Chapter 14

~Take Care of My Girl~

On Thursday night, we gather at Denali's to support Rose's free piercing gig. I snag a good spot up front, pushing a few tables together so we all fit. Jasper, Emmett, and Seth are the first to arrive.

We order drinks, and Tanya serves us personally. She puts her tray down and leans her hip against the table. "Are you going to be a contestant again?" she asks, batting her lashes. She has one of her signature V-necks on, and her ample cleavage is practically in my face.

"No, I'm going to give someone else a turn."

She leans in closer, giving me an eyeful of her perky boobs, and traces my eyebrow with an index finger, her crystal blue eyes following its path. "You should get your eyebrow pierced."

"I'm not a fan." At least not of eyebrow piercings. I swallow hard, trying not to stare at her chest.

"Or somewhere else . . ." Her gaze drops lower.

My cheeks burn, and I have the urge to cross my legs. Now I know how a woman feels when she's being objectified. And I was worried about seeming like a perv eyeing up her tits.

I'm saved from answering when Leah sidles up behind me and slides her hands over my shoulders to rest on my chest. "Hi, handsome." Her lips brush my ear.

I put my hand over one of hers, giving it a squeeze. "Hey! Saved you a seat." I glance between them. "Tanya, this is Leah. She's freelancing some of her designs for Inkspiration. Tanya is one of the owners here."

Tanya nods. "Nice to meet you, Leah. I think I've seen you around here." She's polite, but there's a chipped ice hardness to her gaze when it returns to me.

Leah smiles warmly. "This place is awesome. I love coming here."

Emmett's eyebrows go up, and he grins suggestively. "Freelancing, huh? Way to get around that fraternization issue." I shoot him a glare, and his smile withers. "Sorry, man. Zipping it."

Tanya takes a deep breath, obviously trying to keep her anger under control. "Leah, can I get you a drink?"

"Whatever beer you have on tap in an iced mug, please."

"Coming up!" Tanya grabs her tray and strides toward the bar.

Leah sits next to me and leans in, placing her hand on my thigh. I put my arm around her shoulders and take a long pull of my beer.

Across the table, Jasper smirks and shakes his head but is wise enough not to say anything.

"Sweet baby Jesus!" Emmett exclaims, smacking his palm on the table. "I can die happy now."

I follow the direction of his gaze. Rose stands by the end of the bar in a hot pink tube top, black hot pants that hug every feminine curve, and shiny black stilettos with hot pink straps. She tosses her gleaming blond hair over one shoulder, revealing an intricate butterfly tattoo. The design and coloring of the wings is reminiscent of stained glass. The letters of the word "Remember" are arranged vertically to form the body. I asked her about the tattoo once; she stared into space for a few seconds before telling me to mind my business.

The tavern fills up quickly. There's a huge crowd here for Rose's show, the patrons loud and rowdy. Several bikers swagger in and crowd around.

I smirk as Rose hops onto the top of the bar to a lot of hooting and hollering and starts stalking around, looking for her six.

My cell rings, and it's Jimmy. I rush toward the hall to the restrooms and plug one ear with my finger. "Yo! Where are you guys? You're about to miss the show!"

"Edward, I need you." Jimmy sounds off and out of breath. "I know it's a big ask, but can you come out to the house?"

I push past the line for the ladies' room and exit the back door to the alley. A chilly wind bites at my face, and I shove my free hand into the pocket of my jacket. "Right now?"

"Yeah."

"Is everything okay? What's going on?"

"I'll explain when you get here." Jimmy's voice is gruff, and he still sounds out of breath.

"Should I" —I have the urge to bring Jasper— "come alone? Or I could bring . . ."

"Just you."

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

I stand there in the cold for a few moments, wondering why Jimmy needs me right now. Warm, brown eyes float through my mind, eyes that often look curious or puzzled when turned my way. I try to shake off the image, but it stays with me.

