Lights On Sixth Street

Chapter Nine

The night ended and everyone went home. We closed around one in the morning. Liam said he'd take me home. I couldn't argue I was exhausted. When we got home there was a box of chocolates left at my door step. The note said for Abs. I figured it was Jack trying to apologize. I walked in and Liam followed me. I sighed and he stood there amazed that my place had only a bed and a kitchen. He just stood there like a log. I set my keys on my bed. I went to my closet filled with only eight pairs of clothes which is what I've been wearing since I left.

"How do you live here?" he asked in complete shock.

"I don't know. I barely get buy but I'm making it." I smiled.

He looked at me funny. He was trying to gather words to say. "I'm staying here for the night and tomorrow as soon as we wake up I'm buying you furniture. Don't even argue."

I just looked at him and nodded. He slept on the floor in his clothes. I hopped into pajamas. He was knocked out when I came out of the bathroom. I smiled at the fact that maybe Jack was wrong about him. Maybe he did have his act together. I fell asleep on my bed. All I could do was dream of the fight between Jack and James. I woke up in a hot sweat. Liam was cooking something in the kitchen. I could smell eggs and bacon a mile away. I got dressed and walked out to see not only Liam but James there too.

James walked up and kissed me cheek. "Good morning." He smiled.

I stood there flustered as hell and confused. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm coming with you two for shopping and I need a favor." He asked.

"What kind of favor?"

Liam started laughing. "Yes what kind of favor?"

James glared at him. "Well you see I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend." He sighed.

"Wait what?" I stood there confused.

"There's a party at work and I told them I had a date already. I'm sorry you don't have to do it if you don't want to but if it helps Jack goes every year. You'll get to see him."

I shrugged knowing he was right. "Fine but you're buying me a dress."

"Great! Uh I mean sure."

We went out on a mission to buy furniture and food and a dress for me. It felt weird saying yes to James. I mean it's not like there's anything between us. I stood there in the dressing room as the two men asked me how it fits. I looked in the mirror. A short dark blue strapless dress that supports me and my cup size fits perfectly but it felt like a dream. I was pretending to be his girl friend and Liam finds this whole thing amusing while Jack is furious. I came out of the tiny room and they just looked at me amazed. I felt embarrassed and started remembering of the times where I hated James.

I twirled around in the dress and heard a few guys whistle as they walked by us. I felt my face get hot. I wasn't even that pretty. I mean with my straight natural red hair and pale skin I look like and apple. I felt a hand touch me. James looked at me. His eyes were asking if I was okay. Again I was reminded of why I didn't like James. I remembered what he did to me when we first met and my stomach started to get uneasy. I simply nodded to him for I'm okay but he sighed knowing I wasn't. His detective skills plus psychology background means he can tell when I'm lying which put me in a tough spot.

I looked at my wedding ring thinking of Jack and what he would say about all of this. The Jack I knew would tell me to let him take care of things and that everything will be alright but the Jack now wouldn't even care. Liam paid for the dress. We bought a couch. It was a fuzzy black couch to go with my black bed set and black desk. Then we went out to eat. Liam dropped me off at my club so I can get stuff done and James helped. I organized some events for the club. James got confused doing some of the wine bottle charges. I laughed when he cussed under his breath. He laughed too and smiled at me.