Wishing on the Water (Water Series Book 1) (12 page)

“
She has had a little too much to drink, and we need to talk.” I was strangely affected when I saw Jax smile. Whatever she had said had made him happy, and I couldn’t fathom why until he spoke again. “Ok, Vanessa. I love you too. I will see you tomorrow.” With that he hung up, and I flipped out.

“
Get out!” I screamed. Rage was filling my veins and I felt sick to my stomach. I ran to the bathroom and crumbled to the floor in front of the toilet. It wasn’t a minute later that Jax was standing in the doorway. “You have to leave. I need you gone.” I pleaded.

“
Tell me why,” Jax replied, crossing his arms.

“
You just have to go. Go home to her.” I pleaded, as a tear fell from my eye.

“
Candy-” Jax began to speak, but I cut him off with more tears and screaming.

“
I hate you, Jax,” I screamed and he walked inside the bathroom. He picked me up off the floor and carried me into the bedroom. He held me tightly to him as I cried harder than I had cried in months. It was a relief to get it out, but the new pain that followed was gut wrenching. I had cost my friendship with Jax, and allowed him to think he was better off without me.
Were we better off without each other?

He sat me on the bed and grabbed the trash can and set it in front of me in case I puked. I watched as he pulled the chair from the desk and sat in it facing me. I had seen him and Chase do this with interrogations. I don’t know that I was ready to answer the question he surely had for me.

“
Why?” Jax asked, and my emotional well was filling up again. If he didn’t leave I was going to shoot off like a rocket. I could not control my words and actions anymore. I was seriously regretting the decision I made to go get drinks.

“
Jax, please go. I can’t be around you,” I pleaded.

“
Candy, I am not leaving till you tell me why you hate me. What did I do? Is this because I have someone?” Jax asked, as I hit my breaking point.

“
I hate you because you love her. I hate you because you are happy. I hate you because it’s not fair that everyone has moved on; but, if I do, it disrespects Chase. I hate you because you were my friend and Chase’s partner and you are still here while he is gone; but, most of all, I hate you because I love you.”

I ran into the bathroom crying so hard that I was dry heaving. I didn’t mean to tell him all that. I didn’t even know all of that had been boiling up, until the words left my lips. As I calmed my cries, I listened and heard the door shut. I closed my eyes feeling thankful he had left, but I felt alone and depressed instantly.

I cleaned myself up and took a shower. I don’t know why Jax emits such strong emotions from me, but he does. What I feel with Andrew as my friend is nothing compared to what I feel for Jax. Maybe it is longevity; and, one day in twenty years, I will feel that way with Andrew.

I took the robe off the back of the door and put it on as I exited the bathroom, feeling like I had been hit by an emotional truck. When I stepped around the corner, Jax was still in the chair. He was staring at the bed and didn’t look up at me.

“
Please leave,” I begged.

Jax looked over at me with an emotionless mask on his face. I went over and snagged a water off of the tray of alcohol, water bottles and snacks that had been delivered, and climbed into the bed. I pulled the comforter up over me and stacked the pillows to get comfortable. I tried to wait him out; I tried to make a point, but the jet lag and alcohol won, so I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up a few hours later, and saw the clock said 6:52a.m. I was late. I jumped out of bed, feeling my hangover behind my eyes. I ran for the shower. I took the quickest, coldest shower of my life. I put on a sweater dress and my fuzzy knee high boots. It wasn’t the greatest outfit, but it would do.

I heard a knock on the door and yelled “two minutes” to Andrew, who I assumed was knocking. I threw on make-up and grabbed my notes. I ran for the door to be greeted by Andrew, who looked well-rested.

“
You ready?” He asked, looking like a million bucks. He handed me coffee, as he did almost every morning, as I struggled to put everything in my bag.

“
I’m ready. Go on down. I will be right behind you. They were supposed to set up conference room A, and the slide show and presentation packets should already be there. I just need a sec to pull myself together.” I muttered in a rush.

“
You will be great,” Andrew stated, wrapping an arm around me pulling me in for a hug and placing a kiss on my cheek. “See you down there.” He stated with a wink and walked down toward the elevator.

I turned back around and headed for my suitcase in the closet. I pulled out my Tylenol, and took two. I grabbed a bottle of water from the tray and chugged it. I then walked around the corner to the living room to get my coat, but was halted to see Jax standing in the doorway.

