Page 5

CHAPTER 5

SAY NO

BELLA

July

“Wake up, baby.”

When I crack my eyes open, I find Jake peering down at me warmly. Apparently, I fell asleep reading.

“How long have you been sleeping?”

With a yawn, I shrug. “I don’t know. When did you wake up?”

“Twenty minutes ago. I fell asleep on the couch last night.” With his meaty hands gripping my sides, he hauls me to his chest. Instantly, I’m engulfed in the scent of stale alcohol and sweat.

“Yeah, I found you when I went downstairs for coffee.” I put my hands to his chest and push back, my nose wrinkled. “You stink.”

“I do?” He laughs, adding a bit of pressure, pulling me into him with ease. A second later, he’s flipped over onto his back, and I’m straddling his legs. “It’s the best thing in the world to wake up and find my girl waiting for me at home.”

I wouldn’t call my experience the best . Finding my boyfriend passed out drunk after a night of partying isn’t exactly a dream come true.

“How was the club?”

“It was fine.” He runs his hands up and down my sides absentmindedly. “I’m glad you came to the party with me. It would’ve been awkward if you weren’t there, since the rest of the guys brought their wives and girlfriends.”

“Don’t get used to it. You know how I feel about…all the fancy events, being in the spotlight. I don’t like it.”

“But you’re stunning. Literally every time our photos show up online, the captions call you ‘Miller’s gorgeous girlfriend.’”

Annoyance singes my veins, and a dash of sadness finds its way under my skin. What’s the point of being beautiful if my soul is ugly? If it’s so damaged that anyone who gets too close will see right through me?

“I wish you’d join me for team events and parties more often. They’re important to me.”

Defeat washes over me, but I force a smile. “I know. I’ll try harder, I promise.”

With a hand on the back of my neck, he pulls my face down for a kiss. He runs his tongue over the seam of my lips, urging me to open for him. Persistent and pushy, just like he always is.

Instead of giving in, I straighten my back and frown down at him. “I told you, you stink. I have no desire to kiss a bottle of…rum?”

“Whiskey.” His face splits into a smile. In a swish, I’m on my back, and he’s hovering over me. “Let’s take a shower.”

“I already did.” I hold his gaze and watch the way his pupils dilate as he zeroes in on my lips. “Go. I’ll wait for you here.”

“Isabella,” he whines, grinding his erection against my leg. “I kinda have a problem here.”

“Yeah? It’s probably not as bad as the problem I had downstairs, when a half-naked guy strolled into the kitchen.”

Jake’s face contorts in confusion.

“Xander,” I clarify.

He blinks twice, then bursts out laughing. Rearing back, he hops off the bed. “Xander is something else. Where is he?”

“In the guest room, I think.”

“I told him he could stay,” he says, shedding his clothes. “With that motherfucker, the Super Bowl will be ours. I’m a hundred percent sure of it. His stats are fantastic, and his dedication on the field is spectacular.”

“Never seen you so enthusiastic about another player.”

“Walker is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. I just appreciate talent when I see it. Besides, he’s my buddy.”

“Uh-huh…he told me you were best friends in college.” I scratch my cheek.

“We were.” A strange glint flashes behind his eyes, but it instantly disappears. There’s more to the story than he’s letting on, but I’m not about to ask him. For now, I just want him to take a shower so we can go downstairs and eat. I don’t want to go alone.

“Hurry up. I’m starving.”

“My shower offer still stands.” He takes off his briefs and straightens proudly.

I chuckle. Indeed, it still stands.

“Go. I’ll order lunch.”

With a wink, he strides to the bathroom buck naked. I take him in, my focus landing on his butt. Another vision of Xander and the blonde pops into my mind like I’m reviewing a play.

Before I can stop myself, I’ve compared Jake’s ass to Xander’s, and my boyfriend isn’t the winner.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“Order pizza,” he says as he closes the door. “Get two. I’ll see if Walker wants to stay.”

Just my luck. With a palm to the face, I fall on my back. Staring at the ceiling, I allow myself a few seconds for a pity party. Then I sit up, unlock my phone, and order the pizzas.

