Half to Death (18 page)

We were jovial until we were in the privacy of my car. I sank low in the seat and sighed.

“You did great, Sloan. I’m very proud of you for handling it so well.”

I ran both hands through my hair. “This is a big problem with Deb, and I have no idea where to start.”

“You’re right,” Jade said. “I have no idea what you saw tonight, but I did see the effect it had on you. I’d suggest you and Miranda visit a therapist that specializes in eating disorders.” Jade glanced at me. “If you can get Angel to go with you, that’d be better. Let a professional tell you what your next step should be.”

“All right, I’ll talk to Miranda about that tomorrow. We’ll come up with a plan to talk to Angel, and if she won’t go with us, we’ll do it on our own.”

Jade came to the main highway and stopped. “Are you tired?”

“No, but I don’t have to get up as early as you do.”

Instead of making a right, which would’ve taken us home, she went left. “I have something I want to show you. Since you’ve lived here all your life, you’ve probably already been there.”

I had no idea where she was taking me, but I was willing to go.

“Like I said, I haven’t done a lot of exploring, but I did find this place one night when I had a lot on my mind.” She turned off the highway and I grinned.

“I know exactly where you’re taking me.” The road ended at the bay in a small parking area a couple of yards from the water. There were no lights, but I could hear the waves lapping gently at the shore when she killed the engine.

Jade inhaled deeply, then let out a contented sigh. “Just listen to that.”

“Let’s get out and sit on the hood. It’s a clear night, maybe we’ll luck out and see a shooting star.” Jade was a bit hesitant to get on my car, but when I climbed up and leaned my back against the windshield, she did the same albeit more carefully. The heat of the engine warmed my legs, making me feel like I was in a cozy nest. When Jade settled next to me, I felt my cares drift away on the breeze. Overhead, the night sky was filled with what looked like a billion stars. I tucked my hands behind my head and decided to bask in the moment. “This was a brilliant idea.”

“I’m glad you didn’t mind coming.” Jade seemed to be as content as I was.

“Tell me something about you. Anything.” I looked over at her.

She was thoughtful for a moment. “When I was a little girl, we moved to a house in the country, and there was a field next door full of wildflowers about waist high. I used to walk through it and pretend it was the ocean. I’d get down on my knees and imagine that I was looking at beds of coral like the ones I’d seen on TV.” She laughed. “A child’s imagination is limitless. I think now, if I walked through that field, all I would think about were the bugs and the itchiness of the weeds. I probably wouldn’t go into it at all.” She looked at me. “Your turn. Tell me about a childhood memory.”

“I made the coolest clubhouse out of a wisteria bush. There was no telling how old that thing was. They’re really vines, but this had never been tended and sat out in the middle of the yard with nothing to climb, so it wound around itself. I took a piece of plywood and tossed it in the middle of the bush. Then I climbed up on it, and as long as I stayed down, I was completely hidden. It was my secret spot until I spotted Colin trying to whittle something out of a piece of wood. I climbed down unseen and gathered a handful of rocks. I hit him like four times before he spotted me.”

Jade laughed. “How old were you?”

“Probably around seven. He wasn’t allowed to have a pocket knife until he was fifteen, and he’d managed to trade his binoculars for one. I threatened to tell if he didn’t leave me alone. Apparently, my threat had little effect. He wanted to beat my ass, but he was too big to crawl through the vines. I ended up staying there half of the afternoon until Mom called us for dinner.”

“You were mischievous then?”

“Very, though most of it was directed at my brother. Poor boy, no wonder he doesn’t keep in touch much. After I met Miranda, I had a new target, but she was as bad as I was. I learned early on that she was far more skilled. I bet you weren’t, though. You were probably an angelic child.”

Jade’s sigh was carried off in the breeze. “I’m sure I had my moments, but that seems like ancient history.”

“You’re not that old.”

“You’re trying to get me to admit how old I am, aren’t you?” Jade chuckled but said nothing else.

“Wanna hear me sing? It’s really bad. Dogs usually howl when they hear it, and birds drop from the sky. I bet I don’t even get through the first verse of the country song I wrote before you’re screaming out your age.”

