finding Reese.: a SAFELIGHT novel vol.2 (SAFELIGHT Series) (21 page)

The officer replies, “Farewells are never easy, my man. You’re holding up traffic. Don’t force me to write you a ticket.”

The incessant honking horns of annoyed drivers make us rush, something neither of us is prepared to do. I choke at the officer’s words, and wipe away my tears trying to keep my cool. I cup Stryder’s cheeks with my gloved hands and kiss his lips softly, trying to let his taste linger there for as long as possible. Breaking our kiss, he speaks.

“Catalina, I love you. Be strong and know that you are loved by me, okay? I have to go.”

I let go and jog towards the truck door trying to appease the transit officer and the upset drivers blasting their horns at us. Lifting the door handle with a shaky hand, I raise the other to wave goodbye. He blows me a kiss, then turns on his heel to walk through the sliding doors that will separate us for an entire month. I watch for as long as I can until he disappears from my view. Sliding onto the driver’s seat, I drive away knowing I’m leaving behind a piece of my heart.

Crying while driving is something I’m not accustomed to, and like clockwork, Jackson reaches out for my knee and squeezes it tightly. I sigh, but keep my eyes on the road. From the corner of my eye I see his goofy smile that gets me every time. Despite my wet cheeks and stuffy nose, I smile. He cocks his head against his shoulder, and exhales as if relieved.

“What would you like to do today?” he asks. “I don’t want to go home. I’m starting to think the ranch is my prison, and I fucking hate that. Let’s do something fun.”

Keeping my eyes on the road, I consider his words, but when I see a coffeehouse up ahead I wiggle my butt against the leather seat. As I’m pulling in Jackson shakes his head, and chuckles.

“Caffeine for the addict . . . Is this your idea of fun, Catalina? Let me inform you it is not.” When I nod, he lets out a huff and looks at me with wide eyes and a flared nose. It’s more than obvious he’s teasing me. “Girl, you need to get out more. Mmm-hmm.”

“Shut up, Jax. You underestimate the power behind a nice, hot cup of coffee. It rights many wrongs in the world . . . just a few sips of the stuff and I’ll be as good as new. Trust me on this one,” I declare with a wink.

Once parked, Jackson opens his door and jumps out cursing loudly when his foot hits the snow-covered pavement. I run to the passenger side, and place my hand on his shoulder. My heart clenches when I see the pained expression on his face.

“Are you okay, Jackson? Anything I can do? Why’d you do that? What were you thinking?!”

Jackson opens his eyes and laughs at me. Is he mocking me? What the hell?

“You spewed out so many questions my brain kind of exploded. I’m fine,” he replies with a smile.

When he sees the irritated look on my face, he laughs harder, so I push him playfully, and we walk into the coffee shop with linked arms. The young lady behind the counter blushes, and her hand rises to cover her mouth in surprise. It takes me a second to understand her reaction. When you know Jackson Reese on a personal level like I do, it’s easy to forget he’s a celebrity and well-known in these parts. I look over at him; he’s sporting the biggest smile, and watching his features light up makes me very happy.
This
is the Jackson Reese I met and grew to love with all of my heart. I take a step back and let him work his charm.

“What can I get you, Mr. Reese?” asks the blue-eyed brunette behind the counter. I watch in amusement and notice her body is shaking so much that her bangs quiver over her eyebrows.

“I don’t know, babe. What do you recommend? I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but can we get my girl here a coffee? Light and sweet with regular sugar, right, Cat?” Jackson informs the barista in a deep voice, and then winks at me in confirmation.

The girl looks somewhat deflated by Jackson’s term of endearment for me; she tilts her head, avoiding eye contact with me.

“Yes, please,” I reply, and walk towards the other counter to wait for my cup of liquid happiness. The barista asks my name, but Jackson answers for me.

“This is going to be a mouthful, okay?” When the girl nods, he continues. “Her name is: She saved my life. She’s my best friend and I love her very much.”

She looks at Jackson with wide eyes, and worries her lip as she busies herself writing the ridiculously long name he gave her with a black marker. When she’s done she exhales upwards, her bangs flying up and down then back to their spot.

“And for you Mr. Reese?” she asks softly, as if he were a regular patron. Their eyes connect and she blushes again.
Good Lord.
Resting both of his gruff palms against the granite countertop, he leans in to get a better look at her name tag.

“Surprise me, Ashley,” he purrs, as I bite back the urge to laugh my ass off. The man is shameless, but nevertheless it’s interesting to watch him in conquest-mode.

Another barista puts my cup on the counter, not bothering to call out the name, but smiles when I sip and mumble my approval. I debate whether or not to sit on one of the couches by the large picture windows, yet there I stand sipping my coffee watching Jackson flirt with the barista.

“Do you like chocolate, Mr. Reese?” Ashley asks shyly while worrying her lip.

“On my
stuff?
Yeah, I sure do,” he replies without skipping a beat.

The sip I’d just taken sprays from my mouth, and dribbles down my chin like a toddler’s milk. Leaning against the wall I laugh long and hard, making the other patrons look at me like I’m a loon. I cover my mouth with my free hand, trying to keep my wits in check, but I can’t stop laughing, and Jackson is laughing with me. He hands over the stack of napkins Ashley gave him to clean up the mess from my coat, chin, and hands.

