Twisted Tides (Forged Hearts #2)

Chapter Twelve

JAMESON

“Creep” by Radiohead

I wake up the next day hoping that Eve will still be there, but as I go to touch the other side of my bed, I already know what I will find. My fingertips brush the cool sheets, and it’s obvious Eve has been gone for a while. I stretch out and swear I can still smell her on me. The spicy vanilla scent is the one I wish I could spray on my sheets so that every time I lay my head down, I can envision her being here with me.

I turn my head into the pillow her head rested on last night and inhale deeply, committing it to memory in case it’s the last time. I look up at the ceiling, not wanting to think about that but knowing very well that it’s a possibility.

As I get out of bed, I whip the covers off my body. I try to remove the crumpled bedsheet from my bed, but I find myself hesitating as I find myself transfixed on the empty space where I had Eve lying just a few hours earlier. I drop my head and realize how fucked I really am if I can’t strip my bed and rid myself of her scent just yet.

“Just one more day, and then I’ll change the sheets,” I mutter like a lovesick fool. I can’t help the smile that pulls at my lips as I straighten the sheets and duvet as best I can before jumping into the shower. As I get dressed, I reflect on yesterday’s events.

Last night at the club was so messed up. I didn’t appreciate the danger that Emma is in with that psychopath ex of hers. Has she been dealing with this all this time? Was that why she appeared so skittish and afraid of the dark when I first met her during spring break on Padre Island?

My phone vibrates with an incoming text message, and I stop thinking about Emma. Instead, I only have thoughts of Eve and hope that it is her texting me. When I turn it around and click on the message, my shoulders slump forward when I see it is from Dax.

Dax

Hey. Can you meet me for lunch? It’s kind of important.

I wonder what could be so important, but then I remember that Liv was taken to the emergency department last night. Geez. I run a hand through my hair. I hope she is okay. Dax is so in love with her.

I frown when I remember Eduardo’s request, reminding me I must go to work today to sort out the details of Emma’s tracker. I also know I have to be there for Dax, so I decide I need to meet him today as well.

Jameson

Sure. I have to go to work for a bit, and then I’ll be there.

I finish lacing up my sneakers as I open the refrigerator door, wondering if there is anything I can take with me to eat that isn’t spoiled. Another text comes in, and I pick up my phone and see the details from Dax.

Dax

Usual spot. Noon.

I type out my reply and shove my phone into my pocket.

Jameson

Gotcha. I’ll be there.

“Not much to eat here.” I close the refrigerator door and open the pantry, searching aimlessly until I see an almost empty box off to the side. I grab a protein bar and rip it open after deciding I’ll meet him for lunch today so I will get a proper meal in a few hours, so I probably don’t need much to eat before then.

“That should do it,” I voice aloud my happiness at my progress in developing a tracker for Emma. I turn it around in my hands, admiring my work.

The GPS tracker should be easy to place in a pendant or locket. It can be worn with a necklace or a bracelet. It even has an SOS button on it.

I look down at my watch and notice it’s 11:30. I start picking up my items and placing them into a little velvet purse-stringed bag to take to Eduardo’s place. I know he wanted to give Emma a present.

I chuckle at the murderous look Eduardo gave me when I had to tell him about the awkward kiss Emma and I shared, but it was only a kiss. They are obviously madly in love with each other, so it really shouldn’t even matter. But there's only one woman who consumes my thoughts on a daily basis, her presence lingering in my mind with every passing moment.

I arrive at the sports bar we usually frequent after work for happy hour. Dax hasn’t been here in months, since he has been spending all his time with his girlfriend, Liv. I knew that from the moment he met her in the emergency department that day during spring break, he was a lost cause. He was a wreck after he left her that night, but they seemed to have their second chance, and I couldn’t be happier for him.

I see him sitting at our usual table and plop myself down, clasping my hand to his shoulder.

“Hey, bro. How are you?” He looks tired but smiles like the cat that caught the canary. I steeple my hands, placing them in front of my face. “So, it looks like you have some good news. I was worried about Liv when she was taken to the hospital. I assume everything is okay?”

He nods enthusiastically. “Liv’s pregnant. We are going to have a baby.”

I am just about to speak when Dax looks past me, and I turn my head slightly, seeing Simone, the waitress that has a thing for Dax, stare at him with her mouth agape, opening and closing it like damn fish. She goes to speak and then stops. We both stare at her until she says, “I’ll give you some more time to order,” and scurries off, obviously shaken at the news of Dax becoming a daddy.

“So,” I chuckle, “I guess you are officially off the market, huh?” I drink my ice water, relishing the cold drink from recently after getting out of the hot Texas heat.

Dax laughs. “Yeah, I am. That girl owns me, and the thought of her belly swollen with my baby very soon is making me all kinds of possessive of her.” He runs a hand down his face. “Fuck, honestly, I can’t wait to do it again.”

