Why I’m torturing myself with a drawing that brings only bittersweet memories makes no sense.Despite having deleted his number from my phone, my feelings for Jaeger haven’t faded or changed.They are as stubborn as I am.
He glances over with a smile.“Maybe some other time.”
Leo’s cute, with a week’s worth of stubble and shaggy blond hair.His eyes are a warm brown and he’s on the tall side, if a bit skinny.When I’m with him, I feel nothing.No zing, no spark.Between my new job and classes, I’m surrounded by available men, and I can’t appreciate any of them.It’s like Jaeger sapped me of the chemicals needed for attraction.
Leo pulls into my driveway and I reach for my book bag on the floor, shoving in a pencil that’s sticking out of the side pocket.
“You expecting someone?”Leo says.
I look up and my heart does this weird throb thing that’s so powerful, I feel it in my throat.Because Jaeger is waiting at the front door.
“No,” I say shakily.
Leo glances from me to Jaeger, his expression hesitant as he takes in Jaeger’s size.“You want me to stick around?I could?—”
“It’s okay.He’s a friend.”
For some reason, I feel guilty calling Jaeger a friend, like I’m betraying him with another guy when that’s not the case.I can’t call Jaeger my boyfriend after his ex-girlfriend has moved in.For all I know, Jaeger is here to downgrade me to friend status in person.
Leo nods.“Okay, well, have a good evening.Pick you up same time Friday?”
“That’d be great.I really appreciate the rides, Leo.”He smiles.
I step out and close the car door behind me, waiting for Leo to reverse.He holds up his hand briefly before pulling out onto the street.
I slowly shift, shoulders, then feet, then my eyes from the gravel to the house, and to Jaeger with his hands shoved in his jean pockets.His elbows are bent the way they do to accommodate the length of his arms when he has his hands in his pockets, the muscles below the sleeves of his T-shirt tensed and corded.His mouth is tight and twisted to the side in a concerned, edgy expression.
I make my way over, passing him as I approach the front door.
He grabs my hand, but I slip it out of his grip.“Cali, please.We need to talk.”
“Tyler told me you’re living with Kate.”
Jaeger blinks, surprised, but not upset.He lets out a deep breath.“I wanted to tell you.”
“Does it matter how I found out?You’ve moved on.Obviously.”I unlock the front door and he follows me inside.No one’s home, and that makes me mad.I don’t want to be alone with him.
All those chemical reactions that hibernated around other guys flared up the second I saw Jaeger.
I walk straight to the backyard.At least out in the open I don’t smell him, feel him so close to me.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to call.I had a commission that was late, and then I went out of town for a couple of days.”
He went on vacation?With his ex?He thinks that’s an acceptable explanation for why he waited days to call me?“Whatever, Jaeger.Why are you here?”
He flexes his jaw.“I’m trying to tell you, Cali, but you’re making it difficult.”
“Difficult?I’mmaking it difficult?Do you want to know what sucks?Finding out your boyfriend has a child.Want to know what else blows?Having him leave you for his ex-girlfriend.Get out of my house, Jaeger!”
I’m hysterical.All that pent-up pain unleashing itself on him.At least it’s aimed in the right direction.
“I’m not leaving,” he says calmly.“We need to talk.You don’t underst?—”
“What?”I hold up my hands.“That we’re over?Oh, I got that when Tyler told me you’re shacking up with your ex.Not much to misinterpret there.”
“Cali”—his eyes are warm and soft—“if I wasn’t so frustrated, I’d kiss you.I missed you, feisty.”
I squint.“Have you lost your mind?”
