Broken (Breaking the Rules) (20 page)

After we rinsed off quickly in the shower and dressed, we went to the living room to decide where we should go.

Olive was perched on the edge of the couch filing her nails. “Hey, guys,” she looked up and smiled at me. I hadn’t really seen either her or Pepper very much lately.

“Olive, you should come with us. We’ll go have dinner, the three of us. Please,” I begged her.

Normally, she might have said no, but I think she missed me, and I was taking advantage of that fact. Indecision crossed her features but she finally agreed. “Okay, let me put on some shoes.” She skipped off to her room.

“What’s on the menu for tonight?” I asked Jackson.

“Well, I’d say you except you invited your friend to dinner, so I guess we’ll just have to settle for sushi,” he teased. I kissed him a little too long on the lips because Olive cleared her throat when she walked into the room.

I laughed and pushed away from him grabbing Olive’s hand. Together, the three of us left for dinner.

The entire drive to the restaurant, Olive twisted her hands nervously. Jackson probably couldn’t tell that she was anxious about going out, but I knew she was. Poor girl never went anywhere hardly. Drake had really messed her up.
Maybe I should drag her to Dr. Sweeney’s with me one day.

We were seated right away by a picture window overlooking the busy street. I sat beside Jackson in the booth and his hand settled on my thigh. There’d be no action at this booth since I’d changed into jeans earlier. Bummer.

After we ordered, Olive told us about a gig she had coming up. “Saturday I’m going to be doing a photo shoot for Express. I’m really nervous because it’s going to get a lot of exposure. Something like this could thrust me into a whole new realm, one I may not be ready for,” she admitted worriedly, chewing on her bottom lip.

“Olive, you’ll do fine. You are stunning, and by not letting the world see you, you’re doing them all a disservice,” I praised, earning a smile from her.

“Who’s your agent?” Jackson asked, sipping his drink.

“Vance Fleck. He wants me to do more than just a random photo shoot here and there. Vance says that I’ve got the exotic look that so many companies are after. I just don’t know. It kind of freaks me out. Drake is so involved with photographing live events that I’m afraid my chances of running into him will be much greater. I can’t run into him. Ever,” she confided cryptically as she shivered.

“What did he do to you?” Jackson questioned, concern written all over his face.

“He was abusive in more ways than you can count. I’m thankful every day I got away when I did. Running into him would mean fearing for my life again,” she frowed. Again. Fearing for her life—again. I hope she never ran into him either.

Jackson looked angry at the thought of anyone wanting to hurt sweet Olive. I couldn’t agree more. The server placed our plates in front of us and I smiled happily, even clapping my hands together. Jackson and Olive chuckled at my excitement over food.

“You’re obsessed with food. How come you’re so skinny?” he teased.

Ignoring his question, I popped a spicy tuna roll into my mouth. “This is so good. I could eat here every night,” I told them after I swallowed it.

“You practically do, Andi. Who are you trying to kid?” Olive inquired, busting me.

I rolled my eyes at her. “Not every night. More like every other night,” I sassed.

After we finished our meal, Jackson spoke as he handed his card over to the server. “You ladies want to go visit Ian over at the bar and have a couple of drinks? It isn’t very busy on Wednesday nights,” he asked, looking at Olive. She squirmed a little at his request but almost imperceptibly nodded her head yes.

I grinned at her and squeezed Jackson’s thigh letting him know this was a big deal for her. His hand found mine and squeezed it back. After he got his card back, we all made our way back to the car, where George waited for us.

The ride to the bar was quick and gave Olive little time to back out. Once we arrived, I held on to her hand, attempting to give her the support she needed for this outing.

The bar was slow just like Jackson promised and we found the booth we sat in yesterday.

Ian came over and slid into the booth next to Olive, making her light brown cheeks turn red. “Yo, Tina! I’m taking a break to visit with some friends. Take over for me. Can you send out some shots too? Surprise us,” he hollered to the dark-haired waitress. She gave him the thumbs up and set off to make the drinks. “Hello, Miss Olive, it’s so nice to see you again,” he grinned at her.

“Hi, Ian,” she spoke shyly.

Turning to Jackson, he said, “Hey, man. How’s it going?” They launched into a conversation about what bands would be at the bar over the weekend and how the bar was doing financially.

I mouthed to Olive, “Are you okay?” She nodded and formed a small smile on her face.

When the shots arrived, we all downed them quickly. Tina brought us a few more after that. Olive and I were getting pretty giggly. I was having fun teasing Jackson about his serious nature. When he’d scowl at me, I’d tickle him and he’d laugh like a little boy. It was hysterical, and Olive agreed, which only egged me on more. Ian was watching her like she was on the menu, which was the least bit unnerving.

When he slung his arm around her and whispered into her ear, she shot me a look of panic. Before I could even tell him to back off, Jackson had already shot out of the booth and was dragging Ian along with him.

