Broken (Breaking the Rules) (15 page)

“The fajitas are amazing. You want to try those?” he questioned, taking my hand in his.

“Sounds great. I’m just happy to be on an actual date with you,” I replied happily.

A look of regret passed across his features at my words. “I’m sorry, Andi. I told you I suck at this. I’m trying. I promise.”

The server set down two giant margaritas and a bowl of queso. He let go of my hand so we could eat our appetizer. Speaking quickly, he ordered for us, and she once again scurried away.

“So tell me how you know Brayden,” he said, turning serious. My eyes jerked to his because I certainly didn’t want to have this conversation right now. His eyes darkened because he knew deep down that Bray was more than just a college mate.

Sucking it up, I resolved to tell him the truth. “Bray and I met our first year in college. We were both getting our degrees, majoring in Architecture. He was my world,” I confess softly, sipping at my margarita. “We dated for almost four years. Last March, he very romantically proposed to me in Central Park.” I sighed because the sad part was coming. Jackson was waiting patiently for me to continue but still had a scowl on his face.

“I was so excited about our wedding. One day I got out of work early and wanted to surprise him. I found him banging some chick. Jackson, it absolutely devastated me,” I whispered, tears forming in my eyes. When he jerked out of the booth, I thought he was going to leave me there, but he sat down beside me, scooting me over with his hips.

He draped his arm around me and pulled me close. Blinking back the tears, I continued. “I didn’t eat hardly at all for two weeks. He would try and contact me but I ignored him. Pepper also helped take care of keeping him away from me. My depression was so bad, that she convinced me to see a doctor and I was prescribed an antidepressant. On the night of our graduation, I ran into his mother. I was fighting to keep it together. He found me and pulled me in for a hug. My walls were finally crumbling and I felt like I could possibly forgive him. We shared a kiss that promised hope for a relationship again. When we parted and the bitch he had fucked hugged him, I lost it. The memories came crashing back down on me and I realized I would never be able to get past it.

“I went back to my dorm room and tried to drown my sorrows with medication and vodka. Somewhere along the fuzzy way, I thought it would be a good idea to take the entire bottle of pills.”

Jackson tensed beside me but I continued. “Before I completely faded away, I called him and told him what I had done. He rushed over and shoved his hand down my throat, causing me to vomit. The doctors told me that, had he not been able to get some of it out of my system, I would have died. My body was so emaciated from not eating that it wouldn’t have been able to handle the drug and alcohol concoction well. And even though I feel like I owe him for saving my life, I can’t help but feel like I wouldn’t have ever fallen to that point if it weren’t for his cheating in the first place.”

Jackson kissed my temple as the server placed our fajitas in front of us. We started fixing up our fajitas when he spoke. “Are you uncomfortable working with him? We can let him go. I don’t want him harassing you,” he pronounced, taking a bite.

“No, I feel like we can be civil with each other. Even though I am extremely unhappy with how things turned out, I don’t want him to lose his job. I can’t help but still care about him. It will just never again be in that way. My heart is too fragile.”

He swallowed and looked at me. “He’s the reason for your game?” he asked as understanding flooded his features.

I nodded and took a bite of my fajita. Oh my God, it was amazing. “Mmmm, Jackson, this is delicious,” I marveled while I chewed.

He laughed and whispered in my ear. “What did I tell you about that moaning? I’m ready to leave the fajitas and have dessert.”

His words gave me chills but the fajitas were too good to pass up. “Sorry, Charlie. The fajitas win this time,” I teased, laughing and taking another bite.

The rest of our dinner went on amicably as we chatted about easier things. I had fun telling stories about Pepper and Olive. I loved those girls. His stories about him and Jordan were hilarious. From what I gathered, Jackson was the serious one and Jordan was the easygoing brother. He talked fondly of his mother but never mentioned his dad.

“So where is your dad?” I wondered, pushing my plate away. I was completely stuffed. He grumbled but didn’t answer right away. I turned to look at him but he avoided my gaze.

“He’s dead.” That’s all he offered. I waited but he didn’t elaborate. Hello, Cold Jackson.

I pulled my margarita closer to me and sipped it. The silence dragged on and I was practically squirming in my seat with how uncomfortable it was. Finally, I couldn’t stand it any longer. “Jackson, I’m sorry if I hit a nerve. I just wanted to get to know you better. Can you please take me home? I’m tired,” I sighed.

As if snapping out of it, he turned to look at me. The pained look on his face told me he still hurt from his father’s death. “No. I mean, I’m sorry. I want to spend more time with you. I told you I’m trying. My past isn’t wonderful either, Andi. Please spend the night with me. I know this started out as a game but I want to get to know you better too,” he pled, pulling me to him.

I turned to study his face for a moment. He looked so broken.

“Okay, but let’s swing by my place first so I can pack a bag.” I cuddled into him.

