Wrecked (Clayton Falls) (19 page)

“I love it.” Jake stared at the frame for a few minutes, grinning, before getting up from the couch to pull out his tool box. Noah watched, transfixed while Jake hung up the frame above the mantel.

“Mine.” Noah nudged Jake’s leg and held out a couple of pictures he’d made for him.

Jake picked up Noah and stared at the drawings. He turned to me. “I think we have a little artist on our hands.”

I laughed. “If we can get him to sit still long enough to do it.”

We played with Noah for a little while, but he fell asleep right there on the floor. Jake helped me put him to bed before we decided to head to bed ourselves.

Jake closed the door most of the way. “This has to have been the best birthday ever.” He wrapped his arms around my waist.

I leaned into him. “I’m glad. Thanks for making it special for Noah too.”

“It’s pretty cool to share a birthday with him. It makes them fun again.”

I smiled. “I have an important question for you.”

“What?”

“Are you going to make room for my stuff?”

He laughed. “Yeah, that’s not a problem. I’m excited to see your stuff in here.”

Jake quickly cleared out two drawers for me, and promised I’d have more soon. His closet was half empty already so there’d be plenty of space for my hanging stuff. “This is crazy, huh?”

“Crazy? Nope. Cool? Yes.”

“I bet a few months ago, you never dreamed you’d have two people moving in with you.”

He put his arms around me from behind and pulled me down on the bed with him. “Nope, I didn’t, but it’s the best surprise I’ve ever had.”

“Do you believe in fate?”

“Fate?” He shifted us so our heads were on the pillows.

“Yeah. Like we were fated to meet each other.”

“I didn’t before, but now maybe I do. Maybe everything happened for a reason. My accident sucked, but I didn’t hurt anyone, and I lived to meet you and Noah. I’ve stopped drinking and now have an amazing girlfriend, little man, and a job I actually like.”

“Do you think you’ll coach next year?”

A slow smile spread across his face. “I accepted their offer after the game last night.”

I sat up on an elbow. “You did! That’s awesome.”

He laughed. “I know. They’ll actually pay me then too.”

“Details, details.”

“I figured they’d be pissed that we probably aren’t going to make it to regionals, but they said I’d shown them enough already.”

“That’s awesome. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks, but what about you? Do you believe in fate?”

“Yes. I always did. When everything with Tim happened, I started to doubt it. Now I do again. I’m so lucky to have met you.” I reached out and stroked his cheek.

“Not to look a gift horse in the mouth or whatever that saying is, but do you really need to wait until December?”

“Yes. Please, just let me do this my way.”

“All right. Right now all I care about is having you in bed next to me.”

“That’s an easy one.”

“Good.” He kissed me, and I knew the night would only get better.

I’d just changed into pajamas when I heard a knock on the door. I wanted it to be Jake even though I knew it couldn’t be. I really wished he had his license. Mel had just left so it couldn’t be her. I had no idea who would be at my apartment so late.

“Who is it?” I called tentatively. The door was double locked so no one was getting in without my permission.

“It’s me, Em,” a deep voice answered.

“Austen?”

“Yeah. I thought I’d surprise you. Can I come in?”

I unlocked the door and he walked inside, closing and locking the door behind him.

“What are you doing here?”

“I was in town and thought I’d stop by to visit.” He took off his jacket and looked for a place to put it.

I took his jacket and put it on one of the hooks. “At ten o’clock at night?”

“I just got in. I left right after work.”

“Oh. Okay.”

I went over to the couch assuming he’d follow.

He didn’t. Instead, he walked around. “You’ve got a cute place here.” As he started to head down the hall to the bedrooms, I stopped him.

“Noah’s sleeping.”

“I figured. I’m just looking.”

“Could you just sit? You’re making me nervous.”

He smiled. “Nervous? Why does it make you nervous?” As he spoke, he walked over and took a seat.

“I feel like you’re judging me or something.”

“I said it was cute. Is that judgmental?”

“It’s the way you said it.”

“Am I making you uncomfortable, Em?”

I wrapped my arms around my chest, wishing I’d thrown a sweatshirt on over my tank top. At least I was wearing pants and not shorts.

