Lane Crossing

By Alyssa Beverly

Jetta Bynes is expecting her boyfriend to propose. Their life is right on track since he recently moved her into his apartment. He's not perfect, but she loves him. Ever since she was a child, Jetta's mom has drilled into her head to do what she can to keep a good man. She's done that, ignoring how Elijah finds fault with her looks and personality.

 

Jetta's not perfect either. Especially since she has a secret crush on Elijah's best friend. Lane Weatherby is sweet and funny, considerate and handsome. Jetta has been attracted to him for a long time, but she will never act on such feelings. Her devotion and her life is focused on Elijah. In her mind, they're forever.

 

Until Jetta meets a crazy woman in the ladies' room, and Lane starts asking questions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alyssa Beverly
• Release date: Mar 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201818647

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Jetta jerked awake and listened to the sounds around her. She shoved Elijah’s arm at her side. Eli, I think I heard something.

He moaned. Wha—?

I heard something!

You’re dreaming. He rolled over and went back to sleep.

She grumbled under her breath. Maybe he was right. Whatever sound she thought she heard didn’t repeat itself. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. That usually meant it wasn’t a dream.

Ever since her boyfriend started working nights sometimes, she was hypersensitive to night sounds. They lived in an okay neighborhood, but she’d heard of a couple people’s places being broken into. Sure, it happened when the people weren’t at home, but one never knew.

Are you going to get up to check it out?

He snored in answer, and she sighed. He’d probably wait until the bad guy was on top of him before he noticed anything going on. It was up to her. She threw the covers back and climbed out of bed. Before she left her bedroom, she grabbed the bat she had bought when Elijah’s schedule changed. The bat could do some serious damage, but it didn’t scare her like a gun would.

She crept down the hall, her fingers aching as she gripped the bat. Shadows extending over the living room floor from the balcony made her freeze a moment. She thought someone stood there then changed her mind.

A tree, Jetta. Don’t let your imagination get crazy.

Something thudded against the front door, and she bit off a scream. That wasn’t her imagination. Some fool was trying to break in, while they were home. Elijah should have gotten up with her! She started to call him out to the living room when whoever thumped against the door called her name.

She dropped the bat and marched to the door. As soon as she swung it wide, the man leaning on it fell against her. His heavy weight crumpled her legs. Before she could hit the floor, he caught them both with an arm about her waist. Every fiber of her being came to life, and she yelped and jumped backward. Lane, what the heck are you doing?

Hey, there. He tried to smile but failed and staggered.

"You did not come to my house at one in the morning, drunk! Are you crazy?"

No, I just… He seemed to lose track of what he intended to say. Running a hand over his face, and shoving the sandy blond hair off his forehead, he shut his eyes.

You know Elijah has to be at work in the morning. He’s on day shift this week.

Um…

She shoved his hand off his forehead and felt his skin. A sharp intake of breath. You’re not drunk. You’re burning up. Come sit down.

He staggered, and she ducked under his arm to take some of his weight. Thank God he had strength left because at six foot three inches and muscular, he was heavy. She’d never be able to take all his weight, even if she was tall for a woman.

When he flopped onto the couch moaning, she turned on a lamp and studied his handsome face. He was beautiful, even sick. His usually tanned skin was pale tonight and glistened with sweat. He shivered nonstop, and his blue eyes were glassy. Just like always she was aware of her attraction to him.

Not that she would ever act on it, of course. She loved Elijah and saw herself as his wife someday. But over time, she had come to accept that she had a crush on her boyfriend’s best friend. She didn’t fight it because it didn’t need to be fought. She didn’t fantasize about being with Lane. She never crossed the line. He was a good friend who stirred her desires whenever he was close. Not to mention she enjoyed looking at him—because the boy was sexy.

Let me see if I have some meds to take that fever down. Did you eat anything? Do you feel like you’re going to throw up?

No. His chin dipped toward his chest, and his hair fell into his face.

Which question?

Elijah wandered in, yawning. What’s going on?

She looked up. Eli, Lane’s sick. Do you think we should take him in to get tested?

Elijah peered at Lane. It’s a cold or the flu. What, no one gets the flu anymore? It’s winter!

