Betrayed

Betrayed
             
Bec Botefuhr

BETRAYED

Bec Botefuhr

Copyright 2012 Bec Botefuhr

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would firstly like to thank my husband, without him, this book would have never been finished. For his time, love and patience through my writers blocks and my hours of fixing work. He is my rock; he made this real for me.

I would like to extend thanks to a wonderful friend, Creina Woods. She helped me feel my characters, she taught me to know them as well as I know myself. She helped shape my book and gave me an understanding of how to write.

I can’t forget my right hand woman, Charmaine Mathews. She spent hours and hours reading my novels and gave me nothing but honest opinions on my story. She made this possible.

Last but certainly not least, my family. My mum especially, for never giving up on me and for believing I could do this, for encouraging me and giving me the strength to keep going when things were down.

This one is for
my mum, my sisters and my brother. My life lines.

BETRAYED

PROLOGUE

“I met this bloke today.” My best friend Layla smiles as she slumps down on my couch. Her grin is wild; ear to ear, beaming.

“Oh, tell me.” I grin, sliding down on the couch beside her.

“He came up to me when I was shopping with Lilly; he told me how gorgeous she was and how sweet it was of me to look after her; then he asked me on a date.”

“Oh Layla, you scored a date from my daughter.” I laugh, shaking my head.

“She is a charm that girl, G
od love her.”

“So, when is the big night?”

“Tomorrow night, do you think I should wear red?”

“Oh honey, you should without a doubt, wear red,” I wink. “Where is he taking you?”

“The sails!”

“Wow, he must really like you? So come on, details…what did he look like?”

“Oh god he was gorgeous. Dark hair, light blue eyes and
pale skin to die for; he looks
like
a G
od.”

“MMMMM, sounds yummy.”

Layla smiles, sighing. She is beautiful; it did not surprise me that men would seek her out. She looks more like Lilly’s mother than I do. She has rich olive skin, enormous blue eyes and dark black hair. She is just stunning.

“So, what about you Jade?”

I sigh. “No, only my fan club.”

She giggles and hugs me. “I love that Matty and Josh are soooooo in love with you. It is so damned cute.”

I snort. My fan club, as we called them, consisted of two drooling men. I had met them both at a local gym and even though they were both gorgeous; I had no interest in dating them. They, however, did not get the hint and constantly followed me around.

“Hmmm, I am going to see what I can do for you.” Layla says, running her hand over her chin.

I frown at her. “I am not sure I trust you Layla.”

She blinks in feigned innocence before throwing her hand over her chest. “Meeee?”

I laugh and hug her, my best friend and my savior. I would have died without her. Five years ago, when Jax left me; she saved me.

CHAPTER 1

“Oh god, I am so nervous.”

Layla is pacing backwards and forwards, looking positively stunning in her red dress. I envied her beauty. A knock at the door sounded, and she began to panic.

“I need to check my make up, Jade can you answer
it?
”

“Sure.” I laugh, making my way to the front door.

I open it and then everything s
tills. It has been at least five
years now since I have seen him and as usual nothing has changed. Pale skin, blue eyes, black hair; it is Jack. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out, I feel tears threaten to escape my eyes at the sight of my long lost best friend.

“Jade?” He says, in a choked voice. “Wha…what?”

“Oh god, Jack? Is it seriously you?”

He nods, blinking rapidly. Confusion washing over his face. My father had helped me get to California when Jax left, and I had made him swear not to tell anyone, even Jack.

“Oh god, Jack hug me!”

He grasps me and pulls me into his arms; I fall into him, sobbing and crumbling.

“You live here?”

“Yes,” I choke, then it dawns on me. “You’re Layla’s date?”

Layla walks out then, and glances at me with my arms around Jack. She gasps and begins trembling, but I quickly speak.

“This is Jack, remember I told yo
u about him all those years ago?
Layla, this is that Jack.”

She blinks, looks at me, then at Jack and laughs. A wild, loud laugh.

“Are you serious?”

“It
’
s lovely to see you again, Layla.” Jack smiles, taking her hand and kissing it.

“You too.” She blushes.

I feel…well a little jealous. God, I shouldn’t be, but Jack is my best friend; my person. I step away from them, and Jack smiles weakly at me.

“It
’
s so incredible to see you, but I have a date.”

Crushed does not even explain how I feel. He is ditching me? Jack is ditching me? I nod, forcing back the emotions welling inside me. It
’
s fine, he is just shocked. Don’t get emotional over it Jade.

“Layla, you look stunning tonight. Shall we go?”

“Oh yes, I will just get my coat.” Layla smiles, rushing off.

I look at Jack, god he looks stunning. His shoulders are rippling beneath his tight black shirt; his jeans are hanging low off his hips. His hair is shorter now, but it suits him.

“I…guess you saw Lilly then?”

He nods. “I did not realize it was her, now it all makes sense. How I did not realize I was looking at a junior Jax is beyond me. I guess I was looking at Layla.”

I tense. “Of course.”

“I am ready,” Layla says, grasping Jack’s hand. “See you Jade, don’t wait up.”

I nod and as they make their way out, Jack glances at me. I can feel the tears welling in my eyes; his face softens slightly, but he continues to walk out the door. Once upon a time, Jack would have stopped for me no matter what.

“Mummy.” 

I jump at the little voice behind me; I turn and smile. My angel. Lilly is seven now and so gorgeous it is hard to handle. She looks like Jax, through and through. Bright green eyes, soft olive skin and dark brown ringlets. She is dazzling and a sweet, happy little girl.

