Home > A War of Hearts(7)

A War of Hearts(7)
Author: Karen Lynn

 "I have to be at work by 10:00. It's the Sapphire Lounge on 14th Street. Do you wanna go with me and hang out?" He moved closer to her, eyeing her from head to toe, as she called out to one of his cats that happily leaped onto her lap.

 Kristen’s eyes widened in surprise. “You work there? Are you a bouncer?”

 Jake couldn’t help chuckling. “What? Do I look that menacing?”

 She smiled back at him. “Maybe...”

 “Thanks!” He ruffled her hair, sliding down beside her. “I’m a bartender. It’s just a temporary gig though…for now.”

 Kristen didn’t answer. The image of the Sapphire Lounge began to formulate in her head. She had gone there with Logan several times when good bands were playing. But that was a long time ago—when they were happy.

 Kristen returned her attention to the cat. Why does he have to work there?

 When she didn’t respond, Jake became distressed and looked away. Maybe I should’ve told her sooner.

 The silence hung over him. As he continued to reflect on it he decided to push the self-doubt out of his mind. It was the way it was and she could take it or leave it. He focused on her again, happy that she had curbed his distraction by getting dressed. It was hard enough keeping his hands off of her.

 "Kristen, did you hear me? I have to go soon. What are we gonna do?" He stroked her hair, hoping to get her attention.

 She turned back to him, recalling why she had come to meet him in the first place. Her priority was supposed to be turning Logan and everything connected to him into a faded memory.

 "Do you still want me to?" She placed her hand on his. Ever since she told him about Logan, she was troubled, wondering how it would affect their fragile, budding relationship.

 "Of course, I do! Are you kidding me?" He took her face in his hands, his eyes unwavering. "What bothers me the most is you don’t wanna leave him. I don’t get it…”

 "I do!" She raised her voice, pulling away.

 "You do what? What? You can't even say it!"

 "Want to be with you!" she cried out, then lowered her voice. "It's not that easy. Besides, we just met. It has nothing to do with you. I didn't know you when I got with him. Maybe If I did know..." Her voice trailed off.

 This was the most she had spoken about it since he found out, and he welcomed her opening up a little. "I know, I'm not judging you or blaming you. But now you do. Even if you don't want to be with me... if you don't have any feelings for me... I'll help you. I told you it’s cool if you stay with me as long as you want, didn't I?" He tried to remain calm, but his breathing was getting faster and harder. Anxiety was setting in way too fast.

 Noticing his distress, she felt tears welling up again. Damn it! I always have to cry. It drives me nuts! "Yes. You told me.” She tried to be discreet as she brushed the tears from her eyes. "I guess I'll go, who's playing?"

 He could see she was skirting the issue again and it struck a raw nerve. "I don't know... Look it up!" he replied with an irritated huff as he turned and left the room.

 

 

 LOGAN

 Logan couldn't stop pacing. The velocity increased until he was almost sprinting across the long balcony. Agitated beyond control, he jerked his fingers through his hair, shoving it back out of his face. Seconds later the wet strands fell in his face again as he continued pacing.

 Why the fuck doesn't Kristen answer? In a frenzy, he flung his cell phone into the sand. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore mingled with muffled laughter echoed in the darkness.

 "Fucking bitch!" he screamed into the night.

 "Shut the fuck up, asshole!" A voice blared back at him through the invisible expanse of beach. All he could see were two shadowy figures prancing along the shoreline. A bottle sailed across the sand landing close to the building, followed by loud cackling.

 He squinted as the figures became more visible, then disappeared into the darkness. His piercing blue eyes were cold with vengeance. If they were closer, he would've hurt them. In his mounting despair, it would've given him great pleasure, but not enough to exert the effort.

 Finishing off the bottle of whisky, he tossed it back on the floor and jumped the railing to pick up his phone. After wiping it off he shoved it in his jean pocket and trudged across the sand in the direction of the bright lights of a nearby hotel bar. Maybe he could find someone a little closer to take out his frustration on. Maybe a nice, sweet redhead.

 

 

CHAPTER 3


 SUNDAY, WEEK 1

 

 

 KRISTEN/JAKE

 The club was packed. The second band took the stage as tumultuous vibrations of alternative rock blasted out from all angles. Jake wiggled in and out of the crowd, maneuvering through the throngs of crazed dancers jumping up and down. Someone crashed into him, spilling a drink onto his t-shirt. It didn't faze him as he continued pushing through the sea of invigorated fans rushing the stage. His eyes strained to focus on the faces, searching for Kristen in the crowd. He didn't have much time before he had to get back to work. Finally, he spotted her hidden in a corner, perched on a concrete ledge. She appeared lost in the music as she sat with her head dropped back and eyes closed.

 He crept over to sit beside her, throwing his arm around her bare shoulders. Startled, she jumped, her eyes fluttering open. As soon as she looked up at him, a huge smile spilled across her face and she elevated herself to plant a tender kiss on his lips. He held onto her, devouring her lips with swelling hunger.

 "When do you have to go back?" She broke the kiss, gasping for a breath.

 Their lips remained so close they almost touched as he sighed with regret.

 "Now..." He double checked his cell, starting to get up. "Walk me back?" He took her waist and helped her down to the floor. The red and orange swirls of the strobe lights flashing through the room created a dreamlike glow around them. They lingered in an embrace, enjoying the pulsations rippling through their joined limbs.

 

 

 * * *

 It was 3:30 a.m. when the vibrations of her cell jolted her out of her peaceful state of mind. All night she had been ignoring Logan’s texts and voicemails, even though she wanted to know if he was still in Miami. A sickened, sinking feeling hit the pit of her stomach as she sank onto a seat across from the bar. Up until this third text a few hours earlier, she had been successful in driving him from her mind. Now he was back in full force and she couldn’t ignore the dizziness that accompanied it.

 Trying to steady her nerves, she finished off her beer in one anxious gulp, sucked in her breath, and read the texts. When she was done, she leaned back and glanced over at Jake, who was back behind the bar, engrossed in conversation with a good-looking black man. With a lazy grin she evaluated the man, confirming he was even larger and more lethal looking than Jake. It was a good thing they were friends.

 After reading Logan’s texts a second time, the sudden chill that ripped through her sent shivers along her spine. As her anxiety increased, the shivering intensified and she rubbed her arms trying to warm up. The effect that Logan had on her was unnerving. From the tone of his texts she could tell he was drunk, bordering on incoherency. There was no indication if he was still in Miami or not. All he said was it was urgent that he talk to her.

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