Forever a Jett Girl (Bourbon #3)

  “See what happen to me?” I asked, as my heartrate picked up.

  She just shrugged, and said, “Lose your love,” then she turned back around and walked away, leaving me completely helpless in my thoughts.

  Quickly, I ran to the cemetery and pulled my phone out of my holster. I dialed Jett as fast as my fingers allowed and waited impatiently as the phone rang.

  On the third ring, he picked up.

  “Little One, are you okay?”

  “No,” I practically cried in the phone.

  “Where are you? I’ll come get you.”

  “No, don’t come get me. I just, I just had to make sure you’re okay.”

  “Tell me what is going on right now,” he demanded into the phone.

  I recalled my interaction with Mercy and told him about her connection with Rex.

  “She looked deranged, Jett, like she was high or something.”

  “I’m coming to get you.”

  “No!” I practically shouted. “Don’t come get me, I just…I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

  “Why wouldn’t I be okay? You’re the one who’s out in the open. I knew this wasn’t a good idea,” he mumbled.

  “Because she said it would be a shame if something happened to you. I didn’t know if someone was trying to kill you.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Jett said into the phone. “I’m not the one to worry about. Goldie, listen to me, I want you to be safe. Can I please send my security detail to watch over you? It would put my mind at ease.”

  “What about my mind?” I asked in a panic. “There wasn’t something right about her, Jett.”

  “Which is why I would prefer for you to be protected. I can take care of myself. Please, Little One, please let them at least watch over you for a little while until I can get my men to check out this Mercy woman. Please do this for me.”

  The strain in his voice had me caving.

  “Fine, I’m at the cemetery.”

  “I know; they’ll be there shortly. They’ll give you privacy, I promise.”

  “Thank you,” I said sincerely, grateful he understood my need to talk to my parents.

  “I love you; please be careful,” he said softly into the phone.

  “You do the same,” I added seriously.

  “Say it,” he responded.

  “I love you,” I added.

  With a sigh, he clicked the phone off, leaving me to spend some time with my parents. Feeling a little bit better, I walked over to their gravestone and sat in front of it. It’s been so long since I’ve come to visit them that guilt washed over me when I saw the dead flowers that sat in front of their grave.

  Holding back the tears that threatened to spill over, I placed my hand on the cold stone and said, “I’m sorry I’ve been such a lousy daughter and not come to visit you more often. Things have been a little crazy lately. You guys remember Jett, right? I talked about him a couple of times. Well, I kind of fell in love with him.”

  Sighing, I shook my head. “Who am I kidding? I didn’t kind of fall in love with him; I full on threw my heart off the edge and tumbled down the side of Love Lane. I’m so far gone when it comes to that man. I feel like I’ve developed the kind of love you two would have wanted for me. It’s taken a while, and we’ve had our ups and downs, but I feel like we’re in a good place now. I just know he was meant for me.”

  A rustling came from behind me, causing me to whip my head around only to see one of Jett’s security people had made himself present. Once I spotted him, he pointed to where he was going to be. That was quick, but the man wouldn’t be working for Jett if he wasn’t quick.

  I nodded and waved, trying to calm my racing heart.

  “Jesus, I’m losing my mind,” I said to my parents. “Being with Jett isn’t easy, that’s for damn sure. It seems like the more money you have, the more people want to destroy you. You were right when you said money isn’t everything in life. I’m finding that out rather quickly.”

  Changing the subject, I traced the outline of their names and said, “I would give anything to have you two back in my life right now. I’m kind of stuck as to what to do with my life. I don’t want to dance anymore. I know I have so much more potential with my art, but I don’t know where to take it. I really want to figure this out on my own, to provide for myself, but Jett has this idea in his head that he needs to take care of me, to provide for me and protect me. Hence, the burly men hovering over our conversation. He kind of offered me a job that…God, it would be so amazing. An art therapy job to work with those looking for a second chance in life. It would be perfect for me, but the only thing wrong with it is it’s just one more handout I would be taking from him. I don’t want to be helpless anymore. I want to be able to provide for myself.”

  Shaking my head and looking down at the dirt, I thought about what I was saying. This was my second chance, why was I so opposed to taking it? Because, once again, Jett came to the rescue?

  Yes, that’s exactly why, because Jett was involved. I really wanted to do something that didn’t involve him, to prove that I could be self-sufficient.

  “Ugh, what do I do? Why is he the one who had to offer the opportunity? Why aren’t you guys here with me?” I asked, as a tear rolled down my face, just as a breeze picked up, wrapping a tight wisp of air around me. Dirt swirled in circles as the wind picked it up and scattered it around the gravestone.

  Sun broke out between the tree’s leaves and shined down on me. Warmth spread through my body from the heat, and right then and there, I knew my parents were trying to comfort me, to let me know everything was going to be just fine.

  The wind tossed around some more until a twig flew off the tree above me and struck me in the head. I grabbed the twig and looked down at it. It was in the shape of a “Y,” and in my own twisted and convoluted head, I surmised that the twig was from my parents, telling me “Yes” to take the job and not worry about where the offer was coming from, but to appreciate it.

