“We don’t know,” Liam replies. “Paul called from the station to say he had the driver of the car in custody, but wouldn’t say if it was Jenna’s ex, just said that you were right. I called him about this other car and he thinks it’s a bunch of teens just screwing around.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me?”
Liam shrugs. “I did that shit when I was a kid so why not.”
“That’s such bullshit. Those fuckwads scared the crap out of your wife.”
“I’m fine, Jimmy.”
I throw my hands up in exasperation at this whole mess. I see Jenna sitting down and carry the bag in my hand over to her.
“Thanks, Jimmy.”
I kneel down in front of her and watch as she hides her face from me. She doesn’t want me to see her crying.
“You don’t have to hide from me.” She sees all the ugly that I am; I should be able to see hers too.
“You give me whiplash, Jimmy.”
“What does that mean?”
Jenna sighs and wipes her face with the back of her hands. “It means that one moment you’re this untouchable rocker who doesn’t care and then the next you’re this sweet guy who does.”
I sit back on my heels and look down at the floor. Is that how others see me too? I look at her. Her green eyes glisten from her tears. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to confuse you. I’m just being me.”
“Yeah I know,” she says this so sadl
y that it makes my heart ache. What did I do to her to cause her pain? It’s stupid, I know what I did and that’s exactly why it won’t happen again. “We’re friends, right?”
“Of course, we are.” I get up from the floor and sit down next to her on the sofa. I’d pull her towards me, but I don’t want her to feel awkward. It’s hard to stay friends with someone like her, but I’m going to try even if she doesn’t want to be my friend. “Do you know what you need?”
“What’s that?”
“A holiday.”
Jenna laughs. “That’d be nice, but I make just enough money for me to pay rent and live. I don’t save for things like a vacation.”
“I’ll pay.”
She shakes her head. “No, I’m not borrowing money from you.”
I sit up so I’m in her eyesight. I pull her chin up so she’s looking at me. “I think we should go somewhere for a week or two. Let things settle down and just relax. Besides, I think we have some things to discuss.”
“I don’t know, Jimmy. It feels wrong and I don’t want to be a third wheel.”
“Third wheel?”
Jenna sighs and fiddles with her fingers. “I don’t want to watch you hit on women.”
Does she actually think I’d take her on a holiday and go on the pull for other women? This girl is crazy. Her ex messed her up good and proper, that’s for sure.
“Sweet Lips, I want to take you on a holiday so we can relax. We can lie on the beach, drink some girly fruity crap, have fun in the sea and eat overly expensive food. I want to do this because you’re my friend.”
She blanches at the word friend. I don’t blame her, but I need to keep the lines defined. I’m not boyfriend material for her and I don’t want her thinking I’m going to settle down like Liam and Harrison have.
“It’s just a holiday, Jenna, nothing more.”
“I’ll have to ask Josie for the time off.”