Page 99 of Waiting to Lose
HIS ARMS CROSSED his chest as he lowered himself further into the chair. He rubbed his eyes under his sunglasses and sighed. “Are you done?” he asked.
“I don’t get why I had to call you ten times before you returned one phone call. I didn’t know how to answer all the comments and questions from the press. You could have at least texted me to let me know where you were. I thought you’d permanently dropped off the face of the Earth until I saw pictures of you at O’Hare.”
“Shit, Caleb… You’re worse than my mother.”
“Your mother is no longer responsible for you. I am,” he responded, pacing the room.
“I’m here now and that’s all that matters,” Jake responded, lifting some papers from his lap and skimming the pages.
“Were you with her?” Caleb asked.
Jake sighed. “You know I was in Chicago.”
Caleb huffed. “I should have expected you’d take off. I just never thought you’d cancel a concert. I guess it’s safe to assume she was angry?”
Jake pulled his sunglasses down his nose. “Very. Mostly hurt.”
“I still don’t know how you managed to fool me,” Caleb said with a shake of his head. “I didn’t know you were secretly seeing them both.”
Jake glared at Caleb as he tossed the papers onto a nearby table. “I wasn’t seeing them both. I wasn’tseeingAllison at all. I was drugged, remember?”
“Drugged? You still believe that?” Caleb asked.
“Actually, I’m waiting for the hospital to call with my results.”
“What results? What are you talking about? God dammit, Jake! How am I supposed to manage your life when you’re keeping secrets from me?”
“I’m not keepingshitfrom you. I went to the hospital before I left for Chicago. I went to Chicago to beg Madi for a second chance and to explain what had happened.”
“I assume she turned you down flat,” Caleb said with a shake of his head. He placed his hand on Jake’s shoulder, offering a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry, Jake. I know you really cared for her.”
“Actually, things are better than ever.”
“Really? Wow! That’s fantastic news. I’m glad she’s so forgiving.”
“There wasn’t anything to forgive. Just a lot of questions and a few answers.”
“What kind of answers?” Caleb asked.
“I don’t want to go into any details, but I think we have a traitor in our midst.”
“Are you kidding me?” Caleb questioned. “Another one?”
Jake shook his head before rubbing his temples. “Why does someone hate me enough to try to ruin every aspect of my life?”
Just as Caleb opened his mouth, Ang burst through the door.
“Thank goodness you’re alright!” Jake stood and Ang pulled him into a hug. “What can I do? What do you need? Is Madi okay?”
“I’m good, she’s good, and I don’t need anything right now. But listen, while you’re both in the same room, I need you to make sure everything I eat and drink comes directly from one of you.”
“Absolutely,” Ang agreed. I’ve got your luggage at the hotel. I’ll personally get your lunch and bring it to you there.”
Jake stretched his arms above his head. “Sounds good. I’m going to take a quick shower and head over for sound check. See if we can reschedule the concert in Boston for early next year. I’ll even do an extra show.”
Caleb nodded his head. “There are reporters outside. I don’t know how you managed to get to Chicago and back without being mauled.”
“Who said I wasn’t?” Jake said with a smile and a wink.