“What the fuck, man?” he spat as Jackson hauled him away from the table. Olive and I didn’t stick around for the argument, and we hurried out to the car hand in hand. Once we hopped into the car, I drew her in for a hug.

“Are you okay?” I asked her.

“Yeah, I totally freaked. I’m sorry,” she sniffled. “That was probably normal but I don’t do well with that sort of thing.”

“What did he say?” I questioned, wanting to know what gave her that look of terror.

“All he said was,”—she paused for a moment—“you’re going to be effing screaming my name later, baby.”

I tried to hide my smile when she said “effing.” She didn’t cuss like a sailor like Pepper and I did.

“Honey, he was flirting, but I can see how that would freak you out a little.”

She nodded and looked sad. “I want to like him, but I think I’m ruined. There just wasn’t a spark. He’s really good-looking but there isn’t anything there.”

“Olive, it’s okay. You had fun tonight. I’m proud of you for being brave and going with us. Pepper is going to shit a brick when she finds out she missed it!”

Olive and I giggled as Jackson slipped into the car. “Olive, I want to apologize on behalf of my friend. He just says whatever he wants whenever he wants. Blame it on his Irish blood. He’s a major player so you’d be wise just staying friends with him.”

She smiled at him. “Don’t worry, Jackson. I’ll stick with being his friend. Thanks for looking out for me. You’re a good guy.” She patted his knee. His features darkened when she called him a “good guy,” and I absolutely noticed it when it happened. Would I ever peel back his layers?

Leaning over, he whispered into my ear, “Want to come home with me?” I nodded and he kissed my temple.

“I need to grab some more clothes first. You can help me pack,” I told him, winking.

Once at the apartment, the three of us made our way upstairs. When I unlocked the door and flung it open, my mouth dropped as I saw Pepper fly off the couch with a guilty-as-hell look on her face. None other than Jordan Compton sat on the couch, legs kicked up on the coffee table, with a laptop sitting on his thighs.

Clearly they were working, but Pepper looked extremely guilty, which meant we had almost interrupted something. Damn!

“Hey, guys. Uh, Jordan, er, Mr. Compton and I are going over the sponsorship for the museum,” she stuttered unconvincingly.

Jackson boomed with laughter at Jordan when he looked at Pepper with a raised eyebrow like even he was having a hard time believing what she was saying. She looked completely flustered, which caused me and Olive to giggle at her.

“Ugh! We were just working!” she cried, scowling at all of us, especially Jordan. “You people suck.”

Jackson of course would choose this moment to make her even more uncomfortable. “Our mother is having dinner at her house Saturday, Pepper. Would you care to join us? I’d ask Olive too but she has a modeling job.”

Pepper glanced over at Jordan, who winked at her. She blushed momentarily but regained her composure quickly. “I’m busy,” she blurted.

At the same time, Olive and I shouted at her, “Liar!”

She glared at both of us but it only made us laugh harder at her. Apparently we were all enjoying this. Well, except Pepper of course.

“Fine, but I’ll find my own ride there and I am not going as your date, Jordan,” she huffed to him.

“Come here. I want to show you something,” he told her, eyes full of mischief. She hesitantly went over to him and sat down.

He pointed to the screen, and when she leaned over to look at it, he slipped an arm around her and planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek. She shrieked and tried to get away but he just laughed and held her there.

Jackson reached over and grabbed the laptop before it hit the floor. When Jordan stuck his tongue in her ear, she threw out a string of cusswords, but he still wouldn’t let her go. At this point, everyone was laughing hysterically except for Pepper.

She was trying to stay pissed, but with Jordan, who was always smiling, it was hard even for her, the Ice Queen. He leaned over and whispered something into her ear that made her jaw drop before he finally released her.

Whatever it was must have infuriated her because she hauled off and punched him in the stomach, effectively knocking the breath out of him.

Jackson grabbed my hand and dragged me into my room much to my dismay. I was enjoying the show, but it was clear he wanted to make a show of our own. Kicking the door closed behind us, he tossed me on my bed and we did exactly that.

THE NOT-SO-DARK DAYS…

“You’re going to get crabs or Chlamydia or Gonorrhea or—” Pepper drones on but I slap a hand over her mouth.

“Pep, I use condoms. Chill. You need to get out more. When was the last time you got laid anyway?” I really want to know the answer.

“Ugh, don’t change the subject. I’m serious, I worry about you. Does Dr. Sweeney know that your idea of ‘dating’ really means fucking anything with a penis?” She pops her gum at me.

“No, Pepper. Dr. Sweeney and I don’t get into the specifics. He says he’s proud of me for dating,” I sass back at her.

“Does he know your vag gets more business than a Seven Eleven with buy-one-get-one-free slushies?” She cocks an eyebrow at me.

“That’s just gross. You can’t compare my vag to a convenience store!”

“But it’s
so
convenient,” she laughs.

I stick my tongue out at her. Pepper the bitch. Pepper, my best friend.