My Favorite Distraction (Distraction #1) (23 page)

My hands
were still shaking as I returned to work. I was fifteen minutes late and so I jumped right in. I ran late on all of my patients and after that I was exhausted when the day was over.  I finished last; everyone was already done, so we all left together. I checked my phone on the way out. I received two missed calls from Jessica, so I settled in my car and called her back.

“Hi
, Jessica, this is Katie.”

“I want you to come over for dinner tonight to thank you.”

“No, Jessica, it’s not necessary.”

“Are you kidding
? It’s a great idea. Dad’s coming, and he’s bringing Bo. So you need to stop by and pick him up anyway.”

Being with Jason’s family without Jason would be weird.
“Jessica, if I come I can’t stay long.” My voice was both nervous and defeated.

“
All right, I am on my way. Text me your address.”

T
hirty minutes later I pulled in front of a house in the suburbs. Hers was the beautiful house on the end of the block. The landscaping was immaculate. I sat in my car and looked at the gray house with blue trim for about ten minutes, until I got up the nerve to go in. I thought about my family, something I didn’t do often.  I thought about the family dinners and the fancy food, too pretty to eat. There was always an uncomfortable silence unless my mother was complaining about something.  Then dinner would switch from uncomfortable to miserable.  I liked dinner for
one
there was never any surprises.  I wasn’t sure how I felt when I got out of my car or when I knocked, but right now the blond boy I met earlier answered and was smiling up at me. I followed him into the kitchen and saw Bo. He got up and walked over to greet me, and I bent down to pet him. Touching his soft short hair and watching how he enjoyed it helped me relax. I heard footsteps stop right behind me and stood up.  Jessica greeted me with a hug. I wasn’t a hugger, but I did my best to give her some gentle pats on the back.  I was relieved when she pulled away until I was yanked into another embrace from someone else.  Awkwardly I stood there literally counting the seconds of uncomfortable torture. I got to ten and then I was disentangled from her arms. A cute brunette lady with watery eyes faced me. I took a huge step back putting Jake in front of me.
What the heck?
My eyes quickly shifted to the door, my escape, as she started talking.

“Hi, I am Joanne, Jason’s mom.” I faced her again and she wiped tears from her eyes. Awkwardly, I peered at Jessica.

“So thank you for picking up Jake today. He was so excited about meeting you that is all he has talked about.”  Jessica was obviously trying to make it less strange.

“I think I am going to take Bo and go.”  I gave them both a quick nod. Their world was gushy and full of hearts and rainbows and tears.  Joanne’s shirt said ‘I heart my grandchildren’. I definitely didn’t belong here. I could do dinner parties and
a fancy tea gathering, but share a night with the perfect family?  I had limits.

Jake grabbed my hand snapping me out of my thoughts.

“I have some books about being funny.  There joke books.” He tugged on my hand pulling me toward a large room.  We sat on the sofa facing a pool table. The exit was to my right.  I also noticed a glass door straight ahead that led out to the landscaped backyard.

Jake settled close to me moving his stack of books to the side of him.  He spent the next hour reading every joke.  He stopped part way through and grabbed a pen and a highlighter, making notes next to all the really funny ones.  Jack
came in with his trucks. Josh, Jake’s brother, sat on the ground in front of us.  I quickly learned things about Josh.  He was eight and in the third grade. His favorite way to start a sentence was, “and guess what” and he
really
wanted me to touch his finger where a new nail was growing in.  I declined, telling him girls don’t like to touch owies, but that didn’t stop him from asking. The two boys settled in front of us rolling around holding their stomachs, exaggerating the really funny jokes. This was turning out to be a great night.  The three boys seem to get along well and watching their laughter had my face hurting, I was smiling so much.

Jackson came in the room holding Jasmine and told the boys to get cleaned up.  He cautiously approached me us
ing Jasmine as the distraction.  I knew he saw me like Jason did, especially after this afternoon’s performance where I ran.  In his eyes, ‘I was a scared rabbit.’
If he only knew how brave and fearless I really was.
  He stopped in front of me, still focused on Jasmine.  His voice was soft, making her giggle as he blew raspberries in her neck.  I gracelessly attempted to move around him, but he set Jasmine down in my path and stared at me for a moment. Jasmine took off in a run-slash-wobble out of the room.

