Page 52 of Score to Settle
The only thing left for Jake to talk about is what happened with the cheerleaders in the parking lot last year. Whatever it was, it was bad enough to nearly destroy his career and completely change his lifestyle, and I want him to tell me about it in his own words. According to Jake, he moved home to the ranch after what happened and gave up the wild parties and the women. Until last night anyway. Until me.
At the start of all this, I thought getting to the truth about who Jake really is would be his downfall. Even two weeks ago, Jake sleeping with me would’ve been all the proof I needed that he’s the womanizer his reputation says he is. But when I look back at last night, I think of Jake walking away. I think of me being the one to call him back. How he asked me if I was sure I wanted it. All last night proved is how fucking amazing Jake is in bed.
I force the thought away and think again of what’s left for us to talk about. I’m not sure how much longer I can avoid asking him about what happened last year, but considering how awkward today is going to be for us, surely a few more days won’t hurt.
Buck scampers up the porch, pushing through the back door, me at his heels. I need coffee and a shower and to write up my notes in a way that won’t sound like they were written by the sixteen-year-old version of me with a huge crush on Jake Sullivan. The readers ofSports Magazinedon’t want to hear about Jake’s dance moves or the mini fireworks display that goes on in my stomach every time he looks into my eyes.
The earthy smell of coffee hits me as I kick off my sneakers and pad into the kitchen. The first thing I see is Jake. He’s by the coffee machine fussing over Buck. My heart skips a beat, and Iwish I could blame it on my run and not on how gorgeous this man is. His dark hair is mussed from sleep and from my fingers raking through it last night. His stubble is thick and his gaze as he looks at me is intense and searching.
“Hey,” I say, aiming for breezy but it comes out a breathy gasp.
“Morning, Cassidy,” he says, sounding as cool and collected as I was aiming for.
He hands me a mug of coffee and I take it gratefully, ignoring the pang of want that hits my gut when our fingers touch.
His gaze rakes over my body, one eyebrow raised in question. “So, clearly I didn’t wear you out enough last night?”
I huff a laugh of surprise at his remark, my face aflame. Of course he doesn’t skirt around what happened. I search for a retort, but my mind is stuck on the images his comment unleashes.
“Something like that,” I mumble, taking a grateful sip of hot bitter coffee. And even though I wish the floor would open up and swallow me whole, I grit my teeth and push on. “About last night…” I start, wanting to say again that it was just sex and reinforce that boundary I know we should have between us. But staring into the dark pools of Jake’s eyes, the words ring hollow, even in my thoughts. Despite what I said last night, it didn’t feel like just sex. It felt like… like more.
Jake gives a small shake of his head, his smile easy. “You want to keep things professional,” he finishes, looking at me over the rim of his mug.
I nod, grateful for the rescue. The silence stretches between us, filled only by the soft sounds of Buck’s tail thumping against the floor as Jake absently rubs his ears. I wish again that I could read Jake better. Beneath the easy smile and nonchalant words, I sense an undercurrent of something else. Disappointment, maybe. Or regret? Does he wish last night hadn’t happened?
I make for the door before I can ask the question. “I’d better grab a shower and work on my notes before we leave for practice.”
“Harper,” he says, voice low, making me think of last night and his hands on my body, his lips pressing against my skin.
I spin toward him, the air between us electric again.
He sighs, raking his hands through his hair. “I don’t regret what happened last night.”
“Me neither,” I answer honestly. However awkward this is, whatever mess it’s landed us in, I don’t regret it.
His eyes bore into mine. “I don’t want a one-night stand with you.”
My heart lurches. The air leaves my lungs in a whoosh. The want in Jake’s eyes makes my legs weak. For a split second, I think about inviting him to join me in the shower. But then what? We have eleven days together, and however fun last night was, it’s already going to be hard enough to walk away from the ranch and from Jake.
I roll my eyes playfully, hoping Jake can’t hear the pounding of my heart in my chest. “I think we’ve mixed business and pleasure enough. My job is on the line too. If Tim finds out about this…” I make a face. So much for a playful comment. “But don’t worry, I get how much your rep is just rumors and gossip. You didn’t ruin that last night. So far, this feature is going to be everything you want it to be. Let’s just forget last night ever happened.” I back into the hall.
“Harper, that’s?—”
“It’s fine,” I call, taking the stairs two at a time, only drawing in breath when I’m in the bathroom with the door locked. I strip off my clothes and step under the hot spray of the shower, trying not to think about what Jake wanted to say when he called my name.
I don’t know if there’s a chance in hell I can claw my way back to any level of professionalism with Jake, but I’m going to try. What happened last night can’t happen again. There’s too much riding on this feature for both of us. And now it’s not just my job I’m worried about. It’s my heart, too. When this is over, we both have to go back to our normal lives, and I can’t risk having my heart broken by the same man twice.
TWENTY-FIVE
JAKE
DYLAN:Mama says good luck.
CHASE:She’s not watching?
DYLAN:She’s with me at the ACL clinic in LA. I told her I’m a 30yo man who didn’t need his mama by his side but you know Mama.
CHASE:Like the time I got sick in college and she insisted on coming to stay in my dorm, bringing her famous soup with her.
