Chapter 14
By the time lunch came around, Jacinda was nervous. She sat in the diner with Chatan, and everyone watched him like there was some big secret.
The silence stretched on, and she’d never felt more uncomfortable until Chatan scooted into the booth next to her.
He tipped her chin up, looking into her eyes. “What’s going on?”
She blew out a breath. “Seems everyone is watching you, like they think something is going to happen.”
He sighed. “Forgot Jenna was working today. I should have come up with another plan for lunch.”
“Why?” she asked slowly.
“I mentioned she’s still trying to convince me to come back, right?”
“Oh.” The first girlfriend who hurt him so bad.
“She’s bound to make lunch uncomfortable. Please, don’t judge me by her actions.”
“I won’t.”
He rubbed his face. “She’s going to try to bait you,” he whispered.
A woman sat down across from them. This one wore makeup, something she hadn’t seen much of on the reservation, now that she thought of it. The woman was very pretty.
“Chatan, I see you have a new friend.” She gave Jacinda a tight smile.
He sighed. “This is Jenna. Mac’s daughter.”
“Your first and only love,” she added.
“You were my first love, but I haven’t loved you in more than a decade.”
Jenna’s eyes cut to Jacinda. “And you love her?”
Chatan sighed. “Plan to find out. We just met. Though I already feel closer to her than I ever did you.”
“With an outsider?” Jenna glared at Chatan. “So low.”
Chatan shook his head. “Why? You chose a cold, heartless prick over me. An outsider as you define it. Or have you forgotten how badly you hurt me?”
Jenna shook her head, pleading with her eyes. “I was younger, stupid. This girl is young. She’ll make the same type of mistake.”
“I’m sorry, but you don’t know me,” Jacinda stated. “And from what I understand, I wouldn’t cheat on someone.”
“You don’t understand my life, what I’ve been through. I’m stuck here, with no opportunity to leave. I thought I had one with Mason.”
It took everything Jacinda had to not recoil. “I don’t know you or what made you choose the path you chose. But you did hurt Chatan. I don’t understand how you could do that and not feel remorse.”
“I do, but nothing I do has ever earned forgiveness. Even though I can give him what he wants. Somehow I doubt someone like you will ever be able to give him what he needs.”
No, probably not. She couldn’t settle down. She was afraid of having a child while her family was hunted. What option did she have but move on when Thanatos came for her?
Still, she wouldn’t betray Chatan the way Jenna had.
“I think he can decide for himself what he wants and needs.” She certainly didn’t know.
Chatan took her hand under the table and leaned over to whisper, “You, I want—I need you.”
Her eyes widened as she turned to him. How could he know that? Why would he claim it?
Jenna snorted. “She’s going to hurt you, Chatan. Worse than I ever did. She’s scared, and you always want more than anyone can give you.”
He glared at Jenna. “You don’t know me as well as you think, Jenna. Please, leave us alone. And if Mac isn’t here, we’ll go elsewhere for lunch.”
Jenna popped out of the booth. “Fine, I’ll get my father. Maybe he can talk some sense into you, Chatan.”
“Don’t listen to her,” Chatan murmured. “Mac knows I wasn’t meant for Jenna.”
Jacinda nodded. What was she supposed to say? She had to leave eventually. Taking him with her meant he’d die. Was exploring the growing connection worth the heartache?
“Why so quiet?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Sorry. Wasn’t expecting that.”
“Should we go elsewhere?”
Jacinda looked into his eyes. “No. I won’t let her rattle me.”
“You sure?” he asked softly. “On both counts?”
Jacinda nodded. “Yeah, her shitty attitude doesn’t change anything.” Except make her rethink her outlook on how far to go with Chatan.
If anything, she was more confused than ever. And maybe he was smart to want to wait for her to be ready. Maybe it would keep them from getting together. Maybe.
He held her hand tighter. “What do you want?” Chatan whispered.
She looked up and found Mac’s warm smile. She ordered the same as before, including the soup.
Mac held her gaze. “Don’t mind Jenna. She hasn’t learned that she isn’t the center of the universe. Hopefully, she’ll learn the lesson soon.”
“I can understand why she’s bitter. She threw love away and realized it was everything she wanted, but now she can’t get it back.”
He nodded. “So be careful with Chatan. He’s a good man and worthy of true love. Unfortunately, Jenna isn’t ready for that yet.”
“I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “Don’t be. Not your fault.” Mac smiled. “I’ll have your soup in a moment.”
Chatan caught her chin and pulled her gaze to him. “Don’t listen to him. I don’t want you to feel pressured.”