  At that moment, I knew no matter what happened to Jett and me, what transpired in the future, I would forever be a Jett Girl.

  Damn, twigs were wordy.

  I sat there for a while, just experiencing being as close to my parents as I could, something I used to do often when working at Kitten’s Castle.

  I clutched the twig to my chest and smiled at the gravestone, just as a whirlwind of fire engines whipped past the cemetery, echoing through the canopy of trees.

  My heart stopped in my chest at the blaring and dread filled my gut. Instantly, I shot off the ground and turned to the security guy standing a few feet away.

  “I need to get to Jett, now!”

  32

  “Fire and Rain”

  A few moments earlier…

  Jett

  “Say it,” I said through the phone, as my heartrate started to slow down.

  “I love you,” Goldie’s sweet voice rang through the phone.

  Those three little words would never become old to me, not when they were directed at me from the most beautiful and sassy woman I had ever met.

  Thankful that she allowed me to send security to be with her, I held my finger up at Kace and Lyla, who were waiting for our meeting to start, and called Jeremy.

  “How can I assist you, Mr. Colby,” Jeremy asked into the phone.

  “Send security to the Lafayette Cemetery to watch over Goldie.”

  Without another word, I hung up the phone and placed it on my desk. I looked up at both Kace and Lyla, who were doing everything in their power not to look at each other. The tension was rather uncomfortable, but since Kace was the new manager of the community center, I needed him in the room.

  “Is everything okay?” Lyla asked, looking slightly concerned.

  “Yes,” I answered curtly, not wanting to get her involved in what was happening with Goldie. The only person who needed to worry was me.

  “Then, why does she need security?” Kace asked gruffly.

  Turning slightl
y to the brooding man, I said, “It’s none of your concern. It’s being taken care of. Now, let’s discuss why you’re here, shall we?”

  Kace’s jaw worked back and forth, as he refrained from challenging me. I knew he wanted to know what was going on with Goldie, but I wasn’t about to bring it up in front of Lyla; it wasn’t her concern.

  “What’s this all about?” Lyla asked, as she crossed her legs and popped a piece of gum in her mouth. Her lips smacked together, as if she was in some kind of fifties movie, ready to strike a deal.

  “Lyla, I wanted to talk to you about your future here.”

  “There is no future,” she interrupted. “I spoke with Marv; I will be heading back to Kitten’s Castle starting in a week. “

  “Lyla, I’m going to be honest with you.”

  “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

  Her confidence was slightly annoying to me. From the way she carried herself, I knew this conversation wasn’t going to make much of a difference.

  “You have no future at Kitten’s Castle. You need to think about what your next step is going to be. You need to take advantage of the education I’m offering and make something of yourself.”

  “I don’t need it,” she said, while crossing her arms.

  “The fuck you don’t,” Kace mumbled to the side.

  “Excuse me?”

  The tension that was bubbling between Kace and Lyla just boiled over as Lyla turned in her chair and stared Kace down. His body language read, don’t fuck with me, but Lyla could care less. The woman was fearless, just like my Little One.

  “Don’t be fucking stupid, Lyla.”

  “Oh, the big man has an opinion,” Lyla said, while mocking Kace’s stance. “Frankly, Kace, why the hell would I take advice from you? If anyone needs to get their life together, it’s you. You walk around here, stomping around like some stupid petulant giant, making every room you walk in quickly ice over from the black that is shooting from your heart. You think I need help, turn that fucking finger around, because if anyone needs help, it’s you.”

  “You know nothing about me.”

  “You’re right,” Lyla agreed. “And that’s because you’re so shut off that you don’t let anyone in. All you care about is working out and having sex with Pepper.”

  Kace’s hand ran over his face at Lyla’s statement. So, Kace and Pepper were still fucking? Interesting.

  “Seems like you’re jealous,” Kace said, once he’d most likely counted to ten, since he looked like he was about to explode.

  “There is no way in hell I would be jealous over you. Yeah, you’re a good fuck, I’ll give you that, but that’s all you are. You’re a hollow shell of a man, Kace. There is nothing to you other than muscles. There is no substance; why would I be jealous…?”

  “Enough!” I said, while slamming my hand on my desk. I stood up and looked down at Lyla. I pointed to the door and said, “You may leave. Pack your things and leave. I refuse to have you talk about my friend in such a negative way. You may be Goldie’s friend, but Kace is mine, and I will not tolerate you bashing him. You have no clue what he’s been through…”

  “Jett,” Kace warned, barely looking at me. “I don’t need you fighting my fights.”

  “That’s fine,” Lyla said, as she stood up and started unbuttoning her dress shirt. She took it off and tossed it at Kace, along with her heels. “Here’s my uniform, I don’t need this place. Good luck with everything.”

  “Lyla, don’t do this,” Kace said, while looking down at the ground, not able to even make eye contact with her.

  She stood there, in a bra and thong, and grabbed Kace by the face so he had to look at her. The heat that came from his eyes when he looked her up and down was unmistakable; Kace wanted her. Anyone could see it.

  “Don’t tell me what to do. You’re not my protector; you’re nothing to me. You made that quite clear.”

  “You’re the one who made it clear,” Kace shot back.

