“He tried to f**k you,” Jake snapped.
My cheeks flushed. “I think you’ll find that it was a little more complicated than that. He’s a good guy. He was there for me. All I want is the same for Claudia.”
Jake groaned and buried his head in hands. “Baby, I hear what you’re saying but please pick someone else. Not for my sake, not for Lowe’s sake, but for Beck’s.” He glanced over his shoulder at me. “He doesn’t get to hold her captive while he messes around with other girls. I get it. I do. Advise her to move on, cut him out, whatever… just don’t… He’s got his issues but me and The Stolen are his only real family. Lowe is like his brother. Don’t do anything to mess that up for him.”
I softened. “You sure are giving me a lot of credit if you’re truly worried I could make something happen between Claudia and Lowe.”
Suddenly looking very boyish, Jake said, “I believe you can do anything you put your mind to, Charley Redford. You’re a force to be reckoned with.”
His words cast stillness over me, my eyes drinking in all that he was. “Totally worth it,” I murmured.
“What?”
I grinned. “Get on the bed. You just won bonus sex.”
His low chuckle tickled me in all my good-for-nothing places as my sweater fell to the ground. Standing, Jake unbuttoned his shirt, his fingers stalling on one at the sound of a ringing coming from his computer. He frowned at the interruption and glanced down at the screen.
“Shit, it’s my mom.” He hurriedly rebuttoned.
“You’re going to answer it?”
“I forgot I said I’d take her call tonight. If I don’t answer, she’ll keep calling.”
“Crap!” I yanked my sweater on just in time.
“Mom,” Jake greeted innocently into the camera.
“Jake, sweetheart, how are you?”
“Fantastic. Charley’s here.” He gestured for me to come to him.
Even though Jake said his family was cool about us being back together, after the chat with mine, butterflies invaded my belly as I walked slowly to the screen. Jake’s mom hadn’t changed an iota since I last saw her almost four years ago.
“Hi, Mrs. Caplin.”
Her eyes lit up. “Charley, it’s so good to see you. I was so happy when Jake told me you two were back together.”
My butterflies slowly abated at her sincerity. “Good to see you too. How are you?”
“I’m well, sweetheart, thank you. And you? You’re even prettier than I remember. Your hair is so much lighter. I like it. How are Jim and Delia? Are they well? How are the florist and the auto shop?”
“Mom, slow down.” Jake laughed as he pulled me onto his lap. “I just got her back. Don’t scare her away with the Spanish Inquisition.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” She grinned unrepentantly. It reminded me of her son. “I can’t wait for you both to get back here. You have to come to Chicago, Charley. Stay the weekend. We’ll have a big family dinner. I know Lukas is looking forward to seeing you again.”
I relaxed deeper into Jake, the stress of my parents’ disapproval eased under the warmth of Jake’s mother’s acceptance. “I would love that, Mrs. C.”
Chapter Five
After Claudia’s “asshole” outburst at The Brewhouse I chased after her. When I caught up to her she was hurrying down the street with the invisible smoke of her fiery rage pouring out of her.
“What happened?” I asked as I shoved her purse at her.
She snatched it off me, her nostrils flaring. “You first,” she snapped.
So I told her what had gone down between Jake and me. The resultant glower of her disapproval was nothing new. “And was he cool with that?”
I shrugged, not knowing what was going on with him. “I think so. It was weird. He wants to be friends.”