“Katie,” h
is hushed tone was meant to calm me.

I took a step back toward the sliding glass door. “Hello Dr. Riggs.”

He cringed when I said his name. “Will you eat with us?”

“I am really not that hungry.” It was a lie
. I was starving.

He ran his hands through his hair just like Jason
did when he was obviously at a loss for words.

“Jackson.” His green eyes met mine. “No more hugging and no personal questions, those are my terms.”

His face brightened immediately.

“All right. Follow me.” He turned away and
led my from the game-room.  “Jason is dear to us, Katie.  We lost him for a long while and we are just grateful to you for returning him.”

What the heck d
id that mean?
  “Jackson, I didn’t do anything.  Jason changed because he was ready.”

I trail
ed behind Jackson to the dining room where everyone was already seated.  I took the seat next to Jackson and Jessica.  I smiled uncomfortably as I reached for the napkin and put it on my lap. I took my time smoothing it out.  The table was silent as everyone passed the food, scooping out what they wanted to eat. The younger kids already had their food.  I mimicked the routine.  The food smelled delicious and I heard my stomach growl loudly.  I peeked at Jackson who flashed a Riggs’ knowing smile.

Conversation flowed at the table and I relaxed after a while and laughed at the
back and forth banter between the family.  The big topic was Jake’s fight at school and what the principal said, followed by the appropriate punishment, which I didn’t think was so bad.  He had to write letters to his teacher and the other kid involved and spend a day doing charity work.

“Katie, Jason told us you moved here a few months ago.  Where did you live before that?” Joanne turned her focus completely on me.  I looked at Jackson dropping my fork on accident
, causing red sauce to splash everywhere.  I felt the blush of embarrassment creep over my face and I pushed my plate away.

“I lived in Washington.” I took my napkin trying
nervously to clean up the sauce.  Jackson placed his hand over my busy one and stilled me.

“Does your family live in Washington?” Joanne continued.

I folded my dirty napkin and placed it on the table. I peered up from my napkin slowly and took my time scanning all the loving faces.  I stopped at the woman sitting next to Jake, I guessed she must be Jason’s other sister.  She noticed my long stare.

“I
’m Janie, Jakes mom.  I saw you at the door earlier, but you were a bit overwhelmed.” She gave me an understanding smile.

My eyes shifted back to
Jackson and cleared my throat and then one by one I named everyone at the table as I glanced at them. “Jackson, Joanne, Josh, Jake, Janie, Jack, Jasmine, Jessica and we are missing Jason.”

“Actually we are missing Jerry and Jonah too.” Jackson corrected me.

It was like I was in a different dimension filled with the perfect family right down to the perfect names. I halfway expect them to break out in song and dance before me. I would have never believed it.
Ever.
  I was having a hard time believing these people raised Jason. These people were sweet, sappy, and sticky.  The kind that if you hung around them too long their sweetness would stick and then you would suddenly be sweet too.  There were a couple reasons it would not stick to me.  One, I was sitting at a table surrounded by a fairytale family and I didn’t believe in fairytales. Two, I grew up with the opposite of this family which means, like the opposite of a magnet, I repel from sweetness.  I imagined a quick picture of Jason nestled in between his very caring family. His family of Js hugging and crying on him.  My body started to shake as I fought to hold the laughter in.  I gazed into all of the eyes of Jason’s dutiful family and laughed.
Hard
. I had to squeeze my legs together because I thought I might pee my pants, which, made me laugh even harder.  I now had tears of my own, from laughter.  I sighed when I finally pulled it together.  Everyone smiled, amused by my outburst.

“I am sorry
, I am just really nervous.  Everything about this family is so sweet and Jason’s…not.” I wiped my eyes again.  “I am just surprised, that’s all. I am glad he has you.” And I meant it.  Every family needs that kind of unity, that kind of loyalty. I took a deep breath. Jackson reached over and squeezed my hand.

“And Katie, guess what?” Josh’s little voice came bursting out with excitement.

