Undone: A New Adult College Bad Boy Romance (Mature Young Adult Fun Contemporary Romance) (56 page)

Holly ran into her apartment, rode the elevator up to the 10
th
floor before she jogged into her apartment. Pushing aside the events of the night, she jumped in the shower before slipping into her work clothes.

The call center that she worked at was pretty casual, but Phil insisted upon having her wear skirts with a blouse, heels and stockings. She worked as his personal assistant, but he usually used the time to make her run errands and yell at her about every little thing she hadn't done exactly to his specifications. Holly hated her job, but she loved her apartment. Leaving wasn't an option.

She stepped through the doors of her office at nine exactly. The office was already alive with the sounds of talking voices, copiers and ringing telephones. Walking through the office, she greeted everyone. When she reached Phil's office, she took a deep breath before pushing the door open. He was already inside, sitting behind the desk with a cup of coffee, a scowl on his face.

“Vance, you're late! Go get me another coffee, bring in the new files and wipe some of that makeup off of your face, you look ridiculous.”

Holly felt the anger build inside of her. He was at it already. She didn't reply, but grabbed his mug before she stalked out of his coffee. As the day went by, Holly became more agitated. She was ready to go home, curl up on her couch and watch a bad movie. When it was time for lunch, she was the first one out of the office.

Holly walked over to the park for lunch, the inviting smell of fresh cut grass and budding flowers bringing her some peace. She kicked her heels off. As she pulled her legs up onto the bench, she heard the sound of footsteps moving through the grass. She turned around.

“I knew you'd be here,” Jackson said as he sat beside her.

“How? How could you
possibly
know that?”

“I asked your friend Jenny. She gave me her number last night,” he said with a grin.

Holly grinned back at him. His long hair was pulled up into a bun, the loose strands resting against his neck softly. He had left his jacket behind. Instead, he wore a navy blue shirt that stretched over his impressive chest, jeans that were dark and ripped. She glanced away again.

“You were gone awfully fast this morning,” he said as he looked over at her.

Holly shrugged. “I didn't want things to get awkward. It was just one night,” she said as she pulled a bottle of diet soda out of her bag.

“Was it?”

As she started to take a drink from the bottle, she froze. When she glanced over at Jackson, he was staring at her intently. Holly almost choked on the soda before she recapped the bottle, slipping it back into her purse.

“Wasn't it?” She replied.

“Go out with me. We can go somewhere tonight.”

Holly felt the old blush returning to her cheeks, neck. She shook her head. As much as she liked Jackson, she couldn't imagine there being anything more. She wasn't ready for that. One night was all that she needed.

“I don't think so. We should probably leave things just the way they are,” she said as she slipped into her shoes and stood.

His hand gripped her wrist. “Go out with me.”

Holly turned back to him. The look in his eyes was enough to make her rethink everything. She tried to pull her arm away, but he wouldn't let her go. He pulled her closer to him, the distance closing between them as he stood.

“Go out with me. Tonight. I won't be here forever.”

Holly sighed. “Fine, we can go out.”

Jackson grinned wide. “I'll pick you up at seven.”

Holly walked away quickly, throwing a glance over her shoulder. He sat back down on the park bench, his arms resting on the back of it. He waved. Holly felt distinct heat move down her body, between her thighs.

Damn it, Jackson!

And damn it, Jenny too, she thought. When she got back to the office, she would sneak over to her cubicle and glare at her. Still, she couldn't help but to think about Jackson. His sly smile, the way his green eyes held her, his confidence that filled a room, it all gave her little shivers of joy. Some part of her screamed not to get in another relationship, but she had already said yes. After all, she did want to see him before he had to leave again. There was no telling when they would run into each other again.

The time trickled by slowly for Holly. She organized and reorganized files, fetched Phil's dry cleaning and made his reservations, cleaned up the break room, but nothing worked. The glowing screen of her phone kept disappointing her.

“Are you excited?” Jenny wandered over to ask at three.

“I don't know. I haven't been on a date in a while. The last person I was with was Roy.”

“And he sucked,” Jenny said as she poured herself another steaming hot cup of coffee. “Trust me, I get good vibes from Jackson. Besides, you guys were friends first.”

“That was over ten years ago.”

Jenny shrugged. “Just go with it.”

Holly grumbled to herself as her friend left out of the break room. It was easy for Jenny to say that. She had a new lover every week, a new boyfriend every three months and she never let anyone or any situation intimidate her. Holly wasn't like that. She could be confident, but she still cared about what other people thought to an extent. She sighed as she wiped down the counter once more.

