Under My Skin (Shady Falls Series Book 2) (28 page)

              “What do you mean?” I asked, frustrated and confused. “I told you, I want Jake.”

              “But honey, have you shown him? It doesn’t seem like you have. You’re sendin’ that man mixed signals. If you want him, you gotta show him. He ain’t gonna read your mind and he certainly ain’t gonna keep chasin’ after someone who can’t make up her mind.”

              “But what do I do?” I whined. I felt like a petulant child that wasn’t getting her way, but I needed help. I needed my momma to tell me what to do.

              “Did I ever tell you how Mike and I got together?” she asked.

              Surprised, I realized she hadn’t. “I just figured it was proximity.”

              She laughed, her smile warm and full of love. “Not even close. Mike used to help me out when you girls were kids. He’d fix things, make sure the car was runnin’, and do odd jobs around the house. I always thought he was just bein’ nice. Since your father left, it was hard for me to trust. I couldn’t figure out what went wrong in our marriage. I blamed myself for years.

              “I didn’t see Mike, not for who he was, for a long time. He was kind and sweet, and he loved you like you were his own daughter. When your own father couldn’t be bothered, Mike was always there for you, for us. I always thought it was because you and Toni were such good friends. But one day, not long after y’all moved away to college, he came by and we got to talkin’. I found out it was never about you girls, not really. Over the years we became friends, and then we became more than friends. We became companions. And then we fell in love. Essentially Mike has been by my side and loyal for five years now. It was hard for me to trust after your father, but then, when I stopped blamin’ myself and realized it was your father who was to blame, I was able to move on.

              “You lost faith in love, Mia. Just like I did. Your father’s betrayal affected you just as much as it did me, maybe even more. You were so young, and suddenly your reality was ripped out from under you. But what you haven’t learned yet is what will help you. All men aren’t alike. Every man is different, and most don’t cheat, lie, and manipulate. Jake isn’t your father. He’s loved you since y’all were kids. And if you love him, you need to let him into your heart.”

              “But what if he
is
like the rest?” My voice was rough and raw. My emotions were shot to hell and I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle the weekend’s events.

              “He’s not, Mia. Don’t you see? He’s always been there for you. Remember, he’s always come to the rescue when you needed it. If he was like the rest, he woulda been done with you years ago.”

              She was right. Of course my mother was right. How she could’ve been through so much and still truly believe in love, it was amazing to me. But if she could do it, if she could find her love, then so could I. I just had to hope it wasn’t too late.

              “Now,” she said, taking my hand. “Let’s go. There’s been a change in plans.”

              “What change? What do you mean?”

              “Well, the party ain’t gonna be at the bar anymore. Jake’s lettin’ us use his new restaurant, and he and Dottie are makin’ the meal.”

***

Hours of cleaning, stocking, and arranging at Jake’s restaurant left us no time to talk. There was so much to do and so many people around, it was impossible to even think about how I could talk to him.

              The night before the wedding, the restaurant was ready for the reception. Food and cake were prepared, decorations set, and gorgeous flowers were spread out around the room. Looking around, my heart swelled. The room looked elegant, romantic. The tables were set and tomorrow they would be lit with candlelight.

              Toni, Monique, and I were the last ones there the night before the wedding, putting the final touches on everything. Tomorrow my mother would marry Toni’s father in a little ceremony, then we would return to the restaurant to celebrate.

              “I knew this place was perfect for him,” Monique said. She walked up next to me and smiled. “Doesn’t this place just scream, Jake Hanson?”

              “Yeah.” I didn’t know what else to say. Part of me was irritated she knew him so well, that she could pick the perfect place for him, but at the same time I was happy she found his dream for him. Jake deserved to be happy.

              And that’s when it finally hit me. All these months of pining, of being mad or sad or frustrated; it was always about me. I wasn’t ever worried about what would make Jake happy, I was always just worried about what made me unhappy. Years I was away, doing my own thing and all of the sudden I’d thrown myself back into his life. I didn’t ask if he wanted me there, I just placed myself there. And when he wanted me, I punished him. I thought it made me stronger or made me feel better to be able to be around him and ignore him, but it just made me pathetic. He was a good man, who’d been there for me and helped me, and I treated him like shit.

              But Monique did things to give him what he wanted. Hell, she’d even tried talking sense into me. I wasn’t stupid enough to think that was ever about helping me, it was about helping Jake. She saw something when we were together and thought it meant something. Maybe it had, but I’d screwed it up.

              “You know, it ain’t too late,” Monique said without looking at me. “He cares. He’s pissed and confused, but he cares.”

              “She’s right, Mia.” Toni walked up to my other side and stood there. “He loves you. He doesn’t want to right now, you broke his heart again. But he’ll forgive you. You just need to show him what is in your heart.”

              “Are you sure?” I asked. There was nothing more for me to say. I knew they were both right. It was time for me to let go of the past, of my fears, and let him in completely.

              “Yes,” Toni said. “I gotta go. Julius texted, he’s waitin’ outside. You want me to walk you out?”

              “No, I’m fine. Thanks though.”

              “Okay, see y’all tomorrow.”

              They’d finally moved all of her things out of our place over the past weeks. Slowly but surely, Toni had finally stopped staying at our house and had started staying with Julius almost every night. I was happy for her. I knew it was only a matter of time before he popped the question. But until then, I knew she’d still stay with me from time to time.

              “I love her,” Monique said. “Toni just tells it how it is. But, she’s right. Jake loves you. He may be mad right now, but you’re who he wants. Talk to him.”

