I jump in the shower and then get dressed.Tyler’s friend picked him up, so I have the car for the night.I’ll visit Jaeger.I won’t bother him while he works.I just want to make sure he’s okay and give him a quick hug after his shitty day, and I don’t want to have to wait until late to do it.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
My stomach tightens as I pull into Jaeger’s driveway.A black Mercedes sports car is parked near his truck.Kate’s car?
I forgot when I decided to come here tonight that I might see Kate.It doesn’t matter that Jaeger isn’t interested in her.The idea of an ex-girlfriend in his home makes my proprietary instincts flare.
And why is Kate driving a fancy car if she doesn’t have any money?Isn’t that the reason she’s living with Jaeger?
I breathe deeply and smooth the strands that pulled loose from my ponytail into place.I check my teeth for lipstick stains in the visor mirror.I’m not walking in looking shabby.Kate needs to know she isn’t going to weasel into Jaeger’s heart the way she did into his house.
What kind of mother screws up her life so badly she loses her kid?And why didn’t Kate tell Jaeger she was pregnant?For as long as I’ve known him—which is a significant amount of time, given his connection to my brother—he’s been a good guy.He would have stood by her if she’d told him.Why come out now?
This chick makes no sense, and when something doesn’t make sense there’s a reason.But I agree with Jaeger: he has to find out the truth before he tells her to leave.If the little girl really is his daughter, Kate could do anything.Sell the car and leave the country with the girl, who knows?Jaeger’s playing it safe, and I don’t blame him for it.
The woodshop is silent today.I rap lightly on the front door and look out at the lake through the trees, attempting to remain calm.I’ll simply visit with Jaeger, make sure he’s okay, then go home.I won’t cause problems for him with Kate, though I’d love to give her a piece of my mind.
Nobody answers after several minutes, and the doorbell doesn’t seem to work.I’m sure he’s here.His truck is in the drive.
I twist the handle, and it’s unlocked.
Jaeger’s my boyfriend, and he’s practically living with me at the moment.I’ll just peek inside and let him know I’m here.
I step inside, but it’s not Jaeger’s presence that fills the house.A hushed female voice floats from the back bedroom.Not Jaeger’s room—thank God—gotta be his office, the man-cave.I don’t see Jaeger anywhere.He’s not in the living area, and the door to his bedroom is open, the lights off.The other two bedrooms are located at the other end of the hall.
I should call out, but there’s something about the way she’s talking on the phone, quiet and professional, like she’s conducting a business transaction, that makes me hesitate.I walk toward the back, making no effort to silence my footfalls.It’s not my fault that my Keds make no sound.
I stop outside the partly open door to Jaeger’s office.And okay, yes, this time I really do eavesdrop, because it sounds like she’s—shopping?I peek past the door.
“I’ll take the twistlock heel in blue and black,” Kate says into a cell phone, scrolling with a mouse on Jaeger’s computer.“Size seven and a half.And the Jennie stacked platform in red, same size.”
Online shopping.
“I want the cutout sundress in a size four, and”—she clicks the mouse and pulls up another screen—“the limited edition skater dress.I want that in pale blue, along with the lightweight biker jacket.”A pause.“That’s all for now.You can mail it to this address.”She bends over to fix a strap on her sandal and rattles something off.Her voice is slightly muffled, and all I catch are the first two digits.Not very helpful.She sits back up.“No, that’s not the billing.Hold on a sec.”Kate reaches across the desk and lifts an envelope.She reads off Jaeger’s street address.
What the hell?If she’s using his address for billing…
Kate thumbs a credit card.“Here’s my card number.”She reads off a series of numbers, the expiration date, and a security code.“The name on the card is Jaeger Lang.My husband and I have different last names.”
The bitch!
I’ve heard enough.I clear my throat loudly.
Kate’s gaze darts to me.I cock my head.Her eyes widen a fraction, but her expression remains calm.“Thank you,” she says cheerily into the phone, and ends the call.For a moment we stare at each other.
“You must be Cali.”
Good, she knows who I am.
Remain calm.I promised myself I wouldn’t cause problems for Jaeger.“What do you think you’re doing?”Okay, that didn’t come out as diplomatic as I had hoped.
Kate lifts her legs, bared to the rump in cut-off shorts, and plants her feet on the corner of Jaeger’s desk.Her shorts are so small the curve of her butt cheek hangs out.She’s pretty, with light brown hair tumbling over her shoulder in soft waves, but the energy she gives off is cold as that minnow I caught in Lake Tahoe.
“Jaeger said he had a female friend who might stop by from time to time.I’m Kate, the mother of his child.”
My jaw clenches.Calm, must remain calm.“Why are you using Jaeger’s credit card?”
“Oh, just ordering a few necessities.”She smiles prettily.“Jaeger told me to make myself at home.”