Chapter 2

When work finally let out, Holly was able to check her phone. Jackson had sent her a text saying that he was taking her to a concert after dinner. She grinned. He did still seem to know her. She slipped out of the narrow skirt and the heels that hurt her feet. The shower was her first task and she took her time enjoying the feeling of the water rolling down her back, through her hair.

When she stepped out, it was almost seven. She gasped. Racing around her apartment, she found a pair of blue jeans and a band t-shirt with pink print on it. She slipped it on before she flat ironed her hair. As she was applying makeup, her phone buzzed on the bathroom counter. She opened the message that let her know Jackson was there. Hurrying, she slipped into her boots before grabbing her wallet. She couldn't deny that she felt excited to see him again.

Holly raced to the elevator. When she was inside, she tried to calm herself down. Her foot tapped impatiently on the floor as the elevator dinged and lit up floor after floor until it stopped at the lobby. She walked off, took her time walking out of the building. Parked in front was Jackson and his bike.

“You look good,” he said when he saw her.

Holly tried to hide her pleasure at the comment. “Oh, thank you. Where are we going?”

“A place from a long time ago. I hope you still like it,” he said as he handed her the spare helmet.

Holly tried to guess where they were going as the city flew by in a stream of colored lights and muffled sounds. She laced her fingers together in front of him, shifting her body against his as he took turn after turn. It was such an exhilarating feeling being so exposed. When they stopped, she knew where they were. Holly dissolved into laughter.

“An arcade, really? What are we ten?”

“Tell me you don't think you can kick my ass in Dead House 3 and we'll go someplace else, right now.”

Holly raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I can definitely kick your ass in Dead House 3. Let's go.”

They made their way inside of the arcade side of the building, the smells from the restaurant not enough to turn them away from their challenge to each other. Jackson purchased token cards for both of them before they stepped up to their favorite game as kids. Holly had never been able to beat his high score back then, but she was determined now. He slipped the card into the machine before they both settled their hands onto the controls.

“Ready to lose, brat?”

“Not tonight, Jack.”

The red, counting down on the screen landed on zero and they were off. For a moment, Holly forgot everything. She forgot the awkward feelings she'd had when she woke up that morning in his bed. Forgot about the anxiety of a first date. Instead, she played the game.

“Oh, what's this? This is me shooting your last man!” Holly yelled as she pulled the trigger.

The game declared her the victor as it spat out row after row of tickets. Jackson hung his head, shook his head into his hand. When he looked up again, there was a smile on his face.

“Okay, you won this time. I think you should know though, you won because I let you.”

“Let's go again then.”

They lost themselves for an hour playing the different games in the arcade. By the time they were done, Jackson held an arm full of tickets. They walked over to the little store.

“Why don't I get something for us, it'll be a surprise. You can go ahead, grab a table. Order me a soda, would you?” Jackson said.

“Sure. See you in a minute.”

Holly's hand lingered on his arm before she walked away towards the restaurant. Playing so hard really had worked up her appetite. She settled into a seat. Once she ordered their drinks, the waiter disappeared. Her foot tapped away quietly, until Jackson walked up to her. In his hand he held a doll with black hair, black eyes and a scowl. She laughed.

“It's Mean Mona! I love this doll, how did you know?” She said as he handed it to her.

“That one was just instinct. She kind of looks like you too,” he said as they both sat down.

“Yeah, she does,” she said admiring the doll before she looked up at him. “Thank you, I love her.”

“Good.”

Jackson had a grin on his face as he picked up the menu. For a moment, Holly caught a glimpse of the shy boy he once was. It was cute, but she wasn't going to tell him that. Once they ordered their food, they took their time. The conversation was much too interesting to worry about the food. Both of them had a lot of catching up to do.

“I meant to ask,” Holly said as she popped a french fry into her mouth, “how did it happen? The last thing I knew you were an angsty teenager, now you're famous.”

“You know, none of it was on purpose. Me and the band, we sat around enough weekends to get bored. So, we started taking classes, practicing, playing little things. After a few years, it just spiraled out of control. I never looked back. That's one reason I came home. I got tired of the crowds, the cameras. At least here, things are a bit more quiet. We're trying to keep a low profile.”

Holly nodded. Some part of her wished that he'd said he had come back for her, but she knew that was ridiculous. He would have no way of knowing where she was ten years later. Probably hadn't even thought of her since they were thirteen. They finished the rest of their meal before Jackson checked his phone.

“It's almost nine thirty, want to head to the show?”

Holly nodded.

They pulled up in front of the building a little before ten. Holly was excited to see the bands that he talked about. He tossed his cigarette off to the side before he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“Do you know any of them?” She asked as they walked towards the door.

