Splintered Oak (Winsor Series Book 3) (11 page)

Jake laughed at my outstretched hand. “Why would I smell it if it’s awful?”

I smirked as I pushed it in his hand. “Because I have every intention of talking about it, and you will hav
e no appreciation for how bad the scent is if you don’t smell it yourself.”

“So you expect me to share in your misery,” he teased, eying the bottle.

“That’s what friends do, Jake. They share in the miseries as well as the joys. Now sniff.”

I watched as he shook his head before taking a whiff of the oil. His gag reflex was immediate as he stared at me in horror. I tried to stop the laughter, but it was no use. The look on his face was priceless, and I had to grip the side of the table to stop from falling over.

“Oh, that was just cruel,” he accused as he set down the offending oil. “Seriously, who would put that in their house?”

I stopped laughing long enough to follow him out of the booth as the lady at the register gave us a dirty look. “I’m sorry. But you see now why you had to smell it to really appre
ciate the stench.”

Jake just shivered and shook his head. “I may never get that smell out of my head.”

Still chuckling, I hit his arm, grateful the tension was finally gone from him again. “Sure you will. Let’s go over to the food booths. Lunch is on me.”

“Fighting my battles and now buying me lunch? You’re going to make me question my manhood, Naomi.”

I just shrugged and grabbed Jake’s hand. “Whatever. Let’s go.”

His grip tightened as he laced his fingers through mine, his eyes watching me with a new intensity. I politely freed my hand and smiled, wondering why my heart was now starting to beat a little faster.

11. MAKING AMENDS

JAKE

I
couldn’t remember a better day, minus the Robbie incident at the park. He was pushing harder, demanding more information on Grant. Information that had nothing to do with Summers. I pushed the thought away, not wanting to spoil the evening. I’d make sense of Robbie later.

Rain pattered on the windshield as I drove back to the condo. Glancing in the rearview mirror, I could see Naomi’s painting all wrapped up in the back seat. I grinned as I thought of her making us go out of the way to pick it up before we left the park. That girl was certainly stubborn when she wanted to be.

Watching as she dozed off in the seat next to me, I felt a strange flood of emotion. I had never been so completely drawn to and baffled by someone. She had assured me in words and actions that she had no interest in me outside of friendship, but every once in a while, I’d catch a look that told me otherwise. She’d play it off, but I knew attraction when I saw it, and I was definitely wearing her down.

“We’re here,” I said quietly as I rubbed her exposed arm.

She let out a sleepy smile and sat up, sending my pulse racing. She was lovely.

Noting the rain and scowling, she looked back at the covered painting. “I don’t want it to get ruined. Let’s just leave it in here, and I’ll get it tomorrow,” she decided before opening the door and making a mad dash for the condo. I watched as she fumbled with the keys, getting just slightly wet before pushing the door open.

Leaning back in the seat, I shut my eyes, entranced by the sound of the rain pattering on the windshield. I wanted to sit there forever, but instead turned off the car and began to exit. My mother lived for nights like this. Dark clouds, heavy rain, thunder in the background…it all reminded me of her.

The rain started to pick up, sending warm droplets through my hair and down the neck of my t-shirt. Halfway to the door, I stopped and just let the rain soak
through me. I hadn’t stood in the rain since she died, but for some reason tonight, I felt cemented to the ground.

“Jake, what are you doing?” Naomi called from the doorway. “You’re getting soaked!”

I smiled in her direction, once again struck by her beauty.

“Come out. There is nothing like standing in the rain,” I yelled back, moving my head upward to feel the droplets pound my face.

“You’re crazy. I’m not going out there.”

I turned to look back at her, the rain beginning to cloud my vision as water pooled around my eyes. “Hey, you’re the one always saying to live a little. Come on, live a little. Besides, I have it on good authority that the rain can heal all the hurts in your life.”

She considered it and then hesitantly stepped outside, shrieking a little when the rain poured down on her. I watched in fascination as her screams turned to laughter, and she began to twirl in the parking lot, kicking the water as it rose around us.

Instinct took over as I moved towards her, gripping her face as I crushed my lips to hers. Desire raged inside of me at the feel of her body pressed against mine. The level of need I had was overwhelming.

