Shackled Lily (21 page)

Jake had changed by the time I got out of the bathroom, wearing just a different version of the same look he had earlier. His shirt was less formal, but still button up and his jacket was a sports coat versus a suit, but still more stiff than I’d ever seen him.

He glanced at me and smiled. “That’s more like it. Now I’m going to have to threaten all my coworkers to stay away from you.”

I shivered at the thought of one of Jake’s yuppie coworkers hitting on me. I had no interest in men right now. I just wanted a nice evening out with Jake where I could get
the thought of Robbie, Jason and most importantly Grant out of my head. “No need,” I confirmed. “I have sworn off men for an indefinite period of time.”

“Grant’s still getting under your skin, isn’t he?” he asked with a smirk.

“Shut up. I don’t want to talk about Grant or my father or my stupid life. Let’s just go get a drink and pretend it’s still last year, and you and I are happy and healthy, ok?”

Jake laughed. “Got news for you, Issy, we’ve never been happy or healthy. But, I have to admit, it does sound good to pretend we are for at least one night.”

“Good,” I said nodding as I threaded my arm through his. “Let’s go dazzle your new friends.”

Jake kissed my head and led me out to his new car, a black Mercedes sports car that looked brand new. I whistled as he opened the door for me, and Jake just grinned. I had never known him to be so into wealth and status before. It was kind of shocking. I wondered what he’d say if he knew I had a billionaire stalking me. I didn’t tell him, but noticed how my hands started to shake when I pictured Robbie in my head. I pushed it out and turned to Jake. “So where are we going?”

“There is this new Martini bar downtown. It’s the ‘hot’ spot for young career types. No dance floor, so you’ll probably hate it.”

“Who needs a dance floor when you have tables?” I asked sweetly, batting my eyes.

“Don’t you dare, Issy. I have to work with these people.” Jake looked genuinely concerned, and I laughed.

“Calm down. You and I both know I have been trained extensively for these types of people. You should see the show my dad has
had me putting on lately. He’s even been providing the proper clothing. Can you believe?” I asked shaking my head, trying to hide how much it really did bother me.

“Can I believe that your dad is an obsessive, control freak who thinks he owns you? Yes, I can believe that. Just be careful, ok? You play the role too well, and your father just may get some ideas.”

“What do you mean by that?” I asked, feeling butterflies in my stomach.

“Nothing specific. I just have seen what some people do when it comes to money, Issy. It’s scary. Thinking about it now, it’s actually pretty incredible that you turned out as normal as you did.”

“Normal, huh? I don’t think I’ve ever been called that one before,” I replied with an arched eyebrow. I didn’t want to be normal.

Jake laughed and pinched my arm. “Not that kind of normal, Issy. More that you have heart…even if I’m the only one who sees it.”

“Sorry to disappoint you. My heart is dead, Jake. Has been for a long time.”

“Whatever you say,” Jake conceded as he pulled up to the valet waiting on our car.

The valet opened our doors and Jake took the ticket, not even bothering to thank them. Even his walk had changed as did his mannerisms the minute we walked in the door. There was no doubt that we turned heads and Jake seemed to relish in that fact. He put his arm around my waist and led me over to a table full of men wearing similar suits. The bar had high tables spaced throughout and modern black couches along the walls. They had replaced a few of the bulbs with colored lighting giving the entire space a blue hue. The bar was sleek and bare, with only glasses visible to the customers. The bartender wore a button up black shirt and slacks and had his hair perfectly styled. It made me think of Jason and his casual look and movement as he worked. I felt my stomach turn as I thought of his angry eyes when he looked at me this morning. If I was honest with myself, I really did deserve it. I never once considered his feelings in all of this. I had dismissed him as a heartless gigolo because he had that bad boy look, when truthfully he had been more of a gentleman and friend than polished and refined Robbie ever was.

Before we reached his table of friends, I looked up at Jake and excused myself to the bathroom. Once alone, I pulled out my phone and sent two texts. The first was to Jason
.

Me
: I’m sorry. Would rather make headlines with you than that pompous, overdressed jerk any day. Forgive me?

Jason
:
Nothing to forgive. You’ve been honest with me from the start. I was a jerk. I’m not used to this jealous thing, green eyes. You seem to bring out the worst in me.

I smiled sadly and texted back
.

Me
:
I tend to do that. See ya Friday.

I switched over to Grant, feeling a little better. At least Jason didn’t hate me. I erased my text several times, not knowing what to say to him.

Me:
I’m relieving you of your babysitting duties tonight. I’m with Jake and will be back tomorrow before my father gets home. I’ll send his contact info in a second.

After I texted the contact info, Grant sent a short reply
.

Grant
:
Thanks for letting me know
.

That was it. No pleasantries, no anger. My heart fluttered a little as I heard his words in my head. He wouldn’t wait forever…and why should he? I had given him nothing but frustration and pain. I glared at myself in the mirror and cursed. For a heart that was supposed to be dead, it sure was hurting a lot right now. I took out my flask and drank down the rest of the warm liquid. It didn’t make the pain go away, but at least it made it disappear from my face.

I made sure I was the picture of perfection one more time before I left and joined Jake and his friends. They all stood when I approached and stared in a way that made me feel as if I was walking up to them naked.

Jake walked over and put a protective arm around me before introducing me to his friends. I gave them all a charming smile and played my role perfectly. It seemed crazy to me that I came to see Jake just so I could escape this world, and ended up right back in it. How had he become this person?

