Uncharted (Unexpected Book 3) (24 page)

“Give me a second.” I run after my brother, who apparently lost his mind. “What the fuck was that, Matthew James?”

“Me? You’re the one barely speaking. I had to pause a tournament to find out what the hell was going on.” He points at the screen. “I came for the weekend to see you, and you ignore me on my last night in town. Bradley bailed on me because the wife wanted a date night. Serenity didn’t work out. I think she’s no longer my booty call. The woman wanted to spend the night with me—not how I operate. Thanks to you, I lost steady sex. It better be for a good cause. At least I know why you left me hanging.”

“I told you that I was going out to scout.”

“Alone?” He crosses his arms and arches his brow. “Yet, you came back with Pria. Interesting.” He places his headphones on his ears and plants his ass on the recliner. “Two weeks ago, when you signed her on to be your…not sure what she is, I reviewed the contract, which states that she’d hunt you to the seven rings of hell if you broke any of her rules. How long are you going to pretend she’s not affecting you?”

“Drop it!” I order him.

It’s useless to discuss things with my brother when he’s about to numb his mind with a video game.

“Talk to you later.” I spin around and head down the stairs, finding Pria sitting on the bench of the piano. “Déjà vu.” Her head lifts slightly and her eyes look moist. “You want a beer? Food?”

“He looks different. Like you—all grown up.” She laughs, rising up from her seat and heading toward the crystal division that separates us from the stream and the thunder, and she stares at the outside. Maybe enjoying the show. She’s a sucker for all natural phenomenon. “I sound like one of my mother’s friends who hasn’t seen me in years. The dreadlocks are missing, but then he looks great with that longish, messy-strands do. Who’s Serenity? Because it sounds as though he’s still in that ‘love ’em and leave ’em’ stage.”

“He is. That’s…” I stop before I say I do the same. The bitter taste of knowing that she walked in on me fucking another woman hasn’t disappeared. “Our neighbor. Usually our downstairs neighbor is his booty call.” She looks over her shoulder with a worried frown. “Only the single ones. Don’t give me that judgmental face.”

“I wasn’t judging. In fact, I’m solving one of the issues I have.” I walk toward the couch and take a seat while watching her. This sounds interesting. It’s puzzling too. How can a booty call solve her issues? “You should do that—an indoor booty call. If you have someone steady and discreet, drink at home—”

“Then I’ll be pathetic and become an alcoholic.” She looks at me skeptically, while walking toward the couch opposite mine. “I’m not, Pria. I abstain from drinking. There are days I have to do it in order to keep my promise to my brother and sister.”

“Which is?”

“Ours, and for no one to learn about.” I send her a warning glare. “Steady sex, I’ll think about it…are you volunteering?”

She cackles, and as her eyes brighten, a delightful emotion runs through my veins. It doesn’t bother me that she’s laughing at my expense.

“Tell me, Jacob, in this scenario of yours, am I also handing you my ass?” She scans around and sets her eyes on mine. “You’re my client. I never cross that line with clients.”

“Clear your roster and dedicate yourself to me,” I suggest, and she laughs harder.

“Am I entertaining you?”

“You’re funny. Afraid not. You’re not my only one. I don’t have many right now, but I have to finish the projects I have.” She takes off her boots and places her well-manicured feet up on the couch under her. “You and the Bradleys are my only long-term projects, but I can’t turn down the short-term ones. We need the money. Yes, the retainer you and your sister gave me helped with paying all the medical bills I had pending from Mom’s illness, and a lot of Dad’s, but we still have a long way to go.”

“How’s Mae?”

“She’s doing well. There’s so much out there now to help her with her immune system and her lung capability.” She bites her cheek. “Mae might out-live me too. The only reason she stays at home is to keep an eye on Dad. He responds better to her.”

“So, sex?” I want to lighten the atmosphere; the intensity is going to choke me. “You have anyone special at the moment?”

