Page 105 of Jaked

Chapter 40

I woke to the sounds of angry voices. Slowly, I opened my eyes. In my peripheral vision, I saw the palest hint of morning light filtering in through large double windows. Blinking, I sat up in bed. Oh my God. The bed. It was Jake's. I looked around. I was in Jake's bedroom.

And I was naked.

Instantly, memories of the previous night came flooding back to me. Our encounter on the sofa had been just the beginning. We'd gone from the sofa to the floor and finally to his king-size bed, where the night had ended with me falling asleep, utterly sated, in his arms.

But now, he was gone, not too far it seemed. From somewhere outside the bedroom, I heard his voice, along with another voice that I instantly recognized. The second voice belonged to his brother – technically my future brother-in-law, since he'd soon be marrying my sister.

His name was Jim, but like everyone else, my sister always called him by his last name, Bishop. Funny too, because that was Jake's last name too. I couldn't help but wonder why one brother went by his last name, while the other went by his first. Weird.

Before I could dwell on it further, their voices rose to a new level.

"Where the hell is she?" Bishop said.

Jake's response was chilly, but calm. "None of your fucking business."

"You think it's not?"

"Iknowit's not," Jake said.

I heard receding footsteps, followed by the sound of someone opening and slamming an interior door, and then another. Oh crap. Was Bishop searching the place? For me? God, how humiliating.

I looked wildly around, wondering if I should try to hide or just brazen it out. I glanced toward the closed bedroom door and breathed a sigh of relief. The door had a lock.

I crept out of bed, dragging the nearest blanket around me as I tiptoed across the smooth tile floor. As quietly as I could, I twisted the lock in place and then, turned to lean my back against the thick oak door.

Why on Earth was I creeping around? Honestly, I had no idea. I wasn't a kid anymore. I was twenty-three, for crying out loud. And Jake? He was even older than I was. This whole thing was beyond ridiculous.

And besides, Jake was a full year older than his brother. If anything, shouldn't Jake be searching Bishop's place for wayward naked girls?

No, I realized. He shouldn't. The only thing Jake would find would be my sister, and I definitely didn’t want him to seehernaked. Come to think of it, I didn't like the idea of Jake seeinganygirl naked, me included, especially not with an audience.

I heard another door slam, and again, those footsteps grew louder. Soon, they were dangerously close to the master bedroom. A moment later, I heard Jake's voice, just outside where I stood. "You touch that doorknob, and you're gonna get your ass kicked."

I tensed, afraid to move, and half-afraid to breathe. Stupid or not, I didn't want to be caught in Jake's bedroom. I didn't want an ugly scene. I didn't want to explain myself to anyone. And I sure as hell didn't want to jump in the middle of whatever was going on between them, especially since I was wearing no clothes.

Bishop gave a muttered curse. "Don't tell me…" he said.

"I'm not telling you shit," Jake said, "because, as I already told you, it's none of your fucking business."

"Your ass," Bishop said. "Itismy business. I'm here to bring her home."

"Sheishome," Jake said. "So stay the fuck out of it."

I caught my breath. This wasn't my home. I didn't live here. At best, I was just a temporary guest. How temporary, I still wasn't sure.

"Cut the crap," Bishop said. "I'm taking her to Selena's."

"That's whatyouthink," Jake said.

To that, Bishop made no response, or at least none that I could hear. When the silence stretched out, I turned my head and pressed my ear to the door. Holding my breath, I listened. I waited. I heard nothing.

Why not?

And then, I heard footsteps again. But this time, they were receding.

Crap.