Something Wonderful (27 page)

I couldn’t believe he would get upset over my idea. Was he concerned for my well-being or was he truly hiding something? Leaning into him to show how serious I was, I said slowly and with conviction, “I don’t care. I would tear the whole building down, layer by layer, to find whoever could free Maxwell Knight. You know, it’s really a shame. The Ethan I knew in college had balls. Either it’s the age, or you are scared shitless, but your balls are sagging.”

I couldn’t believe what I had just said. With that, I walked away so fast that I almost knocked the waitress down along the way. Feeling heat rise to my face from anger and frustration, my heels clicked away in my hurry to see Max. Then someone grabbed me around my waist. Thinking it was Ethan, I turned into the grasp. I hoped that he had changed his mind.

With one look, my body froze and my heart stopped. “Luke,” I whimpered. Turning red after dodging his calls and seeing that smirk on his face, I wanted to crawl away. Something about him made me feel so small and worthless.

“Jenna. I knew you would come to your senses and meet me. I see you got my text and decided to come.”

“What? I didn’t.”

“Come sit.” Luke practically pushed me down on the bar stool next to his.

Though I was irritated, it was a good time to set things straight. Building up every ounce of courage I could summon, I was going to do and say something out of character, but I knew it was going to feel good to do so. Someone like Luke deserved every bit of animosity I could give him.

I bore my eyes into his, hoping he would get the point. With a sassy tone, I said, “Luke, I’m not here to see you. I haven’t returned your texts or your phone calls because I DON’T want to see you. Not NOW, NOT EVER. I don’t want you. How clear can I get?”

“You wouldn’t be here if you meant that.” His lips curled into a devious smile.

He wasn’t hearing me and I didn’t want to waste my time. My next stop was to Max’s place and I was determined to get there tonight. “I gotta go. Don’t call or text me again. Move on with your life.”

Luke blocked my way and looked over my shoulder. His eyes kept shifting back and forth. What the hell? What was he doing?

“Jenna. You made me so happy, leaving Max for me.” His voice was loud, and what he said didn’t make sense.

Suddenly, his arms wrapped around my waist tightly as he pulled me in for a kiss. Struggling, I finally managed to pull away. “What the hell, Luke?” I yelped, using the back of my hand to erase the disgusting taste of his tongue from my mouth. After giving him a dirty look, I started to storm away, but he caught my wrist and swung me to him again.

“Let go of me,” I snapped, but Luke was too strong. The customers were curious as many stopped to observe the scene. If I got any louder or if this got out of hand, someone would step in. Maybe the passing waitress or the bartender would intervene. At first, I thought Luke had too much to drink, but apparently, that wasn’t the case. The whole scene just blew my mind. I really wished I had asked Ethan to meet me elsewhere. Sometimes fate does funny things and the worst case scenario turns out to be the best when you least expect it.

“Don’t you fuckin’ touch her, Puke!” a voice bellowed. From the corner of my eye, I saw a fist fly into Luke’s face, throwing him against the stool. While Luke was falling, he held onto my blouse, causing me to fall with him. Just before I hit the ground, I felt an arm around my waist, pulling me up and safely into strong arms.

There was no doubt it was Max. I knew that smell, that voice that beckoned my attention, and that firm grip. Not to mention, his unique nickname for Luke. My body easily succumbed to his, sailing me away into a blissful sea of joy. How I had missed his touch, his hold, and his love. I was dissolving rapidly in his arms, realizing all the days, minutes, seconds of missing him that my anger and pride stole from me.

“Jenna,” he murmured, holding on to me tightly as if I would disappear. I could tell he had been drinking more than usual. I understood. He was under a tremendous amount of stress. “Why didn’t you call? I’ve been waiting for you.” His face dug into my hair, breathing me in. “You’re supposed to be my forever. I want to be yours, Jenna. I need you so much, but you left me. You left us.”

Turning to him, I saw the bags under his eyes and the sexy stubble on his face, the stubble I loved to run my fingers over. Though he looked incredibly delicious in my eyes, he looked so worn and broken too. Oh my God! I didn’t know I could affect him this way. I did this to him. I didn’t leave him, but in his heart, he thought I did.

Before I could tell Max I was on my way to his place, Max flew to his left. “Max!” I screamed. Luke had managed to stand and fight back. As Max stumbled to get up, I guarded him with my body. I hated that Luke hurt Max. It felt as if he had done it to me. If Max wasn’t wasted, there would have been no need for my intervention, but I didn’t have to worry for too long. Matthew had been close by and pounded Luke with an even a stronger blow. “Don’t touch my brother, asshole.”

“What’s going on?” The bartender came around as the customers nearby scrambled for safety.

“Nothing.” Matthew said. “We were just leaving.” Without a word, Matthew threw some cash on the table, grabbed Max’s arm, and started to haul him toward the exit.

Standing there dumbfounded, I looked over my shoulder to see Max slumped over, obeying Matthew’s order with the most hurtful eyes looking back at me. It pained me greatly to see him this way. It hurt even more to realize he was walking out the door thinking I didn’t want him.

Tonight, I saw Max’s vulnerability for the first time. He had always been my rock, the one that held us together, but now he was lost. I didn’t think he needed me, but I had been wrong. I didn’t know our time apart would cause him this much heartache. I finally realized that if he had said the words I had said to him, I would have felt the same. The ball would have been in his court and I would not have gone against his wishes. Going to his place tonight was probably not a good idea, after what just happened here. I would have to wait until tomorrow.

