Under My Skin (Shady Falls Series Book 2) (12 page)

I found it curious that Mia preferred to stay home alone instead of going out, and I was relieved to know she hadn’t called that scrotum-sucker. Maybe she didn’t want to be there with him. But why the hell would someone who’s supposed to be her friend try to hook her up with such an asshole?

“Jake,” the redhead whined my name like she’d said it several times and I hadn’t responded. Maybe she had. But the sound her voice made when she whined made me cringe.

I steeled myself before turning slowly. Mouth quirked into a smirk, I waited expectantly for her to continue with whatever she was trying to say. She didn’t need to know where my mind wandered. It was best if she thought I was ignoring her.

“Well? What do you think? Night cap at my place?” She smiled winsomely, brushing her hand across my stomach.

“Not tonight, babe.” I wouldn’t have gone home with her anyway, but I definitely wasn’t about to go home with someone Mia knew. I could do some pretty fucked up things, but screwing around with Mia’s friend wasn’t an option. Maybe this chick didn’t know Mia and I knew each other or our history. Or maybe this chick just didn’t give a shit about screwing around with guys her pals had been with. Either way, I wasn’t going there with her, no matter how hot she was.

Standing in the middle of the now bustling dance floor, she stopped moving. Her body slumped a little and looked at me in disbelief. Her heart-shaped mouth hung open and eyes wide, she stood stoic as if waiting for me to say something more or change my mind. When words finally found her, they were full of the shock and a budding anger beginning to replace the sadness. “You have got to be kidding, right? Are you seriously turning
me
down?” She said the words like she had never been told no before, like she’d never been turned down. She was hot as hell, but so were a majority of the women in this place. Being turned down shouldn’t be such a shock.

“Yeah, babe. Got shit to do in the mornin’. It’s an early night for me.”

Standing there she gaped. “You have shit to do? That’s your excuse? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Nope. I’m outta here. See ya around, babe.”

“Fuck you, Jake. This is unfuckingbelievable.”

Lip quivering, water began to collect at the rims of her eyes. I couldn’t believe this chick was getting so upset about being turned down.
What the hell was it with her?
I didn’t want to see the woman cry. Trying to be a gentleman, something I’d never claim to be, I decided to see if I could calm her down. “Look, I’m sorry. You want me to walk you to your car?”

Nodding, a lone tear escaped her eye. She wiped it away quickly, as if she was trying to hide it.

Once outside, we walked across the crowded parking lot to a little Fiat sitting near the entrance. She turned and looked at me once her doors were unlocked. Her eyes were still red, but it looked like the tears had dried up. “You sure you don’t want to change your mind?” she asked, pushing out her enormously large tits. I guessed some men could be manipulated by a woman’s body, but I wasn’t one of them.

“No, babe, I’m not changin’ my mind. Look, I didn’t know you knew Mia. I ain’t messin’ around with one of Mia’s friends. I ain’t like that.” I pulled the door open for her. “Maybe I’ll see ya around sometime.”

“This is about Mia? Why the hell would you care if I know her? It’s not like you’re fuckin’ her. Whatever you did with her was forever ago.”

So this chick did know Mia and I knew each other, and she knew a whole hell of a lot more than I even gave credit. That made me feel two very strange things, curiosity along with annoyance. Why would this chick knowingly come on to me if she knew I had a past with her friend? Was it the reason Mia suddenly needed to leave? If it was, could there be a shred of feeling still inside of Mia?

I was also pissed that Mia was tellin’ this chick about shit that didn’t pertain to her. I knew what I felt every single time I was near Mia. Those feelings never went away, no matter how many chicks I was with and how hard I tried to push her outta my head.

“It’s not about Mia, it’s about me not gettin’ between friends. It don’t matter that I’m not fuckin’ Mia. We have a history, which you obviously know. We are around each other all the time. I ain’t gonna do anything to make things more uncomfortable than they have to be.”

She smoothed her fingers over my chest once more. “No one has to know, Jake.”

I shook my head. Now she wanted to keep shit a secret? Was she actually this desperate to get fucked and left? This chick had some serious issues. I was all for confidence and chicks knowing what they wanted and how to get it, but keeping secrets and acting desperate was a level of messed up I wasn’t willing to deal with. She could probably go back inside and have any prick she set her sights on. Why was she hell bent on being with me? Instead of asking, I just looked at her. Whatever issues she had were none of my business. “See ya around, babe.”

