| |
Emma
Christmas dinner was at the Bennett house. Dad and I gathered presents in two boxes and made the walk there. Uncle Ron had already asked me if Zach was coming along and I had to explain his absence. People seemed to be more interested in him than me. To them, I was just the senator’s son’s girlfriend.
“Jake’s going to be there,” Dad said.
I shrugged. “So what?” And I meant that. To think of all the years I’d pined for him, defended him after Textgate, kept making excuses for him—now his name didn’t affect me at all. Dad could have told me the letter carrier would be there and I would have given more of a shit.
“It’s the first time you guys will be spending any extended time together.”
“I don’t care.”
“Well, that’s good. I’m glad it’s all forgiven.”
We got there and the Bennett house was filled with the smells of cinnamon and other baked goods. Light Christmas carols played along with the chatter of half of Pine Falls. Uncle Ron greeted us at the door and gave me a big bear hug.
“Hello, gorgeous. It’s been too long. How have you been?”
“Good.”
“And school?”
“It’s going well.”
“I hear you’re off to New York next year,” he said, his blue eyes alive and fueled by spiked egg nog, a Bennett favorite.
“Right. We’re still working on the details.”
“Pauly here is going to miss you. Won’t you, Pauly?” he said, patting Dad on the back.
“She’ll be back every summer and all the holidays.”
“I wouldn’t worry about your dad too much. He’ll find a way of keeping himself busy,” Ron said with a wink. “Now who needs a drink?”
We followed him into the living room where everyone was gathered. I hugged Jake’s parents and Ron’s children and wife. Jake’s sister was there too with her fiancé and then there was Jake, picking away at the appetizers. I tentatively walked over and surprised him.
“Hey, Jake,” I said.
He nearly dropped his chip into the dip. “Oh, hi, Emma. How are you?” His face lit up, like he was genuinely happy to see me. I hadn’t seen him look at me like that in years.
“I’m good. I thought I’d say hello and get that awkwardness out of the way.”
He smiled meekly. “You’re a better person than I am.”
Damn right. “How have you been?”
“Good. Focusing on school. No Walker with you?”
“He’s with his family.”
“That’s probably for the best. I don’t think he likes me much.”
“I hear you broke up with Bianca,” I said, grabbing a Coke from the cooler. I snapped back the tab and took a swig.
“Yeah, a long time ago. Pretty much after the whole thing with you. Zach told you?”
“No, Bianca did.”
Jake’s blue eyes grew wide. “When did you run into her?”
“A while ago. Western isn’t that big.”
“Tell me she didn’t give you a hard time.”
“She was her usual self, but I can handle her.”
“She’s not giving you trouble, right? I told her to cut it out.”
“Too bad you didn’t do that from the start.”
Jake absorbed the blow. I felt a little bad taking the shot at him, but he deserved it. “I was an idiot. I should have known what kind of person she was, but with me she wasn’t like that. She was sweet and kind. I thought she loved me.”
“I can’t believe we are talking about the same person. Sweet and kind? You have got to be kidding.”
“She wasn’t rotten to the core.”
“Pretty close.”
Jake’s shoulders shrank. “She did a lot of stupid things and I have no idea why. The second I found out about it, I dumped her, but Zach’s no saint. You know that, right?”
No one was close enough to hear us, but I didn’t want to take any chances. I motioned for Jake to follow me into an empty hallway. “What are you referring to?” I asked, even though I had a good idea what he was talking about.
Jake shuffled his feet. “Let’s not go there. Can’t we leave the past where it is?”
“What do you know about Zach’s past?”
“Emma, forget about it.”
“What did Bianca tell you?”
He looked me in the eye and sighed. “Zach has a video of Bianca giving a bunch of guys blowjobs. Are you happy now?”
“She told you?” My voice was even, betraying nothing. I could see that Jake didn’t know what to make of me.
“Yes. She said Zach took the video and he has it. I don’t want to start trouble with you. I’ve done enough already, and I’m getting the impression you don’t believe me. I think she’s telling the truth, though. She was sobbing when she told me about it. That he was holding it over her head. That’s why I never liked the guy, but I had to tread carefully because I had no idea what he’d do.”
“When did she tell you about it?”
“I don’t know. Maybe last Christmas. A little before? She could have been lying to me to get some sympathy.”
I swallowed hard. “She’s not lying. There is a video and I have it.”
Jake’s eyes bugged out. “Holy shit! How did you get it?”
“I made Zach show it to me. Now I have it.”
“What are you going to do with it?”
“I don’t know.”
“Emma, a video like that will destroy them both. You wouldn’t do that to Zach . . . wait, is this the reason he’s not here? Did you guys break up?”
“No. We’re on a break or whatever.”
Jake leaned back into the wall. “Emma, this is crazy shit.”
“I know.”
“Do you want some advice?”
“I’m not sure I should take any advice from you.”
“That’s fair, but I can see this is eating you up. Do everyone a favor, you included, and get rid of the video. Don’t hurt either one of them. They were young and stupid. As much as I’d like to see Walker rot in hell, he’s been good to you. Better than I ever was. Why would you ruin him?”
“I wouldn’t.”
“Then destroy it. The guy did so much for you because he loved you. You don’t know how many times last year that he stuck up for you when I should have. I was a royal piece of shit who lost the best friend I ever had for some girl who turned out to be pretty crappy. I hate that a part of me still loves her.”
“I hate that too.”
“So what are you waiting for? Get rid of it.”
“A part of me wants Bianca to know I have it.”
Jake’s face soured. “Emma, don’t sink to that level. It’s not like you.”
I was confused, then realized he and I were on two very different wavelengths. “No, that’s not how I meant it. A part of me wants her to know, to put her out of her misery, but the deranged side of me wants her to keep worrying.”
“I stick to what I said before. Don’t sink to her level.”
“I expect you to keep my confidence. If I know you’ve told Bianca I have that video, I’ll never destroy it. I mean it, Jake.”
“I haven’t seen her in ages, and I’m not about to pick up the phone now.”
I took a step back and stopped. “You know, a lot of what she did was about control, but deep down I think she loved you. She seemed pretty devastated that you dumped her. If that gives you any solace. But don’t get back together with that bitch.”
Jake half-smiled. “This is a very different side of you. I like it on you, Emma. And I can assure you that I won’t get back with her, but can I give you some advice too?”
“Sure, why not?”
“Don’t hold this against Walker. I may hate the guy and hope he slips and falls into a vat of acid, but he’d kill for you. And despite everything, I want you to be happy.”
I nodded. “See you around.”