Page 22 of Under His Command
I close the lid of my laptop with a groan and pull out my phone to go on social media and numb my pain with distractions. But just as Sterling’s face pops up on my feed, a knock at my door makes me jolt upright.
Nerves bundle up in my stomach, making me jittery as if I’ve just chugged three black coffees one after another. I bite my lip to hide my involuntary smile. But when I open the door, it is not the person I was expecting to see tonight. Not even fucking close.
“Hey, pup.” Jared smiles with that lazy, effortless smile of his that every girl on campus used to fall for. All but me. Which is why, I’m assuming, he’s still chasing me down.
“Jared…” I say with a sigh. “What are you doing here?”
We haven’t been in contact much since we graduated, but he’s still friends with Sterling and Lucian. Which means that when I hang out with them… he tags along too sometimes.
He shrugs. “I was in the area. Thought I’d take you out for a drink.”
Sure he was.
“Well, I hate to disappoint but I’m working,” I say, crossing my arms.
He rolls his eyes and smirks.
“You’re always working. Are you at least going to invite me in?”
I pause, considering the alternative—which is to stare at my phone for God knows how long, expecting Rowan to call.
“Fine. One drink. But then I’m going to kick you out. I’ve got things to do for—”
“Yeah, yeah.” He walks past me inside my apartment. “Angelica Pratt. Employer of the year,” he says sarcastically as I shut the door closed behind me.
I sigh and go into the kitchen, where he’s leaning against the counter already waiting for me.
“What do you want? I’ve got Coke and…” I pick up a half-empty bottle. “Gin and tonic.”
He keeps silent, and when I turn toward him, I catch him staring at me with a spark in his eyes.
“Jared…”
Not this again. Ever since that night we had sex years ago, he kept making subtle and not-so-subtle moves to get me back. Either through Sterling or just by sending me a text and ghosting me again the next hour. Why, I have no idea. But he just won’t let it go.
“Dove,” he shoots back. “I’m not the same guy I was in college. I figured my shit out. I’ve got a great job. I’m saving up for a house. I’m doing it—adulting like we’re supposed to,” he laughs. “But I still don’t have you. Let me take you out. Let me show you how much I’ve changed. That night with you… Christ, I can still feel you on my skin. You were…”
“Lying there like a log?” I lift an eyebrow. “You didn’t even like me that much. What the hell are you talking about?”
He rolls his eyes and closes the space between us, placing his hands on my shoulders.
“I was an idiot back then. That’s what I’m saying—I’ve changed. If you would just… let me show you.”
I don’t want him. I know I don’t. But I’m hurting. And Rowan hasn’t called, and maybe going out for a walk doesn’t sound that bad.
“You’re considering it,” he smiles, touching his forehead to mine.
I don’t like the gesture—it feels wrong, and I want to push him away.
“I…”
My ringing phone gives me an opportunity to step away without making this even more awkward than it already is. I clear my throat and turn on my heels as I rush to pick it up. I can hear Jared slowly following behind. An unknown number pops up, and my pulse starts racing against my skin.
I’m itching to answer. But not now. Not when Jared is here.
“Listen, Jared. I really need you to leave. I can’t do this right now.”
“Dove…”
