Calamity Jena (Invertary 4)

7

Surprisingly, Matt slept well on Jena’s pull-out bed. In fact, when he opened his eyes to find the beautifully restored room, soft early morning light coming through the huge bay windows and thick green foliage outside, he almost didn’t want to get up. It was a strange feeling. One he never had at his own house.

He silently climbed the stairs to use the bathroom, noted that Jena’s bedroom door was firmly shut and grinned. Twenty minutes later, he was dressed in a crisp uniform and accepting delivery of breakfast from the pub. This time it was Lake who was the bearer of cooked goods.

“Can get a man to cover here on Saturday,” he said by way of hello.

Matt nodded, but was mainly interested in the flask of coffee Lake still held. He reached for the food and coffee. “You coming in?”

“Too busy.” Lake pointed in the direction of Matt’s feet. “You going to take those inside?”

Matt looked down and his heart stilled. There was a large bunch of red roses in a crystal vase. He frowned, wondering which one of Jena’s many admirers was dropping off flowers now.

“My hands are full.” He nodded to the vase. “Can you read the card?”

Lake picked it up, opened the tiny envelope and pursed his lips. “Jena, baby, all is forgiven. Love you, Frank.”

Matt glared at the card, hoping it would burst into flames.

“Who’s at the door?” Jena’s sleepy voice broke through the rage that clenched Matt’s stomach.

“Just Lake delivering breakfast.”

He was hoping she’d go through to the kitchen, but she had to be polite. She pushed up beside him. Her face breaking out into a wide smile.

“Hi, Lake. Thanks for bringing food. Matt doesn’t want to eat my Pop-Tarts and I don’t want to waste them on him.”

“Pop-Tarts?” Lake cocked an eyebrow at him.

“Think flavoured cardboard with a sugary syrup filling that’s hot enough to burn the taste buds off your tongue.”

Lake’s lips twitched. One of these days the guy would have to give in and join the rest of humanity by actually smiling when the feeling hit.

“Oh, flowers!” Jena pushed past Matt to scoop up the vase. She inhaled deeply. Her eyes sparkled and she grinned at him. “Where’s the card?”

Matt nodded at Lake, who solemnly handed it over. Then he watched as the joy melted from Jena’s face when she read it.

“He forgives me?” She looked up at him. “He forgives me?”

She thrust the vase at Matt. Making him drop the bag of food in order to catch the flowers. Jena fisted her hands on her hips. Her eyes were blazing. She tossed her wild, uncombed hair.

“He forgives me. How freaking gracious of him. I wasn’t the one who slept with every stripper in Atlantic City. I wasn’t the one who threw away a four-year relationship by being a man-whore. I wasn’t the one who was caught balls deep in a stripper called Candy.” She pointed at Matt. “A woman with a bad boob job and bleached hair.” She looked like she wanted to punch someone. Lake must have seen it too, because both men stepped back at the same time. “I’m going to kill him.”

She stormed into the house, her cute behind swaying in her purple cotton shorts, her matching tank slipping off her shoulder. At the bottom of the stairs, she spun back towards them.

“Forget I said that about killing him. If anything should happen to him, I’m sure it would have nothing to do with me and would in no way be premeditated.” With that, she stomped up the stairs. “Give the flowers to your mother, Matt,” she shouted. “I don’t want them wasted, but I don’t want them in this house.” Then her door slammed shut.

The men waited in silence for a minute to see if she had anything to add.

“Want me to drop those off at your mum’s house? I’m passing.” Lake reached for the flowers, and Matt didn’t hesitate to hand them over.

“Best she doesn’t see them again.”

“That’s what I was thinking.” Lake took the flowers. His jaw hardened. “I’ll check in with Harry, see if he’s come up with anything yet. You want me to have a word with Frank’s boys?”

“Not yet. Let’s talk to Harry first.”

He cast a glance into the house when he heard banging coming from upstairs. “I need to deal with this.”