Three's A Crowd. (Now Published On Amazon)

Chapter Seventeen

Skye

The next morning, I was all geared up to fix things between Cole and Jasper because the tension was killing me. I was pretty sure Cole had never treated his partner like this before I came along. It had gone on long enough. I had to interfere before things got worse even if it meant being viewed as nosy and annoying by the obnoxious Jasper Wells and possibly risking Cole's disappointment in me. But it didn't matter. Cole was at work and talking to him had not resulted in anything useful so I had to walk into the lion's den now. God help me.

The sound of Jasper's car pulling up made my heartbeats go wild with nervous excitement. I knew he did not have work today because he had been packing to go on some London trip and had only popped out for groceries since we were running out. I had learned that Cole, despite his health freak diet, mostly missed meals or ate late due to his workaholic tendencies. That was the reason Jasper always made sure there was food in the house all the time because Cole always forgot to stock up on groceries.

Watching in trepidation as Jasper entered the house and nudged the door close with his boot, I counted to ten under my breath. An encounter with Jasper was like being sent into the spin cycle in the washing machine. Not that I knew what that felt like but I just had a feeling it was somewhat similar.

He walked over to the counter and finally noticed me standing there.

"Oh, it's you again," was his dry response and I swear to God, it took me all of my strength to keep from giggling because sometimes, he could be funny without trying or intending to be. But this situation required seriousness.

"Yes, it's me. I'm still here. Unfortunately," I said, matching his tone. "I need to talk to you."

He cast me a nonchalant glance as he began unpacking the groceries. "The horror."

Okay, seriously. He had to stop this because it was making me want to laugh so bad. I took a deep breath through my teeth, shook my head and opened my mouth to put my foot in it.

"Tell me what happened between you and Cole," I implored. "I might be able to help you guys."

He snorted and bent down to put something in the fridge, making the denim of his jeans stretch across his taut backside. I stopped talking for a second to gawk at him, even after he straightened and placed some items inside the cabinets. Then I quickly pulled myself together.

"Please, Jasper. Before you tell me this is none of my business, just talk to me. I really want to help fix things."

He slammed a can of soup on the counter suddenly, making me jump. "You've done enough already, little girl," he growled at me, trying on his intimidation tactics yet again. I did not care. He didn't scare me anymore.

"I haven't done anything to you!" I protested angrily.

He stalked towards me then and stood really, really close, looming over me in all his tall glory. So tall. So big. Jesus.

"You're the reason my boyfriend doesn't want to fuck me anymore," he stated in a deadly calm voice.

I scoffed. "Oh my God. We're seriously going there, Jasper? I mean, really? I'm not so naive that I'm just going to believe this is all about sex and how I'm somehow cock-blocking you-"

I stopped talking because he had stopped glaring at me and was watching my lips now as I said words like 'sex' and 'cock'.

I took a step back from him and he watched me as though he wanted to tie me up and eat me alive or something. But that was crazy. He hated me.

"You wanted to fix things," he pointed out in his hard voice. "I've told you my problem."

My eyes widened at his meaning. "Wha- What? I meant fix things with you and...and C-Cole," I stammered.

He shrugged his broad shoulders in response. "I'm not sure what Cole's problem is but that's what I want and he's not giving it to me so..." He trailed off and looked me up and down expectantly.

No.

I shook my head absently and backed away some more. "You're...you're messing with me, right? This is a joke to you. I'm here trying to help you-"

"Then help me, Skye," he interrupted, starting to follow me. "I'm only human. I have needs. If Cole can't take care of them, maybe you could. Maybe then I'll be in a better mood and feel more motivated to win back his affections while my problem is being solved by his perfect little girlfriend."

"I hate you!" I burst out and quickly went inside my room and banged the door shut, making sure to lock it. Psycho.

~~~