“Jake!” she shouted. Ignoring her, I continued through the parking lot toward my Jeep. I didn’t turn or even acknowledge I heard her call. She wasn’t the kind of woman I usually spent time with anyway, she was too aggressive and too demanding for my liking.

              Twenty minutes later I found myself outside Bobby’s bar. I’d just gotten into my Jeep and drove. It wasn’t until I was outside his bar that I knew where I wanted to be. A place I could chill. No loud dance music accosting my ears, no half-dressed women showing everything they had in order to get guys’ attention. Just the same old regulars, sitting around, havin’ a beer, bullshittin’, and relaxin’. It was my idea of the perfect place.

              I walked in to find more than the usual crowd but nothing unusual for a weekend. Bobby was bartending alongside Emma, his regular weekend bartender. Emma was cute, she had short brown hair and big brown doe eyes. She was short in stature but had a big personality which everyone loved. Especially her very large and overprotective husband, Derek, who always sat at the end of the bar while she worked. He was big, almost as large as my brother Cade, but he was a good guy who only wanted to make sure his wife got home okay.

              Toni’s Uncle Bobby was a big man, at six feet six inches tall, not many were bigger. He had a broad, muscular frame, a shaved head and a goatee. He looked intimidating to most, but he had a friendly smile and welcoming personality.

              Walking past Derek, I nodded my acknowledgment before moving to the other side of the bar. George Thorogood’s
One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
filled the air as I planted myself on a stool near the other end of the bar and waited for Emma to bring me a beer.

              Everything about this place said home to me. So much of it reminded me of the restaurant my parents owned in Shady Falls. It had a warm, inviting atmosphere and the customers all knew enough about each other to hold real conversations. The waitresses and bartenders were all friendly and made an effort to get to know their regulars. They knew enough about the people they waited on to make them feel special. It might just be a ploy for more tips, but it made people happy. 

              I was so caught up in the music and relaxing I hadn’t noticed Emma place a beer in front of me. “How’s it goin’ Jake?”

              “Good, Em. What’s goin’ on?”

              “Nothin’. Hey, I was wonderin’, what does a membership cost at your gym? Derek’s been lookin’ to join.”

              “Tell you what, send him down and I’ll make sure I get him a good price on a yearly membership.”

              “Thanks Jake,” she smiled and winked. When I tried to hand her money, she said, “This one’s on me.”

              “Thanks, Em. Send him down tomorrow.”

              Smiling, she hurried to the other end of the bar, no doubt passing the information on to Derek. His gruff expression immediately morphed the moment she stood in front of him. His eyes instantly lost the hard edge they usually held, his expression softened and a huge smile came across his face. The entire time she talked, his eyes never once strayed from her face. Anyone could see how much he loved his wife. Derek didn’t look up until Em turned and smiled. He nodded his appreciation and immediately went back to talking to Em. A great couple, they had the kind of relationship my mother and father had; I wanted what they had.
Maybe someday.

              The music morphed to Van Morrison’s
Brown Eyed Girl
as a familiar voice sounded at the end of the bar. “I need two Yuenglings and a Coors,” Mia shouted over the music so Uncle Bobby could hear.
My brown eyed girl.

              “You got it. You’ve been a lifesaver, Mia. After your tables cash out, you’re done. You hear,” Bobby demanded as he placed the bottles on Mia’s tray. Her smile lit her face as she nodded toward the older man.

              From afar I could appreciate the way Mia slid across the floor as if she was on air. From my place at the bar, I was able to watch her glide around and serve her tables. She hadn’t noticed me, allowing me the time to appreciate her body and movements. Her elegance and beauty were unlike any other woman I’d ever known.

              Friendly and welcoming, she wasn’t flirtatious. She served her customers while laughing and joking with them. When her customers got up to leave, she returned to the bar, and waved Bobby over. I liked knowing she hadn’t noticed my presence yet. It let me look at her and take in all that was Mia.

“Bobby, are you sure you don’t need me anymore?” Mia asked as she pulled off her apron. She no longer looked sick, she just looked … beautiful. Her russet skin glowed in the dim light of the bar. Her brown eyes sparkled, her smile lit her beautiful face as she sang the last lines of Johnny Cash’s
Ring of Fire
.

“No, Mia. We’re good now,” he said with a smile, his voice bounced around in the empty air between songs. “Why don’t you sit down and eat.” He slid a soda and some onion rings onto the bar. “We’ll be good for the rest of the night. Thanks for your help, honey.”

