Page 26 of Wasted Memories
She marched her pretty little ass right into that living room and stood directly in front of the TV, staring at Jett, who was now sitting on the couch, as she crossed her arms. Suddenly, all the commotion in the room quieted and everyone’s heads swiveled in her direction.
“How was work, sweetheart? Why don’t you go change out of those wet clothes and join us?” Jett lazily looked up from the TV, cocking his head ever so slightly, seemingly annoyed.
She was dripping wet from the downpour that started minutes ago. Her hair clung to her shirt, the ends dribbling little drops of water onto the rug.
“Oh, work? I had a wonderful conversation with my boss, who also owns the restaurant, who told me that you and your friends are still refusing to pay for what you order. It has to stop, Jett.” She was pissed, that much was obvious. Her hands curled into fists under her arms, but now that I was watching her, I didn't think she had her arms crossed to emphasize how angry she was. She was hiding her shiver, but Jett was more focused on his game than anything else.
Jett laughed, shaking his head as he grabbed for the remote on the coffee table. “No, we don’t, baby. We can talk about this later. Go clean up.” He went to turn up the TV but she stepped in front of the direction of the remote, blocking the sensor.
I raised an eyebrow. She was feisty. Her attitude shouldn’t be hot, considering the situation, but it was. I tried to hide my smile by taking a swig of my beer.
“Yes, you do, or Elijah won’t serve you anymore and I really don’t need the extra stress at work. He already gives me shit every day. I don’t need you all adding to it. I’m not moving until you all agree to pay going forward.”
Jett draped his hand holding the remote along the back of the couch. “Not happening.”
He was very obviously trying to keep his cool in front of everyone, but smoke was practically blowing out of his ears. I set my beer on the counter behind me, not taking my eyes off the two of them. I didn’t want to get involved for Emerson’s sake, but I’d stay to make sure Jett didn’t try any shit.
She took her eyes off of Jett for the first time since she walked in and looked around at everyone, her gaze landing on me last. She stood there for what felt like minutes just staring at me, our eyes glued to each other. I wish I knew what she was thinking. She was clearly uncomfortable, doing her best not to show it to the whole room, but I saw it.
Her face changed and all of a sudden, she looked like she was about to cry. She didn’t look back at Jett before she turned on her heel and headed down the hall. Jett acted like she hadn’t even been standing there, turning the volume up on the game.
I tried to keep my thoughts from showing on my face as I stood there, but damn I wanted to punch that smug look straight off his face right now.
How he just acted toward her proved what kind of fucked up guy he was. A man like that didn’t care about women. He may give the impression that he did by the public displays of affection, but behind closed doors, this was how it was. Her voice was ignored, not just by him but by half the damn town, too. No one in this room attempted to stand up for her, back her up, tell Jett see he was being an asshole. They all just sat there, watching like it was some fucking climax in a movie happening live before their eyes.
The fact that every single person in this room went back to what they were doing before she had walked in pissed me off. Not one person went to see if she was okay. They all just stayed in their places, continuing their conversations, as if him treating her like that was okay.
After the halftime show, I asked Brendt where the restroom was.
He acted like he was grabbing something off the counter behind me when he leaned in close. “If you’re planning to go check on her, don’t. It’ll piss him off more. Take a piss outside if you really have to go. I’m just as pissed as you are, but the only way you don’t end up on his bad side is to not get involved.”
I kept my voice down, staring straight ahead as I spoke. “Not get involved? Is that your genius plan here? He treats her like shit and you turn your head the other way?”
“Unless you want to wind up a missing person, I’d suggest you do the same.” He walked away with a handful of peanuts.
Knowing Brendt wasn’t oblivious to the way Jett treated her made me feel a bit better but it didn’t excuse the fact that no one did anything about it. I shook my head and made my way towards the hallway.
“Where you going, Wesley?” Jett asked from the couch, not taking his eyes off the TV.
“Need to use the bathroom,” I clipped, not pausing to look back at him.
I lightly tapped my knuckles on the first door on the right. When no one replied, I moved to the next door and tapped again.
“Restroom is on the left.” I heard Emerson's muffled voice through the door in response to my knock.
I set my hand on the door knob, taking a deep breath. Was I really going into the room Emerson and Jett slept together in?
I pushed the thought aside. Twisting the knob, the door cracked open. Emerson sat on the end of the bed, her work uniform still plastered to her skin. Her head snapped up when the door hinge creaked.
“You can’t come in here.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, those baby blue eyes wide.
“Are you okay?” I asked as I opened the door a few inches further.
“Wes, you have to go.”
“Are you okay, Emerson?” I asked more firmly this time, my voice thick with concern.
She looked back down at her lap, toying with her fingers. “I’m fine.”
