CHAPTER 6
MONDAY, WEEK 7
KRISTEN
She couldn't take it anymore. Her nerves were on edge, her head pounding. Logan said he would only be gone for an hour or two. Another really important business meeting—or so he said.
Months had passed since she spoke to Jake. She couldn’t forget how apparent it was that his only reason for calling was to find out about Ray. But she didn’t care. The pictures he sent with Tia still burned in her mind, and she wouldn’t be able to rest until she questioned him about them. Unable to resist any longer, she dialed his number. On the fourth ring he picked up, right before she was about to hang up.
“Kristen…” He sounded half asleep.
“Why'd you do it, Jake?”
“Do what? What are you talking about?”
“Don't play dumb, Jake! Why are you trying to hurt me like this?” She was determined not to shed a tear. It was difficult.
“I really have no idea what the fuck you're talking about! You left me, remember?”
“The naked photo of you and Tia! Come on Jake, you sent it yesterday!”
“What photo? I never sent anything…” He paused, grimacing in recollection. “Shit—that stupid bitch must've taken my phone!”
Kristen couldn't speak. It was traumatic enough seeing him naked with Tia, but hearing his voice, having him admit it, was devastating. She couldn't hold back her sobs and covered the phone.
“Kristen, I mean it, I didn't know.”
“It doesn't matter anyway, Jake—you're with her. I always knew you wanted her, I don't even know why I called you. Take care, Jake.” The trembling in her hands had turned violent. She ended the call, then rolled onto her side, curling up in a protective ball on the bed.
JAKE/KRISTEN
When she hung up on him, Jake was dumbfounded. Desperate to find out what she was talking about, he searched through the texts until he found it. It was true—Tia sent it the previous day, probably right before he kicked her out. He thought back, remembering her playful suggestion to expose the upper half of their naked bodies to shoot them. She couldn’t wait to show off those luscious boobs of hers. And like an idiot, he'd complied.
How could I let myself get involved again? At least he was smart enough to keep it strictly sex, no emotional attachment. Then again, it had only been a few weeks. Now he was sure he wouldn't see her anymore—she was nuts and out of control. The drama was too traumatic for him, especially since the wounds from Kristen were still bloody, raw and painful.
He had to call Kristen back. At first he couldn't find the words. “Look, I'm sorry about that, okay?”
Why am I apologizing? She hurt me more than she will ever know.
She didn’t say a word, but he could hear that all too familiar sniffling.
Where’s Logan? He inhaled, seeking the strength to continue.
“Kristen, I have something to tell you. It's about Logan.”
“What?”
That one simple word spoken so soft and innocently, almost knocked Jake to the floor. He had it all formulated in his head, everything he’d tell her, without regard to her feelings. Why was it suddenly so difficult?
“He was at the club with Jonny the night Ray was murdered.” He blurted it out to avoid changing his mind.
“Ray was murdered?” Kristen gasped, clutching her stomach.
Jake’s eyes narrowed. How could it be possible—she had to be faking it.
“You didn’t know?” He exhaled deeply.
Still shocked by his revelation, she never heard the question.
“What are you trying to say, Jake? Why was he with Jonny?”
All of a sudden it didn't feel quite as satisfying as he had imagined countless times. “I'm not sure. A guy I know saw them together at the same time Ray was there—the last time anyone saw him.”
With a devastated groan, she massaged her forehead.
When is this going to end?
“Why are you telling me this, Jake?”
When Ben told him, his first thought was hurt her without remorse—the second, kill Logan. Now he wasn't so sure about hurting her, even after everything she'd done to him.
“I just want you to be careful with him. He might not be who you think he is.” Her frenzied reaction and the unexpected revelation that she was clueless to Logan’s actions took Jake off guard. Against his will, he found himself warming up to her, anxious to protect her even though she was so far away and out of his life.
She crammed her hand to her mouth, afraid she would scream. “Are you saying Logan killed Ray?” For months she had forced herself to push the memory of that night out of her mind, prompted mainly by the fear that stress would be harmful to the baby. Now the nightmare was alive again.
“I think so, Kris.” A strange numbness came over him.
“Are you planning to go after him, Jake?”
What will I do if he does?
Consumed by helplessness, she tried to control her rapid breathing. Suddenly, she wanted to tell him about the baby, maybe that would help.
Jake gulped, trying to find an answer. “I can't tell you. I don't know. That's not why I told you. I just don't want you to get hurt.”
The jumbled thoughts and images churning through her head prevented his words from filtering in.
That's why Logan said those things about Marty, why Marty asked if we had seen Ray. Did she know? But Logan said it was self-defense, didn't he? He never said who it was. And now Ray is dead!
Snapping back, she began hyperventilating.
“Oh my God, Jake! Maybe it was just a coincidence…”
Logan might be home any minute; how should I act?
“Don't tell him, whatever you do, please, Kris. For both of us.” Telling her had been an impulsive, regrettable action.
Just another mistake in my long string of mistakes.
It was amazing to her how he could still read her mind. “Okay, okay. I have to go.”
Her voice was so hushed, he could hardly hear her.
She hung up, allowing the screams strangling her to escape. With long, deep breaths, she collapsed on the bed, her hands protecting her stomach. The kicking inside of her was so violent now, she feared the baby would blast his way out any minute. There was no other way. She had to be smart, calm down and stay rational.
LOGAN/KRISTEN
Logan wasn't planning to get back with Gina, it just happened. As much as he wanted it to work with Kristen, it just wasn’t enough. He would never be satisfied as long as he had to hold back with her. He needed to be free, to do whatever fulfilled his sexual desires and fantasies, no holds barred. Gina liked it wild and rough, and he didn't have to worry about hurting her. The more pain, the more turned on she got. He never looked for her, she sought him out, constantly texting him erotic photos of herself, luring him with promises of sensual pleasure. Finally, he gave in.
He was shocked but very aroused when he found her with another woman. They never spoke about who she was or where she came from, it was irrelevant. Gina was always full of surprises, and he just took it in stride. She kept pushing him further and further into dangerous territory. The more they experimented, the crazier he became, the more he demanded.