods then steps out.

I close the door and lean up against it. I hit it with the back of my head. “You. Stupid.” Thump. “Stupid.” Thump. “Girl.” Thump. “Will you ever learn?”

Then I hear shouting.

“You need to leave Mr. Ryan, Ms. Grant has retired for the evening.”

“I’m not leaving until I talk to her.”

“I’m afraid you are,” Lee says.

“Like hell!” Jaxson shout.

Then I hear a scuffle.

“Fuck!” Jaxson shouts. “Get the hell off me, you big ox!”

I hear something hit the door—then a loud knock.

“Open the fucking door Alexia!” Jaxson shouts. “We need to talk!”