“But you want more with me.” It wasn’t a question.
He nodded. “I’ll be honest, yes. Of course. I can’t deny the fact we’re like magnets.”
“We are, aren’t we?” She leaned closer, closing her eyes as his arm went around her. Jacinda didn’t stand a chance.
“Relax. I’m in no rush. The thing I want most is just to be near you.”
“You are. I’m not going anywhere.” Not yet.
Mac brought their soup, and Jenna kept herself busy with most of the other tables. At least she left them alone.
* * * *
Chatan shut Jacinda into the truck after lunch. Jenna left them alone after the first encounter. They would never make it out of the parking lot without her showing up.
Jacinda nodded behind him, and he already knew who’d be there. “I’ll be right back,” he mouthed.
She dipped her head.
He turned to Jenna.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Why would you bring her here, when you know I work here?”
“Jenna, I didn’t even think about you being here. I didn’t do it on purpose. And honestly, after all these years, after how you betrayed me, I don’t understand why you’re upset when we were simply sitting close. How many times did I find you making out in a public place with Mason when you cut my heart out?”
Her mouth dropped open. “You actually care for this girl. It’s so much worse.”
He squeezed his hands shut. “Jenna, for just a moment, consider the fact that you cut ties with me. You taught me my lesson. You didn’t love me enough to choose me.”
“I couldn’t have had that child,” she snarled.
He nodded. “That’s not why I can’t forgive you. Ultimately, I would have respected your choice, even if it broke my heart. It hurts that you didn’t even ask. No, you went through with it for him, and he threw you away like you threw me away. I’m sorry, Jenna, but that’s karma. You and I will never be together again.”
“We were good together!”
“Yeah, until you cheated on me. Look, I wish you well, but leave me alone. Leave Jacinda alone.” He turned and climbed into the truck. “Sorry.”
“No reason to be sorry. God, I’m getting tired of that word.” Jacinda pushed her hair over her shoulder.
He couldn’t help laughing. “All right. Then I won’t say it again. You don’t either. Now, let’s go to the lake. Taryn and Loval will meet us.”
“Should I be nervous?”
“No. Not at all. I think you’ll enjoy yourself.”
She sighed. “I have a question.”
“What’s that?”
“Why are you introducing me to all of your friends?”
“They’re family, and I want you to feel welcome, by not only me, but everyone here.”
“No one is ever liked by everyone, and that’s fine. I don’t need to be buddies with everyone in town. And really, I can’t imagine calling her a friend with the way she hurt you.”
He squeezed her hand. “Then let’s enjoy our day.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“I’m taking you home so you can change. I’ll run home and change and be back to pick you up.”
“Sounds good.”
* * * *
Chatan parked, and before he could stop her, Jacinda climbed out of the truck.
A young woman who looked a lot like Loretta greeted her with a giant hug. “Hey, I’m Taryn. My mom is Loretta, and this is Loval.” She stepped back to show the man with chin-length black hair.
Loval greeted her with a smile. “So, you’re the one who’s kept Chatan busy the last couple nights?”
“Um, days. We didn’t spend the night together,” she answered.
Taryn smacked Loval. “He just means that you were hanging out, when we normally would have hung with him.”
“Sorry.” Not really, but she wasn’t sure what else to say.
“Don’t you dare apologize,” Chatan teased. “I’d rather spend my evening with you than play third wheel to these two.”
“Now you don’t have to,” Taryn answered. “Both of you can hang with us. Unless you’d rather be alone.”
“Let’s see how dinner goes,” she offered tentatively.
Chatan’s hand wrapped around her waist. “Whatever you want to do, we’ll do,” Chatan murmured in her ear.
The blush came on immediately. There was nothing she could do to prevent it. “Let’s see how we get along.” She sounded more confident than she felt.
“If you’re as amazing as Chatan says, I don’t think that will be a problem,” Loval answered.
“I think it’s time to get in the water.” Taryn pulled her top off and kicked off her shorts before throwing her sandals in the car.
Jacinda had already kicked her shoes off in the truck, but pulled the dress over her head and tossed it in the back of the truck.
She started for the water and Taryn linked their arms.
Chatan called, “We’ll be right there.”
Jacinda smiled.
Taryn whispered, “You make him happier than I’ve seen him in a long time. Be careful with his heart. He’s a good guy.”
“I will,” she answered, knowing she’d still hurt him when she left. She didn’t see another way. And every time she considered not spending more time with him, she couldn’t resist a little more.
Would she be able to leave at all?
That was a question for another day.