“Thirty-six. I’ll take your word for it. And you’re still mischievous.”

A cool breeze blew in off the water, and I shivered. “Are you cold?”

“Yeah, it’s getting a bit nippy and probably late. Are you ready?” She laid my keys on my thigh.

“I know we have to go,” I said regretfully. I hopped down and was surprised to hear Jade behind me as her shoes shuffled over the asphalt.

I was about to turn and ask if she wanted to drive when I heard her say, “I want to kiss you.”

I turned slowly. All I could make out was her figure in the darkness. “Did you just say you wanted—”

“To kiss you, yes.”

My heart started to pound. “I hate to take the romance and spontaneity out of this moment, but,” I opened the car door and moved behind it, “I don’t know what full body contact and a kiss would do to me. I mean, I would love that, but I don’t want to mess up…I probably wouldn’t be able to think about anything else but what that feels like because I’ve wanted for so long to—”

“You really do ramble when you’re nervous.” Jade moved closer and put her hands on the door frame.

“I’m sorry, I can’t help it. I’ve dreamed about this moment since the day you touched my hand and gave me hope that I might be able to experience...more.” I shivered again, but this time, it wasn’t caused by the cool evening breeze.

Very slowly, she reached over and stroked the back of my hand. “Don’t apologize. It means you care. I should’ve admitted this before.” She licked her lips. “I like that we have to take it slow. I think too often people end up in bed together, then later realize all they have between them is the physical attraction.”

I swallowed hard. “I’d still like that kiss. Can you give me a second to just…close my eyes and focus?”

“Yeah, I’ll give you a couple.”

I closed my eyes and concentrated on the pounding in my ears. My heart was racing in anticipation, then I felt the lightest touch against my lips. She pulled away slightly and met me again. I wanted to feel her body press into mine, but there was something so sensual about that kiss. The only thing I could physically feel besides the door that I had a death grip on was the softness of her lips, the caress of her tongue. The sweetest kiss I had ever received was also the hottest, and it burned through me like fire.

“Slow is a good thing, right?” I said with a nervous laugh when she pulled away. Her emotions echoed through my mind— joy, excitement, desire.

“I thought so until a moment ago.” Jade took two awkward steps back, tripping over her own feet. She disappeared into the darkness, then I heard the passenger door open. I climbed into the car and looked at her. Jade’s expression was one part bewilderment and the other slight amusement. My gaze trailed down to the flush creeping up her neck and along her jaw. “Wow” was all she said.

“Yeah.”

I pushed the Mustang to her limits on the way back to the gym. Jade grabbed a hold of the door handle and looked at me. “Are you in a hurry?”

“Yes, because when we get to the gym, I’m gonna kiss you again.”

Chapter 17

The next morning when my alarm clock went off, I awoke with a smile. I pressed my fingers to my lips, reveling in the memories of Jade’s kisses.

With the center console of my car acting as a barrier between us, I filled my hands with her hair and pulled her as close as I could. Both of us were breathing heavily like two teenagers who had never had a moment alone as we made out. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed as we steamed up the windows. My heart ached with a sweet loneliness that I’d never experienced as I watched her climb into that old truck. My lips felt bruised and chapped as I ran my fingers over them. “So this is what it’s like to be totally smitten,” I said aloud in the darkness.

*******

Miranda walked into the store around ten in her uniform with a radio squawking on her hip. Her expression was dour as she said “good morning.” The events of the previous evening pushed away my giddiness like a bulldozer.

“Marty said you looked like shit after you touched Deb and Angel.” Miranda leaned on the counter and looked at me with dread.

“Our talk didn’t have any effect on Deb. She’s more intent on hiding her weight loss. She still thinks she needs to lose a few more pounds. I think Angel might be open to talk to us if we approach her gently.”

“And then what?” Miranda asked wearily. “Some sort of intervention where we all gang up on her? Deb’s not the type of person to be affected by that. She’ll throw us all out, including Angel.”

“Jade suggested we see a therapist that specializes in eating disorders. Maybe he or she can tell us what to do next.”

Miranda rubbed the bridge of her nose as she considered what I’d said. “I can talk to some of the docs at the hospital. I’m sure they can recommend someone.”