I yank the door to the tavern open, the sounds of conversation and raucous laughter spilling out. I plunge back into the melee, thankful for the distraction, and return to our table. "Guys, I'm sorry to do this, but I have to leave."

"What are you talking about?" Emmett looks at me like I'm crazy.

Leah glances up at me with concern. "Is everything okay?"

I drop into the chair beside her. "I'm not sure. Jimmy just called me and said he needs me out at his place."

She caresses my cheek. "Want me to come with?"

"No, he wants me to come alone. Stay here and have a good time."

Emmett shakes his head. "Damn, man! You're going to miss quite a show!"

"Jimmy needs me."

Leah leans forward and places a soft kiss on my lips, her dark eyes full of promises. "Text me if you want some company . . . later."

As I turn to leave, my gaze lands on Jasper. He's leaning back in his chair, watching me. He nods and mouths, "Be careful."

My car is parked up the block. As I walk, couples and small groups head into the welcome warmth of Denali's. I envy them in this moment. I don't know what lies ahead, why Jimmy is summoning me, but a sense of foreboding settles into my gut, sitting heavy like a stone.

The drive out to the farmhouse is nerve-racking. There aren't many cars on the road, and once I leave the highway, the streets are narrow and pitch-dark with no lights. Most of the houses are set back so far, they are invisible behind the dense foliage. Navigating takes most of my brainpower, leaving me little time to ponder why I'm rushing out to Jimmy's place instead of enjoying the evening at Denali's.

I almost miss the turnoff, but I slam on the brakes at the last second and just barely manage it. The driveway seems longer and creepier than I remember, and the tall trees to either side stand sentinel. When the farmhouse finally comes into view, my stomach is in knots. I park the car and get out, looking around. The night is cold and quiet. Tendrils of fog hover in the field out back. I close my eyes for a moment and hear nothing but crickets chirping. I'm so used to the hustle and bustle of downtown that I find the relative silence unnerving.

Warm light spills from the first-floor windows. The last time I was here, Jimmy was out back when I arrived, and we went in through the rear entrance. Now I pick my way across the lawn toward the front. There are four rocking chairs on the porch, two on each side of the door. It looks like a nice place to hang out on a sunny afternoon or during a rainstorm.

As I'm passing the living room windows, movement catches my attention through a part in the sheer curtains. Jimmy stands at the back of the room, facing me. Bella walks up to him. Her long hair is twisted up in a clip. Her pale blue robe slides down, baring her shoulders and the nape of her neck.

Jimmy cups her cheek, saying something I can't hear. Bella places her hands on his chest, and slides down his body slowly. Jimmy shakes his head, speaking again. Bella slips out of sight, the couch blocking my view of her. But then her hands reach for Jimmy's belt, unbuckling it. He's talking to her, but stops rather suddenly and bites his lip, tipping his head back. I watch his face, transfixed. He looks down, and I can almost hear him groan.

I realize I'm growing hard, but not from watching Jimmy. In my mind's eye, it's me standing in that living room, watching Bella's plump lips take in every inch of me.

A mixture of anger and disgust rears up, and I look away, heading for the front door. There's no doorbell, so I bang on the door much harder than is probably necessary. There's no response, so I knock again.

"Coming!" Jimmy calls out.

I'll bet you are.

When the door swings open, Jimmy is standing there, looking normal, and there's no sign of Bella. If I hadn't seen them with my own eyes, I never would have guessed Jimmy had Bella going down on him less than a minute ago.

"Hey, man. Thanks for getting here so fast." Jimmy gives me a one-armed hug.

"What's going on?"

He steps back. "Come in." There's a suitcase and a duffel bag next to the door.

"Are you guys going somewhere?"

"No. Well, not us—me. Urgent business came up, and I was wondering if you could look after Bella while I'm gone."

I stare at him, slack-jawed. "Um . . . me? Why me?"

"Because I trust you." He walks into the living room and sits on the couch. "Come in. Shut the door. Let's talk."