“It’s just a little late for a visit.”

“It’s just me. You’re acting like I’m a stranger.”

“I wouldn’t have let a stranger in.”

He put an arm behind him on the couch. “I’d hope not.”

“What brought you to town?”

“Remember when I saw you in August I mentioned a job opportunity?”

“Yes.” How could I forget? That was the night he let me know he was interested in me.

“I have an interview tomorrow.”

“Oh. That’s great.”

“Is it? Would you like it if I moved here?”

“It would be nice to have another friend around.”

He grabbed my hand. My first instinct was to pull it away, but I didn’t. “You’re with that guy, aren’t you?”

I nodded. “Yeah. We worked it out.”

“Are you sure he’s good enough for you?”

I laughed dryly. “Good enough for me? Because the bar is set so high?”

“Hey. You only deserve the best.” He squeezed my hand.

“I’m in love with him.”

“Yeah? That’s great then.” The expression on his face didn’t match his words.

“Do you really mean it?”

“Yes. I already told you I’m interested, but I’m not going to pressure you. I just want to know you’re being taken care of.”

“That’s big of you.”

“I’m a big guy, Em.”

I laughed. Austen was big. Over six foot three big. But then again, Jake was over six foot himself. “Where are you staying?”

“I’ve got a hotel if that’s what you’re asking. He’s not here though, is he?”

“No. He lives about a half hour away.”

“What’s his name?”

“Jake.”

Austen leaned back into the couch. “What does he do?”

“He works in his family’s marina business, and he coaches the high school football team.”

“Seriously? He coaches high school football?”

“Yeah. Is that so surprising?”

He shrugged. “I guess not. What school is it?”

“Clayton Falls High. Why?”

“Just wondering.” He shifted and looked right at me. “Your parents don’t know about him.” It was a statement, not a question.

“You’ve been talking to my mom?”

“Yeah. I stop by from time to time.”

“Oh. Well, I didn’t want to get her worked up. I’ll talk to her about him eventually.” I was actually planning to call her the next night. It just took me awhile to build up the nerve, since I knew she’d tell my dad.

“Worked up? If you love the guy, what’s to get worked up about?” He closed his eyes like he was so tired he couldn’t keep them open. He squeezed my hand again. I pulled my hand from his.

He opened his eyes and looked taken aback. “Does that really bother you?”

“I have a boyfriend.”

“I’m well aware. That is what we’re discussing.”

“You’re not my brother, Austen.”

“I’m well aware of that too. Very well aware.”

“Then stop asking questions.”

“Fine. I can tell you’re not comfortable with me here but I’d love to see Noah. Maybe dinner tomorrow night?”

“I’m working until seven.”

“Then lunch the next day?” He got up and leaned down to kiss me on the forehead.

I nodded.

“Good night, Em.”

I locked up as he walked out, wishing I knew how to deal with him.

“Are you Jake Mathews?” A guy leaned against the bleachers watching me as I sent the team into the locker room at the end of practice. I was already in a bad mood. I’d just found out for sure we hadn’t made State. By some stroke of luck, we’d made regionals but we’d lost. I was hoping a technicality with another team would get us in. They’d been cleared.

“What’s it to you?” There was something weird about the way he was watching me. He obviously wasn’t a scout or anything.

“I’m a friend of Emily’s. The name’s Austen.”

Austen. This was the guy who lent her money. “A friend?”

“Yes.” He smiled. “A close friend.”

I saw Cole out of the corner of my eye, and hoped he’d stay away. Whatever this was didn’t concern him.

“Is there a particular reason you’re here?”

“What are you doing with her?”

“Excuse me?”

“What do you think you’re doing with Emily?”

“I must be hearing things. Why would anyone be questioning me about my relationship with my girlfriend?”

“She’s not just a girl you can screw around with.”

I took a step toward him. I wasn’t going to let this guy mess with me. “Trust me, I know that.”

“What about Noah?”

“What about him?” I scowled.

“What’s he to you?”

My initial reaction was to punch the guy, but that wouldn’t help anything. I just didn’t like anyone implying I shouldn’t be with Emily and Noah. “How is any of this your business?”

“Her brother isn’t around to do this, so I’m doing it for him.”

