Shattered Rose (Winsor Series) - By T L Gray Page 0,20

When she saw me, she grabbed me by the arm. “I’m going to let Pete take me home, do you mind?”

“Issy, we live five blocks away from here. Why not just come with me?”

“Because, with you I can’t make out in the car. Please…I’ll be home in twenty minutes, I promise.”

She gave me a quick hug and was gone before I could argue, leaving me to drive my date home. The night was quickly turning into a disaster, and I suddenly had a whole new appreciation for how Jake felt when he went out with her.

I dropped Bobby, the bore, off at his old fraternity house and somehow managed to avoid the good night kiss he tried to get. He asked me for my phone number, and I just said I would get his from Issy. This guy was really delusional if he thought that was a good date. Turns out that Jake had been right. Pete and Bobby were four years older than us and seemed to only have one thing in mind. Note to self…this would be the LAST time Issy set me up on a date.

It had been forty-five minutes since Issy left me in the parking lot at Sammy’s. I had already gotten ready for bed, cleaned up the apartment, and now was fully pacing. I checked my phone and texted her for the third time. Come on, Issy, where are you? I didn’t know how the time clock worked in Issy’s world. Did twenty minutes mean an hour? Should I be worried? Was this a normal thing for her? She had never ditched me like that before, and I had no idea what to do.

I heard the door unlock and loud voices in the hallway.

“Jake, I have had it!” Issy was screaming as Jake dragged her into the apartment. “I am almost twenty years old, and I don’t need a chaperone.”

“You could have fooled me! That guy is twenty-four, Issy, and has a horrible reputation! What were you thinking going to that frat house?” He was matching her anger, pitch for pitch, and the tension between them was so fierce I didn’t know whether to run or stay completely still. I opted for the latter.

“I was having FUN! You remember FUN. You used to have it when you were my age, why can’t I? Its not my fault you are out of the scene…I like it!”

“You like it? You like dancing on a table in front of ten slobbering guys that are only thinking of one thing? You really have that little respect for yourself? No wonder your dad has threatened to transfer you. Hell, I may call him myself!” That was the last straw for Issy. She slapped him across the face and ran to her room. I watched as Jake turned his rage toward me, as I was still standing in stunned silence.

“And you? What kind of friend are you to abandon her like that? You are supposed to take care of her. Watch her back.”

I flinched at his tone. “I tried…she wouldn’t come home with me.”

“How hard did you try? You could have called me, gone with her, or done anything other then leave her alone with a snake!” His body language was vicious, and I could see total hostility in his eyes. The tears were dangerously close to spilling over, but I refused to let him see me cry. “I don’t even have your number…” I whispered, my eyes transfixed on one of the circles in the carpet.

His tone softened and he walked over to stand across the coffee table from me. “Give me your phone.”

I handed it to him and watched as he added himself to my contact list. Then he sent himself a text to make sure it went through. I looked back up at him. He looked wrecked and so tired I could almost see the circles under his eyes. I hated that I added to his stress. “I’m sorry…I’m new at all of this.” My voice was resigned. I felt like I had failed Issy and failed him.

He sighed and walked around the table until there was no space between us. He lifted my chin, leaned down and put his forehead on mine. I held my breath, afraid that if there was any movement, the moment might vanish. My Jake was back, the one who made me feel as if I was the only person in the world he wanted. He pulled me close and just held