James (Resisting Love #3)(16)
“For what?” he asks, confused. He picks up a ball and throws it back into the pit.
“For being civil towards me, even after…”
“I’m not gonna lie, Sasha, I was pissed,” he says softly.
“I know,” I say.
“But if James isn’t holding a grudge, neither am I. It doesn’t fix anything, so let’s just move forward,” he says sagely.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” I tell him.
“My wife tells me that every night in bed,” he says, waggling his eyebrows playfully.
I roll my eyes.
***
Chapter Eight
James
After what I just saw, I’m going to need a drink. I walk into the kitchen and pour myself a scotch. Straight. After an exhausting night, one of the worst I’ve seen in a while, I definitely deserve it. A sigh escapes my mouth as I sit back into the barstool. Today needs to be over already. I know Sasha's going to be pissed at me because I never showed up at her place tonight. I never even got to explain, and Sasha is way overdue to hear what I have to say. Kade called me to say he got them home safe and sound, for which I'm grateful. I decide to call Sasha up, hoping she's not already asleep.
“Hello?” she answers, her voice husky from sleep.
“I woke you up, I’m sorry,” I quickly say. I should have known she'd be sleeping.
“It’s alright, is everything okay?” she asks instantly.
“Fine, I just wanted to hear your voice, and to tell you that we need to talk. I want to work things out with you, explain everything to you. I’m not seeing anyone, or anything like that, Sasha. You’re the only one I want to be with,” I explain, trying to make her understand where I am right now, my intentions with her.
“We’ll talk, James,” is all she says, but it’s enough. We both say good night and hang up.
I look around my huge, empty house, and my chest hurts. They should be here, with me. Where I can protect them, be there for them. Love them. Instead I’m all alone, without my family. No more messing around, I need to get them home where they belong. I down the rest of my drink. Tomorrow is a new day.
***
Sasha
After talking to James on the phone last night, I’m hoping he drops by so we can finally talk. I’m not sure what to do with the hope that I’m suddenly feeling. Hope that James, Jye and I could be a family, hope that we could start anew. Hope that James has an answer for the events that took place. My internal dialogue driving me crazy, I decide I need to talk to him, and today. I drive with Jye to his house, bringing a packed lunch for all of us. When I pull into his driveway I see a police car there. Worried, I quickly unbuckle Jye and take him in my arms. I practically run to the front door, and start knocking frantically. James suddenly pulls open the door, his eyebrows raising when he sees me.
“Is everything okay? What’s wrong?” he asks, giving us both a once over.
“I thought something was wrong with you! Why is there a police car here?” I ask him, rushing out the words. James’ eyes widen and he starts to nibble on his lip ring.
“No, nothing is wrong, Sasha, come on in,” he says, opening the door wide for us to enter.
I put Jye down, and take his hand in mine as we make our way into James’ house. I freeze when I see a pretty blonde sitting at his kitchen table. She has natural beauty, with short blonde hair and no makeup.
“Sasha, this is Tatiana, Tatiana, this is Sasha,” he introduces. An awkward silence ensues, and I’m grateful for Jye when he walks up to James and hugs his leg, offering a distraction.
“Hi,” she says softly, after a few seconds.
“Hello,” I respond, not knowing what else I could possibly say. Tatiana, James’ ex, is a police officer. I must say that I didn’t see this one coming.
She clears her throat, and then says, “Well, I better get going.”
I take Jye outside to play as James walks her to the front door. Why does she still come over? Is he going to tell me that they're getting back together? The thought makes me want to cry. Jye runs over to the sandpit and starts to dig in. After what was probably only a minute but felt like an hour, James comes back and stands next to me.
“We’re just friends,” he says, rubbing his hand down my back. I move slightly away, out of his reach. “Sasha…”
“How would you feel if you dropped by my house and an ex of mine was there?” I counter.
“This is a completely different situation, Tatiana and I work together,” he says. I glance over at him in confusion.
“Okay, I know you’re not a cop,” I tell him, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“You know I make my money from the stock market,” he starts.
“Yes, but that doesn’t explain where you sneak off to all the time whenever she calls you,” I say sharply.
“Retract your claws, Sasha, and let me explain. Please,” he says sincerely.
It’s the please that gets me. “Okay.”
“I help run an organization. We help abuse victims get out of their situation by taking them away to a safe and secure spot. They're offered therapy and anything else they may need. Then we help them start over, so they're happy, healthy, and no longer in jeopardy. Tatiana helps with the abuser, taking the necessary steps to ensure they don’t go after their victims. She sets up the houses, and works closely with social services,” he says whilst staring at Jye, not me.