Jaimie turns around again, and I lean toward Tina. “Is she out of her fucking mind?” She doesn’t respond to me but just gives me a look that says she may not make it through.
The entire workout sucks ass. I am determined to finish it, though, especially since she is watching me like a hawk. Every time I grunt from the effort I’m putting out she smiles. At this point I am looking at the kettle bells and wishing I could swing one right into her face. Tina and I finish within a minute of each other, both of us collapse on the floor, barely able to form words.
When I finally manage the energy to stand, I look over to see that Jake is back. He is talking to Jaimie, and I see now why she hates me. She likes him. She’s leaning close to look at a paper in his hands. Forcing her fake tits out to try and get his attention. This slut is about to get shown up.
“Jake!” He turns toward me with a smile on his face, putting one finger up to tell Jaimie to hold on. He walks over to me. “I would not advise touching me, considering I’m disgusting right now.”
He wraps his arms around me anyway. “I think it’s sexy. He spins me around, and I laugh, even though it hurts to do anything. “I’ll pick you up around eight?”
“Sam already said she was.”
“I’m driving her and Hunter there. I have to run right now and go over some new procedures with some of the trainers.” He gives me one last kiss and then walks back over to Jaimie, and I wave a fake goodbye to her before walking out to the car with Tina.
“What the hell was that bitch’s problem?” Tina turns to me.
“I think she is into Jake. That’s too damn bad, though.” I don’t know what has gotten into me but the fact that she wants him pisses me off.
She laughs as she pulls out of the parking lot. “Look at you getting all territorial and shit. I’m proud of you.”
I give her a look, and we both start to laugh but quickly stop and moan from the pain. “We are never taking a class with her again.”
The fact that I’m jealous doesn’t escape me. I think if I had seen her lay a hand on him I would have flipped out. Which makes me nervous considering I just started seeing Jake and haven’t even known him that long. He has this pull, this way of making me want to never leave his side. I know that he is the kind of guy I could fall for if I let myself. I in no way love him right now, but I know I could. As someone who has closed themselves off for six years, it’s terrifying to feel like this. Why couldn’t he be ugly, or a jerk, or have smelly breath? Then it would be easy to stick to my hermit ways.
But no, he has to be sexy, funny, great with his niece, and completely invading my every thought.
Chapter Twelve
Nina
What do you wear to a haunted house? More importantly, when the hell did I start caring so much about what I wear? Since Jake walked into my life. I settle on a cute pair of leggings in case I need to run, jeans offer more resistance, and a v-neck t-shirt. I grab a hoodie because it gets cold at night then I slowly walk to the couch. My legs feel like jelly, and I have no idea how I will be able to function tonight.
There is a knock at the door, and I know it’s Jake. I open the door and walk outside after yelling a quick goodbye to Tina. Jake gives me a hug and a kiss. The affection he shows me is something that I need to get more comfortable with. I have never had a relationship, so this is all new to me. We walk to the car, and I see Sam and Hunter sitting in the backseat. “You ready for this?” He looks at me, and I know that he probably sees the way that I’m walking all crazy.
“Not really, I don’t even watch scary movies.” He opens my door for me, and I climb in.
“Nina!” Sam gives me a hug from the backseat. “I have missed you, girl!” Sam and Hunter have been gone for the past week. She had a bunch of appearances in New York, and Hunter is her bodyguard. That’s actually how they ended up getting together. When she told me the story about how her one nightstand was her new personal security, I almost died.
“I missed you too, but you know we all can’t be famous stars. Speaking of which, how the heck are you two going to go unnoticed tonight?” Both of them are so recognizable because of all the tabloids that it makes it so hard for her to go out in public.
“Hunter called the place a couple days ago; all three attractions are one continuous thing, so they are just going to let all of us go alone. The workers won’t know, though. I also have the best disguise ever.” She holds up a baseball hat, and I laugh.
“So what is this place like?” I’ve never actually been to a haunted house, but scary movies terrify me.
Sam smiles, which I know is not a good sign. “It starts off with a haunted hayride, and then leads into two other things. They are all connected which is nice cause it makes crowd control easier.”
Her lack of details has my heart beating at twice its normal speed. Jake’s hand reaches over and holds mine. He steals a quick look and gives me a wink. At least I can hide behind him. We pull up, and the line is as long as one at Disney World during summertime. There have to be at least three hundred people waiting. “We are going to be in line for like two hours.”
“It’s all good, Nina; we bought VIP tickets. No line.” Of course, they did. I should have figured there was no way Hunter would let her wait in that line, there is too much of a risk that she would get recognized.
“How much do I owe you guys for my ticket?” I ask as we are getting out of the car.
Jake’s arms wrap around me from behind. “I got it covered, babe.”
My body shivers from being this close to him. Did he call me babe? I feel like it should freak me out a little bit, but I think it’s hot. His deep voice turns me on and makes me want to do all sorts of things that shouldn’t be on my mind yet. He places a kiss on my neck, and I lean my head back against his chest.
“Come on, let’s go! Or get a damn room!” Brian says as he and Jules wave to us.
I turn to face Jake, my cheeks red with embarrassment. He smiles and shrugs his shoulders. “Hey, I’m up for either option.” I elbow him in the stomach before walking toward everyone else. He catches up to me in the ticket line and hands me mine. “You’re sexy when you’re mad, Sparky.”
I dip my head trying to hide the smile that feels like it will make my cheeks crack. Once we’re inside, a creepy girl in a shredded dress and splattered blood all over leads us to a wagon filled with hay. Everyone starts to sit down when I move to sit next to Jake, he takes my hand and pulls me to sit between his legs. I comply crossing my legs Indian style sitting straight up, completely unsure of what he expects me to do. As everyone else gets comfortable, he wraps his arms around me.
His lips press a kiss next to my ear. “Relax, I’ll protect you.” He leans back taking me with him. Leaning against his chest with his arms around me, the two of us looking up at the star-filled sky feels perfect. I breathe a sigh of contentment.
Suddenly a loud scream rips through the air, and I jump, completely forgetting what we are doing here. Creepy laughter surrounds me as my heart speeds up again. I grab onto Jake’s arms and pray that these crazy people don’t realize how scared I am and single me out.
The wagon begins to move, and we enter a cornfield. Great, ‘cause cornfields at night are filled with unicorns and Care Bears. Aside from the creepy surroundings, things have been pretty calm. “This isn’t that—Ah!” A crazy ass clown appears right in my face.