I look at him in shock because this is not the same person I knew a while back. The guy who would not fuck anyone without a condom.

“Congrats. I am happy for you, man.” I clap him on the back and he gives me one in return.

“Thanks man. I just wanted to tell you in person. We are both still in shock, but we are so excited. I’m also going to ask her to marry me. I just went out this morning and bought her the perfect ring.”

He looks proud of himself, and I can’t help but sputter in disbelief. “You’re getting married?”

He nods, confirming my question with a wide smile.

I run my hand through my hair. “Wow, this is a lot to take in.” I laugh, and he just shrugs.

“This baby’s going to come sooner than later, and I want Liv to know I am all in. I don’t want there to be any doubt in her mind.” He removes something from his pocket and shows me a velvet box. As he carefully opens the box, my eyes are immediately drawn to the shimmering engagement ring. She is going to absolutely love it.

I whistle. “That’s a huge rock.”

Simone comes back to take our order and sees Dax with the ring. We both look at her as she walks off without taking our order.

“Bro, thanks a lot. Now we are never going to eat.”

He laughs. “Do you think we should go somewhere else?” He looks around the sports bar.

“Naw, it’s all good.”

Simone never returned to our table, which was okay with us. After finally placing our order with a different server, we ate quickly as most of the time was taken up by waiting to place our order. We made plans to get together before he left on holiday break.

I’m just walking to my car when Eduardo calls me. He usually sends a text, so I wonder what the urgency is. I quickly answer the phone as now we are working together with a singular purpose.

“Hey, man, what’s up?” I hit the button on my key fob, start the car, and wait until the phone picks up on Bluetooth.

“Hello,” I hear Eduardo say into the speakers.

“Yeah, I’m here. I just got in the car and am headed to your place. Are you at work? The club?” I stop at the light and something catches my eye one block from the restaurant—a woman with short blonde hair wearing combat boots, leggings, and a crop top. Oversized sunglasses cover her eyes. The light turns green, and I speed up as she enters a bookstore. “Fuck,” I curse, hitting the steering wheel.

“Jameson, you all right?”

Silence.

“Huh? Oh, yeah, sorry. I thought I saw someone I know, but I lost them.”

Eduardo chuckles. “Alright then. Are you coming over to drop off the trackers? You finished already?” Hope radiates in his voice.

“Yes, I worked all morning on them, and I have what you need. I’ll drop them off and explain what we need to do and how they work.”

This seems to make him happy, and I can sense the worry leaving his voice.

“Great, I appreciate this, man. More than you know.”

I end the call and pull up to his club, parking in the back.

Eli meets me at the door, patting me down. I am annoyed that I have to go through these measures, but in the world Eduardo lives in, I guess no one, even people you’ve known for years, can be trusted.

I pass through the hall that leads up to the Heavenly Pearl and wonder if Eve has been by the club recently. Has she been with anyone else? The thought makes me murderous, and I clench and unclench my hands as we walk up to the hall that leads to Eduardo’s office.

Eli knocks on the door, and I hear the lock click meaning Eduardo hit the button on his desk to open the door for us. Eli walks in, and I follow, plopping myself into one of the chairs.

I run a hand over my face, and Eduardo stares at me.

“I’ll ask you again. You okay, Jameson? Is there something you need to tell me about Emma?”

I see the worry on his face, and I shake my head. “No, I was just thinking about someone I met a while back.”

He smiles and runs his hand over his face, rubbing at the scruff. His eyes are alight with amusement. “You met someone?”

I hear the door close and realize Eli left us alone together. I nod, confirming as much but not willing to give anymore details right now. I pat my pockets, pulling out the velvet purse-stringed bag.

“Here. I have what you asked for,” handing it to him.

He takes a seat across from me and empties the contents on his desk. He looks up at me. I quickly explain what it is.

“This is the GPS tracker for Emma?”

I nod. “You just need the jewelry. You need to buy something like a pendant to put on a bracelet or necklace.” I motion with my hand at the small tracker.

Eduardo’s smile is wide as he opens his desk drawer and removes a large blue velvet box. “You mean like this?” He opens the box to reveal a stunning emerald pendant. There is a necklace and bracelet in the box.

“May I?” I ask before I pick it up.

“Of course.” Eduardo hands the box over to me, and I pick up the pendant.

“This is perfect, Eduardo.”

He smiles. “Yeah, it reminded me of Emma’s eyes, and I had to have them.”

I hold onto it, and a strange familiarity works its way into my memory of similar eyes that shone through a mask at me, once at the club and once at my home. I touch the green of the pendant and run my hand across the flawless gemstone. I straighten my shoulders. “Let’s get this thing installed, and I’ll show you what to do.”