“Hey baby, what’s up?”

“Where did Aunty Layla go?”

“On a date honey, are you hungry?”

She nods.

“What do you say we go out to
McDonald’s
?”

She leaps up and down, running over to throw her arms around me.

“Yes please!”

We go to
McDonald’s
and fill ourselves full of junk. God, I will have to run that off tomorrow. We get home around nine and Layla is still out. I tuck Lilly in and curl up into my own bed, falling asleep rather quickly. I hear Layla giggling at some ungodly hour but do not bother to get out of bed. When the sunshine wakes me the
next morning, I am up and out of bed without a second thought
. I  need to go for a run.

It is crisp out this morning, and I drink in the fresh, salty air. We live directly across from the ocean, and today it is beautiful and clear. The waves are small and crash against the sand with delicate little bounces. I run, and run until my legs ache. I cannot stop thinking about Jack and his return, does he live here? Does he still talk to Jax? Is he here with the crew? The thought makes my chest clench.

When I get back to my house, I open the small white picket fence and stomp up the pathway leading to the monumental two story house, with blue shutters and a wrap around deck. It is beautiful, boasting five bedrooms, two bathrooms, a pool, a huge kitchen, th
eatre room and two living areas.
Jax had been exceedingly generous, and when my mother decided to talk to me again, she helped out by adding to our fund.

I step through the front door, wiping my hands on my sweats when I ram into a solid form. Gasping I leap back, letting off a little scream. Two hands grip my shoulders and I look up, meeting pale blue eyes. Jack. JACK? I snatch myself out of his grips and finally get a
look at him; all shirtless and G
od like. His body is firm, rippled and hairless. He has a few tattoo’s across his chest and one down his stomach. Wow, Jack has a killer body.

“Y-y-you…stayed?”

“Yes, I hope you don’t mind.”

I look up at him. “You…slept with Layla?”

He looks a little sheepish, and suddenly my emotions fall loose.

“Wow ser
iously? You come back after five
years, see me again and treat me as though you never knew me, fuck my best friend and stay in MY house and all the while not giving a crap about how that might feel for me? Fuck you Jack!”

I storm past him and run up the stairs. When I reach my room, I slam the door loudly, making a point and then sink to the floor. Asshole, he is meant to be my best friend and he could not care less about me. I hear a light knock on my door.

“Jade?”

Oh now he wants to make it better, as if.

“Go away Jack.”

He opens the door and steps in, still damned shirtless. He walks over and kneels in front of me, taking my face in his hand and forcing me to look at him.

“I have lived here for three years, I did not know you were here, and last night…I was shocked. I did not know how to react when I saw you; I was mad at you.”

“Mad at me?” I croak.

“You left me too Jade, after everything we went through when you thought Jax was dead. You did not even say goodbye.”

My tears fall hot and heavy down my cheeks.

“I didn’t want to cause any more problems. I needed to find myself. I needed to know who I was again.”

He shakes his head. “You hurt me.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you Jack,” I cry. “I didn’t. I missed you, god I missed you so much. I ask about you every two days when I talk to my dad.”

He smiles, stroking my cheek. “I know angel.”

“Please don’t hate me.”

He pulls me into his arms, sliding down beside me. My cheek
rests against his warm chest, G
od he feels amazing, letting me feel the comfort I have been long starved of. I cling to him, desperately seeking to fill a hole in my heart. He kisses my cheeks; my tears fall over his lips. Then, without thought, our lips are
molded
together. I open my mouth and groan; the kiss is hot, deep and desperate. His mouth moves over mine, claiming me, warming me.

“Jade, are you in there?”

Layla’s voice comes through the door; I leap off Jack and step back, touching my lips. Oh god, what did we just do? He stands, looking as flustered as me. He meets my eyes for a long, intense moment before walking over to the door and opening it.

“Oh Jack…”

“I wanted to talk with Jade, I had some news on…Jax.”

“Oh, of course.”

She gives me a sympathetic look, assuming that is why I have red, puffy eyes. Jack takes her into his arms, and she wraps herself around him. I look away, angry.

“Can you please shut the door?” I snap.

“Do you need anything honey?” Layla asks.

“No.”

She shuts the door silently, and I fall into another fit of sobs. I sit on the floor, sobbing and cursing myself for a good hour before finally standing and plodding into the shower. I glance in the mirror and groan. Puffy eyes, swollen lips. God. I run my fingers through my now lighter hair; I had gotten highlights in it a few months ago; it is now a blend of brown and gold. I slip off my clothes and sink into the shower, moaning as the water cascades over me.

After I dress, I make my way downstairs. I hear Lilly giggling and Jack laughing, so th
ey have reacquainted themselves?
Great. When I step into the kitchen, the scene reminds me of some small,
happy little family. Layla at the stove, cooking bacon and eggs, Jack playing with Lilly. I walk over to the coffee maker, pouring some coffee. Layla reaches over to squeeze my hand.

“Are you ok sweety?”

I smile. “Sure, I am fine.”

“I am sorry I let Jack stay…”

“It
’
s fine, I don’t mind.”

“Want some food?”

“Sure, looks great.”

I turn and begin preparing Lilly’s lunch for school, refusing to meet Jack
’
s gaze, which I can feel burning into me. I finally look up, and his blue eyes bore into mine. I turn to Lilly and smile.