Chapter 12
When the doors shut behind us, I turned to Jake. "Is this really your place?" Confused, I looked around. "The rent must be insane."
He gave something like a laugh.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
"Rent."
"What about it?" I asked.
"I don't pay it."
"Because, uh, you're staying here with a friend?"
"No," he said. "Because I own it."
I stared at him. "You do?"
I glanced around, taking in the sleek, modern décor, the panoramic view of the Detroit River, and the furniture that looked way too expensive to actually sit on. "So, um, did you win the lottery or something?"
"Sorry. I don't gamble."
"Never?"
"Not unless it's a sure thing." He tossed his car keys onto a small marble-top table. "Wanna see your room?"
I crossed my arms. "No."
Actually, I did. But earlier, he had promised me answers, and I was done waiting.
He raised an eyebrow. "So, you wanna seemyroom?"
"Hardly." It was another lie. I did want to see it. For curiosity's sake. That's all. But I didn't want him toseeme seeing it. Besides, there were so many mixed signals flying around, I could hardly keep track.
What exactly was I to him? A former friend? A potential lover? Some bratty kid from his old neighborhood? I stiffened my spine. I wasn't a kid anymore. And it was long past time he stopped treating me like one.
I pointed to a nearby sofa. "Sit," I said.
"It's my place," he said. "Shouldn't I be orderingyouaround?"
"You already have," I said. "And it's getting old."
"Not to me." Still, in a show of indulging me, he ambled toward the sofa.
"Wait." I pointed to his bloodied shirt. "You should probably take that off first."
"Why?"
Well, not because I wanted to see his rippling abs again, that's for sure.
"Because," I said, "you don't want to ruin your furniture, do you?" I glanced around and spotted a glossy black chair. I pointed to it. "As a matter of fact, sit there instead." I gave it a closer look. "Wait. Thatisleather, isn't it?"
With cool deliberation, Jake sank down onto the original sofa. I winced as he settled into it, relaxing against the pale cushioned surface. He patted the spot beside him. "Now you," he said.
In a show of defiance, I marched to the black leather chair and sat.
"I guess you showedme," he said.
