Hard Hit (IceCats 3)

She didn’t tell me that. Though, we didn’t talk much. Maybe it was just a hookup. “I really don’t want this to be just a hookup.”

He hisses a breath. “Then you shouldn’t have picked Jaylin. I like her, she’s a cool chick, and I’m not one of those dicks with double standards about women. If she wants to fuck around, she can—I would if I weren’t completely in love with Aviva—but Jaylin isn’t the completely in love kind of girl.”

I think that over, and it doesn’t sit well. “I don’t think that’s true. It was different with her.”

“For you, sure. I bet you ask any guy she’s been with, he’d say the same. She’s gorgeous and hot. Smart as all hell too, but I haven’t seen a man who can tie down a girl like her. At least, that’s how Aviva says it. She’s too independent, set in her ways.”

He’s right. “Fuck me.”

“No thank you. Maybe get ahold of Jaylin and try for hookup number two?”

Why did I call him?

Because I needed the truth, and he’s right. I have to reach out. I have to figure this out, or I’ll drive myself crazy. I got to use my big-boy balls. I have them; I know they’re there.

But I don’t think they can protect me from being rejected. Especially by someone like Jaylin.

Nope, her rejection would be a kick in the gut.

Chapter Thirteen

Jaylin

* * *

I’m ten seconds from slamming my head against my desk.

“Keep burning every single bridge I build for you. I don’t even know if we can show our faces at church this weekend. How do you dump the pastor’s son!”

My mother is relentless. “For one, we weren’t together. We were just fooling around.”

“Jaylin! Don’t even repeat that, because his story is he told you he was in love with you, and you told him to go screw himself.”

I make a face. “I didn’t say that.”

“That you had a group of guys ready to kick his ass. You can’t kick the pastor’s son’s ass!”

I groan loudly into my desk phone. “That’s not how it played out,” I say as calmly as I can. I wish I didn’t have to talk about Allen. I wish I could still be in Kirby’s bed. With Kirby. He seemed so tired last night, I’m giving him until noon before I call. I got his number from Willa’s file, which may be against attorney-client confidentiality, but the risk is worth the reward. I doubt he’ll have an issue. I really hope I get to see him today. We’re supposed to leave tonight for Nashville to take Callie, so I need some more Kirby-loving and Celeste-grins before I go.

It’s funny how quickly I crave the attention of both of them. The little package deal.

My mom screeches, “Then please, enlighten me on what happened.”

“I’d rather not. You’ll get upset.”

“I don’t care! I’m already upset.”

True. “Allen grabbed me funky after basically calling me a whore, and a friend of mine stepped in. It was handled. Nothing to even speak of, and if Pastor John wants to act funny, let him know I have the marks on my arms to prove his son held me against my will, and I will press charges.”

My mom is silent for a moment. “I’m going to castrate that boy.”

I snort. “It’s over, Mom. No big.”

“I never liked him.”

“That’s not true.”

“It isn’t, but fine, we’ll move on. Kathrine Anne’s son is coming back to town—”

“Mom, I’m good.”

“Really, he’s cute.”

“I’m sure he is, but I’m—” I pause. This may be premature, but I can’t help but be hopeful. I hate how I stutter. “I-I’m actually involved-ish.”

“I’m sorry, what is involved-ish?”

“Um… Well, you see, this guy I wanted to get to know better about a year ago had something go down, but now we’ve reconnected. He’s actually pretty wonderful.”

“Uh-huh. What does he do?”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t want to get into that. I just want you to know I am good for right now. Let me see how this plays out.”

Before my mom can complain or even protest my request, my cell phone rings. I glance down to see it’s Aviva. “Hey, Mom, let me call you back. Aviva is calling.”

“How are you going to let me go for her? I’m your mother!”

“And she’s my best friend, who I’m riding with to take her sister to college. So, yeah, she trumps you right now.”

“That is disrespectful—”

“Sorry. Love you. Bye.” I hang up quickly as I answer my cell phone. “Hey, girl. What’s up?”

“It’s damn near noon, and I had to find out from my future husband, who I am not speaking to, that you slept with Kirby last night.”

I grin. “I have so much to say right now. But first, why aren’t we speaking to sweet Nico?”

She growls. “Asshole ‘accidentally,’—yes, that’s air quoted—slipped into my ass last night.”