Page 64 of Heartbreaker

Chapter 24

Jackson

Walking back towards the bar, my mind is in a fog. What the fuck just happened? One minute I was talking to the guys, the next my work phone rang, and my life turned to shit. The look on her face tore at my guts, betrayal and pain etched over her pretty features.

I reach the club and blindly look around wondering what to do next. My question is answered for me when Taylor comes flying out of the club, looking like a fierce avenging angel. I almost smirk but her anger is aimed at me. I really don't need this shit.

“Where the fuck is Ashley?” She grabs at my sleeve as I turn to walk away. “Hey fucker, don’t walk away from me, what did you say to her?” she practically snarls.

Shrugging her off my arm a twist back to face her. “I didn't do a fucking thing to her.”

“Well she didn't run for nothing. Ash is strong and has put up with your shit all week, she wouldn't run, especially tonight, unless someone had really upset her.” I feel the prickle of regret at my neck. I didn't mean for this to happen, and for God’s sake, it’s just a job. Why did she react like that?

“Some asshole told her about my job and apparently Ashley doesn't approve.” I can hear the sneer in my voice and deep down I know it’s the result of guilt, but booze and anger are making me lash out.

“What the fuck is your job?” Taylor questions, her face up to mine. If I was feeling myself right now I would totally dig this side of Taylor sticking up for the woman I care about. The woman who said she loves me. I feel a punch to the gut at the thought that she loves me. I'm half terrified and half euphoric.

“I own and run The Heartbreaker,” I say and Taylor steps back slightly in shock. Her face quickly goes from shock to fury. The next thing I know is pain spreading through my jaw as she punches me—hard.

“What the fuck, you crazy bitch?”

“Me crazy? You run a fucking break-up business that lets you date women to break their hearts,” she hisses as I rub my jaw.

From the peripheral vision I see Jake come running over.

“What the hell is going on?” he asks confusion evident on his face, but the confusion instantly turns from confusion to a knowing look.

“She found out, didn't she?” he asks, and I nod. Jake shakes his head sadly. “Bro when will you learn?”

“You guys disgust me,” Taylor spits and turns on her heel walking the way I’d just come.

“Come on bro, let's go drown your sorrows and I’ll tell you how to fix this shit,” Jake says slinging an arm around my shoulder and pulling me back into the club.

“That is quite the shiner you're going to have in the morning,” he says with amusement in his voice.

God, when did my life get so complicated?

*~*~*

Two hours later, I walk up to the bar, knowing in the back of my mind that the straight line I walked to the bar was actually more of a zig-zag stumble. My mind is still too busy, trying to replay how it all went so wrong so quickly. One minute I had the perfect girlfriend and the perfect life the next it all turned to shit.

Holding up two fingers I shout two Jaeger Bombs to the barman. He zips up and down the bar so quickly my head spins a little. Grabbing the drinks, I turn to leave and a perky blonde brushes up against me suggestively.

“Hey, handsome,” she purrs. I peruse her head to toe. Her breasts are straining to get out of her tiny top and her denim shorts are riding up her arse cheeks. She is my type to a tee and she leaves me cold.

All I can see is beautiful rainbow blonde hair, with sexy as fuck tattoos and a smile that makes me hard. Fuck, what did I do? I push past the blonde rudely in my attempt to get to Jake and tell him I'm leaving. I need to make her understand, I need to fix this.

Jake is sitting talking with Simon, whose wife had just had their first baby. The image of Tinkerbell round with my baby pops into my drunken head and my heart starts to race.

“Jake, I need to go,” I say and even I notice the slight slur in my voice. He nods and stands, walking beside me to the door.

The fresh air hits me in the face and I instantly feel more pissed. I stumble and do everything in my power to walk straight and make Jake think I'm sober.

“You going home?” he asks suspiciously. My brother knows me too well, it's fucking annoying.

“Yep,” I smile, and a grin starts to cover my face at his frown.

“I ain't stupid, baby bro and you are not going to see her like this.”

“Fuck you, Jake. I need to make her understand,” I say and even I can hear the belligerent child in my voice.

“Yeah, well, not like this,” he says and grabs my shoulder to guide me towards the taxi rank.

Shaking him off, I spin around and lose my balance nearly falling on my ass as I hurl insults his way.

“Fuck off, Jake. I don't need your pathetic advice. Always getting it right and looking down at the loser in love brother,” I spit angrily. I know I'm being a prick but somehow, I can’t control the bile that is coming out of my mouth.

“Is that what you think?” he asks, and I can see the hurt cross his face. I turn away from him and stumble to the taxi, a mixture of pain, regret, and anger burning in my gut. A rough hand grabs my arm and without thinking I lash out with a right hook. Landing my brother a bloody nose. He touches a hand to his face and anger darkens his features.

“Oh, it’s on baby brother. Time to teach you some manners.” Before I know it we are brawling on the floor like we are fifteen, with people watching. I stumble to my feet and swing again, wanting to hurt someone and not caring who. I hear sirens and still we carry on fighting, until we are hauled apart and cuffed.

I am being led to the police van with my brother behind me when I see her. She is standing on the corner in jeans and one of my hoodies her eyes streaked with tears as she watches me being led away.

I think I just made the single biggest mistake of my life.