He paid our tab and pulled me out of the booth. Leaning over, he kissed me softly on my lips. “Come on. I want to take you somewhere first,” he spoke mischievously. I was a sucker for his boyish charm and let him lead me out of the restaurant.

THE NOT-SO-DARK DAYS…

Pepper is hovering. It is so unlike her, but she won’t leave me alone. I have to figure out a way to convince her that I’m okay. She won’t do anything except go to work, and even then, I practically have to push her out the door.

“Want me to go with you to see Dr. Sweeney?” she asks while she pops her gum at me. “No, Pepper. I can go alone. You haven’t visited your dad lately. Maybe you should pay him a visit,” I suggest to her.

She pulls her feet out of my lap and sits up. “Andi, are you okay? I mean, I know you seem more like yourself, but I still feel like something is missing. Please tell me if you’re not okay. I can’t lose my best friend,” she confides, eyes tearing up.

I pull her foot back to me and continue to paint her big toe nail. “I’m fine, Pepper. Dr. Sweeney is helping me realize that I am better off without Bray. I’ve felt the best I have felt in a really long time. I am thankful for your careful watching over me, but I’m going to be okay so you can take it down a few notches. Enjoy your new job at the museum because I’m doing just fine.”

She stares at me for a few moments and nods once. Continuing to pop her gum while deep in thought, she lets me finish her toes and never brings it up again.

We drove for about thirty minutes across town. When we got to a charming little street with townhouses adorned with boxed flowers in the windows and ornate light fixtures on the porches, I could hardly contain my excitement.

“Where are we going?” I asked, admiring the homes as we passed. “You’ll see,” he teased. We sat holding hands until we pulled up in front of one of the homes. He helped me out of the car and we walked up to the front door. Before we could knock, the door flew open, revealing a willowy, dark-haired woman. Her eyes were twinkling when she saw our joined hands and she smiled widely. She was quite beautiful for an older woman.

“Hey, Mom. This is Andi,” he greeted, introducing us. My belly fluttered with nervousness at the fact Jackson had brought me to meet his mother. I wish he would have prepared me a little better. She pulled me in for a hug and I couldn’t help but giggle at her forwardness. Jordan must get his affectionate personality from his mom.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Compton,” I laughed.

“Oh rubbish, call me Trish. You’ll make me feel old otherwise,” she scolds me.

I chuckle because it reminded me of Jordan yesterday.

“Please, come inside. I just made some coffee and there’s a cobbler in the oven.” We followed her inside and I admired the way she had decorated her home. It was eccentric but warm, just like Trish. I instantly loved her. My own mother was cold and distant, so I reveled in Trish’s attention.

She motioned for us to sit at the small table in the kitchen while she went to the oven to pull out the cobbler. From the smell of it, we were having blackberry. My mouth watered just thinking about it.

Jackson pulled my hand into his lap and winked at me. After Trish scooped ice cream on our cobblers, she brought them to us. Jackson and I dug right in while she poured us some coffee before joining us at the table.

“So tell me a little about yourself, Andi,” Trish said.

I closed my eyes when I took a bite because it was absolutely heavenly. “Wow, this is delicious, Trish. Um, let’s see. I graduated from Columbia with a Bachelor’s in Architecture. I room with my two best friends, Pepper and Olive. This summer I started photographing buildings. I found it very therapeutic. And most obviously, I love food. I woke up one day recently with a new appreciation for it,” I remarked, glancing at Jackson, who was listening aptly.

The photography had started when my doctor told me I needed to find something to focus on. A hobby. Nothing had interested me whatsoever. One day, while staring at a beautiful building in the heart of the city, I wished I could freeze the image and commit it to memory. The idea to photograph it had come at that moment and I’d been doing it ever since. I’d even taken an online course to learn more about my thrift store camera.

“Well, Jackie here must be smitten with you. He doesn’t bring around girls. Not since Nadia,” she confided knowingly.

He stopped her from revealing more, “Mom, Andi doesn’t want to hear about past relationships and neither do I.”

She frowned but changed the subject. “How’s Jordie? He’s too busy these days running the firm to come see me. Tell him I’m mad that I haven’t seen his precious face in three weeks,” she said, apparently miffed.

He laughed at her pouty face. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll take pleasure in telling him that I’m now your favorite,” he grinned as he teased her.

After we finished our coffee, Jackson stood up from the table. “Mom, we need to get going. It’s late and I need to take Andi home,” he lied through his teeth. I rolled my eyes at him but stood up and grabbed hold of his hand.

“Okay, kids, but I want you both over for dinner on Saturday. If you can get your brother to come, please do. Tell him to bring a date,” she winked at Jackson.

She hugged us both and walked us to the door. “Hold on a sec!” Trish scurried back into the kitchen and came back with a plate covered with foil and a thermos. “Give this to George.” She smiled broadly.

Jackson laughed and shook his head, taking it from her as we headed out the door.

THE NOT-SO-DARK DAYS…