I close the door and walk slowly into the living room, taking a seat in a wingback chair. I glance around the room. It's farmhouse kitsch: burgundy and cream country couches, rustic wood coffee and end tables, brass fixtures, braided rugs covering weathered plank floorboards, and an old brick fireplace. I half expect to see a cat curled up on the hearth.

"What's this about?"

"Bella has some health problems, and I was hoping you would make sure she takes her medications and is doing okay."

"Like, give her a call every day?"

"No, I mean in person. I need to keep an eye on her health, make sure things don't get out of control."

"Okay, what do you need me to do? I can't stay here with her, if that's what you're asking."

Jimmy shakes his head. "No, I was thinking maybe Bella can help around the shop a few times a week."

I gape at him. "How long will you be gone?"

"Honest answer . . . not sure. Probably two or three weeks."

There are a few creaks above us. Probably Bella walking around. There's no way to sneak up on anyone in this house.

I ask the obvious. "Why not take her with you?"

Jimmy shakes his head. "No, that wouldn't be good for Bella. I won't be able to conduct my business and watch over her. Besides, she'd be bored to death."

"And Bella is okay with this—with me?"

"She understands it's what needs to happen."

I don't like Jimmy's phrasing, and my disquiet grows. "What needs to happen?"

"Bella doesn't like being doted on, but it's necessary. She has seizures sometimes, so her driver's license is suspended. She also has a blood disorder that requires medication, and sometimes she has episodes that require a bit of . . . assistance until they're over."

I rake a hand through my hair, feeling overwhelmed. "Why not my sister Alice? She's a nurse practitioner."

Jimmy shakes his head. "You can consult her. That's all though. Alice doesn't like me, and you're the only one I trust with my girl."

"You said her license is suspended. How will she get to the shop?"

Jimmy scrubs a hand over his face. "I was hoping you would pick her up in the morning. You can make sure she's doing okay, taking her meds, and she can go with you to the shop."

I stare at him, speechless. A curl of anger jolts through me, followed by a chaser of resentment. There's obviously a strange dynamic going on between me, Jimmy, and Bella. Others have noticed. I'm starting to notice. What about Jimmy? Surely he realizes this isn't the healthiest arrangement. Either he has his head in the sand, is willing to take the risk, or he's setting me up.

Jimmy's eyes fill with remorse. "Shit! I'm so sorry. What was I thinking? This is way too much to ask of you!" He drops his head in his hands. "I'll figure this out. I never should have called you."

I immediately feel like a shit. Jimmy would help me if I were in need—hell, in the past he did help me when I was in need. I put my hand on his arm. "Stop, Jim. I've got you. Just tell me what you guys need."

His head comes up, and there are tears in his eyes. "I don't know how I will ever be able to thank you."

As if she were listening the whole time, the floor above creaks as Bella walks along the second floor hallway and comes down the stairs. She's wearing a long T-shirt over a pair of black leggings, and her hair is loose and flowing around her shoulders. She doesn't acknowledge that I'm in the room. Instead, her eyes are on Jimmy as she walks across the room and sits beside him on the couch. I'm reminded once again of a dog with its master—watching for signs of approval or displeasure, ready to self-correct as needed.

He takes her face between his hands and places a kiss on her lips. "Edward is going to watch out for you while I'm gone. You do what Edward says, okay?"

"Okay." She nods obediently.

"You'll take your meds on time and let Edward know if you feel an episode coming on, all right?"

"Yes." Bella leans into him and fists his shirt. "I don't want you to go," she whispers.

Jimmy shushes her and strokes her hair. "Remember, my love, I always do what's best for us."

"I know."

He cradles her, cooing comforting words into her hair. Jimmy's eyes meet mine, and his are filled with expectation and trust. "Edward will take good care of you."

What the fuck have I gotten myself into?

~oOo~

What indeed, Edward. Keep those thoughts and theories coming. I love reading them! Whatever you celebrate, I wish you and yours joyful holidays filled with love and happiness. See you next week!

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