Page 11 of Jet

“Can’t hurt to try. Is she still here?”

“Think so. Her shift ends in fifteen, so you might be able to catch her.” He smacks my back when I walk out the door in search of my new co-worker. And, wouldn’t you know she crashes right into me as I round the corner. The obscenities begin immediately as I grab her arms so she doesn’t hit the floor.

“Dammit that hurt like hell! Now I know what it feels like to have a head-on collision.” Oh, she’s a funny one all right.

“We need to talk. Come with me.” She doesn’t fight me as I drag her down the hallway and into my old room, but she starts to protest when I close the door behind me.

* * *

QUINN

Maybe I opened upa can of worms by mentioning to Willow what Jet wants to do, but the vison of all those kids on the street is just too much for me to bear.

“Truthfully, I don’t know why it took him this long to mention it to you, since he’s been talking about this for years. Did you know that every cent he has, he donates to the shelters? He does it anonymously since he doesn’t want the recognition.”

“I was under the impression he didn’t have a ton to begin with. Where would he get the money to do that?” Seriously, as far as I know, none of them have held a job other than working the clubs on the weekends.

“If you could see his apartment, it’s bare bones. He’s not materialistic like so many others, just the bare necessities. Whatever is left over after he pays bills, he donates. I swear he still goes days without eating so he can give to others. Jet is selfless and needs very little to survive. He’s truly amazing.” If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she has a crush on him and mum’s the word. I’m not telling her I’ve already been to his apartment, because that would just lead to more questions.

“Maybe I should just shut my mouth, but I trust you so I’m gonna lay it all out. Jet and I hook up now and again. We trust each other and somehow it works. No strings, no commitments. Just friends with benefits.” Wow, hell, I didn’t see that coming. But what do I expect from a bunch of musicians? This is tame compared to what I’ve seen and heard in the past.

“You won’t get any judgement from me, Willow. Trust is something that can bond a person for life. I say if it works, go for it.”

“Go for what? Did I miss something?” Our mouths hang open when we both look up to see Jet sliding in the seat across from us. How the hell? “Don’t let me interrupt. Keep on keeping on.” His little smirk makes me believe that he heard the last part of our conversation.

Kill me now.

“How the hell did you know we were here?” I can’t help questioning him because I find this very unnerving.

“Trevor told me you guys were coming here for dinner, so I had to crash your party. Thanks for the invite.” Sarcasm doesn’t look good on him.

“It’s a girl’s night out, and last time I checked you were not a girl.” Willow winks at Jet and for the life of me, I feel jealous. Jealous that she knows this mercurial man on an intimate level. A man who keeps everyone at arm’s length. I don’t like when the green-eyed monster rears her ugly head. This is so not me. Where is the confident Quinn who existed before I metThe SinfulSeven? Scrap that. Met Jet Turner, the sexy bassist who brings me to my knees.

“Quinn, are you okay? You look a bit pale.” Great, now he’s a freaking comedian!

“I’m fine, thanks for asking. I thought you were working?” Let’s change the subject back to him and see how he likes it.

“Working?” Willow’s head spins around so fast, I have nightmares of the Exorcist happening right here and now.

Jet is none too happy I spilled the beans, but hell if I care. He’s the one who’s here uninvited, so there’s that.

“I’ve been helping out at the diner, no biggie.” Apparently Willow is privy to this information since she just shrugs it off. Color me stupid with these two. No, I won’t go there.

“Congrats on finally deciding to put your vision in motion. Quinn mentioned that you’re waiting for the thumbs up to do a benefit concert for the homeless. I’m one-hundred percent onboard and I’m sure the guys will be, too. We’ve known this has been another dream of yours for so long now, so how cool is it going to be when this happens?”

Just let it be known, if I don’t make it out of here alive it’s because the looks that Jet are giving me are killing me. Truth is, I’d be dead in a heartbeat. Maybe sooner.

“Yeah, we’re waiting on Caleb to call,” he says. “Speaking of, has he been in touch with you yet?” I’m starting to realize after these few months that his raised eyebrow is his signature move. Much like Elvis had his lip thing.

“No, not yet. I’m sure it will take time for him to call a meeting together and have a decision made. We just need to be patient.”

Leaning back so his chair is teetering on only two legs, he quips, “Why don’t you call him? I’m getting sick and tired of waiting.” Ah, come again? Did he just demand me to call? Hell to the fucking no.

“Forcing Caleb to move any faster than he already is would be a sure-fire way for him to drop this whole idea. I’m not going to do that. Oh, and just an FYI, just because it’s been your vision, I call the shots, not you. Excuse me.” I’m so angry that I need a trip to the ladies room to calm down. Why does he insist on pushing my buttons the way he does? Just when I warm up to him, he does something like this to piss me off.

I didn’t need to use the restroom, so I just stand in front of the mirror and scrutinize myself. Is it just me, or did I age ten years since dealing with Jet for the last several months?

Gripping the sink to the point where my knuckles turn white, I just breathe. Desperately trying to figure out why he treats me the way he does. He’s not a man of many words to begin with, but when he interacts with the band, a light shines in his eyes. With me, not so much. I’m sure it comes down to trust and knowing them for so long, but I do have the best of intentions.

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