Turning back to Luke, I gave him the most evil look I could. “You bastard. You knew he was behind me.”

“Looks like there’s trouble in paradise,” he gloated, dabbing the blood off his lips with a napkin. “I told you he was no good for you. You’ll come running back to me when they throw his sorry ass in jail.”

I don’t know what came over me, but I had become more aggressive these days. On an impulse, I smacked him hard across his face. The palm of my hand stung like hell, but I didn’t care. It was worth the pain. It wasn’t something I would normally do, but it sure felt good to do it. “That was for Max and the kiss you took without my permission. If you ever come near me again, I’ll call the police and get a restraining order.”

I heard Luke mumble a few words as I walked away. Just before I shut the door behind me, I looked to where Ethan and I had sat. My one connection to a possible witness to help end this lawsuit was gone. He was GONE!

L
YING ON MY BED
wearing Max’s T-shirt, I rubbed the lack of sleep from my eyes. Matthew had texted me to let me know he had taken Max to his place. He suggested I talk to Max the next day, since today they had a long meeting scheduled with his lawyer. It was the longest Saturday of my life and the day had barely begun.

Thinking of my meeting with Ethan again, I grabbed my cell phone from the nightstand and dialed Mr. Shaw’s cell.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Mr. Shaw. This is Jenna Mefferd. I’m so sorry to bother you on a Saturday morning, but I needed to tell you something important that may help Max’s case. To make a long story short, I overheard a rumor that Crystal had done this before. She used to work at Rave Magazine, and I think—”

“Ms. Mefferd. Please don’t say or do anything else that might jeopardize this case. We are fully aware of Crystal’s past. We are working on it. I appreciate your wanting to help, but please let me do my job.”

“Of course, Mr. Shaw, but do you know who that person is?”

“Ms. Mefferd….”

“I know. You can’t disclose that information. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“That’s okay. I assure you, Max is in good hands and I will do everything in my power to stop this from going to court, if possible.”

“I’m sure he is. It’s just that—”

“You’re doing your part by attending our sessions. We’ve covered a lot of ground, and there might not even be a need to meet again. I thought you did much better the last time we met. If all goes well, we won’t be going to court. Of course, if you do find any new information, you are welcome to let me know. Have a nice day.”

Feeling a bit better about what Mr. Shaw was doing, I stared at the ceiling as thoughts ran through my mind. Of course, Max would hire only the best. What was I thinking?

“Jenna, come eat something.” Becky’s words went in one ear, out the other. “If you don’t get your sorry butt out of bed, I’m going to spoon feed you.”

Knowing Becky would keep her word, I paced toward the kitchen.

“So you’ll talk to him tomorrow. Everything will be fine. He’s not going to push you away when you apologize for acting like a big baby.”

“Oh, now it’s all my fault?” I plopped myself on a chair at the dining table. Becky had made me an omelet and a cup of coffee. “Thank you.”

“No. It’s both of your faults. He should have told you, but at the same time, you shouldn’t have punished him this long. It’s been more than a week. It must have been driving him out of his mind, thinking all sorts of crazy stuff. I know it would have made me nuts.”

“Matthew told me not to see him today because of their busy schedule. I’m going there tomorrow to set this straight. I’m sure Matthew will let him know.” Becky stiffened when I mentioned Matthew. “Are you sure there is nothing going on between you two?”

“No, why would you say that?”

“Just wondering.”

“Before I forget, we have a second fitting for our bridesmaid dresses. Nicole texted and left the date. If you haven’t already, you may want to check on that. I’m going to be out of town for a book convention. You know, the one I go to every year. I’m leaving in a couple of days, and I’ll probably visit my parents for a little while too. I really hate to leave you at a time like this.”

“Becky, go. I’m fine.”

“Relationships are difficult. If they weren’t, then everyone would do it. But seriously, if relationships went on without a hitch, there wouldn’t be any need for couples counseling or divorce court. Life would be boring and there would be no make up sex,” she winked. “And Jenna…” she paused. “Sometimes falling in love means letting go of the past…his past.”

“Okay.” I nodded. I knew she was right.

“I need to go pack.”

“I’ll clean up. Thank you for breakfast.”

“Always a pleasure, my dear.” Becky suddenly turned when she got to the door. “Oh, and go have some great make up sex tomorrow.” Her brow arched, giving me a playfully wicked smile.

“Becky!” I exclaimed. “Hey, I almost forgot. Matthew asked me why you haven’t returned his texts or calls. He’s wondering if you’re mad at him.”

Becky’s expression became stoic at first, then her lips slowly fell to a pout. “I’m always mad at him.”

S
TEPPING OUT OF THE
elevator, my pulse became unsteady. Max and I needed to get things straightened out, so why was I so nervous? I didn’t know what I was afraid of. I couldn’t even put it into words but I had to think this through. Seeing the door slightly ajar, I was just about to knock when I heard voices.

“Whatever you need, I will be there for you.” It was a female’s voice, and that alone made my heart sink. Someone else was comforting my Max when it should’ve been me. Guilt consumed me, fast and hard, and all I could do was stand there, contemplating what to do.

“Thomas and his team are working long and hard. They may have something to discredit Crystal. We may not even need to go to court, but this is all hearsay,” Max sighed heavily. “Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being in this situation.”

“Oh, Max, darling. You know what you need right now? You need a good lay.” Her tone was flirty and I could imagine her dirty hands touching Max on his fine chest. Who wouldn’t want to?