“No idea. There are more bands than I thought would be playing. I guess we'll find out.”

They handed their id's over to the stern looking man at the door. Jackson paid him, before he wrote X's on their hands. They moved inside. Holly was immediately grateful that the air conditioning seemed to be cranked up. There were people everywhere, drinks in hand as they waited for the bands to show up. They were mostly local bands, but a few had traveled quite a ways to get there.

“I can't believe you still go to these things,” Holly said as they walked towards the bar. “I mean, you're famous. You could go to any show I'm sure.”

Jackson shook his head. “There's nothing like the local talent. I find so many good bands this way. Maybe one day, I'll be able to give them the chance we got.”

Holly waited until he turned to the bartender to smile at him. He still had the same sweet heart. When he turned back to ask what she wanted, she ordered quickly masking the smile on her face. He didn't need to know she was a complete sap.

The show started not long after they'd gotten their drinks. They settled in at the bar, Jackson's arm stayed wrapped around her during the show. She liked it. When the music was winding down for the night, Holly was well on her way to being drunk. She had drank more than she thought.

“I'm gonna get some air,” she said as she pulled out a smoke.

Jackson was talking to one of the other band members. He held up a finger to the woman before turning to her. A lighter was slipped out of his pocket, pressed into her hands.

“I'll be out in two seconds. Please, don't go far.”

“I won't.”

When she stepped outside, there was already a crowd of people there. They gave her little greetings. She did the same before sparking the cigarette between her teeth. As she gazed off into the distance, she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. She turned, expecting it to be Jackson.

“Well, how are you doing?” A man asked as he leaned close to her.

Holly backed up a bit. She didn't like people in her personal space, especially when she didn't know them. He did look familiar though, she realized as she looked at him closer. The thought seemed to finally click in her head. He was the lead singer of one of the other bands. She forgot the name of it.

“I'm fine. You guys did a good job,” she said.

“Thanks,” he said breaking out into a grin. He pushed back blond hair from his face. “Can I borrow a light?”

Holly nodded as she produced the lighter from her pants. As she extended it towards him, he pulled her in close. Holly's eyes went wide as she was pulled against his chest. She pulled back quickly, yanking her arm away as he laughed.

“I was just playing around.”

“I don't think it was funny, asshole. Do it again and-”

“And what?” The man asked stepping forward. “You'll hit me? You'll cry?”

Holly felt her cheeks turning red.  She took a step back, bumping into someone as she did. Her eyes traveled up.

Jackson stood above her, his hands on her shoulders. He moved her out of the way before he walked up to the guy. The blond haired man was trying to apologize, but Jackson wouldn't hear it. He balled his hand into a tight fist before ramming it against the man's nose. Holly watched in horror as crimson liquid flew from between the other man's fingers.

“Don't talk to her like that. And definitely don't touch her. Are we clear?” Jackson asked. “Apologize to her, now.”

The man, now on the ground, was nodding vigorously. He tried to apologize with his nose pinched, the sound coming out muted and stuffy. Holly nodded quickly before Jackson took her arm, dragging her away from the man, towards his bike. When they reached it, she snatched her arm away from him.

“What the hell is your problem?” She asked, scowling.

“My problem? Are you kidding me?”

“No! You can't go around hitting people in the face. It's not okay. I want to go home, now.”

“I was defending you!” Jackson said, his voice approaching yelling volume.

“I said take me home.”

“Whatever.”

Holly climbed onto the back of his bike. The usual sense of excitement that she felt when they hugged the curves of the highway, was gone. Instead, she just wanted to be left alone. A voice in the back of her mind told her that she knew it was going to happen. Nothing good ever happened from falling for someone. Holly quickly pushed that thought away.

When they reached her building, she pulled off the helmet before she started for her building. There was nothing else to say to Jackson, she felt. When she was almost to her door, she heard his voice calling her name.

“So, what? Is that it? I made one mistake and you're giving up?” He asked.

She gazed at him for a moment in silence. Finally she gathered up the courage to speak. The words that spilled out of her lips weren't entirely true, but she knew how these things went. Besides, she'd seen his temper that night. It was more than enough for her to say no thank you. It was better to stop it now.

“I don't want to do this, Jackson. We were good friends. If you want to continue to be good friends, call me. Aside from that, please don't bother me.”

Holly hurried into her building before he could say anything. When she finally tumbled into bed, she could feel warm tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. Her fingers wiped them away, but they kept pouring down her cheeks in torrents. When she dozed off, she tossed around the whole night.