Lost in the moment, the feel of the rain around us and the taste of her lips, it took me a second to realize she wasn’t kissing me back. In fact, she was pushing me away. I immediately let go and stepped back. Her face was a mixture of shock and fury as she stared at me.

“What are you doing?” she screamed before stalking back to the house.

I followed her in, still stunned by her reaction. Once the door was shut, she turned back to me, still fuming. Water dripped off her infuriated face and puddled around her.

“What if that had been my first kiss, Jake? What if I had been saving that for my husband and you just took it away from me without so much as asking?”

My shock deepened as I swallowed hard. “Was it?” I asked, trying to hide the fact that it slightly thrilled me that no man had ever kissed her before.

She threw up her arms in frustration. “No, but that’s not the point. The point is we are not married, we’re not engaged. Jake, we are not even dating, and you completely crossed that boundary without even consulting me on it.”

My shock turned into anger. She was blowing this completely out of proportion. I stepped closer only to watch her retreat back a step.

“You are making this a big deal for no reason. I’m sorry I kissed you, okay? We had a great day, and you were standing in the rain and I couldn’t help myself. My goodness, Naomi, it was just a kiss.”

I watched as she crossed her arms and stormed towards her room. She turned right before she reached her threshold and glared at me. “I’m not like other girls, Jake. In my world there is no such thing as ‘just a kiss.’”

She slammed her door before I could respond, and I stared at the smooth wood, water rolling down my face. How in the world had this evening turned so fast?

David walking into the condo pulled me from my trance. I didn’t even acknowledge his baffled expression as I stormed past him into my bedroom, slamming the door harder than necessary.

I was sure Naomi was avoiding me, as she was gone before I came out of my room the next day. I had knocked on her door, hoping we would talk.

“She already left for church,” David informed me as he sipped his coffee at the bar.

I let out a sigh and turned toward the kitchen, avoiding eye contact with him. Just the sight of him made me sick to my stomach. He watched as I poured my coffee and walked towards my room without saying a word.

“What’s with you this morning?” David asked before I hit the doorway.

Fury gripped me. “Don’t talk to me like you care, okay?”

“What is your deal, Jake? I’ve done nothing but support you for the last three months! When did I become the enemy?”

“Oh yeah, you’re just an everyday hero, aren’t you?” I seethed. “How’s that promotion treating you, by the way? Did you get a nice big office? Your own parking spot, maybe? I bet all you guys had a big laugh at my expense when that new girl showed up.”

David stood in defense, surprising me with his indignation. He didn’t even seem fazed that I knew about his promotion.

“So that’s it? You’re just going to assume the worst about me, even after knowing me this long? Is it beyond that hostile mind of yours that maybe I did fight for you? That maybe I was forced into hiring the boss’ daughter?” He grabbed his coat off the chair and stormed towards the front door. “Maybe one day you’ll realize that not everyone is out to get you, Jake. Lord knows why, but some of us actually do care.”

He slammed the door before I could respond, leaving me reeling in what felt a little like regret. My head started to pound as I looked around the empty condo. How had I managed to isolate everyone in my life? The loneliness suddenly felt crippling.

I pulled out my phone and texted Issy. Maybe things weren’t as bad as they seemed.

Me: In the mood to hang out?

Issy: We’re about to head to church. Want to come?

I rolled my eyes. Who was this person?

Me: No thanks. I’ll catch you later.

Issy: You sure?

Me: Yeah. Tell Grant I’ll see him on the basketball court tomorrow morning.

It took her a while to reply, but she finally did.

Issy: Ok, he’ll be there.

Good, I needed to let off some steam. The memory of Grant sprawled on the gym floor brought a smile to my face. I eased back into the living room. I didn’t care if I had to sit there all day. Naomi was bound to come home at some point, and when she did, I would fix things. I had gotten used to her being around, and I didn’t want her misreading last night. I lost my head, that was all. Platonic…I
could do that.

I was still in the same spot when Naomi walked through the door. She was talking on the phone to what sounded to be her mother, and she quickly shot me a silencing signal. I chuckled at her stricken face, knowing deep down she probably didn’t tell her parents she was staying here. I knew Naomi wasn’t a liar, so I questioned how she managed that conversation without spilling the beans.