She stood by the bar, her hips swayed elegantly to the rhythm of the beginning of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s
Sweet Home Alabama
while she took the last couple empties off her tray. Climbing onto one of the empty barstools, she relaxed. “No problem. I like helpin’ around here.” Her smile lit up the dark tavern atmosphere.

She sat and stuffed an onion ring in her mouth and spoke to Emma. Her onion ring garbled words were mostly drowned out by the jukebox and the guys playing pool on the other side of the room. She was extremely cute. The dress was tight and revealing, completely out of place with the rest of her. Instead of heels, she had black Converse on her feet. Her long curly hair was pulled into pigtails which hung over her shoulders and cascaded over her perfect breasts. She was sexy as hell but she was also down to earth and real.

I sat, drank another beer, and watched her talk to the people around her while she ate her food. She ate like she was starving.
Hadn’t the asshat taken her to dinner?
No wonder she left the club feeling sick, she needed to eat. I fumed, realizing the prick she spent time with wasn’t taking care of her. Even inebriated I still managed to take care of the women I slept with. It might not be romance, but they were at least respected for the little time I was with them.

After a few moments she glanced around the bar, her eyes skimming past me before snapping back and locking. She held my gaze for a moment before she focused back on her food and refused to look up again. I didn’t know why, but I wanted her to look up at me. 

Chapter Ten

Mia

What is he doing here? I thought he’d be with Jen tonight.
I held his gaze for a moment before looking back down at my quickly emptying basket. I didn’t want to see him. Seeing Jake always made my insides quake. Heartbeat picking up, stomach trembling with nervousness, I wished I hadn’t noticed him. And why was he staring at me? He hated me.

I continued to eat my food, only looking up through my lashes once to find he wasn’t there anymore. I sighed to myself, relieved he was gone. But what I didn’t understand was what happened with Jen. She never goes to bars like this and she wasn’t one to let a man she was interested in get away. And her endeavors were all-nighters, at least according to her.

“I see you’re feelin’ better.” A smooth deep voice startled me out of my thoughts. I turned to see Jake standing next to me leaning on the bar. He looked at me curiously.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, your friend said you weren’t feelin’ well so he was takin’ you home. This is your idea of relaxin’ when you ain’t feelin’ well?”

Well shit, what was I supposed to tell him? I didn’t want to be there because I had no desire to see him screw around with Jen? 
No, I don’t think so.

“I was just gettin’ a headache. I didn’t wanna be around all the loud music anymore. When I got home, I saw Bobby needed some help, so I offered.”

“Where’s the douchebag who brought you home?” Well, straight to the point. I guess I could appreciate that. Apparently he didn’t think much of Grant. Of course he did see him drunk and feeling me up not so long ago.

“Grant, his name is Grant. He left; went back to Charlotte I guess.”

“He didn’t even stick around to make sure you were okay? Nice boyfriend you have there.”

             
“He is nice actually,” I argued. “And he’s not my boyfriend. He did exactly what I asked. I told him I didn’t feel well and just wanted to go to bed, so he left. Why do you care?”

              “It don’t matter,” he growled.

              Was he actually concerned? Well, this was a new development. He hadn’t given two shits about me in years. “I don’t need Grant or anyone else takin’ care of me, Jake. I can take care of myself. Why don’t you mind your own business and leave me the hell alone.” The more I spoke, the angrier and louder I got. He pissed me off and I didn’t appreciate him making judgements about me. But as soon as the last angered words were out, I instantly felt bad.

              “I’m sorry, but I’d appreciate it if you’d stay the hell outta my business.”

              “Whatever, Mia,” he huffed. “You wanna fuck around with some asshole who spends his time lookin’ for somethin’ better and who don’t give enough of a shit to make sure you’re okay, be my guest.”

              “Since when have you given a shit about me, Jake? You’ve barely spoken to me in years.”

              He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe what I said. Then another look crossed his face, one I couldn’t read. It almost seemed like it was – sadness. “You have no idea, do you?”

              “What’s that supposed to mean?” I was still trying to read his emotions. Jake was always good at hiding what he was feeling. Memories of the past filled my thoughts. Reminiscences of how angry Jake was when that guy tried touching me in high school. More thoughts ran through my head, parties and bonfires, dances and school functions. He was always there, just on the edge of what was happening. He didn’t engage, but he was always around. Watching, waiting, and when disaster struck, which it inevitably always did, he was there. He rescued me more times than I cared to admit. Had I been wrong about him? Did he actually care? Judging by the look which was almost always plastered on his face when I was around told me, no, he didn’t give a shit about me. He didn’t give a shit about anyone but Cade and Toni.