  To say I was confused was an understatement. I knew Kace was having problems with Lyla, but not such emotional problems…issues that clearly were cutting deep between them.

  “I made it clear? The minute you shut me out was the minute you told me you want nothing to do with me. I offered to be there for you, Kace. I offered to talk, but you don’t want to. How am I supposed to stick around after that?”

  “It’s not that easy,” Kace gritted out.

  “How convenient for you,” Lyla responded, while placing her hands on her hips.

  Kace shot out of his chair, dropping Lyla’s shirt and shoes, and said, “You think this is convenient? Living with this guilt, with this black cloud hovering over my fucking head every God damn day? It’s not.”

  “What guilt? You see, I have no clue what you’re talking about. How am I supposed to have any kind of relationship with you if you won’t talk to me? I should have known this was going to be a bad idea. I told myself time and time again this was a bad idea, but Goldie needed my help.” Lyla shook her head and stepped away from Kace before looking at me. “Jett, I’m sorry for insulting your friend. Thank you for taking care of my girl, for making her feel special, and I appreciate the opportunity you’ve given me.”

  She started to walk away when I called after her, “Lyla, wait. Please, don’t leave. I apologize for my outburst. I still want to talk about open opportunities for you. I would like to help, if you will let me.”

  Lyla turned around and gripped the molding of the door frame. “Jett, I appreciate your offer, but like I said, I can handle myself. I’ve been handling my own life ever since I can remember. I will be fine. Take care of Goldie for me; she deserves your kind heart.”

  She started to walk away, and I watched Kace battle with himself as to what he should do. His mouth opened for a second, but nothing came out. Instead of chasing after her, he sat back down in his chair and rested his elbows on his thighs as his hands pulled on his hair.

  I watched, as the man I’ve known since I was young, the one person who knows my demons and has stuck by my side, wrestled with his own demons, his own thoughts and concerns.

  After giving him a little bit of time, I asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Does it look like I want to talk about it?” Kace answered back.

  “Do you ever want to talk about it?”

  “Is this one of those conversation where we only ask each other questions?”

  “I don’t know, is it?”

  Shaking his head, a small smirk peeked through his lips, but was briefly wiped away when he sat back in his chair.

  “She wants to talk, she wants to know what happened to me, and I don’t want to tell her.”

  “Why not?” I asked, wondering if the man in front of me would ever move forward and forget about his past, if he would ever forgive himself for what he did.

  “Why not? Jett, I don’t want anyone knowing what happened. If I told her, she would judge me, she would treat me differently, and she wouldn’t look at me the way she looks at me now.”

  “You don’t know that. It seems like you both have rough pasts. It might be good for both of you.”

  Shaking his head at me, Kace laughed. “You fail to realize something, Jett, I will never get the chance to be happy again; I don’t deserve it.”

  “Kace, what happened was so long ago…”

  “Yes, but do you think that little girl will ever forget losing her dad?” Kace shot back, now leaning forward and threatening to get in my face. “I took away a father…”

  “It wasn’t your fault,” I said sharply. “He provoked you, he got in your face, and he started the fight; you warned him…”

  “I should have backed away, Jett. I knew better; I should have backed away.”

  Once again, we were at a standstill.

  I hated seeing my best friend like this, distraught, hurting, and angry. I remember when he was on top of his game, when he was winning match after match, when he was one of the best boxers in the co
untry. He was happy, he was satisfied with himself, and he had a spark of life inside of him.

  Now, all I saw was a black soul, floating around, just living a day to day life…never looking toward the future.

  “You can’t punish yourself for the rest of your life, Kace.”

  “You don’t get to decide my punishment,” Kace said, as he looked down at his hands.

  The fight he was having within himself was hard to watch. To see a man who was so vivacious, so full of energy, slowly deteriorate to an empty shell killed me. I knew Kace’s potential, I knew who he could be, but that man was gone now.

  Getting up from his chair, Kace tapped the desk and said, “Is everything okay with Goldie?”

  “Everything is fine; no need to worry.” I looked at my watch and realized what time it was. “I have some things I have to take care of, if you don’t mind,” I gestured to the door.

  “Not a problem,” Kace replied, as he helped himself out.

  “Hey,” I called after him. Kace stopped, but didn’t turn around to face me. “I want you to live again, Kace.”

  “I don’t deserve this life,” Kace replied.

  He left me alone in my office to attend to my business. I had a lot of things to take care of and a lot of plans to finalize. Unlike Kace, I was moving forward with my life. I was done living a life with no emotion. If I wanted Goldie, I had to break down the wall I put up around my heart and let her in, and I couldn’t be more ready to do so.

  My phone started ringing, and I looked down to see it was my security detail.

  “Jett Colby,” I answered.

  “Mr. Colby, we’ve located Goldie and have informed her we are here now.”

  “Thank you, did you see any suspicious behavior on your way over there? She was talking about a girl she ran into on the streets.”

  “We weren’t able to locate any suspicious behavior, sir. We will watch our six, though.”

  “Keep her safe; that’s my life you’re watching.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Satisfied, I hung up the phone and tended to my business. I had a lot to get done.