I was prepared this time. “Rainbows.” I teased.

He frowned. “No, Katie, guess what?”

“Butterflies.” I taunted.

He crossed his arms over his chest and gave a stern look.
“No, Katie, Uncle Jason likes to touch my finger.” He held up the finger with the brand new nail growing.

And th
ose words made me laugh the hardest that I have ever laughed. I think I even peed a little, which is really gross, but I couldn’t help it.

I left soon after dinner.  Jackson accompanied me to the door repelling all of the hugs.  I was grateful.  He whispered a thank-you in my ear before I disappeared.  Jake was a gentleman and walked me to my car.  Bo was at my other side.

“I think you’re awesome, you know that?” I smiled as I said it, and Jake lit up.

By the time I reached
Jason’s house I was exhausted and went straight to bed. I was too tired to even remove my clothes. I woke in the night in a sweat. I tossed and turned, trying to clear my head of my horrible dreams, wishing I had my grandfather’s Bible to help me sleep.

Fridays were my easy days, off at one, but that’s not why I had a crazy grin on my face.  Jason was coming home today and I missed my distraction, a lot.  The plan was to go to his work after I got off and bring him lunch.  I carried my phone, on vibrate, in my scrub pocket just in case he called or texted. Jeez I was hopeless.  After my third patient was seated I felt it vibrate.  I excused myself to the break room in the back. I looked at caller ID and my heart fluttered. It was Jason.

I took a deep breath and cleared my throat before answering. “Hey.”

“Hey,” he answered back and I wanted to giggle.

“So,” I said, knowing that my time of sneaking away was ticking.

“So
.” He was so good with his words.

“Would you like to just write me a note and stick it on my car?” I heard deep laughter on the other end.

“I missed you.” There was a long pause. 

I
peeked up to see my boss staring at me. “I got to go, but I’ll see you for lunch.” I hung up after that and went back to my waiting patient.

I was the first one to leave today.  Shannon knew what was going on.  I told her in a giddy moment.

I arrived in the parking lot of Jason’s work and walked past his red Jeep.  Butterflies and anxiety filled my whole body.  I waved at Candy on my way back. I noticed his office door was slightly open. I heard talking, but didn’t wait. I pushed the door all the way open walking in slowly.  Jason and his dad stopped talking briefly and I held the food like it was an offering.

“Jackson.” I
gave him a small smile and a half nod.

Jackson returned my grin and looked at his son.
I moved closer to Jason’s desk setting the bag and drinks down. I gazed at Jason. He just sat there looking all ruggedly handsome. I rounded his desk with the hugest smile on my face and crawled in his lap, wrapping my arms around him.

I tilted my head back to look in his eyes.

“Hey.” My voice was a whisper, not sounding as cool as I wanted it to.

He laughed
and buried his face in my neck taking a long breath.  He lifted his head slowly and took my lips, moving his hands to the sides of my face.  When he broke the kiss I was breathless. Quickly coming to my senses, I stood and busied myself brushing down my shirt and skirt.  My eyes peered up to meet Jackson’s and he held the goofiest knowing smile. Jason swiftly reached out and pulled me back, my bottom settling back on his upper thighs, my left side to his front. He held me tight, and I didn’t fight him, just relaxed in his lap and waited for him to finish his conversation with his dad. It was the first time in days my mind wasn’t going a million miles a minute. I closed my eyes and wanted to fall asleep.  I heard the door close and I opened my eyes. I stayed in that spot for a moment before Jason said something.

“So you’ve been busy.”

I smiled in his shirt. His voice was so dreamy.

“Dad said you helped out while I was gone.” He kissed the top of my head. “He just told me he spent over a hundred dollars on joke books for Jake.” He laughed, “He said you
r advice to Jake was to be the funny kid. Dad said you picked Jack up from school and took him for milk shakes. Then you suggested he pray about his anger.” He was silent, and I pulled back to defend myself.

“It wasn’t like that
. I bought him a milk shake because he asked and he was honest with me. He told me he didn’t like to fight. I was just being honest with him. I think funny people are fun.”

He smiled at me
, a loving smile, and I lay my head back on his chest.

