Page 45 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

“If we didn’t find it, there’s nothing here.” Sam reassured Jess a half hour later.

Jess released a relieved sigh, and her shoulders finally started to lower. She’d taken a seat on a nearby bench to watch us. She jumped every time she heard a noise outside, climbing up on a ladder to peek out the high windows. When she didn’t see anything to be concerned with, she got down and paced a few times before coming back to the bench.

It pained me to see her so agitated.

Without giving myself a chance to second guess my decision, I strode to her and pulled her into my arms. She gave a surprised squeal and stiffened. If she pushed me away, I’d let her. This embrace was about me offering her comfort, not forcing it on her.

Her arms snaked around my waist, and her head rested against my chest, right in that spot that had always seemed made just for her. She began shuddering, and I held her tighter.

“It’s going to be all right,” I whispered into her hair.

Her cheek rubbed up and down against the fabric of my shirt as she nodded.

“It will be.” I knew she was only agreeing because she felt helpless. And damn if she wasn’t the only one. Tonight had been too close. My heart seized at the thought I could’ve lost her.

Sam cleared his throat. “So... I’m gonna go now.”

“Thanks man,” I jerked my head in his direction as acknowledgment. I wasn’t ready to let Jess go.

He smiled and glanced at Jess before gesturing to a set of metal lockers against a nearby wall. “Until you can get something else, I’ve got some clothes in there. Just sweats, t-shirts, sweatshirts. Nothing fancy, but they’re clean.”

She leaned back from me to answer him with a cheeky smile. “Thank you. As amazing as I look in this, I’d rather not be in it all night.”

Sam laughed just as Jess had intended him to. “I’ll check on you both in the morning. You can order food and have it delivered. It’s not unusual for me to stay here and work through the night.” In other words, us being here wouldn't look suspicious.

He waved again as he left through the back door.

Jess stepped out of my embrace intent on looking through Sam’s clothes. She opened the locker and rifled through the bag inside. Her hands triumphantly held up a worn band t-shirt with one of her favorites on the front, Aerosmith. “It’s not quite my style but at least he has good taste in music.”

I smiled to cover the spark of jealousy that lit my body at the thought of her in another man’s shirt, no matter how ridiculous that sounded. Jess wasn’t mine, and Sam was only trying to help.

When she turned to walk into the bathroom, my eyes immediately fell to her hips, as they swayed back and forth. My damn body kept wanting to remind me how it had never forgotten about Jess. Tonight was going to be its own brand of torture. One I probably deserved for breaking up with her in the first place. I shoved my hands into the front pockets of my pants, in an effort to resist reaching for her.

The moment the door shut behind her I grabbed the burner phone from my duffle bag and called Gage. “You there?”

“It’s about fucking time,” he grumbled. I’d taken out my earpiece to save the remaining battery life.

“Is that Jamie?” Lexi asked. She sounded like she was standing right next to him.

“Yes, now back off, Lex.”

“You can’t tell me what to do,” she argued.

What was Lexi still doing at Jess’ place? It was late. “Why isn’t she at home?”

Gage snorted. “Dude. We were hungry after the two of you left so we ate, and Jess invited her for a sleepover so they could girl chat about the event tonight. There’s nothing going on. Don’t give me the ‘big brother voice’.”

“I’m not sixteen, Jamie,” Lexi piped up. “Leave Gage alone.”

“You’re not helping. Do not make your brother think something is happening when it’s not,” Gage rumbled.

Lexi’s sigh came through the speaker loud and clear. “Jamie, nothing is happening. Gage is not interested in me. Back off.”

“What does that mean?” I growled. Did that mean she was interested? I loved Gage like a brother, but he wasn’t the type to be with one woman for long. Lexi deserved more than that.

I snapped my jaw shut, but it didn’t stop my thoughts from racing.

“Is Jess okay?” Lexi asked, clearly not listening to Gage. “And Jamie. Is he okay?”

---