Jersey Six - Jewel E Ann Page 0,78
has happened to you?”
Jersey tried to clench her hands, readying herself for a fight. But she couldn’t hold a fist or her laughter. She rested her elbows on the counter and covered her face with her hands, laughing to the point of tears. “You are so messed up.” Her body shook. “Who says that shit? Roll them around in my hands and lick them?”
“Thanks for taking this seriously.” His focus returned to the computer. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep this plan moving forward while you scribble his name in your notebook and twirl your hair around your finger while talking to him late at night. ‘You hang up,’” he said in a mocking, female voice, “‘No, you hang up first. I love you. No. I love you more. Te he he.’ Kill me now, Jers. Just kill me now.”
“I’ve never said any of that. And I don’t love him.” She regained her composure as his incessant mocking diffused any residual spark of humor.
“Good to know.” His fingers moved across the keyboard. “I’d imagine it’s pretty hard to kill someone you love. But … if he loves you, then it’s just that much sweeter. So really, if you’re willing to suck his cock to play the revenge game, sleep in his bed, laugh at his jokes, then don’t stop there. Go all the way. Tell him you love him. Don’t stop short of an Oscar-winning performance.”
“I’m not telling him that.”
“No. Don’t throw that shit out there unprovoked. Wait until he says it. Men need constant ego stroking. It’s true. If he gets the nerve to say the words to you and you don’t return the sentiment, his balls—that you enjoy licking and fondling—will most likely shrivel up, like overcooked marshmallows, and fall right off his body.”
“No.” She headed toward the stairs. “I’m not telling him that.”
The legs of the chair screeched across the floor as Chris stood to follow her. “Why? If it’s not real, if it’s all an act, then you should be able to say absolutely anything. But if you actually think you could love him back, then I can see why you don’t want to say it until you’re ready. But if that’s the case, Jers, then you need to tell me because that’s one big fucking problem.”
“I don’t love him now, and I won’t love him ever.”
“I don’t believe you.”
She whipped around just outside of the entrance to the bedroom. “Then you’re an idiot.”
“Me?” Chris chuckled. “Bullshit. You’re in over your head. I can see it in your eyes.” He rested his hand on the newel post, sporting a smirk.
“Then you’re blind. You can’t see shit in my eyes.”
“Then tell him. If he declares his love to you, tell him you love him too. Poison him with your words then slay him with your hands.”
“Fine.” She clenched her jaw.
“Fine?”
Jersey returned a sharp nod.
“You’re in?”
Another nod.
“Say it, Jers. I need to hear you say it. You need to hear it come out of your mouth.”
“I’m in.”
“If he killed them, he dies.”
Another nod.
“No. Say it!”
Jersey swallowed and narrowed her eyes. “If he killed them … he dies.”
“Attagirl.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“Hi.” Jersey tripped over her attempted enthusiasm when Ian called her after nearly two weeks of nothing but short texts. “No video chat today?”
“No. I’ve only got a few minutes. I have you on speaker while I get dressed. Max and Ames should be here soon to discuss damage control.”
“Damage control for what?” She paced the bedroom.
“The stupid lip-syncing claims. I told you this.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize it was a big deal.”
“My reputation—my career—spiraling down the toilet? Nope, no big deal.”
“But if it’s not true, then I don’t see why you’re concerned.”
Ian sighed. “If your name gets dragged through the mud, even if the claims turn out to be false, it still leaves a mark. And it’s the worst timing because I’ve had issues with my voice. So while the claims are not true, they are believable. It’s like claiming you’re not having an affair then pulling a woman’s panties out of your pocket because you picked up the wrong jacket from the coat check. The fucking stress is killing me.”
“Well, don’t let the stress kill you.”
That’s my job.
She pulled her lower lip. “Your voice must be better.”
“Yes, but it hasn’t stopped the rumors. Any news on your passport?”
“Nope.”
“How’s Chris?” Ian said his name like he had a piece of sour candy lodged in his throat.
“You know … I’ve been meaning to ask you about your conversation with him before you left. Did