Jasper
Why is it when my life starts going well, the universe says too bad? Why can’t I just be happy? What did I do to piss it off? I’m beginning to think the universe is on Brynn’s side and is going to make me pay for what I did to her nice and slowly.
Today, started off by having Brynn in my arms, and it was better than I dreamed of all those years in New York. But watching her cum? That was life changing, and I know there’s no walking away now. This girl has owned my heart from the start, and I don’t think I’m ever getting it back.
She seemed to have dropped her walls, after last night. I need to remember to send Kade a huge thank you. I’m not sure what to get him. A fruit basket doesn’t seem good enough. Do they make whiskey baskets? Maybe, I will cook him and Lin a special meal. He did say he was missing that Italian family restaurant down the road from his place in Hollywood. I need to ask Lin about it.
I smile and touch my neck. I have to wear my chef’s coat buttoned all the way up today, because she did a number on my neck, but I love it. It’s her mark on me, and I never thought it would turn me on, as much as it does. Just touching it, has me getting hard again.
She left a few marks on me growing up, and it wasn’t as easy to hide. I got a lecture from my mom a few times, but my dad would just smile. He said once that Mom left a few on him. It’s like Brynn is marking me as hers. The only thing better would be her ring on my finger, and mine on her hand.
Brynn has been in and out of the kitchen all morning for this or that. I made sure she ate breakfast and a lunch that I made especially for her. The smile I got for those makes me want to do it again and again.
“Jasper, boy. You better get to the lobby. There’s trouble.” Ken says, as he breaks me from my thoughts. But the look on his face, tells me this isn’t time for games. I drop everything, wipe my hands on a towel, and run out to the lobby.
What I find makes my heart sink, but what I hear? Fills me with rage. Why today of all days? I mean, it’s the day I finally got Brynn to let her guard down.
Standing in the lobby is Sherri. She was the hostess and event planner at the restaurant I worked at in New York City, and she’s talking to Brynn.
Brynn must have just got there, because she smiles at her. “Can I help you?” She asks.
I should speak, but the words don’t seem to come out, and I can’t reach them fast enough. It’s like everything happens in slow motion, and my brain can’t decide what to do, so it does nothing, which is worse than anything.
“Oh, I’m looking for my boyfriend, Jasper. I was told he’s the chef here.” Sherri says.
Brynn’s eyes go wide, and I swear I can see each and every brick of those walls, snapping back into place. She pastes on her fake smile that I hate so much. Fuck, it’s going to be like last night never happened or worse.
“He is, and I will…”
“What the hell are you doing here, Sherri?” I ask, as I reach them.
Brynn tries to turn and make a run for it, but I wrap an arm around her waist and hold her to me. We need to talk, but I want Sherri out of here now.
“Jasper!” She goes to hug me, and I quickly move behind Brynn, which earns me a dirty look from Sherri, and I’m sure one from Brynn that I can’t see. I don’t know how to make it any clearer to this girl I don’t want her here without making her cry, and that’s something my momma would come down here and beat me for in front of the whole town.
“I’m not your boyfriend and never was, so I’m not sure why you’re here spreading lies, or even here at all,” I say my voice cold.
I don’t want any question in Brynn’s mind. This girl means nothing to me. Despite what Sherri said, we were never together.
“I miss you. We all thought you’d be back home by now. It can’t take this long to help your mom get settled.” She says and flips her long, blonde hair over her shoulder.
Her bleached blonde from a bottle hair. Everything about this girl is fake. Her hair, her nails, her lips, her boobs, and her tan, all fake. She’s the exact opposite of Brynn, which is what I needed, when I was trying to forget her. The day my heart was breaking, and I needed to forget everything Brynn.
“No, I told you all that I was moving here. I packed up and moved. I’m not coming back. I gave up my lease. This is my home, always has been and always will be. It just took me a bit of time to understand that.” I bite out.
Brynn starts to squirm, trying to get out of my hold.
“Stop it, Firefly,” I say in a soft voice.
“Don’t call me that. Let me go, so you and your girlfriend can talk.” Brynn says.
“Not my girlfriend and never was. You have been the only girl to ever hold that title.” I tell her in hopes of showing her what she means to me, but this only seems to piss off Sherri more.
“We were together!” Sherri says.
“No, it was sex. I made that very clear multiple times. I don’t want you, so I’m sorry you wasted your time.” I tell her.
“I felt it, it was more,” Sherri says and places her hand on my arm, giving me what I’m sure is an overly practiced pout.
Her touch makes my skin crawl. Now that I have had the sweetness that is Brynn back in my life, and I have her here in my arms, the touch of this other woman from a dark point in my life, makes me feel dirty.
“It didn’t feel like more to me,” I tell her, trying to get her hand off my arm.
Of course, this is when Brynn breaks free and makes a run for it. Damnit.
“I’m coming for you, Brynn. You can’t run far,” I call after her.
She doesn’t even look back, as she just flips me off and runs, which I’m assuming is right to Lin.
I want to go after her, but I need to make things clear to Sherri and get her out of here. Turning back to her, I level her with a glare. I tried to be nice, but she just sent Brynn running, and no one hurts my girl like that. I’m done being nice. Momma forgive me.
“That girl you just sent running, she’s been it for me, since we were kids. I’ve been in love with her my whole life. I screwed up, when I moved to New York City. You were a distraction and served your purpose. Now, I’m home, and I have another chance with her, and I won’t be going back to the city or to you. I can’t believe you think I’d be with someone who would hurt a girl like that. I couldn’t have made it any more obvious what she meant to me just now. Even if I never win her back, I could never be with the likes of you.”
Shock crosses Sherri’s face and finally understanding. At least, she has enough self-respect to know when she should cut her losses.
“I’m sorry I bothered you, but you don’t have to be an asshole.” She says, as she composes herself and slips her sunglasses back on, turning and walking out of the door.
I watch her go, making sure she leaves, and then I run a hand down my face. What a fucking mess. When I turn around, Rich is standing at the desk, not even hiding that he saw everything.
I know this will be all over The Inn by the end of the day, and I hope it will. I want people to help Brynn see that this girl was nothing to me.
“Fuck, that was better than a daytime soap opera.” He says, shaking his head.
“Yeah, and I just got Brynn to drop her walls last fucking night. Now, I’m back to square one.” I sigh.
“Well, you know she ran straight to Lin. My advice is to go after her, and fix it now. The longer you let it stew, the higher her walls will get again. You know, the more time she has to think up every possible scenario, the harder it will be to talk her down.”
I’m not sure if I need to go after her now or give her time, and I’m about to call my mom and ask, when my phone goes off.
Kade: What the fuck happened?
Me: A ghost from my past showed up at the worst fucking time.
Kade: I know things aren’t always what they seem, but Brynn says she’s your girlfriend.
Me: No, and she never was. That’s the term Sherri used, when she asked Brynn to get me.
Kade: Is she gone?
Me: Yes, and I wasn’t too nice either. My mom is going to have my hide.
I watch the three bubbles pop up and disappear several times, like he can’t decide what to say, before a text finally comes through.
Kade: Sunrise. Back porch.
Fuck, I owe Kade more than he will ever know.