“Seriously
?” I felt his body laughing. “The funny kid?”

“I told you I don’t do kids.”
His laughter was infectious and I couldn’t help but laugh with him.

“My dad said you sat there for an hour while he read every joke to you.”
His mood turned serious.

“Your nephew is going to be a lady charmer when he gets older. He is quite captivating
. I think you need to borrow the books he got. He marked all the really good jokes.”

H
is face broke into a grin before laughter spilled out. I think I missed that sound the most. I moved to the bag of sandwiches wanting to sit and stare at him for a while. I settled in the chair across from him and handed him his sandwich. He talked about his trip as we ate, and then there was a knock on the door. One of his assistant came in. She told Jason his next patient was here. I stood up to leave, and he pulled me in for a kiss. It was hard and urgent, and I gave in to it. I didn’t kiss him back, because it wasn’t that kind of kiss—it was something he needed from me, and I was more than willing to give. Any touch was intoxicating, and I only wanted more of it. I was dizzy when he pulled away. I licked my lips, savoring the taste. He made a groan when I did it.

I walked with him to his next appointment, but didn’t go in
the room with him.

“I got you something
. I’ll leave it on your desk.” I put his hand to my mouth and kissed his palm. “I missed you.”

He bent down and kissed me softy on the lips
. In one swift move he had me pinned against the wall. I felt his hunger growing, and I pushed him away, panting. He opened his eyes, and his green eyes were dark and smoky. He brushed his finger over my bottom lip, and the caress gave me goose bumps all over.

“I’ll see you later.” His bright green eyes were heated
, and he grinned.

I delivered the present to the center of his desk picking up the mess we made from lunch before I left.
I quickly disappeared and raced to my next destination. I was meeting Jason at six, so I needed to hurry. I had made an appointment for my hair. The man who did it was very nice. He talked the entire time and made me laugh when he commented on others’ hairdos. It wasn’t what he said, but how he said it. It reminded me of Blake at the grocery store—I had almost forgotten I told him I would e-mail him Jason’s family’s addresses for the charity event. My hair guy washed my hair and trimmed it before drying it and styling it. I liked that his talking kept me from my thoughts. I was feeling nervous about the whole night and didn’t want to doubt my actions. When he finished, he gave me a mirror to inspect the back of my hair. It was so pretty. He had it pulled tight on the sides and twisted in the very back. It looked like a rain of ringlets. I knew it was just hair, but it was breathtaking. In the front he left some bangs down, but pushed them to the side. It brought out my feminine shoulders and collarbone. My neck even looked sexy. He was pleased with my reaction, I could tell.

He went to the back and brought out some makeup. I hesitated
, but he insisted and reassured me that it was all new products and unused samples. We talked about the dress, and he was even excited about that. I went to the bathroom and put it on before he started my makeup. It took a while to put on everything, especially the garter belt and stockings. I was relieved when I saw that the lady from Nordstrom’s had thrown in matching panties as well. They were almost nonexistent, but they were better than nothing. I dressed and then he applied my makeup. He was smiling the whole time, eyes big, very proud of what he called his masterpiece. After he finished with my makeup, my eyes looked more violet than blue. It must have been a combination of the red dress and my blue eyes and the makeup he used, but I was stunning. He walked me to my car after I paid and carried my bags for me. I got in the car and felt a huge case of butterflies. It was the same nervous rush that would fill my body before my dance performances. Anticipation and anxiety, it was a high for me, awakening the pretender inside me.  I could be anything or anyone on stage. 

I park
ed the Mercedes along the busy street in front of Red’s club, which was downtown overlooking the river. The buildings surrounding the club had the same, elegant, elite appearance. I was slightly impressed that Red accomplished this, only slightly because Red was a selfish prick.  I closed my eyes and transformed into a sexy creature.  I found freedom in pretending to be someone else. It was another way I could surrender my thinking.  On my way to the club I channeled Jessica Rabbit remembering that on the walk to the waterfall Jason said that was his favorite cartoon character. The thought helped me pretend. I closed my eyes briefly and got into character. My legs took on a sultry walk, my right hand clutched my purse, the left I held delicately like a dancer. Occasionally, I ran it down my hips drawing attention to my tight fitting dress.

