Page 29 of Coming Up Roses

“Fuck.” Dropping my eyes to my feet, I mumble, “Imessedupwithareallynicegirl.”

“I’m sorry. One more time?”

“Nah, if you missed it the first time, that’s on you. Got no plans to repeat myself, brother.” Evasiveness. That’s the answer.

“Oh, no, I heard you. Just wanted you to say it again.” His grin is shit-eating. God, such an asshole. “C’mon, little bro, give it up. Who is she?”

“Her name’s Myla—”

“Myla Rose. Jesus Christ.” He sniggers and shakes his head. “You do know she’s pregnant, right?”

“Yes, Jake, well aware.” My patience is wearing thin. Why did I think this was a good idea?

“Just making sure.” He steeples his fingers under his chin, a roguish smile playing on his lips.

“It started out like nothing. She accidentally bumped her buggy into me at the store. Then Drake and Simon—who are both like brothers to her—sent me to her for a haircut. I ran into her at dinner with the guys, and her sneaky little friend convinced me to give her a ride home. That shoulda been the end of it." I heave myself back into the cushions. "But no, she started talking about working on her house, and capable or not, I can't let her get out there all alone in the heat, up and down ladders."

Jake shoots me a WTF look, but I just plow on, hoping I'll feel better once it's all out. “So, I show up at her house with my pressure washer, and she's in these barely-there shorts, and there was this tension between us . . . this push and pull. I don't know how to describe it. There’s just something about her, brother."

"Not to be an ass, but get to the point."

"The point is, I'm an idiot. I kissed her yesterday . . . and then told her I was sorry and that I shouldn't have."

Jake's laughter bursts from his lips like a runaway train—unstoppable. "You weren't kidding. You really are an idiot."

"Real helpful. So, now she surely thinks I'm some dipshit jerk like her ex. I didn't mean to lead her on. I'm just not in the right place for a relationship."

"Who said anything about a relationship?"

"I . . . fuck. I don't know. I'm so hung up on her, and I don’t wanna be.”

“So, don’t,” Jake says, like it’s as simple as breathing.

What he doesn’t get is just the memory of the sound of her voice takes my breath away, and now that I’ve tasted her lips, I’m not so sure I can move her back into the 'just friends' box. Not when she consumes my thoughts, both conscious and subconscious.

I’m startled out of my inner ramblings when Jake claps his hands in front of my face.

“Are you even listening?”

“No, sorry, what’s up?”

“Dude. You’re obsessing over nothing. If you really stop and think, she’s the answer to all your problems.”

“Problems? What problems?” Seriously, what’s he even talking about?

“She’s the first girl you’ve been attracted to since Kayla. You ever think that’s all it is? Attraction, pure and simple, brother. I’ll admit, she’s a good-lookin’ girl, and maybe her being knocked up is just what you need.”

“Jake, what are you talking about?” I’m starting to question his sanity because he’s damn sure sounding a little nuts.

“You need to rebound. Think about it—you haven’t been with anyone since . . .” he trails off, waiting for me to pick up on the breadcrumbs he’s trailing.

Surely, he isn't suggesting what I think he is. “Wait, so you're saying—”

“You know what they say. Best way to get over one is to get under another. What’s the worst that could happen? Seriously, bro, it’s a win-win. You get back in the saddle, and it’s not like you can knock her up.” He chuckles at his own joke, though the humor is lost on me. If anything, it pisses me off.

“What the fuck, Jake?” I roar, rocketing up from the couch. “Are you kidding? Are you seriously—" I run my hands up my face and through my hair. My blood is boiling from his words. Wonder what Paige would think if she heard him talking like this?

“Why’re you so mad? You said it yourself—you don't want to be hung up on her. Maybe you just need to get back in the game and get her out of your system.” I pace the living room a few times, reminding myself that his intentions are good. He thinks he's helping.

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