Chapter 17
Jack
When Andy called me about the divorce, at first, I was taken aback. I figured I’d get around to it eventually. Apparently, Blakely is eager to get it done soon. I take this news about as good as a knife to my chest. Up until today, I had a notion we might get back together. I guess she has other plans, maybe with thatdudeguy on her cell phone.
Quinn booked this flight and I shouldn’t be pissed at having to make a stop at JFK but I am. It reminds me of the last time I went to Utah, us sitting thigh to thigh, her smiling like I was some white knight. Maybe she found another guy to take up the gauntlet. The thought of someone else making love to her makes me want to punch something but hell, I got no claims on her, not any more.
While I gaze out the window, someone sits in the aisle seat next to me. I catch a familiar whiff of baby powder and oranges. When I turn, I’m nose to nose with the woman who’s haunted all my dreams. I’m pretty sure the moan comes from me even though I barely recognize it.
“Oh my God. I, ah… Do you want me to see if I can get a different seat?” Blakely’s blue-violet eyes go wide. Obviously, she wasn’t aware of this blatant setup, either. She looks so damn distressed I’d like to throttle Andrew Quinn.
“Hold on.” Sitting next to the window, I have to slide by her, chest to chest, to get to the stewardess. My cock, not knowing this woman is off limits, jumps to attention.
Shit.There’s nothing to be done but muddle through and tap the stewardess on the shoulder. “Miss? Excuse me. Are any other seats available?”
“No sir. The flight is full. Please sit down. We’ll be taking off soon.” She eyes me up and down, landing on my embarrassing state just below the belt.
Well, hell, this isn’t the least bit awkward. Blakely, now sitting, looks directly where the stewardess’ eyes just left.
“I think we got set up.” Biting her lower lip, my soon-to-be ex stands so I can slide back into my seat.
“No shit.” Again, I’m forced way too close, this time with a hardon she can’t miss. The fact I can’t hide my feelings pisses me off. I grab my tablet and set it over the lump in my jeans, thinking of how I may payback our lawyer at a later date.
Murder comes to mind.
She glares, amethyst eyes sparking fire. “You don’t have to get nasty. I didn’t know about this, either. Can’t we just be civil? We’ll be in Utah before we know it. Then we’ll get a divorce and be done with this chapter in our lives.”
“Fine by me.” I try to ignore her as she digs through her purse and retrieves earbuds for her cell phone.
Without warning, she takes one out and pokes me in the bicep. “I just want to know one thing. Why didn’t you answer my calls?”
Her lower lip quivers and it’s only then I notice the dark circles under her eyes and her too pale coloring. “What calls? You’re the one who ignored mine. I finally gave up after your boyfriend told me to stop texting.”
“Huh? What’re you talking about? I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Tellhimthat.”
I pick up my damn phone and show her my text message history.
Me: I’m so fucking sorry
Me: Please pick up
Me: Blakely, why won’t u talk to me?
I scroll past at least a hundred more embarrassing texts until I find the one I’m looking for.
Blake: Dude, she hates your guts, give it up.
She stares, mouth open and touches my arm, reigniting the old flames between us. “Oh my God, Jack. The night we found the freezer? My phone was stolen, I think it was Po.”
My whole world tilts on its axis and suddenly, there’s a glimmer of light where there was only darkness a second before. “That little bastard. Why the hell didn’t he give it back?”
“I had no idea until my video turned up on CNN. I tried calling you from Suds’ cell phone and from Lucky’s. Later, I tried again when I got a new phone.”
“I had no idea it was you.” I recall the black day when I got on the plane and how I deleted her contact information.
“Do you always ignore your friends’ calls?” Her blond brows furrow, her mouth turned in a frown.