Thoughts swarm in my head like bees in a hive. I have two options: I can complain and act like a baby, or I can be a grown woman and stop worrying about Jake’s friend.

I like the second one better, so I’ll stick to that.

* * *

Jake and Xander are sprawled out on the sectional, the coffee table in front of them littered with pizza boxes and empty beer bottles.

“Babe, can you go upstairs and get my phone?” Jake says as I return with the plate of snacks he requested. It’s not the first time tonight he has ordered me around.

“Why don’t you get it yourself?” I respond, setting the plate of cheese cubes and ham on the table.

“Isabella, please. Do it for me.” He gives me ridiculous puppy dog eyes. “Please?”

Irritation hot in my veins, I open my mouth to tell him to fuck off. But with a deep breath, I rein in my anger and snap it shut again.

“ Fine .” I head to the hallway.

“Thanks, babe,” he calls out as I hit the stairs. “See? She never says no to me,” he murmurs.

I pause halfway up the stairs. He’s not lying. Fuck, I hate that I’m doing this, but I can’t stop myself. The need to be convenient was instilled in me at a young age, and now I’m struggling to break free. Plus, it’s easier to go along with things than to make the kinds of changes that would make me happy. For now, I’d rather hide inside my head, in the worlds of the books I read, in the anime I love.

I deliberately take my time using the bathroom, fixing my ponytail, and steadying my breath. Once I’m a little calmer, I go back to the living room, and both men home in on me when I enter.

“What did I miss? What were you talking about while I was gone?” I ask, putting Jake’s phone on the table.

He doesn’t touch it. Maybe his request was just an excuse to boss me around so he could show his friend what a pushover I am.

I skirt the coffee table, intending to sit on the couch, but as I pass him, Jake bands an arm around my waist and pulls me to him. Caught off guard, I flail, nearly falling on top of him. He bursts out laughing while I plop down on the cushion beside him and glare.

When his laughter subsides, he gives me a smug smile. “We were talking about college. Our buddies, girls, that kind of shit. Xander and I have a lot to catch up on.”

“Definitely.” His asshole friend smirks. “I’ve got all kinds of stories about your boyfriend. I could tell you everything, even the dirty secrets.”

“No, thank you.” I hold his gaze, making him chuckle.

I’m not particularly interested, and after Jake spent the night partying with his friend, who ended up fucking a girl in this house, this whole situation makes me uncomfortable.

Even so, I can’t help but dig for information. “So, how was the club?”

“If I’d known the clubs in Boston were so much fun, I would’ve signed a contract way earlier.” Xander barks out a laugh, picking up his beer bottle. “Good booze, hot chicks.”

“He knows what he’s talking about, babe.” Jake hauls me to his chest, his palm instantly on my breast.

Cheeks flaming, I glance at Xander to make sure he didn’t see. I slant my body away from Jake and fidget in my seat, my heart sinking. It’s like he doesn’t respect me at all.

“I can’t remember the last time I had that much fun,” my boyfriend says, oblivious to my discomfort. “It definitely reminded me of the good old days.”

“I’m happy to hear that,” I mutter, my tone belying the sentiment. “Meg saw you on the blogs.”

“Meghan is nosy,” he grouses.

Eyes narrowed, Xander looks from Jake to me. “Who is Meghan?”

“My best friend.”

“Ah. Will you invite her to the dinner Jake mentioned?”

I click my tongue. Shit. I forgot Jake invited friends over for dinner next week. Usually I wouldn’t mind, but he told them I’d cook without asking me first.

“Yes,” I say, picking at an invisible speck on my pant leg. “I’ll invite Meg.”

My boyfriend guffaws. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Walker. She’s not exactly your type.”

“Is she pretty?” Xander shifts his gaze to me.

I lift my chin. “She is.”

His lips stretch into a smile. “Then she’s my type.”

“Oh, please,” Jake argues. “The chick from last night? She’s your type. Meghan? Hell no.”

I push his palm off my thigh and untangle myself from him.

“What?” he groans. “I didn’t say anything bad. She’s just not Xander’s type.” Beer bottle dangling from his fingers, he waves dismissively. “But you can invite her. I might invite a few more people too.”