“
I thought you left,” I whispered.

“
I thought we should talk while you were sober.” He whispered as an exhausted look crossed his face. I saw his Saint Michael necklace and instantly flashed to the blond he had waiting at home.

“
Jax-,” I started to say but was cut off by Jax asking a question that threw me off guard.

“
Who was that man at the door?”

“
Andrew,” I whispered, as if I was being scolded. I did not explain who Andrew was to me and honestly I didn’t know what I would say if he asked me. I couldn’t say he was my new best friend to Jax.

“
Candice-” Jax started and I put my hand up to stop him.

“
I have to go to the conference downstairs. I am already late. Whatever you have to say can, and will, wait!”

Then I headed out the door, leaving Jax behind still calling my name.

The first day at the conference meeting left my head swimming. They wanted answers to questions I hadn’t even thought of. I will have to take the time to study up tonight and be ready for tomorrow, I thought to myself.

“
You ready for dinner?” Andrew asked and I nodded my agreement as I finished writing the last of my notes.

“
I will meet you in the lobby in thirty minutes,” I spoke as we parted ways. Andrew had to finish cleaning up and I needed a hot shower.

I went upstairs and into my room. I caught myself looking for Jax, which was dumb on my part. I told him to leave. I told him I hated him. I even told him I was in love with him. I was a walking contradiction.

I got ready to go to dinner by picking out a black, one shoulder, chiffon A-line dress that matched my coat and a pair of Tabitha Simmons bailey heels. I had seen them in the movie ‘Just go with it’ and had to have them. They cost me more money than I paid for my last car, they were my one vice. I had waited for a night out to wear them and I had it, here and now.

I headed downstairs and met Andrew in the lobby. He smiled a large grin at me and it made me smile, too. He took my hand and twirled me in the lobby as he took in my dress.

“
It should be a crime to be this beautiful.” Andrew spoke with a silvery tone, as a smirk traveled across his face.

“
Could you be any cheesier?” I asked with a laugh.

“
Let me try. Did it hurt?”

“
Did what hurt?” I ask with a laugh.

“
Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?” Andrew laughed as he spoke.

“
I concede. You can be cheesier!”

Andrew placed a kiss on my hand when he drew it up to his lips. Then he released it to help me into my coat.

“
I must be the luckiest boss in the world since I have you in my office and in my arms.” Andrew stated, as he wrapped his arms around me.

I was as uneasy as I was flattered. I turned and nodded my head, telling him “let’s go,” and he quickly took the lead.

The View was a restaurant that sat atop the Marriott Marquis in Time Square. Upon arrival, I saw Detective Mark Stone talking to a woman with black hair and blue eyes. She seemed to be upset about something. I tried to look away, but the way he looked at her spoke volumes of the love for her. I suddenly felt alone and empty. No one would look at me like that again if I didn’t pull my head out of my butt.

“
Miss Carson.” Mark called out, so Andrew and I walked toward him.

“
Detective Stone.” I stated politely. I had a million other things I
could
have called him, but thought I would be nice and refer to his actual title.

“
Miss Carson, have you met our lovely Assistant District Attorney, Brooklyn Montgomery?”

I was shocked when Brooklyn turned her head around. She was young and looked like the girls I had seen on the news. She had a gorgeous flawless face with long black hair and bright blue eyes.

“
No, I haven’t had the pleasure. I’m Candice Carson.” I stated, as I held out my hand for her. “This is my boss, Andrew Thomas.” I stated, and Andrew stuck his hand out to greet them both.

“
Candice-Leigh Carson?” Brooklyn asked.

“
Yes ma’am that is me.” I replied with a smile.

“
I am so sorry for your loss. Chase was a great detective and a wonderful man.”

I wanted to roll my eyes. I had grown to hate words of comfort when it related to someone that had died. I would always be professional, but I had to wonder if people would ever stop bringing it up. Every time someone mentioned his job I felt a twinge of pain and imagined the baby who might look like him.

“
We are headed up to have dinner. Would you like to join us?” Andrew asked, as I took his arm.

Both Brooklyn and Mark agreed, then we headed upstairs in the elevator. Thankfully the restaurant was able to upgrade us to a larger table. Andrew and I sat on one side while Mark and Brooklyn sat on the other.