“Of course, I have a line of suitors outside my house on a daily basis.” The playful laugh appears. “Because I’m such a catch. Let’s see, I live at my parents’, I’m broke, fat, and I care for my mentally ill father. That screams attractive.”

“I won’t succumb to your trap.” Pria tilts her head and bites her smirk. “You want me to tell you that you’re crazy, because you’re in fact, perfect. Any man would be lucky to have this strong, courageous girl who takes care of her family. And to top it all off, you’re pretty and hot.”

“You wouldn’t be caught dead with someone my size.”

“You’re right. I would never in a million years get caught having sex with you,” I confirm; then confess why I wouldn’t. “I’m a selfish asshole. That means that I’d never let anyone else see
you
naked, see how your eyes illuminate when you’re in a sex haze, or come close to you while I possess you. In fact, I’ve played a few scenarios in my mind of how to find that Robbie and make him pay for touching my girl. But then I’m reminded that it isn’t like that anymore; that ‘us’ wasn’t real.”

Pria mirrors my stare. Lust and hunger. Matthew is right, Pria still affects me. She affects my mind, my heart—but not my soul. I’m soulless, unless she took it with her, as Matthew has always presumed, and tossed it away. I believed that for a year, which is where the “fucking bitch you’ll pay for leaving me” songs came from. I’m not proud of them.

“Do you have ice cream?” she asks, breaking into my silent thoughts.

“No, I’ve got some frozen fruit though… With AJ in town, we stopped buying as much junk food as we used to.” We owned a candy store inside our pantry. The moment we arrived from the last leg of the tour, and while my parents and AJ brought her junk to Seattle, we tossed away everything that would be bad for her. She’s great at staying away from junk, but it’s unfair to have candy in front of her. “You know about her diabetes?” Pria nods. “Make me a list of your favorite ice cream flavors. I’ll have them around for you.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I do. She doesn’t visit as often and this will be your second home while I’m in my
model citizen
training.”

That earns me an eye roll. “I have an idea.” Her face creases into a bright smile. “What do you have going on this coming Saturday?”

“I’m all yours, Twinkle.” I wink at her. “You can do whatever you want with me.”

She leans her body in my direction and levels her gaze on me. “You’ll regret you said that, Jacob.” She points at the stairs. “Your brother’s here, can I go now?”

“Nope, you’re all mine, remember?”

PRIA

“You owe me something.” Jacob stares at the big room full of cages and dogs barking at him. “First, we had to check on your family. Neither one of them liked me. Your father told me to get a haircut and stop writing on my arms. That writing shit is for irresponsible hooligans. Then tells me that I’m wearing jewelry like a girl. My feelings were hurt.”

“I told you to stay in the car and I warned you about Dad.” My father was conscious of every word he said and lashed out at Jacob. “Mae’s assessing you. You’re not her favorite person. She thinks I became my mother because of you—which isn’t true. Now stop complaining because we have cages to clean and puppies to walk.”

“All of them?” I laugh because this man is in need of some real world experiences. Something that his money won’t buy him. Philanthropy could be part of his title. This first and tomorrow the soup line at the shelter I go to, which is close to his house. “You do this every Saturday?”

“Only when Dad’s in a good place.” I offer him the leashes I have in hand, only keeping one. “Or now that we have Carson. He works six days a week, ten hours a day. Not sure if that’s legal, but I don’t care. He gets paid and we have help. Mae has time to visit the city or do something that isn’t restricted to staying inside of the house.”

We do stuff together, but our calendars don’t synchronize well. I open the first cage, leash a scruffy dog whose breed I can’t determine, and hand it over to Jacob. We repeat the process three more times and then I take two of the dogs.

“Now we can leave.”

“Only four?” I nod and point at the cages that have a colorful clip on them. “Those have been walked for today, and there are only a few left. The shelter has a great community of volunteers. If you want to do more, you can adopt a dog or donate money, you know?”

