Page 46 of Pedal to the Metal

“The hell she’s not! Kynlee is your girlfriend rather you admit or not but if you ask me, you’re lucky that a girl like that even puts up with a guy like you.” I tell him pointing the knife I’m using to cut up vegetables at him.

Ace glares at me. “Well, I didn’t ask you and what the hell do you mean a guy like me?”

I sigh, lay the knife down and level Ace with my own glare. “I mean you’re a good guy and she obviously sees that but you’re an ass Ace. You don’t put her first in your decision, you don’t consider her feelings and you flirt with every girl you see. I’m surprised she’s stayed around this long.”

“So basically, I’m you pre-Londynn.”

I think about the guy I was between Harlyn and Londynn and he’s right. I was totally the guy I just described with one exception I didn’t have a girlfriend. “You’re right I was that guy, but I didn’t have a girlfriend to be concerned about…you do. We were raised better than this Ace. Come on mom and dad would hate the way you’re acting and the way you treat her.”

“Don’t! Don’t you dare bring them into this, especially mom!” Ace bellows at me.

I stand there for a minute studying my younger brother and I notice the pain he usually hides so well. He’s terrified right now, and I think I know why. “Ace, what happened to our parents was horrible. Dad having to lose mom was probably the hardest thing he ever did but you know what? I’m pretty sure they would have done it all the same if they’d had the chance. And just because you run the risk of getting hurt or losing someone doesn’t mean you can’t fall in love. Besides who’s to say that Kynlee isn’t your long term?”

“Are you kidding me? Were the James brothers, it’s in our DNA for relationship to suck or end or hurt like hell. Look at Dad and mom, Bowie and Hollis, you and Harlyn! Even Axell and Sadie aren’t so good anymore. We are doomed to lose when it comes to love. You’ll lose Londynn in some way too, mark my words Jagger. Guys like us don’t get to keep love. We just get it long enough to give us a slow death.” With that Ace grabbed his keys and marched out of my loft without a glance back at me.

His words hung in the air, making it seem like it was hard to breathe. I didn’t want to believe him, but in a way, he seemed right. What if it was just a matter of time before I lost Londynn? How would I survive that again? My phone goes off and I look at the screen and see it’s from Londynn, “See you in a few.”

I lay my phone down and quickly head upstairs to shower. While in the shower I decide that Ace is wrong, and that Londynn and I will prove him wrong. Then I start to worry about his comment concerning Axell and Sadie. I had noticed that things seemed different between them, but I didn’t think it was that bad. I mean they had been together for so long now it just didn’t seem right if they weren’t together. As I’m getting dressed, I hear the doorbell. I quickly button up my shirt while taking the stairs two at a time.

Chapter 26

Londynn

I had found the cutest dress while working at the boutique the day before my actual date with Jagger. I tried to resist the urge to buy it but at the end of the shift I had purchased it. Now, I stood in front of my full-length mirror and admired the cobalt blue and cranberry pinstripe dress. I slipped on a pair of my nude heels and a cranberry cardigan. After work I had rushed home just to curl my hair and touch up my makeup. I don’t know why but I felt nervous, I mean we had technically been together for a little over a month now.

I had to shake my head at how silly I was acting. On my way out of my bedroom door I grabbed my perfume for a quick spray then head to my car. When I pull in front of Jagger’s place my butterflies turn to bats. I stand staring at his door, taking deep breaths to calm crazy nerves and finally I press the doorbell. A minute later Jagger appears looking as gorgeous as ever. His hair is perfect messy, his beard neatly trimmed, his gray jeans hung off his hips just right and his white button up shirt hugged all of his muscles. He had a few of the buttons undone which showed just enough of his tan skin that I felt a blush creep up into my cheeks.

“Wow!” Is his only response as his eyes travel up and down my body.

My blush only deepens, and I release a small, nervous giggle. “I could say the same thing.”

Shaking his head, he says, “Not possible. There’s no way I look as good as you do.” He reaches out and pulls me into his arms and tilts my head back with his thumb and kisses me quickly on the lips. He reaches behind me and shuts the door.

I notice the place looks and smells amazing. All of his furniture is brown leather with gray accents. The lighting is dim but romantic and whatever he’s cooking as filled the area making my stomach growl. “The place looks so great Jagger. I wish I could have helped you move in today.”

He brushes a lose strand of hair from my face, “I know but you had to work. Speaking of how was work today?”

“It went great! I really like it there," I explain as he leads me to the small fenced in patio where he’s grilling some salmon. “Are you grilling salmon?”

“Yes, I am," he says, and I see that smirk I love come across his face.

I study him while he turns them over. “That’s my favorite.”

“I know.” I must have given him a shocked look because his look of seriousness fell, and he laughed. “I remember from our first date.”

“Oh!” I say laughing. “That makes sense.”

“However, in my defense this is my first time making any of this so if it sucks, please lie to me. I don’t think my ego could take any less.”

I throw my head back in laughter. “I’m sure your ego will be just fine.” After we eat were lying on the couch, well more like cuddling when I ask him. “What are your favorites?”

“What do you mean?” He asks, and I hear the confusion in his voice.

“Your favorites. You know, favorite color, favorite food, favorite drink, favorite movie, I already know your favorite song but stuff like that.” I sit up so I can see him.

He bites his bottom lip for a minute then clears his throat. “My favorite color is blue, my favorite food is fajitas, favorite drink is cherry Pepsi, favorite movie isRebel without a Cause, does that answer all of them?”

I shake my head, “Not even close but it’s a start.”

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