“Do you think Marty would be willing to talk to Angel? She’s got that gentle way about her, and Angel might be more receptive.”

Miranda nodded. “Good plan. I’ll talk to her about it.”

I poked her in the arm. “Don’t look so worried. At least we’ve gone from scratching our heads to a plan.”

Miranda smiled slightly. “Jade held her own with the gang pretty well last night.”

“Yeah, she did.” I felt my face flush and watched as Miranda’s brow rose. “She kissed me.”

“No shit?” Miranda’s face transformed into a full-on smile.

“It was one of the greatest feelings.” I shook my head to dispel the dreaminess that washed over me. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I wonder what she’s doing when we’re apart, and I find myself coming up with ways to see her all the time. She’s just so…different.”

“Actually,” Miranda looked at me seriously, “you’re the one who’s different. You’ve changed and opened yourself up to something more than a casual fling. I’m so happy for you.”

“Couldn’t have come this far without you. Thank you.”

Miranda grinned. “I still get to live vicariously through you, though this time it won’t be through your exploits, just your happiness.”

“You’re already happy. I might just get to experience what you have now.”

A shrill tone emanating from the radio on Miranda’s hip made us both jump. “I gotta go. Have fun at the health club tonight. We both know you’re going without me.”

*******

At six, I closed the store. I changed into my workout clothes and ate a piece of chicken for fuel. I couldn’t wait to see Jade. Even if we did nothing but stare across the room at each other, I was thrilled. Just to be in her presence made me happy. But that giddiness evaporated when I walked in and saw Jacquelyn.

I hadn’t noticed that she’d not been around. Her presence was like a vacuum sucking all the joy from the room as I stretched. She was barely sweating. Jade stood with her arms folded as Jacquelyn halfheartedly worked with the free weights. Unlike the rest of Jade’s clients who worked silently or released an occasional groan, Jacquelyn yammered constantly. I caught bits and pieces of what she was saying, and although she claimed she’d been on a business trip, it sounded more like she spent her time in bars.

Jade looked up in the mirror and caught my eye. She nodded, and I caught just the hint of a smile.

“So anyway,” Jacquelyn said loudly, calling Jade’s attention back to her. “I won’t be traveling again for a while. Maybe—” Her voice lowered again, and I could see Jade shaking her head and the perturbed look that crossed Jacquelyn’s face.

I felt hostility rise up in me again. The temptation to leave and rid myself of that woman’s presence was strong, but I wasn’t going to let Jade suffer alone. I was sure that’s exactly what Jacquelyn would’ve preferred, so I mentally talked myself down.
Look at Jade’s body language. She’s totally closed off. Notice the expression on her face. She doesn’t look at you like that. And last night, it was you she was kissing and panting over.
I smiled then, cocky and confident, and no one noticed.

When Jacquelyn’s time was up, she sauntered off, watching Jade in the mirror. Jade was watching me and my heart soared. She instructed her next client to begin her stretches before making her way over.

“I was thinking,” I said with a smile, “the weather is supposed to be great this weekend. We could pack a lunch and head out to St. George. I’ll bring a wheelbarrow.”

“I was thinking along the same lines,” Jade said as she watched her client. “We could spend the whole day on the beach, and I could cook for you that evening. How about Sunday?” I wanted Saturday
and
Sunday. She looked at me then as if reading my mind. “I have to work Saturday. By the time I get out of here, most of the day will be gone.”

“You’ll probably be hungry after a long day like that. I could cook and you could relax.”

Jade smiled then and not her usual gym smile. “I should be done here around three.”

“Then it’s a date. Now go to work before the temptation to kiss you overwhelms me and I embarrass us both.”

Jade hesitated a second and grinned before walking away.

I finished my workout and stood in the corner with a bottle of water to cool down and watch Jade. She was suspended on two parallel bars and was pulling her knees up as she demonstrated for her client. The muscles in Jade’s arms and abdomen flexed as she lifted her legs. She was talking the entire time without any strain in her voice. I was mesmerized. My mind wandered over the planes of her stomach and chest and wondered what it would feel like to kiss that soft skin and feel the rigidity of the muscle against my lips.