“How much?”

“I don’t know, how much you can afford?” I open the door to the parking lot and we make our way toward the park behind the shelter. “Ten dollars, a hundred, a thousand. They need the money to supply food, apply vaccines, pay for the facilities, fix the wear and tear, and many more incidental expenses.”

Jacob remains silent while walking. The dogs pull us forward and I enjoy the silence. Until Jacob comes to an abrupt stop. “You’re not leaving me again, are you, Pria?”

I don’t understand that question, because he’s the one that never called, so technically, he left me. The easiest guy to get along with in my entire existence is now the most difficult man to read and understand. Instead of answering, I take both leashes with one hand and link the other hand to his arm. The one where the star tattoo he had done years ago peeks from under his sleeve—his first one.

Why would he worry about me leaving him? He seems to have been quite happy for the last ten years with woman after woman. Does he just mean as a client? As I look at his face though, I see vulnerability and more of the young Jace I knew. My Jace. But, he could still be playing me. Honesty is what I go for.

“You’re the one who stopped looking at the sky, Jace. You left me.” We haven’t addressed this elephant in the room, because I put that boundary there, and I am not sure I want to go back and rehash the past. It is done. He’s moved on. I’ve moved on. So I don’t expect the next words from his lips.

“I’m sorry.” He’s sorry? What is he sorry for, though? His powerful, steel-like arm encircles my shoulders, and despite part of me wanting to keep the boundary, the other half likes Jace’s arm around me. “You’re right. I shouldn’t ask for what I can’t give.”

“You want me to donate that much money to a dog shelter?” Dad crooks his eyebrow while staring at the computer. “Why?”

“I’ve been there for the past two Saturdays.” I look down, taking a deep breath. It’s been years since I have had to justify an expense to my father or ask for money. “They need new equipment, food, and so much more. I talked to the director of the place and she gave me her wish list. I can only donate so much, but the two of you now have a foundation.”

“A family foundation that you help me manage. Now, I have to ask, are you sleeping with the director?” I chuckle and shake my head. “How about the director of this other shelter?”

“No, Dad, I just want to help.” I rise from my seat and walk around his office. “Pria—or the girl you people call Ana—”

“Ah, the famous Ana.” My dad studies my face, then gives me a half smile before finally speaking. “Your father says she’s pretty. He describes her as a nice girl from Albany.”

I have to chuckle at that. “She’s not from Albany.” I shake my head and the door opens. The other old man enters the room.

“Good morning, son, how are you?” He opens his arms, still thinking I’m a five-year-old and hoping I’ll launch myself into his arms, that he’d be able to spin me around and tell me that I’m his favorite rascal. I don’t, but I do march to where he’s standing and hug him. We’re pretty affectionate in this family.

“Hi, Pops. I’m fine. Dealing with your husband and his fixation for Albany girls.”

“We’re talking about Ana, then.” Chris releases me and heads to kiss Gabe. “Ready for breakfast, babe? AJ called to let us know she’s there.”

“She?”

“Ana.” As Chris reaches Gabe, he extends his hand and helps Gabe out of his chair. After another round of PDAs, he ushers us out of the office. My sister is right, our parents and their loving demonstrations make them disgustingly sweet. Everyone wants a relationship like theirs, but hates to watch their shows. “That’s why you’re here, to have breakfast with us, aren’t you?”

“No. Your daughter didn’t invite me.” Well, she did, but I changed the subject. Now I know why Pria cancelled our Saturday last night before she went to bed. Fuck, we have the unhealthiest relationship in the history of the world. A couple of weeks ago, she dragged my ass out of a bar, and ever since then she can’t shake me from her side. Except for last Sunday. The biggest challenge yet is to drag her into my bed and convince her to have sex with me. It’ll just take one time though, and she won’t want to leave.

“I came for a monetary contribution from the foundation. It might be for the best if I head home.”

Jace: You chose my sister over me?

