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“Everything’s good. I miss you though. How is everybody?”
“Good. Dad’s working a lot since you left, and Mom started volunteering again. She’s busy but loving it. She went back to the shelter to help with the dogs and cats.”
“That’s great. I knew how much she liked that before. I’m so happy that she’s staying busy.”
“I see Willow here and there. It sounds like she’s busy with school and seeing some guy now.”
I knew all about Allen and smiled since she was happy with him. I had spoken to Willow after leaving the apartment and she cursed Jackson up one side and down the other. As much as she wanted me home, she said to stay in Nashville. I knew that she was going to keep my secret safe.
“How about you? Is Jackson keeping the guys away from you?”
“I’m studying and working too much to even think about that. He doesn’t have to,” I assured my overprotective brother as I rolled my eyes.
“I just worry. You’re so sweet, Em, and guys are jerks.”
If only he knew how much I knew that was true. They had been friends for years and I wasn’t about to mess that up. Jackson chose Greg, and he wasn’t going to be living that down any time soon. We talked for a little bit longer about his visit to Nashville that he was trying to plan as my stomach churned. Everything would be out in the open when that time came.
I ended the call and walked back out to the living room where Bella was eating the Thai food and sipping wine.
“Sorry, hun, but I adore Jackson at the moment. This shit is good. Is that okay?” She looked at me with a small smile.
I smiled back weakly.
“Don’t worry, Em, I’ll hate him again in a little while. Was that Jackson on the phone?”
“It was my brother. I’ve been putting off talking to him and needed to feel things out. Since he talked so highly of Jackson for taking care of me, he doesn’t seem to know that anything is wrong. He’d kill him if he knew otherwise,” I sighed.
I felt my stomach growl and grabbed a glass of wine and a bag of chocolates to bring back to the couch. I took a bite and sighed happily, liking Jackson for a fleeting second. I reminded myself I hated him and was on my own now, doing just fine.
I read my book as I ate, quizzing Bella on questions she had about a test she was taking the next day. She then did the same for me and I felt like I did surprisingly well, considering how distracted I was. We drank too much wine and ate too much food.
“How did Jackson know where you live?” I asked when it was quiet for a moment, feeling her gaze on me.
“Jackson knows because he’s dropped Nick off here a time or two.” She blushed and shrugged her shoulders. “I hooked up with him a few times.”
An uncomfortable expression crossed her face, and she downed the last of the wine.
“I’m feeling the alcohol, Em, so I might as well admit that I did that with a few of the players. I had a bad patch.”
Bella gave me an apologetic look.
“It’s no big deal. You’re a grown woman and if you like sex, good for you!”
“I didn’t lay a hand on Jackson. I promise. He’s more selective than people give him credit. Besides, I’d rather have you as a friend.”
“I couldn’t fault you if you did,” I assured her, staring at Bella’s concerned face. I was overjoyed that she didn’t sleep with Jackson, but I wouldn’t hold it against her if she had. That was then and even now, I wasn’t with him to worry about it. “And it’s fine. I think it’s normal to go through that. Maybe I should.”
She laughed and I joined her.
“Isn’t that what girls do when guys end things with them?”
“Some do. Not you. Hold out for someone special.” Bella smiled as she started to laugh again. “The words coming out of your mouth shocked me so much.”
“What if I don’t find anyone who’s like Jackson?” I asked softly.
Bella sighed and tilted her head. “Then it will just be different. You’re still you and I’m certain you’ll find someone worthy of your greatness. Just get through this first by not hooking up with anybody. It’s quite lonely at the end of the day, to be honest.” Bella smiled and dropped back on the couch. “I think I just need to die right now. I’m so tired.”
“I’ll clean up,” I offered, standing and taking our plates and glasses to the kitchen. There was enough food for a few more meals and I put it in the fridge before washing the dishes, placing them on the rack to dry. I put the remaining chocolate in the pantry and my head swam with the wine that I’d enjoyed tonight, realizing that it was all my favorite kinds.
