Page 17 of Don't Leave
One word. That’s all it takes for my heartbeat to stutter.
Jackie.
As in Cole’s ex-girlfriend, Jackie?
He hasn’t exactly been very forthcoming with information about her or their previous relationship. Even though I want all the details, it would be hypocritical to call him out for keeping secrets when I refused to tell him anything about my past.
From the little I learned from Sammy, Cole’s cousin and one of my hockey teammates, Jackie really messed him up. I’m sure that’s why he doesn’t want to talk about her.
I’m a little surprised to find her at this party, dressed as a super sexy nurse.
“Um, hi.” My mind blanks.
Is it at all possible that this girl isn’t Jackie-the-ex-girlfriend and is Jackie-the-friend-I’ve-never-heard-of-before?
Probably not.
It prompts me to ask, “How do you know Cole?”
The closed off expression that flickers across her face has my belly dropping to the tips of my toes. Even before she says a word, I know this is definitely Jackie-the-ex.
Damn.
“Cole and I grew up together.”
That’s all the confirmation I need to know who I’m talking to.
My gaze rakes over her with new interest, attempting to take in everything about her all at once. She’s taller, towering over me by at least four inches. Unconsciously, I throw my shoulders back and straighten my spine.
It probably doesn’t help.
Where my hair is long, straight, and black hair, she has a nutmeg-colored mane that tumbles around her shoulders in big, soft curls. Even with the dim hallway lighting, I can tell that she’s beautiful. And thin. Except in the boob department. She’s definitely more stacked than I am. Even with my padded bra, I feel woefully inadequate.
Her breasts practically spill out of the skimpy costume she’s wearing. One deep breath and her cleavage will pop the seams.
This is the first time since arriving, I wish I’d listened to Brooklyn and put on something a more flattering than these blue, shapeless scrubs.
The realization that I’ve come up short in comparison to Cole’s ex—literally—has me feeling churlish. If nothing else, this girl gets a zero for creativity. There have to be at least a dozen, if not more, sexy/slutty/skanky nurses floating around. I almost wince at catty thoughts as they swirl through my head.
You know who’s to blame for the corruption?
Brooklyn. She’s such a bad influence.
Jackie nips at her lower lip before asking, “I was hoping we could go outside and talk for a minute.”
My brows rise at the unexpected invitation. Even though every instinct is screaming for me to find Cole, I ignore it and give her a tight nod. Without another word, she turns down the hallway. I follow until we’ve woven our way through the crammed kitchen and out the backdoor in the brisk night air.
My gaze reluctantly drops to her ass. Of course, she’d have an amazing one on top of everything else.
As we step into the darkness, my eyes quickly adjust as silvery moonlight falls over us. There are a few groups of people standing around talking, laughing, and smoking cigarettes.
By the skunky scent that permeates the atmosphere, they’re probably smoking other things as well.
We find a secluded spot near an old wooden garage at the back of the property line. When we’re far enough away from everyone else, she turns to face me before wrapping her arms around her middle.
“I didn’t think it would be so cold out here,” she says with a shiver.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her that if she’d worn actual clothing, she wouldn’t be cold. Instead, I bite back the comment. This is someone important from Cole’s past that he doesn’t talk about. I want to find out everything I can.