Twinkle: You said it once, she’s the cutest of the three of you. Plus she’s cooking for me.

Jace: I cook for you every morning—even when there’s no sex involved.

Twinkle: There’ll never be sex involved between us. It’s too early to start that discussion.

Jace: There’s been sex between us. I want it back. It’s never too early. You used to love morning sex.

Twinkle: A few days with me ten years ago doesn’t tell you what I like now. Leave me alone.

“Your children think I’m a walking checking account.” Gabe squeezes my shoulder with his free hand. “The money is yours, boy. I’m glad things are changing for the better. You had us worried—your father more than me.”

“Arthur said it,” Chris takes over. “You were becoming the old me. I detested that asshole, and your dad wouldn’t have fallen for me if I had continued being that way.”

“I’m proud of who you are, babe…” Gabe’s voice is soft and I fear they’re about to start with their innuendos. “…of who we are and who we became once we found each other.”

They stop and I continue on my way to my sister’s before I witness one of those slobbery, disgusting kisses, or worse, they end up having sex in front of me. Not that they have ever done such, but with these two horny men, I never know what to expect. No wonder us children are fornicating all the time.

“When I asked you to come over you ignored me, but of course, you arrive out of the blue.” AJ is setting the patio table when I arrive at her house. “Bring another set. Where are the parents?” I point at where I left them. “Ew, they’re making out. First I had to see you fucking, now them. What’s next?” AJ covers her eyes while cradling her head.

Mason appears, holding a pot and giving me the typical stink eye. I raise my palms and enter the house, but not before I hear my brother-in-law say the most stupid thing. “We should go to their place and have sex in their kitchen in retaliation.”

I spot Pria outside the kitchen doing what every human does when they step inside this house. Petting the cat and the dog.

“Morning, Twinkle.” I greet her and squat next to her. The furry children are irresistible. Toby, the cat, purrs as I scratch the back of his ears. “You left me alone for one night because of them?”

“Leaving your place at seven in the morning isn’t the entire night, Jacob.” She’s not happy with me. I explained to her several times that I can’t control my body. Having a hard-on when she comes into my bedroom while I’m naked is perfectly normal for a guy. Either she stops walking in expecting I’d wear pajamas for the night or she stays in my bed and satisfies my starving body. “Your sister said you weren’t coming.”

“I wasn’t. My parents made me.” I scratch Wade’s belly. “The foundation is going to donate to both charities.”

Her hand freezes in its petting and her wide eyes find mine. She looks stunned. “Thank you.”

“It’s not for you.”

“I know, but it’ll help so many families and dogs.” Pria tilts her head. “What if I take you to the food bank?”

“Who uses that?”

“Anyone who doesn’t have money to bring food to their tables.” She goes silent for a few seconds and then turns her face up. “We used it. Even with Dad’s well-paid job and Mom’s income, a few times they had to… Let’s not go there today. Tell me about your parents, since I’m about to meet them.”

“We’re a cool pair, señorita.” Chris’s voice makes me want to escape and take her with me.

“They are sometimes.” I straighten up and pull her hand to bring her into a standing position. “Pria, meet Gabe and Chris Colthurst-Decker, my parents. Dad, Pop, meet Pria.”

“I thought her name was Ana.” Gabe extends his hand and shakes Pria’s.

“My name is Cypriana—”

“Pria?” Chris asks, touching my bicep. Both my parents glance from her to me and I remember that they know part of the story. “Tattoo girl.”

“Pop…let’s move on, please.” I search for the nearest exit. My eyes find AJ’s and she blinks once.

“Jacob, can I have a minute of your time?” My sister disappears and I follow behind without looking back. Once she steps outside, she stops. “Go, before things turn ugly.”

“I love you.” I pick her up and give her a tight hug. “Sometimes I remember why you’re my favorite sister.”

“I’m your only sister,” she yells while I make my way through her backyard toward my parents. “You owe me.”