“Why isn’t he around?” Emily hardly ever talked about him, and when she did it was only about when they were kids.

“She hasn’t told you?”

“Told me what?” I tensed. I just knew something bad was coming.

“He died our sophomore year of college. Emily was never the same. That’s probably why she got messed up with that idiot Tim in the first place.”

“What happened?”

“Drunk driving accident. He wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. The rest of us were fine.”

Fuck. How had she never mentioned that to me?

“He was my best friend. I owe it to him to take care of her.”

“Owe it to him? You mean in his memory or something?”

“No.” His face turned to stone. “I owe it to him.”

“Who was the drunk driver?” Was Austen responsible for his best friend’s death?

“He was.” His words shocked me.

I didn’t say anything at first. I didn’t know what to say.

“We were all trashed, but it had been my idea to go to that party in the first place. He’d just wanted to stay in that night. I was the one who made him drive my car because he seemed the most sober.” Austen kicked a rock. “Did she ever tell you who Noah was named after?”

“No, but I think I can guess.”

“Her brother.” Austen shoved his hands in his pockets.

“Noah was a really cool guy. I practically grew up in their house. Emily was always the annoying little kid, but she grew up to be really pretty and surprised us all. Noah was always viciously protective of her. He’d probably have had them move in with him if he were alive.” Austen didn’t cry, but he might as well have been. The raw emotion on his face was intense.

“You’re not in love with Emily.” Watching him standing there awkwardly, I knew he wasn’t a threat in that way. If he felt anything for her, it was out of some sort of obligation.

“I’m crazy about her. I love her.”

“But you’re not
in love
with her.”

He looked down at the ground. “I could be. I’ve always been attracted to her, and I know I could give her what she needs, and she’d do the same for me. The rest would come.”

“Why are you here?”

“I need to know she’s going to be okay. I saw her last night, and the way she looked when she talked about you—she’s falling for you hard, and I don’t know if she’ll survive getting jerked around again.”

“I’m not going to hurt her, but Emily’s stronger than you give her credit for.”

He shifted his weight between his feet. “She needs to be protected. She needs someone to take care of her.”

“I can and will take care of her, but she’s strong enough to take care of herself. She’s done one hell of a job on her own before me. I’m just going to make sure she doesn’t have to.”

“She doesn’t need another loser in her life.” His words were sharp, and they got me where it hurt.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I know your story. You got a DUI. That’s how you met her, isn’t it? She was pretty tight lipped about it, but I figured it out.”

“Did you do a background check on me?”

“Nothing that drastic, I just asked around.”

“Then you’d also know I haven’t touched a god damn drop of alcohol since I met her.” It was true. I’d walked into Gill’s once, but I couldn’t even do that anymore. I lasted an hour before I had Cole drive me home.

“Do you think it’s a coincidence she didn’t tell you about her brother? She likes to save people. She likes to feel needed. But she needs someone to fix her, to take care of her for a change.”

“Coach Mathews, can I talk to you?” Jamie, the starting quarterback, stopped a few feet away.

“One second,” I said to Jamie before looking back to Austen.

“I’m going to take care of her.” I refused to let Austen see what effect his words had on me, but I felt like I’d been kicked in the stomach. Was Emily lying to me about why she wanted to be with me?

“Don’t hurt her.” It sounded like he was pleading. He was done with his macho act.

“I won’t.” It was more likely she’d hurt me. I turned and headed over to Jamie. I answered his question about off season training before making the mile long walk I’d promised myself I’d never make.

Why hadn’t she told me? Was she afraid of my reaction? Or was it worse. Was she only with me out of some warped need to feel closer to the memory of her brother or something? It just didn’t add up. I couldn’t handle it, and there was only one thing that would help.

***

I poured myself a glass of whiskey. It had been far too long since I’d had one. I’d stayed away for months, but for what? For a green eyed girl who’d been lying to me the whole time? Who cared that just the sight of her drove me wild, or that she was the first girl to actually get my sense of humor? She might have made me feel whole, but at the moment I needed to forget her. I brought the brown liquid to my lips, unwilling to spend more time thinking about the one thing I wanted more than the drink—Emily.