Della
I changed into sweats and a tee shirt before walking back into the living room and talking to Tripp. I preferred to stay in this room and think about everything. I was still trying to figure out what happened and what I did wrong with Woods. He was giving me all kinds of mixed signals. Either he was disgusted by me and decided not to have sex with me or he had just been ready to get rid of me. I wasn’t sure. But then he’d made me wear his shirt and told me to change into baggy clothes. I wasn’t sure what to think about that.
As soon as I’d had that orgasm in his lap he’d been ready to get me the hell away from him. On the drive over here I had convinced myself that I’d screamed too loud and hurt him by pulling his hair like a crazed woman. Then maybe he was as embarrassed by the wet spot on my shorts as I was and that’s why he’d covered me up. He didn’t want Tripp to see me and know he’d been the cause of that. I reached over, picked his hoodie back up, and pulled it over my head. It smelled like Woods. I liked that. I had wanted to get to smell more of him tonight. The rejection I’d hoped to avoid was settling in.
I could talk to Tripp. I wouldn’t tell him exactly what happened but I could get his guy opinion on things.
Tripp’s eyes lifted from the book he was reading and he smiled up at me. “Already wearing Kerrington’s clothes. Damn the guy moves fast,” he teased.
I sighed and sank down on the sofa across from the chair he was sitting in. “Not what it looks like. Trust me. ” The deflation in my voice had been a little more obvious than I intended.
“Uh oh. What’s wrong?” Tripp asked, setting his book down on the table beside him and sitting up straighter.
I thought about my words carefully. I didn’t want to tell him too much but I did want his opinion. “Woods broke things off with Angelina and we went to talk about that,” I began. Tripp nodded. He already knew this much but I was still scrambling on what to say to him. “We had lunch together and he explained that he wasn’t happy with her. He doesn’t want to be told who to marry. Then we went back to his place. He wanted to show me his house and I loved it. ” I paused and chewed on my bottom lip a moment to think about my next words.
“He never takes girls to that house. It was his grandparents’ so it’s his off limits place. I’ve only been there a handful of times. ”
That caught my attention. “His grandmother’s paintings are still all over the walls. They’re beautiful. ”
Tripp’s eyebrows shot up. “He told you about her?”
I nodded and Tripp crossed his hands over his chest as he grinned. “Damn girl what have you done to Kerrington?”
Well, that was what I was wondering too. “I think he may have decided taking me there was a mistake. I… we… things got a little heated on the porch and then he stopped it and brought me back here. He said he had things to do. Just like that. No other explanation. It was weird. ”
Tripp frowned and sat there quietly a moment.
“You two have, uh, had sex before, right? That was my understanding. ”
I nodded.
“And today that didn’t happen,” he continued.
“No, he was really ready to get rid of me. ”
Tripp rubbed his chin and then he shook his head. “I don’t know what the hell is up. That doesn’t sound like the guy I know. ” He leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. “Are you okay? Did he upset you?”
I was confused and a little hurt but I was okay. I smiled. “I’m fine. Just not sure what happened. I keep thinking I did something wrong. ”
Tripp reached out and tugged on the sleeve of Woods’ hoodie. “When did you get this?”
There was no way I was telling him why Woods had stuck this on me. That was too embarrassing. “Um, when he brought me here. He put it on me before sending me inside. ”
Tripp had a small smile tugging on his lips. “Did he see my bike?”
I nodded.
“What did he say when he put that on you?”
“Um, he told me to go inside and put on baggy clothes. ”
Tripp cackled with laughter and leaned back in his seat. Once he was done laughing he took in my sweat pants and then looked back up at me. “You did as you were told. ”
I nodded again.
“He likes you. He may be a little freaked out and doing stupid shit but he likes you. The baggy clothes are because he doesn’t want me looking at you and getting any ideas. Kerrington has gone possessive. Never seen it before but it is funny as hell. I think I’ll text him that we’re going swimming and see how fast his jealous ass gets over here. ”
“No, don’t! He was going to deal with his dad I think. ”
Tripp grinned. “I was kidding. It’s just funny. ”
He went quiet and I hated the awkward silence. However, I was relieved that he thought Woods was acting weird because he was feeling possessive towards me. Maybe it was wrong to want that but it made me feel tingly and warm.
“I guess I should plan on traveling alone when I head out. ”
I wasn’t sure yet.
“That depends on when you’re leaving and if Woods really is interested in something more with me. If this is just a fling for him then I may be ready to run soon myself. ”
***
Last night I’d woken up screaming with Tripp holding me again. It was screwing with my sleep and his. I didn’t blame him if he left soon just so he could sleep without the nightly interruptions. My eyes felt puffy from the crying I’d done this time. Sometimes the screams were mixed with sobbing. Tonight had been one of those nights. I’d spent an hour in the bathroom trying to cover up the puffy with makeup. I wasn’t sure it helped.
