Grounded (Up in the Air #3)(54)

Jessa nodded, pursing her lips. "I've seen Vance do that. He's still crazy stupid in love with Javier. He's been pushing him around like that for years. Vance needs to move on." She shot a strangely malevolent look Damien's way. "Kind of like a certain stubborn pilot I know … "

I shot a look at Damien myself. Jessa definitely had a point there.

"I believe Javier," Judith said loudly. "I've seen how Vance treats him. He does crazy shit just hoping to make Javier snap."

"I've seen it, too. He wouldn't stop touching him at a party last year, even though Javier was clearly telling him to back off. Finally Javier slapped him across the face, and I'd swear that made Vance happy, from the look on his face when it happened." 

I felt a wave of relief at their reaffirmation. I really did want to believe Javier's side of it. Wanting and believing were just two different things, unfortunately. Still, their words gave me hope that Javier wasn't just playing the drama game with Stephan, which was my biggest fear.

"I wouldn't mind getting slapped by Javier. He's fucking hot," Marnie said.

That surprised a laugh out of all of us. Of course she went there.

Damien approached our group, Murphy in tow. He looked a little weary as he eyed up our laughing group. "Why do my ears always burn when I see you all laughing like that?" he asked.

Marnie held up her hands, as though showing a good ten-inch measurement. "Don't worry, babe, it's all flattering."

Damien rubbed his temples, looking pained.

Murphy nodded, rubbing his chin and looking impressed. "I knew it!" he said.

I couldn't help it that made me laugh harder.

"Yeah, he has a big dick, but him running away after the sex kind of cancels that one out for me, personally," Jessa said wryly.

I was shocked. I hadn't known that Jessa and Damien had hooked up. Jessa never did the casual hook-up thing. Or so I'd thought.

Marnie held up her hands, making a rather large circle with her fingers, clearly illustrating girth. "This right here is what makes up for the running away part."

Murphy cursed loudly. "I fucking knew it!"

Marnie broke down in adorable giggles, clutching her stomach. Judith was right there with her. They high-fived.

I felt a little sorry for Damien, since he looked like he was in real pain, but I still couldn't stop laughing.

Stephan walked up to us, shaking his head and smiling. "Poor Damien. What did he ever do to deserve such relentless teasing?"

Marnie answered, of course. "He fucked too many of us, and he was too good at it, that's what."

"Speak for yourself," Jessa said. "There was nothing too good about my experience. Size isn't everything."

"Ooouuch," Murphy said, drawing out the sound. "Buuurrn."

Jessa shrugged. "Not a burn. Just stating facts."

"Brutal," Murphy said.

I felt a light tap on my shoulder and turned to find Javier just behind me. He looked a little nervous as he bent to my ear.

"Can we go somewhere and talk?" he asked.

I studied him, wondering what was going on now, but I just nodded. "Sure. Where to?"

I followed him to an empty section along the bar that attached to our VIP section. The bartender approached us instantly.

"I'm fine," I told him.

"I'll take another of your house specials," Javier said.

I studied him. He looked a little glassy-eyed. I didn't think I'd ever seen Javier drunk before, but I suspected that I might be seeing it now.

I sat in one of the cushioned stools at the bar.

He didn't sit, but moved close to me, leaning in to talk in a low voice. "I know you're worried about Stephan being with me. You think I'm not good enough for him. You think I'm trouble."

I opened my mouth to protest, even though most of what he said was somewhat true, but he continued in a rush. "I get it. I'm not trying to argue with you. I just wanted to clear some things up."

I nodded at him to go on.

"You don't have to worry about me hurting him, Bianca. If anyone is going to get hurt here, it will be me. I haven't even gone out with a guy since he dumped me. And that was, what, over a year and a half ago? I pined for him, Bianca. I know he's too good for me. I know he's too good for anyone. Every guy I know has a crush on him. He's damn near perfect. And I am bat-shit crazy in love with him. I thank God every day that he stays with me. I wouldn't mess this up for anything."



       
         
       
        

I felt a relief at his words that threatened to floor me. But there were still some things that he needed to clear up …