A few minutes later, she emerged from the bedroom and slumped down on one of the club chairs, throwing her head back in frustration.

“What am I doing?” she muttered to herself. Finally, she looked up at me and sighed. “Hi.”

I smiled back at her, grateful she hadn’t planned to ignore me. “Hi.”

“I’m sorry about last night,” she began. “You shouldn’t have kissed me, but I did fly off the handle. Truth is, I did the same thing once, which pretty much makes me the biggest hypocrite ever. Add that to the myriad of lies I’ve told my family this week and you have one big walking disappointment.”

My gut turned as I pictured her kissing someone else, but shrugged it off, reminding myself that she was off limits. There were plenty of other fish in the sea.

“You’re too hard on yourself, Naomi. I mean, come on, you went to church. That should wipe away a
t least a few of those things.”

She laughed and shook her head. “It doesn’t work that way, Jake. If being good was ever enough, I’d be in big trouble.”

“Whatever. You don’t drink, party, sleep around, and I’ve never seen you be anything but kind to every person you’ve met. I’m pretty sure there is a big pass for people like you, especially compared to people like me,” I admitted, shaking my head.

“I don’t get to compare myself to others, just to Christ, and I guarantee I don’t measure up. Nobody does.”

She started to get an intense look on her face and while I loved watching her mouth move into a determined line, I had no interest in discussing religion with her.

“Well, your God is too picky if you ask me.”

She started to respond, but I cut in, wanting to change the subject. “So tell me about that kiss you mentioned. Surely a man would have to be insane to push you away.” I grinned at her and leaned up, watching intently for her reaction.

She sighed and put her head in her hands. “No way. It’s too humiliating.”

“I’m pretty sure I can relate, so help me out here,” I teased, trying to blow off the events of the night before. “It’s easy to get caught up in a moment.”

She sighed again and then settled back in her chair. “Do you remember Jonathan?”

I raked my brain, but couldn’t remember Naomi hanging out with anyone. “No, not really.”

“Yeah, I guess you wouldn’t. He went to high school with you and my brothers. He also didn’t care for Betsy or Issy that much
, so he rarely came over when they were there. Anyway, we’ve been friends forever, I mean, since the crib forever. You know, the whole girl next door story. Our moms would joke about us dating, but it was never like that between us, until one day it was. The only problem was that he didn’t feel the same way, which became blatantly obvious when he didn’t kiss me back. End of story.”

“That guy’s an idiot.” His loss, I thought smugly.

“No he’s not, and we’re still friends.” With the faintest of frowns, she studied her hands. “I guess I got so upset last night, because in a way that was my first kiss, or at least the first one a guy initiated. Knowing it didn’t mean anything just made me feel cheap and dirty. No offense. I just know how you work, Jake, and I’m not like that. I have these ideals of how I want a relationship to be.”

I teetered between resentment and indignation as I listened to her words. She could so easily dismiss my intentions based solely on what she saw with Betsy. I bit my tongue, though, realizing I would have to show her I didn’t think of her like that
. Not even close. Holding back what I really wanted to say, I leveled my eyes on her.

“What are those ideals?”

She stood, pacing around the living room a little. “Call me old fashioned, but I want to be courted. I want a guy to send me flowers and call me just because he’s dying to hear my voice. I want a man who is content to just hold my hand in a dark movie theater and not try to make out with me. I want a man who loves me more than he loves himself and who will pray with me and make me feel safe when I’m scared or sad.” 

I felt a stab in my side as I realized I could never be that guy. “You want a fairytale,” I said flatly.

She sat back down and let out a ghost of a smile. “I know. But I believe that God will either give me the desires of my heart, or He’ll change them. So until one of those things happen, I’m content to wait.”

“The world isn’t like that anymore, so you’re probably going to be waiting a long time,” I stated realistically. Naomi was kidding herself if she thought she’d find any guy who
could live up to that standard. I could guarantee that even her friend, Jonathan, had pictured her naked a time or two.

“I know. I’m okay with that.” She stood again and headed towards her room.
Although, I didn’t understand, I had to admit, I admired her conviction.

“We good?” I asked before she disappeared.

She nodded and smiled. “Yeah, we’re good.”