She glared at him.

Feel better, buddy. I’ll see you in the morning. Good night. With that, Elijah left them alone.

I can’t believe him. You could be dying, and all he cares about is getting sleep.

I’m fine. Just need to rest. Lane laid his head back against the cushions and winced. She had the feeling he had a headache and hurried to find some meds.

After making him a bowl of soup so he wouldn’t have to take the meds on an empty stomach, she set the food and meds in front of him with a glass of water. With extra blankets, sheets, and pillows, she pulled out the foldable couch to make up somewhere for him to sleep.

Lay down and try to rest. I’ll check on you in a couple hours.

Thanks. His gaze focused on her, and she warmed all over. Sometimes, Lane stared. She suspected he liked her too, but he never once came onto her. He loved Elijah too much. They were friends since school. Besides, Lane was a good guy. Jetta didn’t understand why some beautiful white woman hadn’t snatched him up yet and had a few kids with him.

You’re welcome. Now sleep. That’s an order.

He chuckled and lay down. She was tempted to watch him sleep but forced herself to turn off the light and go back to bed. The next thing she knew, the sun was shining in her eyes, and Elijah was singing in the shower. He sounded half decent in there.

She recalled Lane sleeping on her couch and rushed in to make sure he was okay. He lay on his back with a bowl of cereal on his chest, munching away.

You look better. She touched his forehead. He was still warm but cooler. That cereal isn’t doing you any favors.

I’m just glad I could keep it down after the first bite. Pink infused his cheeks, and the blue eyes turned almost smokey gray. Sorry about last night. I wasn’t thinking straight.

Oh you mean about scaring the crap out of me? She laughed. I survived, and Eli wasn’t any help, the bum.

Hey! Elijah wrapped his arms around her from behind and drew her backward to his chest. You know how grumpy I get when I’m tired. Lane, when you find your girl, she can take care of you when you’re sick.

Jetta noticed Lane turn his head away and stared at the TV when Elijah hugged her. Sometimes Elijah set up a boundary with his words between her and Lane. Everybody knew what he was doing, but no one said anything about it. She hated when he got like that, but it didn’t usually last.

Lane sat his empty bowl on the table and sprang to his feet. I’m going to get out of your way. I’m much bet—

He toppled foreword, nearly crashing face first onto the table. Elijah darted around Jetta to catch his friend. Whoa, slow down, man. You’re going to kill yourself.

I’m fine.

Sit down! Elijah ordered.

Lane didn’t appear to have the strength to resist. He crumpled like all the energy had left his body, and lay sweating and shaking on the couch.

Guess I’ll call in, Elijah muttered, frowning in worry.

No, I’ll do it. You’ll just fuss at him all day instead of letting him rest.

What am I a woman?

She smacked Elijah’s arm. Go ahead. We’ll do video chats for when you’re sitting in your squad car bored mindless.

Okay, cool. Later, baby. I love you.

Love you too.

He kissed her.

Lane moaned. Could you two stop making out in front of the sick guy? I feel myself going downhill because of it.

Jetta snorted. Dummy.

After Elijah left for work, Jetta jumped in the shower. When she was dressed, she called her boss and informed him she’d work from home that day, glad she had a job she could make such a decision. Frankly, a lot of people were doing it these days, but Elijah didn’t have such a luxury.

As she checked herself out in the mirror, ignoring the niggling question of why it mattered, she thought of Lane. He was self-employed with a renovation business and wondered if his finding of clients had suffered any. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t asked before now. He always seemed to have everything he needed financially, including his own house, unlike them.

In the kitchen, she started to pull out some bacon from the fridge and changed her mind. Lane’s stomach might not withstand the scent of grease. Her stomach growled, and she settled for a cheesy mushroom omelet and a huge cup of coffee.

Lane’s eyes rounded when she joined him. That looks good.

He reached toward her plate, but she smacked his hand. No, you don’t need this butter and cheese on your stomach.

He grunted. I’m starving to death.

If you’re hungry, you’re not dying. Let me get you some soup.

I hate soup.

Don’t be a baby.

"I have chance to eat your eggs. That’s what