Page 55 of Fighting Jacob

I’m certain he’s seconds away from telling me to fuck off, so you can imagine my shock when he chuckles, “Alright there, big guy, don’t start crying.”

My arms drop to my side like atomic bombs. After too much beer last Christmas, Patrick told Noah about the one time I cried in primary school. Noah has used it against me ever since. Asshole.

Eager to return his scorn, I shove him away from me. “Whatever.”

Before Emily has a clue about what’s going to happen, I curl my arms around her and spin her around the room. “Emily loves my big hugs. Don’t you, Em?”

After spinning her enough times I’m afraid her earlier fake vomiting will become real, I lower her back to her feet. Since I'm still in teasing mode, I ensure her body remains plastered to mine during descent. My rile pays dividends when Emily's cheeks bloom a mere second before Noah yanks her away from me.

“Get off her, Jacob!”

Another point for Jacob.

Emily almost makes it too easy for me to win. I shouldn’t use Noah’s jealousy against him, but could I really call him my best friend if I didn’t? Furthermore, with all the hype his band is getting, it’s my job to keep him grounded.

That’s why I add extra sass to my smile when I wave goodbye while pacing into the hall. “Bye, Emily.”

My heart beats triple time when Noah races over to slam her bedroom door in my face. “Fuck off!”

While pacing down the nearly empty hallway, I cup my hands over my mouth to replicate the murmur of a noisy crowd. "Game, set, and match, the winner is Jacob!”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Lola

My heart races a million miles an hour as my nervous gaze floats over the dozen patrons wasting a glorious Sunday afternoon at Mavericks. Although there are more people than I was anticipating, I inwardly sigh when I fail to locate Maggie behind the bar.

After exhaling a big breath, I make a beeline for a table in the far back corner of the room. The fewer witnesses to my "date," the better. I'll never forgive myself if this gets out. I can't believe out of all the establishments in Ravenshoe he had to pick from, he chooses Mavericks. I haven't been here since the day I resigned. Nothing has changed. It still has the same homey feeling sought by lost souls at all hours of the day and night.

I’ve just slipped into my seat when Callum breaks through the large wooden entry doors. Now that he’s clean, he looks like the Callum I used to know. His hair is shiny, minus the grease from the last time I saw him; his face is clear and void of blemishes, and his clothing looks new.

His endeavors to reach me were as extreme as Jacob’s after the incident, and I ignored him as adeptly as I did Jacob. There was just one difference: Jacob gave up within weeks. Callum didn’t. He continued messaging and calling every day until I finally caved...

“Please leave me alone,” I plead into the phone.

I’m having enough trouble forgetting Jacob, let alone having images of him pop into my head every time Callum’s name flashes across the screen of my phone.

“Please don’t hang up.” The sincerity in Callum’s tone shocks me. I haven't heard him use manners in months. "I just want the chance to tell you how sorry I am.”

Although I’m surprised by his change in demeanor, I’m still not eager to talk to him. “Apology accepted; now leave me alone.”

I stop dragging my phone away from my ear when he rushes out, "I'm clean. I've been drug-free for the past six months.”

“That’s good; I’m glad.”

Deep down inside, I know the Callum who attacked me wasn’t the same Callum I fell in love with, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let him back into my life now that he’s clean. There’s too much water under the bridge for us to ever be friends. He’s the reason I’ve been living the life of a recluse the past six months. I hate him for that...and for what he did to Jacob.

“Take care, Callum.”

My thumb hovers over the disconnect button when Callum shouts a name I’ll never forget.

I push my phone back to my ear so fast, I smack myself up the head. “What did you say about Jacob?”

Knowing he has me by the throat, Callum’s tone changes in an instant. Back is the asshole I know all too well. “I can’t tell you over the phone. Meet me in person, then you’ll know everything.”

“Nice try, Callum, but I wasn’t born last week.”

“You won’t be so quick to say that when you hear what I’ve got to say.”

---