              “How can you be so sure?”

              “Because I know Jake.” Her answer was simple and straight forward. “I’m gonna go too. You ready?”

              “No, I wanted to put a few finishing touches on my mother’s bouquet. I’ll see you tomorrow at the ceremony.”

              It felt good to finally be alone. Over the past few days, there had been little alone time. Gathering the flowers and the bouquets, I began to add to the arrangements, all the while my mind wandered. My insecurity and indecisiveness was what had caused all of the problems with Jake. He had been there for me; years of being there when I needed and paying attention when I didn’t think anyone actually saw me. But he did.

              By the time I placed the bouquets in the refrigerator, it was almost midnight. My tired limbs, aching and heavy, barely wanted to carry me to my car.

              The night seemed so much darker than normal, snow clouds had rolled in, blocking out the moon and stars. Even the streetlights didn’t seem to light up the night. I hated being alone in the dark. Walking by myself in the dark always made me uncomfortable. I’d imagine monsters and aliens were watching from the shadows, waiting to pounce. My car was only across the street, just under a streetlight.

              “Mia.” My name echoed down the empty street and I knew instantly that monsters were real. But instead of otherworldly beings, my monster was flesh and blood, and much more dangerous.

              I rushed forward and tried to get to my car before Grant caught up with me. His fast footfalls were just behind me. I didn’t think he was dangerous, but apparently I wasn’t the best judge of character.

              Right when I grasped the door handle, Grant grabbed my arm and spun me around. I pressed my back into the side of my car, attempting to put as much distance between us as possible. Heart racing and body shaking I looked into Grant’s eyes and tried to read his intentions.

              “I told you I’d be back, Mia. Why’re you forcing me to wait for you to be alone?”

              “You shouldn’t be here,” I said, trying to sound calm and relaxed, but my trembling betrayed me. “You aren’t supposed to be here. I told you, I don’t want to see you anymore. You need to leave or I’ll call the police.”

              “Go ahead. What’re they going to do? I’ll be gone long before they get here and I’ll make sure you regret calling them. Remember, Mia, I haven’t done anything to harm you – yet.”

              Baring down on me, he moved in closer, only fractions of an inch separated us. His breath washed over my face, making me gag and my stomach churn. He smelled of stale cigarettes, liquor, and days without a toothbrush or a shower. His pupils were dilated and his eyes darted all over, not focusing on anything. Grant was coming unhinged. He was more dangerous than ever.

              “I’ve been watching you for days, Mia. You can’t keep hiding behind your friends forever.”

              “I’m not hidin’,” I argued. I knew arguing wasn’t the best plan. I needed to find a way to fight him off. “I told you we were done.”

              “For Jake. You think I don’t know you broke things off for Jake? He doesn’t want you, Mia. He never wanted you. The only man you have is me. Jake will never want you. Besides what would he want with you when he has a woman like Monique LaRue?”

              He slid his hand up the front of me, and grasped my throat in his hand. Squeezing, he pushed me into the side of the car. My ears started ringing and my vision started going black on the edges. Then I was on the ground, gasping for air. Grant twisted my hair in his hand and pulled, yanking me down the street.

Chapter Twenty- Five

Jake

“Jake, you should probably head to the restaurant. Mia insisted on staying and finishing the bouquets before she left. She’s there alone.” Monique’s voicemail sounded worried. She knew about the situation with Grant, but also, all of the shops in the historic district seemed to close earlier than others in the main part of town. Mom and Pop stores that didn’t stay open past eight o’clock.

              The moment I heard her message, I got in my Jeep and started the thirty minute drive to the restaurant. I flew through empty streets, trying to make sure I got there before she decided to leave. Not only did I want to make sure she was okay, but we needed to talk. Once and for all we’d put all the crap behind us. Maybe we’d be together, or maybe we’d finally be able to stay away.

              I pulled up in front of the dark building and climbed out, stepping onto the street. Everything was dark and the cage in front of the door was drawn to the ground. She’d locked the store up tight, but her car still sat alone on the deserted street.

              On the ground, glinting under the streetlight, was a set of keys near her car. My heart sank. I turned around searching the side streets for signs of movement. They had to be here somewhere, right?

              I listened into the silent night, the stillness of the evening air bringing no peace to my now raging heart. Something had to have happened to her.

              Turning around, I searched for something out of place, some clue as to where she might have gone.

              Looking toward the corner of the building, I saw something lying on the ground. A shoe, one of Mia’s sneakers. She’d worn the same sneakers for the past couple days while we were cleaning and decorating. There were scuff marks on the ground leading up to the shoe and around the side of the building. It looked like she may have been dragged away.

              And then I heard her scream, her panicked, frightened cry cut through the silence. I flew around the building, searching for Mia, for any movement on the empty street. Adrenaline pulsed through my limbs, begging to be released. How could I let this happen to her? I should’ve been there. I should’ve taken care of her.

              “Mia!” I bellowed, searching the street for any movement. Then I saw them, about a block away on the opposite side of the street. Mia was being dragged, struggling against someone much larger and stronger than her.

              “Jake!” Her terrified voice bounced off the brick walls.

              Adrenaline coursed through me as I ran; tearing down the street, my feet barely touching the asphalt. Rage fueled me, coursing through my veins, driving me to run faster. I closed the distance in moments, and a calm fell over me. He’d never hurt her again, I’d make sure of it.

              Turning at the sound of my rapid footfalls, Grant pulled Mia up against himself, using her as a shield. “She’s mine, Jake. She’s meant to be with me.”