Page 70 of Deadly Conflicts

19

Nineteen

“How are you feeling?”

Jake pushed Ally’s hair away from her face when she stirred the next morning. He’d been up for two hours but contented himself watching her sleep rather than shifting and waking her. He was calmer now, embarrassed at the way he acted toward Mandy. He couldn’t understand why he said what he did, but he knew he owed the effervescent blonde an apology – as soon as he made sure his brunette was okay.

“Not very good,” Ally admitted, her voice raspy. “My head hurts.”

“I have aspirin,” Jake said, reaching for the bottle on the nightstand. “Twice in one week. Are you going for a record?”

Ally sighed. “I didn’t plan on getting drunk.”

“I think that’s the refrain of hangover sufferers the world over,” Jake said, handing Ally three aspirin and opening a bottle of water. He watched as she swallowed the tablets – and then guzzled half the bottle down – before offering her a rueful smile. “Better?”

“I will be in about an hour,” Ally said, rolling so she could rest her head on Jake’s chest.

He took the bottle from her and returned it to the nightstand before slipping lower between the sheets and cuddling her close. “Do you want to talk about what happened last night?”

“Not really.”

“Okay.” Jake didn’t want to pressure her when she was feeling down. They would have to talk about it eventually, but there was no rush.

“I think we should, though,” Ally said.

“Okay.” Jake ran his hand down Ally’s back as he considered how to begin. “How come you went to the bar without telling me?”

“I left a note,” Ally protested. “You were at James’ house and I thought Mandy would tell him what was going on. I didn’t think it would be a big deal. I swear it was supposed to be like an hour of complaining about men and that’s it.”

“Ally, I’m not trying to tell you what to do,” Jake said. “I just … it upset me to think you were out with another guy. I’m not going to lie.”

“I was not out with another guy,” Ally snapped, grabbing her head when a pain wave washed over her. “Ugh.”

“Angel, let’s not yell at one another, okay?” Jake pressed Ally’s head to his chest and massaged the back of her neck. “I didn’t mean you were on a date or anything. It’s just … I don’t like that guy.”

“It’s probably because he keeps calling you a carny,” Ally said. “Just for the record, I don’t think you’re a carny.”

Jake knew she was trying to make light of the situation, but he was unsure how much wiggle room he should give her. “Ally, I love you so much I don’t even know how to absorb it half the time,” he said. “I know I’m not great with words, but … I adore you.”

Ally’s heart swelled at the sentiment and she hugged him as tightly as she could. “I love you, too. I need you to know that I didn’t expect to see Vince there. I was just planning on spending some time with Mandy. She was upset about something.”

“Did she say what?”

“No. We never got that far. We started talking about other stuff and then Vince showed up.”

“It’s okay,” Jake said, rubbing the back of Ally’s head as he held her. “I’m trying really hard not to tell you what to do, but I need you to be careful around Vince, Ally. Mandy is right. He’s popped up several times out of the blue now … in places he has no business being … and for him to keep happening upon you in an area this size … .”

Ally lifted her head so she could study Jake’s face. “You don’t think he would hurt me, do you?”

“I don’t know,” Jake said. He didn’t want to frighten her but he needed her to be mindful of her surroundings. “I love you and want you to be careful while we’re dealing with this. Can you do that for me?”

Ally solemnly nodded. “Jake, I don’t want to be with anyone else. You know that, right?”

“I do now,” Jake said, smiling as he kissed her forehead. “Now rest. If you’re feeling better in an hour we can take a shower together before work.”

“Ugh. I don’t want to go to work.”

Jake studied her a moment. “You could call in sick.”