“ Thanks ,” I snap. “Though I beg to differ about Meg. Based on the girl I saw this morning, blondes are his type.”

Jake stiffens, his expression stony. “Come again?” he says.

Shit . I had no intention of telling him I saw his friend hooking up.

I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. While nerves skitter through me, Xander is smiling from ear to ear.

“It’s my fault,” he says lazily. “Remember the girl from the club?”

“Of course,” Jake snickers. “You were all over each other.”

“Well, you said I could use the guest room…and I did. We weren’t exactly quiet, and Isabella walked in on us.” His eyes dart my way for a split second. “She probably thought it was you.”

My stomach bottoms out. “I didn’t,” I say, voice shaky. The back of my neck goes hot. “I told you I didn’t think it was Jake.”

“Guys, you’re giving me a headache.” With a groan, Jake leans back against the couch and faces me. “What happened?”

I sigh, shoulders deflating. “When I woke up, I went downstairs for coffee. I heard noises in the guest room, so I figured I’d make sure everything was okay. As soon as I realized there were people in the bed, I closed the door.” If his asshole friend tries to sabotage my story, I’ll kill him.

“I noticed her and figured I should check on her. Found her in the kitchen, and we had a lovely talk. Right?” His lips stretch into a sly smile.

My expression isn’t nearly as bright. “Right.”

“Okay.” Jake shrugs. “Though I would prefer you didn’t creep on my friends.”

A scoff escapes me. Seriously? I’m the one he’s going to criticize? “What?”

“Be honest. Did you think it was me? Is that why you went in there?” he asks, pinning me in place with his stare.

I shake my head, a cold sweat breaking over my skin.

“Then you shouldn’t have gone in there at all.”

“Dude, it’s not a big deal. She heard noises, so she checked. It’s only natural.”

Xander’s firm tone shocks the hell out of me, and a lump lodges itself in my throat.

“If you say so,” Jake grinds out. He surveys me as silence fills the room.

God, I wish I could disappear into the couch.

“Am I allowed to ask for Isabella’s help?” Xander says, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Or have you changed your mind now that you know she’s seen me naked?”

“Of course you can ask her. I suggested it myself.” Eyes closed, Jake takes a deep breath. When he opens them again, his expression is gentle. “Baby, I’m sorry I overreacted.”

“Uh-huh.” It’s my go-to response when it comes to his tantrums. I just want to move on. “What kind of help are you talking about?”

“I bought a house. The remodel is finished, and I bought furniture, but something is missing.” Xander gives me a cute smile. “Miller said you’re into interior design, and I love what you did in here. He suggested I ask you for help.”

“He was praising your style like crazy.” Jake gives me a wink.

God, his mood swings annoy me.

“Please, baby, help him. Preseason starts in a week, and he’ll be too busy to deal with it himself. I know you’re helping Ben on a few projects, but you’ve got plenty of free time, right?”

Say no . It’s the only thought in my mind, pulsating through my head. Nothing good will come out of this. Licking my lips, I survey my boyfriend, thinking of an adequate way to turn down the project.

Jake watches me with a determined gleam in his eye that tells me he’s not willing to negotiate. I can’t say no.

My shoulders sag. “Yeah, I’ll help you.”

“Awesome.” Xander grins at me. “I’ll pay you, obviously.”

On second thought, maybe this project is exactly what I need. I can start saving money, and I can build my portfolio.

“Nah.” Jake waves him off. “She’s doing it for fun. She’s not anywhere near professional level.”

I drop my chin and focus on my lap. The words don’t hurt. I’ve dealt with so much worse throughout my life. Still, the shame engulfing me is strong enough to make my breath hitch.

“That doesn’t matter,” Xander says, pulling my attention to him. Eyes locked on mine, he nods once. “I’ll pay for your time, Isabella. I really appreciate you saying yes.”

I flash him a small smile and lean back, doing my best to disappear into the couch. For a long time, I stay there, listening to them talk about the upcoming season, worrying about what it means that I’ll be working with Xander.