“For fuck’s sake. Not now. Please not now. What is going on with me?” He shook his head, too tired to answer his own question or face it, then got up to grab his carry-on, taking out his laptop and powering it on.
Work for him was always the best medicine, and he was able to suppress his thoughts and eventually fell asleep with it on.
He had a brief respite as his attention focused on how Abbott, who was now the first out of all of them to fulfill his grandfather’s wishes when he came through the door that morning with a ring on, looking like a man satisfied.
“What the hell happened?” He’d barked as he and Colin had both moved to block Abbott from trying to escape them by getting into his room.
Abbott squared to face them; his expression was closed off, but his look spoke volumes, saying back off.
Then Abbott rubbed his eyes tiredly and yawned. “I got married to Jackie and that is all you need to know for now. I amtired, still hungover and had a long night. Just let me sleep and we can discuss this later. But I would prefer we hash this out when we are home. We are here for Colin and Coco’s party, and I don’t want their memories of this day ruined.” He held up a hand when Colin opened his mouth. “This Vegas trip is for you and whatever happened to me and Jackie is between Jackie and I and can get sorted out later.”
Colin and Jacob had shared another glance and knew that they would not get anything out of Abbott until he was ready to talk.
“All right, we will wait. But damn man, did you have to upstage me and be the first?” Colin scowled; his voice held humor and irritation.
Abbott grinned and pushed past them, throwing over his shoulder “You both can’t always be the first in everything.”
Jacob just shook his head. Since his grandfather’s ultimatum, their lives were changing, and things were happening fast. It was like once his grandfather gave his demand, the universe responded.
As they both made their way back into the kitchen and he poured his coffee down the drain to have a fresh cup, Jacob had wondered if Sierra being back was more than just to help Kaitlyn. His mouth turned down and he squashed that notion, burying it deep.
But spending those days in Vegas, doing the bachelor activities with Colin and talking to Kaitlyn and hearing Sierra in the background while he was there, didn’t stop his thoughts about her and how they used to be in bed.
And eventually, he left a day early, leaving everyone at the request of Colin.
“Man, go home. You have been a grumpy bear since getting here. Maybe seeing Kaitlyn will cheer you up. I love you, and thanks for coming, but I don’t want to have tomorrow, my last day here, seeing your soured face.” He gave him a hug and a clap on the back and walked away, shaking his head.
Well damn, I thought I hid being miserable better but as usual, Colin picked up on it.
Then he’d heard shouts coming from the living room where his brothers were hanging out.
“Thank God, Colin.”
“You should have done this sooner.”
“Love you, Jacob, see you back home.”
He’d shaken his head and went to his room to pack, his mood lightened that he would be seeing his daughter and a part of him that he was trying to deny even now, getting to see Sierra.
Chapter 23
It was the middle of the night, but Sierra couldn’t sleep. It seemed her leg decided that now was a good time to start hurting and cramping on her. Lying face down with her butt elevated, she used her hand to knead and rub the muscle along her thigh. She couldn’t keep silent, moaning in pain.
“What’s wrong?”
Sierra almost fell off the bed when her body jumped and she let out a surprised scream. The overhead light snapped on, blinding her for a moment. Lowering her head to try and see through the brightness, Sierra blinked rapidly until she could see Jacob standing in the doorway. He looked tired and his clothes were wrinkled. He must have just arrived back from Vegas.
“I’m okay.” Sierra turned enough that she could prop herself on her elbow. “My leg is just cramping; it will work itself out soon. You should go to bed. You look tired.”
He nodded, his hand raking through his hair; it was slightly unkempt from travel on the plane, but he managed to muss it up more. He looked so cute standing there, looking tired. The yawn only added to the attraction. He then stepped closer into the room. “Is there anything I can get you before I head upstairs?”
“No, I will be okay. Good night.”
He hesitated for a moment, then said, “Night.”
She waited for him to turn away, then shut her eyes and gritted her teeth as more cramping shot from her hip down to her calf. So focused on the pain and waiting for the room to beshrouded in darkness again, his voice caught her by surprise. “Lay down properly and I will massage and stretch your leg for you.”
Though hesitant, Sierra didn’t refuse as he reached down and helped her to get more comfortable, into a prone position on the bed. When he flipped the blankets off of her; she tensed along with him. She was wearing just underwear and a tank top. She got hot at night and liked to wear nothing, but while staying in Jacob’s home where Kaitlyn liked to come into her room in the mornings, she’d compromised with this.
