The Game (That Girl, #2)(58)

“Jazzy, this is your third date with him, and they’ve all been meh. Give the guy a chance. I know he’s not Levi.”

“Hey, I’m just living by Jenni standards…it’s all about that cock.”

“Did you do him?” Her mouth is gaping open in astonishment.

The events of the night before begin replaying in my head.



Jake’s hands run up and down both sides of my ribs as his lips pepper my neck with kisses. Thankfully, the lights are turned off, so I let him undress me right down to my panties. I can’t say his kisses are the most romantic or even pleasurable, but his groans of appreciation as he explores my body urges me to make this work out.

But with every kiss he places on my lips, all I can think about is the fact he’s not Levi. Jake pushes me back onto my bed, covering my body with his. He’s mainly clothed, only missing a shirt. His skin feels incredible on mine. His muscles dance on my skin as he dives in and out of my mouth trying to control every part of me. His hips grind into my core. I sense every ounce of his excitement. There’s no doubt in my mind where this is leading. He wants sex, and by how fast he’s moving he’s bound and determined to get it.

I jump when I feel something between my legs. Instinctively, I clench my thighs together.

“Feel good, baby?” Jake’s white teeth shine through the darkness as he shoves his fingers deeper into me. The further they move, the more upset I get. My breathing gets out of control and my tears start to flow. He’s a stranger and doesn’t belong in me.

“Jake, I can’t. Stop. I’m done.” My hands shove up on his solid chest.



I shake my head, refusing to answer Lynlee’s question, and reach for the greasy bag.

We polish off our breakfast in no time. I notice my pudgy belly and think I need to start working out again. I’ve been doing quite well at eating my sorrows away, and if that test is correct, I’m also pregnant. Lynlee still hasn’t been able to get pregnant, so I don’t dare say a word to her about it, but that test still has to be wrong. It has to be.

“I have to tell you two things, Jazzy. I’m just going to say it. Levi called last night and asked for you. I told him the truth. Are you mad?”

“Nope, in fact, you should’ve told him I was f*cking Jake on your bathroom floor.”

“And I’m taking the job with ESPN.”

Her words shoot out of her mouth in rapid-fire. I barely understand her and have to process each word.

“Oh my god, Lynlee, I’m so excited for you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, this is great.”

“You can travel with me. I want you to. Please.”

I shake my head. She knows what’s coming, and it’s been coming for a long time now. It’s been the inevitable ticking time bomb. A part of me hoped Levi would come back for me, or at least call.

“I’m leaving,” I whisper. “It’s time I go find my place in this big world.”

“Not again, but this time it’s you. Please, Jazzy, stay with me.”

“You know better than anyone else. I have to go.”

“But I want you to stay.”

“Well, I’m not, and the sad fact is I have nothing but the money from the sale of Old Man’s land. Fuck, I don’t even have a high school GED.”

“I leave this Thursday for my new job. That gives us only two days.”

“Deal, and they’ll be the best ever. Is Lincoln so stoked for you?”

“He’s beyond thrilled, and it’s incredible how close our schedules are. We will see each other more this way than before. Nice subject change by the way.”

“Ha, I wondered if you noticed that. Well, it sounds like a good old movie marathon is in order.”

“Yes, indeed it does.”

***

Leaving this guesthouse is a whole hell of a lot harder than I expected it to be. Memories cover every surface of it. My last bag is packed, and I finally got Killer into his little traveling kennel. I was relieved to find out the train allows pets for just an extra three hundred. I’m leaving a couple hours before Lynlee is set to leave. Jenni is driving her to Denver and going for a Bitches’ Night Out. They are down to only two bitches and fought like crazy to get me to go with them, but after my morning, partying is the last thing I want to do. I also need to get out of here before Jenni shows up. I’m leaving behind a gift and a very long note of advice for her.

I now understand why Levi insisted I stay far away from Maxton. Jenni showed up the other week with a black eye and one hell of a story to accompany it. She’s in a poisonous relationship and needs to get out before she ends up with more than a black eye.

The front door slams so hard it rattles everything in the front room. I look up and see a red faced Lynlee.

“What the f*ck is this?” she asks, holding up my appointment card.

I snatch it from her hand and understand why she’s so pissed off.

“Did he even know you were pregnant? Why the hell did you do something so stupid?”

“Lynlee, stop. You have no idea. He walked out on me.”

“So, you get an abortion without even letting Levi know? Wow. Just wow.”

“I did what I had to do.”

I grab my bags and Killer, and head for the door. I can’t look back at Lynlee, and deep down am grateful she’s so pissed off at me right now because it makes walking away much easier.