“Girl, I got an eight top of women who came in here requesting me or I’d take table six for you,” Jimmy said with wide eyes as he walked into the kitchen.
“What’s wrong with six?” I asked, tying my apron on.
“Not sure how much you know but Woods broke it off with that uptight Greystone heiress. My guess is daddy is pissed. Anyway, the heiress, her equally uptight mother, and Mrs. Kerrington are sitting at six. There can be nothing good about that gathering. ”
Oh no. I didn’t want to deal with those three. But I didn’t have a choice. It was just Jimmy and me for the breakfast shift. We would have more help for the lunch shift.
“I’ve scared you. Shit. I’m sorry. It’s good. You didn’t piss them off, Woods did. You just serve them their food and all should be good. ”
He was right. They didn’t even know I existed. Besides, I wasn’t sure what was going on with Woods. Yesterday he’d completely confused me.
“I can do it,” I assured Jimmy, taking my tray of waters out to table four.
Once I had that table served and orders taken I made my way over to table six. All three women seemed to be in deep conversation. I almost walked past them and gave them a few more moments before interrupting. But then that could piss them off and I didn’t want to add to this drama.
“Good morning,” I said in more of a squeak than a greeting. Fantastic. Mrs. Kerrington flashed an annoyed look my way. I had never met her but I recognized those dark brown eyes glaring at me. There was no mistaking that she was Woods mother.
“Sparkling water. ”
“Evian with a glass of ice,” Angelina said.
“The same,” the third lady who had to be her mother informed me without looking at me.
I quickly headed to the kitchen and took a deep breath. They were just like all the other guests. No reason to panic. I fixed their drinks and went back out to serve them.
“He just needs time. He’s never been one to like being told what to do. It’s not you darling. He’s a male and he is as red blooded as they come. The boy wants to sow his wild oats. ” Woods’ mother was reaching across the table patting Angelina’s hand as she said this.
“I don’t think that’s it. He truly doesn’t like me. He said that we’d be miserable together. An
d maybe he’s right. I want things he doesn’t. Obviously. ”
Mrs. Kerrington sighed. “Yes. Well, his father is very disappointed in him. We expected him to think about something other than himself this time. But he’s a spoiled boy. He has always had his way. This is my fault of course. I should have told him no more often. ”
I sat the waters down in front of them and tried to be as invisible as possible.
“Bring us a fruit tray please and make sure the kiwi is included. ”
I nodded once before leaving. I wanted to hear more but then it was best that I didn’t. I wanted to argue with them. Woods wasn’t selfish. He wasn’t some kid having a temper tantrum. He was a grown man tired of being controlled and manipulated. And who did Angelina think she was? She wants different things obviously. Like she was so noble. Bitch.
I slammed the door behind me and let out an aggravated growl.
“Whoa, sugar. You look ready to tear someone up,” Jimmy said as he set the order that was up on his tray.
“Woods’ mother is infuriating. And that… that ugh… God, I’m glad he isn’t marrying that woman. She’s just. . . I want to slap her. ”
Jimmy started to chuckle when the door behind me closed and his eyes went wide. I was almost afraid to turn around.
“I have to agree with you on both accounts. ” Woods’ sexy voice was amused. I turned around and took in the sight of him. His dark hair was styled with the messy look and his jeans hugged his hips perfectly. The white oxford shirt he was wearing only made his olive complexion stand out even more.
“I’m sorry,” I managed to say as my heart rate picked up. I stared at his hand and thought about how that hand felt as it slipped under my shorts yesterday.
“Don’t be. I said I agreed with you. ” I lifted my eyes to meet his. He thought it was funny I didn’t like his mother or his former fiancée. I could see it in his eyes.
“Good morning, “ he said and glanced behind me toward the kitchen staff that I knew were a more rapt audience than they let on.
“Good morning,” I replied.
“I’ll take out their fruit,” he said, walking over to get it. I hadn’t even ordered it yet.
“That can’t be theirs; I haven’t entered their order,” I said as he made his way to the door with the fruit that included kiwi.
“It’s theirs. My mother rarely orders anything else for breakfast. This crew knows that. ”
Then he was out the door.
“Order is up for table four,” Harold called out from the fry station. I went and got their food.
I tried not to look over at the table that I knew Woods was at with Angelina. I could hear him talking and out of the corner of my eye I could see he had sat down with them. My stomach knotted up at the thought.
I managed to get the correct orders to the customers at table four. Then it took all my will power not to go running back to the kitchen to hide from seeing this. But although Woods had brought them their food I was the server. I needed to make sure they didn’t need anything. Especially since Woods was now sitting with them.
“Is there anything I can get for you?” I asked his mother directly. He’d taken the seat beside Angelina and I couldn’t look over at them.
“More sparkling water but this time don’t use so much ice and add a few raspberries to it. ” Her tone was annoyed and I wasn’t sure if it was due to Woods or my service.