The
exclusive club was located on the third floor above the restaurant. The main entry was congested with a mob of people. I flashed a naughty smile at the impeccably dressed man who opened the door for me and he gave me a seductive look back. I bypassed the crowds of people waiting for tables and strolled, head held high, toward the elevators.  My heels clicked on the marble flooring alerting the men in the area I was approaching.  I received glares from the ladies and welcoming gazes from the men, which only meant I picked the perfect dress.  By the time I reached the elevators I was filled with an obscene amount of sexual confidence.  A man dressed in a suit and red bowtie stood blocking the elevators and he asked my name. He fiddled with his handheld computer and then hit the button on the elevator for me. He gave a curt nod to the guy inside, and the doors closed. The elevator ride was quiet; the service guy looked to be holding his breath which I found amusing.  I giggled and he glanced at me with a half-smile, it was adorable. We reached the third floor and he stepped aside and held the doors. I flashed him my shy smile and he ducked his head right after he blushed.

My walk to the bar in the center of the room was slow.  I took in the scenery.  The room was huge, tables spread throughout, loud music playing, lights flashing over the dance floor in the corner of the room.  The bar was hardwood and held the smell of a winery, dark
, musky wood.  I set my purse on the bar and propped my butt on the stool.  The bar tender greeted me right away.  His grin was filled with arrogance I attempted to return the same smile.  I slipped my hand into my tiny purse and took out my phone attempting to show him a picture of Jason.  I wanted to order him dinner.  The bartender didn’t waste his time on the phone, instead trying to convince me through intense eye contact that he was the better choice.  Things changed quickly at the mention of Red’s name.  He was suddenly hit with manners. I gave him money to pay for the meal and drinks, but he refused to take it. He said it was all taken care of. He was apologetic and immediately began typing things into the computer behind him. I left him a tip for taking care of it, but he refused.

“No
, Ms. Covington, that is not necessary.”

It made me uneasy that he knew my name, but I disappeared from the bar area with a
practiced smile trying hard not to let show how it annoyed and freaked the shit out of me. I hated to be called by my last name.  I never even used it.
Ever
. All I needed was for one guy at the bar to type that into his phone and find out who I was and what I was worth.  I slowly strolled back to the front of the club and sat close to the staircase door.  There was a man blocking it, but he wasn’t that big.  If I needed to make a run for it I would simply throat punch him followed by a sharp bony knee to his valuables. I grinned at the violent thought.

I settled in my spot ready
for some good old fashioned stalking.  The place had low lighting which made the seating more intimate.  I spied the bar as I went over the plan in my head over and over. Time seemed to pass slowly.

The place was filling fast
, I stared at the elevators as more and more people poured in.  I peered around the room scoping out the closest ladies room.  When I turned back around there was a gentleman sitting across from me.  He started to talk, but the noise around us drowned him out.  I gave him my pretty little performer smile and nodded. He was dressed in a black dress shirt, he had long dark black hair. It touched the collar of his shirt. His dark eyes curved up in a friendly way.

“I am waiting for someone.” I yelled.  His lips cur
led slowly.

I read his lips. “Me too. How about we wait together?” He followed it with another slow smile.

I glanced at the elevators again and watched Jason emerge.  I wanted to run to him and pull on his red tie until his fat, edible lips touched mine.  He stopped about two feet from me glancing around the room, but didn’t see me.  The closeness between us gave me butterflies, and caused a wide smile to spread across my face.  Jason moved to the bar and was greeted with a plate of food.  I observed the bartender talking with him and then Jason glanced around the room again, this time with a smile.  He sat in front of his meal and dug in, pausing occasionally to study the room. He was more GQ tonight, if GQ had a rough, edgy, version.  His hair style was neat and wavy mixed with the glow from his tan skin and his strong rugged features. He was wearing the white dress shirt, and it was nice and snug, and a bright, red tie. Ugh. He was so sexy.

The man across from me grabbed my hand to get my attention.  I immediately jerked it away. He glanced at the waitress standing next to our table.  She was wearing a red dress too.