              “Nothin’, never mind.” His snarl was barely audible over Journey’s
Don’t Stop Believing
belting out of the speakers on Uncle Bobby’s old school jukebox. “You wanna fuck around with George, be my guest.”

              “It’s Grant,” I yelled.

              “Whatever,” he snapped, narrowing his eyes at me. Lowering his head to meet my eyes, our mouths were only an inch apart. It would be so easy to lean in and press my lips to his. His voice a low rumble, he said, “That asshole makes you look like a fool. His eyes ain’t ever on you. He’s always lookin’ for someone better.” His gaze raked down my body and back up, leaving a trail of heat. Meeting my eyes once more, his voice lowered. “He don’t realize there ain’t anythin’ better. But you’re too damn blind to recognize it yourself.” He stared into my eyes for another moment, the noise of the crowded bar drowned out by my hammering heart. Downing his beer, Jake stood up straight, scowled, and walked across the room. The door slammed, signaling his departure.

              My head swam. He had me so worked up I couldn’t see straight, I just wasn’t sure if it was sexual tension or complete annoyance I was feeling.

              I wished I believed him so long ago when he told me he loved me, but it was hard to believe in anything when I had to watch my parents’ relationship fall apart. After they divorced, I stopped believing completely. I wished I hadn’t stopped, but I couldn’t believe in anything. Love wasn’t real and true love was nothing but a farce for little girls who believed in Prince Charming and fairies. I didn’t believe in fairytales anymore. Though I wanted to, desperately, but fairytales are for little girls.

              “Girl, are you outta your damn mind?” Emma asked as she refilled my soda and took the empty basket from in front of me. “If I were single and I had Jake pursuin’ me, I sure as hell wouldn’t have let him walk outta here.”

              “He ain’t pursuin’ me, Em. He’s just bein’ a dick. Jake don’t care about anyone but himself, Cade, and Toni.”

              Shaking her head, Emma said, “Girl, are you blind? You say that man doesn’t care about you, but I’m tellin’ you, you’re wrong.” Turning slightly, she nodded her head back toward the end of the bar where her husband sat. I’d watched him before. His eyes never strayed away from his gorgeous wife for long. Although he just sat there, Derek was a daunting man. He was always there to make sure no one got out of control or did anything to harm his wife. “You see Derek down there? You see the way his eyes always follow me?” She smiled widely. “That’s how Jake follows you. You shoulda seen him, Mia, when you weren’t lookin’ Jake’s eyes devoured you like you were the last piece of pie in the world.”

              Snickering at the idea of Jake looking at any woman that way, I shook my head. There was no way Jake Hanson looked at me in any way other than annoyance. I glanced toward Derek. His scowl would chase anyone away. But Emma didn’t see the intimidating scowl, she saw a loving and protective husband. “It’s ain’t the same, Emma. Derek scowls to make sure everyone knows not to mess with you. Jake ain’t scowlin’ to lay claim, he’s scowlin’ because he doesn’t like me.”

              “I don’t think so, Mia. The sexual tension between you two is so potent I was sure he was gonna take you and screw your brains out right here on the bar. He’s …”

              Cutting her off before this went any further I said, “I appreciate your opinion, Em, but you’re wrong about this. Jake hates me. He’s hated me for a long time and that ain’t gonna change.” I stood and took one last sip of my soda. “I’ll talk to you later.”

              Quickly, I scurried out the back door and across the parking lot and yard toward my little garage house I shared with Toni. The place was dark and lonely looking, but I was used to being alone. It wouldn’t be long before Toni moved in with Julius and they started their lives together. Then I’d have the entire apartment-sized house to myself. I just wasn’t sure that’s what I wanted.

              Finally climbing into bed after my long day, I started to relax, but Jake’s words came flooding back. I stared into the darkness, thinking about our entire conversation. He said Grant was looking for something better, but he also said there wasn’t anything better than me. My thoughts got caught up on those words. Oh my god … Was Emma right? Did he truly feel something for me? And I pissed him off and chased him away … again.

