Page 13 of His for the Taking

“Her father, that’s what happened. Jameson freaking Evans. The man can use his words to light up your entire body or as a weapon. Sadly, I was on the receiving end of both last night, and now I’m ignoring everyone and everything.” Which I won’t be able to much longer. I didn’t get paid for watching Josephine yesterday, and now it would feel super skeezy if I did. That means today, I’ve got to find a job because I’m not sure it’s going to work out should I have to be around Jameson that much.

“Honey, you know you’re supposed to avoid certain types of men. The ones you work with, the ones who have never settled down, and the ones whose name starts with the letter J.” Kari started this when she first met Johnny. He was a walking red flag, confirmed bachelor, a complete dick to Kari when he slammed into her on a busy sidewalk. She called him an asshole for not watching where he was going. He laughed and then asked Kari for her number. “You know what that means?” Kari says with a smile.

“Red flag,” we say in unison as Johnny appears behind Kari, hands wrapping around her in a possessive way.

“Not this shit again. Do I need to remind you two that not all men with the name beginning with J’s are arrogant pricks?” He presses a kiss to the side of her neck. I avert my eyes, giving them a moment of privacy. This is how they always are when they’re together; it doesn’t matter where they are. They could be in a crowded room full of onlookers, and the only people they see is each other. I look around my room while they have their moment, knowing it won’t last forever. Especially with Johnny in a business suit and carrying a briefcase. That usually means he’s coming or going. I’m betting he’s leaving for a meeting, judging by his tie alone. There were many times I’d be at their place, and Johnny would walk through the door, his tie was off, and I was leaving quickly. He never made me feel like I was a burden. Neither did Kari, but their love for one another is palpable. And when your own marriage was basically in name only, especially at the end, well, it’s hard to be around them.

“Kari is yours now, Kody. Hopefully, this J character isn’t a total douchebag.” He winks at the phone. Kari squeezes his hand, and then Johnny is walking away.

“Okay, tell me everything. Don’t leave a single thing out. I mean, if he has you this flustered, it must have been good.” Ugh, she’s not wrong. I came home last night and took the hottest shower ever in an attempt to erase the feeling of Jameson’s hands on my body. It didn’t work, not at all, and when Shaun yelled good night through his closed bedroom door, I felt ten times worse. Jameson is Shaun’s boss. This could go from bad to worse.

“Ugh, where do I begin? First off, babysitting his daughter, easy peasy. She’s adorable, funny, and keeps me busy, so it makes time fly by. Jameson, on the other hand, sears me with one look, gives me mixed signals, and doles out amazing orgasms. I’m talking off the Richter scales, and he only used his fingers.” Kari’s eyebrows are nearly to her hairline. A slow smile cross her face. My best friend is conjuring something, and I’m going to hear about it for a good long while.

“Okay, so he gave you the best orgasm of the century, then what happened?” she questions, grabbing the glass of red wine and taking a healthy sip.

“I tried to repay the favor. He told me no. There was no reason to stick around, so I went home, and I’m currently ignoring his text messages.” I slam my head back against the stacked pillows. Maybe it’ll knock some common sense into my head. Yeah, that’s not likely to happen. Goose feathers are too soft to land any real blow to my thick skull.

“Hmm, there are a few reasons why he’d say no. And he texted you?” Maybe I’m overanalyzing everything. Maybe I should be thankful for the orgasm. And maybe I should forget everything that ever happened.

“Yes, he asked if I made it home. I didn’t respond, and now he’s texting again.” I see the alert appear on the top of our screen.

Jameson: I owe you an apology. Meet me at The Java Hut so we can talk?

“What did he say? Oh my gosh, it’s like you don’t know me at all. Kody Michelle Goodwin, answer me now, woman,” Kari demands.

“He wants to apologize and meet for coffee. Ugh. I can’t do this. I’m not doing this. The first guy I actually feel something for after a loveless marriage, and he’s another asshole. I’m done. No more. I’m sticking with my toy. At least they don’t give me whiplash.” I go on a wild tangent, Kari listening to me the entire time like the best friend she absolutely is. Except her watchful eye is seeing more than I want to let on, and I’m about to get a mouthful.

“Okay, shut up with the no man thing. There’s a guy out there for you who will absolutely treat you the way you deserve. It’s also clear you feel something toward Jameson. Maybe you’re overthinking things?” Kari hits the nail on the head. Overthink, overanalyze, the story of my damn life. And when did Kari become the voice of reason? Usually, she’s the overreactor while I try to calm her down. “Answer his text, meet him, and if you don’t like what he has to say, at least you’ll get the closure. Now text him back while we’re on the phone, or I know you won’t.”

“Yes, mother.” I pause the screen and type out a response.

Me: Sure, can you meet in an hour?

“There, it’s done. Now I have an hour to prepare myself, and I’m going to need the entire time.” My hair is a tangled mess, makeup is going to be a must to hide my circles, and then there’s making a decision on what to wear.

“Good. I want a call immediately after. Unless he takes you back to his place and fucks you hard.” Always the demanding one between the two of us.

“I will, and I promise our next call will be more about you instead of all about me. Again.” Nothing like drama on top of drama. It wasn’t always like this, but lately, my life has been one thing after another.

“Thank you. Oh, by the way, Johnny and I are trying for a baby. Love you. Talk soon.” Kari hits the end button after dropping that little bombshell. I immediately send her a text, knowing I don’t have time to hit the call button repeatedly and her taking at least eighteen times before she finally answers.

Me: Kari, first of all, OH MY GOSH, I AM SO FREAKING HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS! Secondly, have fun practicing, and keep your phone handy because we are talking asap. I love you lots!

I throw my phone on the bed, kick the covers off my body, and get my ass in gear. It’s time to be presentable while also making Jameson realize what an ass he’s been to me.

17

JAMESON

“No, no, no.” Josephine is clinging to my neck as I’m trying to leave her at my parents in order to meet up with Kody. “I go wif.” I look up at my mom. I fucked up, a rookie mistake in parenting. You never tell them who you’re going to see or where you’re going if you need time away without a little one. JoJo caught wind that I was hitting The Java Hut with Kody after I dropped her off at my parents’, and now here we are.

“Not this time, sweetheart. I’m going to work right after, but I’ll be home early tonight.” I gave the guys this morning off. They’ve been working a shit ton of hours, picking up when I wasn’t around. The look of relief was written on my brother's face, the same for Shaun, and a couple of the others. Plus, I needed this morning off to fix the epic fuckup I’ve become with Kody. Jesus, last night while I was looking in the mirror, I wanted to punch something. The something was me.

“But Kody my fwend.” Josephine pulls away, popping her lower lip out to get me to agree with what she wants.

“She is your friend, and hopefully, you can see her tomorrow.” Mom’s eyes zero in on me, a frown marring her face. I’m going to have to come clean about how I’ve been the biggest asshole in all of Lane County. Mom really shouldn’t be surprised. This is who I’ve always been, a lot like my father, whereas Matthew is more like Mom.

“Fine.” She crosses her arms over her chest, juts her chin, and taps her foot on the floor. Christ, the sass that comes from my daughter. Teenage years are going to be hell on wheels, and I don’t even want to think about when she starts dating. The only good thing coming from her fierce independence and attitude is she won’t take shit from someone like me.

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