And directly into the lion’s den.
Paparazzi cameras went crazy. The flashing lights blinded Kacey so much that she tripped. Jake grabbed her arm and, with a curse, tried to cover her with his jacket as they walked to the waiting cars.
He looked down the street and cursed. “Come on, this way.”
Kacey followed in an emotional haze as Jake led her back inside and pulled out his cell phone.
“I don’t care if it’s past midnight, just get a car down here now.” He threw his phone onto the chair and sat down.
“I’m sorry, Kace. I had no idea. I mean, we’ve been here for the whole weekend without actually running into the paparazzi. I only told the ones I hired.”
Kacey sat with a huff and put her hand on his back. “It’s okay, it’s not like you’re a normal person. You hired people to take pictures of us? You really are an ass sometimes, Jake.”
Jake lifted his eyes to glare at her.
“But it’s not like you had to hire anyone. People follow you everywhere.” She shrugged then gave him a small nudge. “You are Seattle’s most infamous bachelor, not to mention a celebrity in these parts.”
“Right.” He looked down at his hands.
“Jake,” Kacey said as she rested her head on his shoulder. “It’s going to be fine. The car will be here soon and then we can go home. Besides, isn’t this what you wanted?”
“Home,” he repeated and shook his head. “I thought it was. But not like this, Kacey.”
With a sigh he nodded his head and said, “Home sounds good. Thanks, Kace. Sorry for dragging you into all this. You know they’re going to think we’re together.”
“Ah.” Kacey waved her hand in the air. “It’s just like high school all over again.”
“Except this yearbook gets national attention.”
Kacey nodded. “And I’m pretty sure any pictures taken of me today will make it look like you’re dating an emotional pill popper.”
“Yes, there’s that too.”
“Thanks.”
“No prob.” Jake flashed her a grin. “Come here.” He pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head. “You know it will all work out, right?”
“Yeah, I know. We’ll just have to sneak into the car and…”
“No,” Jake said, squeezing her shoulder. “With Travis. God, it sucks being passed over for my older nerdier brother, but apparently that’s what’s happening.”
Kacey wasn’t confident enough to think that she and Travis were going to make it through this rough spot, even if she did get to talk to him. She still couldn’t read his mind.
Did he miss her?
Was he just as upset as she was?
Should she have stayed?
“Get the hell off of my woman!” a male voice yelled.
“Wasn’t he kicked out?” a woman shrieked.
Kacey looked up to see Travis charging them both, his hands in fists and a woman pointing at him as if he was some sort of criminal. Her eyes were wide with fear.
To be fair, Travis did look a little menacing.
“What are you talking about?” Jake pushed up to his feet. “She’s not your woman. If she was your woman, why the hell would she be sitting here with me?”