First Love (17 page)

I
CLEAN
up in the bathroom and head back down to the kitchen to see what Holly needed earlier. When I walk into the kitchen, Holly and Taryn look at me and start laughing.

"What’s so funny?" I ask, not able to keep the smile off my face.

“The fact that Kyle just walked through here with the same just-fucked smile," Holly says through her laughter.

"Yes, you both look quite happy,” Taryn giggles.

“You’re just jealous," I say with a wink. I grab a bowl of potato salad and make my way outside.

Everyone looks like they are having a great time. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are over at a table eating and chatting with Marty's wife, Anna. Both of their kids are working at the youth center and doing a great job. Their daughter, Makenna, volunteers during the week through one of her school programs. She also works on the weekend doing whatever is needed of her. She plans on becoming an elementary school teacher. Her brother, Matthew, plans to be a high school P.E. teacher and coach. It works out great for both of us. Not only does he get credits for school by working here, but he runs all of our sport activities. Even today when they should be relaxing, I find them in the middle of all the kids playing and keeping them busy. Anna and Marty even come in a couple days a week to volunteer. Anna usually helps out in the nursery. She says it has been so long since she held babies, and she misses it. Marty usually has a fun cooking project. The other day he had the kids make their own mini pizzas. They thought it was the coolest thing ever.

This center has become more than I imagined. So many people are truly happy to help make it a great place for this community. Even the guys in Bleeding Hearts come over and help out with music classes. So far, everyone I have hired is working out well, with the exception to Leena. Jax said she worked with him before and was great with kids. She didn't last a day with me. First, she came in so inappropriately dressed, I almost asked her to go home and change. She wore a top so low-cut I was afraid if she bent over her girls would just flop right out to say hi. And the shorts, my God, her ass cheeks were peeking out just a tad even without bending over. She looks like she should be working at a Hooters, not at a youth center. But, Jax said she is great with kids, so I gave her a chance. She acted like the kids were diseased and she didn't want to get too close. The only productive thing she did was flirt. None of the men were comfortable with her and all of the women hated her. I had no choice but to let her go. I kind of felt bad, though. She did pick up and move here from Atlanta and now she already lost her job. I know it's not my responsibility, but I still wanted to see if I could find her something else. Kyle needed a new waitress and Leena would be great at that job. I had to beg him to hire her. Of course, he said yes. Neither Leena nor Jax seemed upset when I fired her. In fact, they both seemed happy about the job at KC’s. I had a weird feeling that something wasn't right, I just couldn't figure out what.

Everywhere I go, Jax's eyes seemed to follow. He has been getting a little pushy lately. Maybe now, with the engagement, he will finally get the hint. I walk over to where Kyle and the rest of the guys from the band are getting ready to go up and play. I love watching him sing, not just because of how sexy he is on stage, but you can see how much he loves doing it. I walk up to him and smile as I lean up on my tiptoes to kiss his lips.

"What was that for?" he asks with a smile

"Just ‘cause I love you," I say as I let him go, smacking him on the ass as he walks away.

Before they start playing, Kyle speaks," I want to thank you all for coming today to celebrate our engagement with us. You are more than just friends to us; you’re our family. I have loved Amber my whole life, and she has made me so happy by agreeing to be my wife." If he keeps this up, I’m going to start crying. "I also want to thank Holly for doing such a great job planning this party, even though I was a pain in the ass most of the time." Everyone laughs. “So … enough of me talking. I would like to dedicate our first song to my future wife; it's called
The Reason,
originally performed by Hoobastank." He smiles at me as the song begins.

He looks in my eyes through the whole song and tears are streaming down my face. I love this man so much more than I thought possible. I mouth, “I love you," when they finish the song. When the next one starts, Jax comes and sits down at my table.

"Are you okay? Why do you look so sad?" Jax asks, putting his hand over mine on the table. I quickly pull mine away.

"I'm fine, I'm not sad at all. Quite the opposite actually, they are happy tears. I have never been happier than I am with Kyle," I say as I look at Kyle and smile. I can tell he isn't pleased with Jax's close proximity to me.

"You know he is going to screw this up and end up hurting you again. Guys like him don't change, some girl is going to come along and he won't be able to resist the temptation. I care about you too much to stand by and watch him hurt you again." He is getting angry, but so am I. He doesn't know what he is talking about. Kyle would never cheat on me. I may not have known it six years ago, but I do know it now.

“Jax this has to stop. Kyle would never do anything to hurt me. Even if he did, I am not your responsibility to look after. Sorry to be blunt, but even if Kyle isn't in the picture, I don't have any romantic feelings for you. I never have, never will. I think it's time you finally realize there is nothing to wait around for." I start to feel bad for being so harsh because he looks like I kicked him in the nuts. Soon as he opens his mouth, I don’t feel bad any longer.

“I know you think you don't love me, but it's only because he is blinding you to me. Once he isn't around, you’ll see how much you love me and that we belong together." With that, he gets up and leaves. He is making me a little nervous. I have never seen him act like this before. Bringing him here may have been a huge mistake.

T
HAT ASSHOLE
is seriously pushing his luck. Besides the fact that I know he wants Amber, there is something else about him that makes me really uneasy. I'm not the only one who has noticed either. Paul, Holly, and even Marty have said something about him. I am not sure how to approach the subject with Amber, though, without sounding like the jealous boyfriend. I can tell whatever they are talking about right now has them both angry. I am just worried that I don't know what this guy is truly capable of. As soon as I see him storm off, I feel a little better knowing I don't have to worry about him … at least for tonight. I smile down at Amber. I hope he didn't upset her. Tonight is her night and she should be having fun.

Just as we are starting the next song, I hear a loud explosion. It sounds like it came from out front. I tell everyone to stay where they are. Paul and I try to find the source. Before I get to the front of the house, I can smell the smoke. As soon as I come around the corner, I see my truck engulfed in flames. Paul is calling 9-1-1 before it even registers with me what is really happening. How the hell could this happen? This is so surreal. I have no idea how to react. I glance over at Paul. The disbelief and shock on his face mirrors my own.

"The fire department and sheriff are on the way," Paul says as he puts his hand on my shoulder.

"Who the hell would do this to me?"

“I know three people off the top of my head. Beau, Darcie, or Jax," Paul says.

"Why would Jax do something like this?" Amber asks from behind us. She sounds frightened. I don’t blame her. The fact that someone could do this scares the shit out of me too. I didn’t hear her walk up. I don't know what to say to her. Those are the only three people that would come to my mind, too.

"Amber, I know Jax is your friend, and I could be wrong, but some of us are getting a really weird vibe from the guy. There is just something off about him. You should have a talk with Holly. She is getting the same feeling and she has firsthand experience with obsessive men," Paul says to her. I am expecting her to start defending him and yelling at the two of us, but she shocks us both.

"I am starting to wonder about him myself lately. He’s changed since he has been here. I’m still not sure if this is something he is capable of, though," she says as she nuzzles up close to me.

“We aren't saying he did. He's just one of the three main possibilities. I am going to let everyone know what's going on," Paul says before walking out to the backyard.

"Promise me you will be careful around Jax. I am starting to get a little worried," I tell Amber as I kiss her forehead.

"I promise I will," she says.

Once the fire department arrived it didn't take too long to put the fire out. After investigating, they explain that this was definitely arson. The sheriff takes statements from everyone at the party. Paul and I both tell them the only three people we think it can be and why. I know Amber doesn't want to believe that Jax could do something like this, but I’m really not so sure.