***

“Ms. D, Sammie is signin’ that she needs to go to the restroom,” I told Jen. “Could you please take her down the bathroom?” Jen and I didn’t discuss what happened with Jake at the club Saturday night. She didn’t bring it up and I wasn’t about to tell her I knew things didn’t work out with him. But judging by how quiet Jen was being today, I knew nothing had happened between the two and she was embarrassed by the situation. Normally she would’ve gloated about it all morning.
Thank god that was an escapade I didn’t have to hear about.

“No problem,” Jen said as she leaned over to be eye level with the nine-year-old little girl with blonde ringlets and glasses that made her big brown eyes look like chocolate moon pies. Signing and talking to the little girl, Jen asked her if she needed to go to the bathroom. With a nod of her head, Sammie stood and smiled with a big happy grin. Several other girls raised their hands or started signaling that they needed to go too. “Ms. Slone, I’m going to take all of the girls down now. Seems they all need to go.”

“Thanks. We might as well take the boys too,” I decided. “Mr. Smith, would you mind takin’ the boys to the restroom?” I asked my other teaching assistant.

“Sure, no problem,” Steve said as he rose from his place next to a young boy. With the same signs Jen used, he asked the nonverbal boy if he needed to use the restroom.

While the students were out using the facilities, I used the time to take a breath and prep for reading groups. I loved my classroom and my students. All of my students had one thing in common – they were all diagnosed with some level of intellectual disability. They were all sweet and loved to make people happy, but normal work for their age was quite difficult.

“Hey, Ms. Slone. How’s it going today?” Gage asked, walking into my classroom. “Where are my favorite students?”

“Restroom break. Sammie asked to go, then a bunch of others followed. You know how it is. They all have to go at the same time.”

Laughing, he said, “And that’s why I love these guys. I’m thinking kick ball today? Get some hand, eye, foot coordination going.”

“Sounds good,” I said with a yawn. I’d been pulling double duty lately between school and waitressing at the bar.

“Why’re you so tired?” Gage asked. “I haven’t seen you at the gym as much lately. Is that boyfriend of yours keeping you too busy?” His smile was huge, indicating his meaning. I wish it was bedroom fun making me so tired.

Snickering I shook my head. “No. No boyfriends here.”

“What about the guy I saw you with a couple weeks ago?”

“Grant? He’s not my boyfriend. We talk sometimes. Hell, he’s hardly ever around. I’ve been workin’ at Toni’s uncle’s bar. One of his waitresses quit, so I’ve been helpin’ out.”

“That’s nice of you. Are you going to the race in Homestead?”

“Yeah, I’m goin’, can’t wait. I didn’t know you’re goin’.”

“My brother-in-law is a big fan and when I mentioned it to Julius, he invited us to go.”

“I get to meet the woman who has to deal with you every day?” I teased. “I can’t wait to see if you torture her as much as you torture all of us.”

Gage laughed and was ready to say something when Andy came in and wrapped him in a big hug.

“Mr. Andrews,” Andy said with his slurred speech. “Are we goin’ to gym early today?”

With a pat on his back, Gage smiled down at the little boy. “Not yet, Andy. Before it’s time to go home. But we’re going to play a fun game today.”

“Yay,” Andy shouted while he jumped up and down.

              “Okay, Andy. Sit down. We’re gonna have reading groups now,” I instructed. “Ms. D, Mr. Smith, we’re gonna get them into their reading groups. If you could take your groups and get them started on their activities that would be great. And my group,” I announced. “Get your packets out and start doing your spelling word match.”

              “Are you coming to the gym tonight?” Gage asked.

              “Yeah, Cade said somethin’ about gettin’ together tonight to give us the track passes and to talk about travel arrangements.”

              “Yeah, that’s what Jake said.”

              I cringed hearing Jake’s name. I hadn’t talked to him since our altercation at the bar. Any time we were alone we fought. I wished we could have just one conversation that didn’t turn into a fight. It was bad enough he was always around and I’d have to see him around the gym. I couldn’t get him out of my mind. I’d never be happy with anyone else if I kept imagining them to be Jake.

              “What is it with you two?” Gage asked, his eyes slightly narrowed and his voice raised in questioning.

              “What’s with who?” I asked. I had no idea what he was talking about.

              He lowered his voice so the kids wouldn’t be able to hear him. “You and Jake. He insists there’s nothing between you. You’re seeing some jaggoff that you never see and who isn’t even in your league. Every time someone even mentions Jake, you git this sad puppy look in your eyes. And Jake looks like he’s ready to rip someone’s eyeballs aht of their head when guys talk to you at the gym.”