The only one in the group that didn’t get on my nerves was Jake’s roommate, David, who at first seemed as average as his name. But as the night wore on, I found him more and more charming. His blue eyes would crinkle a little when he laughed and his relaxed, genuine demeanor was refreshing next to the other guys who either name dropped or priced dropped everything throughout our conversation. Even worse, they each cornered me at one point to ask for my number and touch me in some inappropriate way. I was sure by the end of the evening that they had some bet going on to see who could get me to go home with him first.

Jake was oblivious to all of it as he was targeting his own take home gal. David was the only one who seemed to notice how ridiculous his friends were acting and asked if I wanted a ride when he was saying his goodbyes. I jumped at the opportunity, realizing that Jake was more interested in picking up women then spending time with me.

I grabbed my purse and walked with David over to tell Jake I was leaving. He had his hand on some girl’s leg as he was leaning in to whisper in her ear. She looked a lot like the girl from earlier, but had brown hair this time, which she kept tossing over her shoulder. I felt my stomach turn. No wonder he couldn’t get over Avery; not one of the girls I had seen him with had a fraction of the beauty or class that Avery did.

Jake pulled back when I walked up, and the girl sent me
a challenging stare as she looked me up and down. I almost rolled my eyes. First off, gross. Second, if I did want Jake, there would be no competition. Hands down, I would win. I completely dismissed her and turned to Jake. “I’m going to catch a ride with David, ok?”

“You’re leaving? Why? It’s still early.” He looked genuinely sad to see me go even though he had practically ignored me all night.

“I’ll just catch you back at your place.” I glanced her direction and leaned into Jake so she couldn’t hear me. “Don’t you dare bring that trash home with you,” I whispered.

Jake just smirked at me and kissed my cheek before saying goodbye. I shook my head and followed David out of the bar; his friends were staring in awe as we left.

“I think you won the bet,” I teased when he had started driving away. Like Jake, his car was very expensive, but much more practical and a lot less flashy. It seemed to match his personality.

“You picked up on that, huh? Sorry, we can’t bring those guys anywhere.”

“It’s fine. Guys like that are easy to read and easy to avoid. I just can’t believe you and Jake choose to hang out with them,” I noted as I took off my shoes and sat with my legs crossed in the seat.

“We work with them. That’s the extent of it.” David paused for a second and then had a confused look on his face. “I have to say, you are not at all what I expected.”

“And why’s that?” I asked playfully. I didn’t think David was hitting on me, so it was easy to relax next to him.

“I don’t know. Just the way Jake described you. He said you were beautiful, which I must admit, he certainly didn’t exaggerate. But I guess I just pictured you acting younger.”

I started laughing and turned to face him. “David, you are an incredibly perceptive person. It feels like everyone I know has been trying to make me grow up these last few weeks. I guess they were more successful than I realized.”

He pushed my arm playfully and then smiled. “Ah, growing up isn’t so bad as long as you can still channel your inner kid every once and while. At least you get to make your own choices.”

I started laughing again and shook my head. “Oh, if only that were true.”

David didn’t understand, and I didn’t feel like telling him my dysfunctional history. We changed the subject to much lighter topics until we were finally at their new condo. David showed me how to work the TV and where to find all their movies. He then said good night and headed to his room.

“David,” I called before he shut the door. “It was really nice to meet you. I’m really glad that Jake has you for a roommate.” David just smiled and said goodnight. Jake needed someone stable right now, because it was far too obvious that he was going off the deep end.

I searched through Jake’s closet again and found a pair of my yoga pants and a fitted t-shirt. I was more than grateful to get off this dress that constricted my chest. Sometimes fashion really was uncomfortable. Jake’s shower felt amazing and I decided there was one thing I did like about his new place…his bathroom. It was spacious and sleek, and the shower had two showerheads that hit all the right places. I finished washing out all the color that had been my rebellion for the day and got dressed. I began looking through Jake’s cabinets to find the bag of toiletries I always kept as his place. It wasn’t under the sink, so I pulled back the mirror to see if he had put my things in there.

The sight I saw was terrifying. There were at least ten prescription bottles of pills all stacked next to each other. I looked at each of the labels. Five of them were painkillers and had my mother’s name on them. The other five were Jake’s. Three were prescription sleeping pills while the other two were pills for anxiety and depression. My hands were shaking as I looked at the date on them. They were both dated January 3
rd
and were almost empty. I noted that he had several refills available for each. It also didn’t escape my mind that he had started taking them right after my accident.

I closed the cabinet, not knowing how I was going to approach this with Jake. We had never really talked about that night I almost died. Maybe we needed to. I found my bag after looking in two other drawers and finished getting ready for bed. I stared at myself for a long time in the mirror. I looked young and could probably pass for seventeen since my hair was loose around my face and I wasn’t wearing any makeup. I didn’t feel young, though. I felt like I was trapped in someone else’s life while my youth slipped away from me. Worse, I couldn’t see a way out. The longer I stayed with my father, the more sure I was that I would never be free.

I settled in on the couch and turned on a movie while I waited for Jake to get home. His apartment felt cold and lonely, and I wondered how he could live here like this. I itched to call Grant, just to hear his voice, but instead looked through all our text messages. I scrolled to the one that said:
I’m done
, and my stomach knotted.

Jake walked in just in time to save me from my madness. Leaving me alone with my thoughts was dangerous. He didn’t bring the girl home with him, but it was obvious that he had gone home with her. His coat was draped over his arm and his shirt was untucked and wrinkled. Jake tossed his jacket onto one of the chairs and fell on the couch next to me. He was holding a business card that had a number written on the back of it.

“Lucky number ten,” he said with a grin while he looked at the card. “I may even call this one.”

“Just ten Jake? I would have thought you’d have a much higher number than that,” I teased, not really wanting to know.

Jake raised an eyebrow at me and smirked. “That’s just post Avery. You don’t want to know the actual number.”