The other barista comes out with a mop, and starts cleaning the spray of coffee by my feet. Through my tears of hysterical laughter, I notice Ashley is the color of beets. I want to walk away to find a waste bin to throw away my dirty napkins, but I can’t move an inch. Jackson stands there, his ass leaning against the counter and his arms crossed with the smuggest look on his face.

“Was it something I said?” he asks with a straight face, which in turn makes me laugh harder. Other patrons look at me, shaking their heads.

“Oh, Jackson Reese, you’re going to hell for that one,” I mutter before walking away.

There is an isolated couch in the corner of the shop; I perch myself on it. As I wait for Jackson to join me, I look out the window and think about Stryder. His flight should be about to take off. My heart tightens in my chest as I’m reminded we’ll be away from each other and I’ll be left to my own devices with Jackson. My musings are interrupted when my phone chirps with an incoming text.

I exhale a shaky breath, and through teary eyes I reply.

No Air
by Jordin Sparks. Don’t judge. *winking emoticon*>

I scramble for the ear-buds in my purse, and look up the song. I’ve heard it before, but never paid attention to the lyrics and when I realize what he means I smile. I can’t breathe either.

I press ‘send’ and hold my cell against my chest. I wait for a few minutes and when he doesn’t reply, I gather he’s up in the air far away from my reach. It is funny how your life and perceptions can change right before your eyes, how love makes you whole and empty at the same time. It’s during times like these that you become thankful and embrace the happy moments you lived because they’re what you cling to during sad times. There’s this emptiness in my soul brought on by his departure, and I keep having these moments of realization, reminders that love is powerful and it can change everything about you. Loving Stryder is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I’ll never tire of admitting that. I’m still lost in my thoughts when Jackson sits beside me, raising his legs on the sofa, like at home, with a paper cup in his hands.

“You okay there, Cat?” he asks, concerned.

I nod, and reply, “Yeah . . . Stryder’s flight just took off.” My voice cracks, and I change the subject quickly. “Jackson Reese, you are shameless, you know? That poor girl . . .”

Jackson grins shifting his paper cup for me to see Ashley’s name and phone number written in black marker, and laughs wickedly. I shake my head in disbelief.

“Girl, I think I just regained my mojo,” he says with a wink. “She’s cute. I think I might call her.”

I quirk my head, and look at him inquisitively. “You’re serious,” I declare rather than ask, and when I see his eyes free of mischief, I blurt my thoughts. “What about Sam?”

Jackson scoffs and blows raspberries. “What about Sam, Catalina? I know the score there. She’s not the type to commit, and to be honest I don’t think she ever will be. She’s not wired that way.”

“Have you thought maybe she’s playing hard to get? Maybe she wants you to pursue her to death?”

Jackson shakes his head, and with saddened eyes, he replies, “It’s been ten years. I know you don’t know a thing about us that’s a story for another day but the truth is it’s been ten fucking years, and I can’t sit here and grow roots waiting for her to come around. I told her that the other day. I don’t mind having sex with her, but I need more than that, you know?”

I nod.

“Jupiter is right. The heart needs something more than just a warm body, it needs love. Your man is wise, Catalina. Treasure that.”

“Was Stryder always insightful as a kid?” I ask.

Jackson rolls his eyes. “Yes . . . irritatingly so. He’s an old soul, and as much as I hate admitting it, the man is wise beyond his years. His biggest flaw, if you can call it that, is insecurity. The way he masks it is by pretending not to care, but deep down he does. My sister is the one to blame for that, but I’ve seen a change in him since you two got together. You’re giving him back what Olivia took from him. It’s nice to see, girl,” Jackson replies, and takes a sip of his drink.

I take a moment to ponder his words, and while I don’t answer, I hold all this information to be true. One of the qualities I admire most about Stryder is his blunt honesty. He made it a point to show me the skeletons in his closet when we were first getting to know each other in Whistler.

“What did she make you?” I whisper, quirking my head in Ashley’s direction.

Jackson follows my gaze with a smug smile on his face. “White hot chocolate, and let me tell you, it’s promising,” he says, making me believe he’s referring to Ashley and not his drink.

“Have you figured out what you want to do for fun while the old man is away?”

“Dancing,” I say under my breath. I turn my head to face him, and grinning I repeat myself more assertively. “Dancing . . . I want to learn how to dance, and you’re going to teach me, Jackson Reese.”

He leans forward to rest his cup on the table. Placing his palms on his knees, he sits forward with a look of deep contemplation. “Dancing . . . It’s been a while for me. Not to mention, my bum ankles . . .”

“Then all the more reason to get off your ass, and put your heart into physical therapy. Think about it. I’m not a doctor but we can ask the medical team, but maybe dancing could help with strengthening your muscles, and ultimately help you get back to where you belong, which is back on the slopes. I’m not taking no for an answer, Jax. You
will
teach me. That’s not up for negotiation,” I challenge. “Are you in?”

Jackson sits back and crosses his arms over his chest. Scoffing, he replies, “Like I have a motherfucking choice?”

“Good. Now that we have an understanding, let’s call the doctors and schedule a consult. Let’s grab this bull by the horns.” Standing, I throw my empty cup into the nearest trash bin.

Jackson rises, and looks at me with a smile. “Yes ma’am.”

“I
WAS WAITING FOR
YOU
to come to your senses, Jax,” Rob booms proudly, looking at my treatment plan. He rests his hands on my shoulders like my dad would, and looks at me square in the eyes.”You aren’t to blame for anything. Do you understand me? I need my boy back, and this is my last season, kid . . . Let’s make it count.”