Chapter 27 #2
Shit. I grimace, tightening the grip on my drink.
I can’t believe I didn’t mention Alley wasn’t staying with me.
That she wasn’t coming home. But then, why would that come up?
And why wouldn’t Megan assume she was staying with me?
She’s just making conversation—but it’s a loaded question and it’s too soon.
Way too damn soon. Matt mutters a low Jesus beside me, and it’s exactly what I’m thinking.
I keep my gaze on Alley, watching, waiting, trying to read her reaction. Where the hell are you in all of this? One minute she’s jumping me in the back room and the next…
Her arms fold across her chest. Protection. Discomfort. “It’s been good.” She glances at me. “Jensen and I had a lot of fun yesterday hanging out around the city.”
She doesn’t say anything else. Just lets Megan think what she wants. Fine by me.
Across the counter, Scarlett shifts her weight, eyes flicking from Alley to Megan and back again. There’s a beat of hesitation before she blurts, “Alley’s not staying at home. She’s staying with me.”
Alley shoots her a look. Scarlett shrugs, mouthing a quick sorry.
Matt plants a hand to his face. Kevin shifts in his seat. And my stomach is tying itself in knots.
Megan frowns. “Why?” She looks between me and Alley. “I mean… you two seem fine. We all heard you during halftime. So…”
“Meg,” I cut in, shaking my head.
She exhales, turns to Alley, and waits for an explanation.
Alley stares at the counter, tension thick in the air.
“She’s not ready yet,” Scarlett cuts in before Alley can speak. “She literally has nightmares about the shit that went on in their apartment.” She looks around. “I don’t even think you all know the half of it.”
“Scarlett,” Alley says softly.
My eyes stay locked on her. I’m here. I’m right fucking here. I’m not going anywhere. If she’d only look at me…
“No. I’m sorry,” Scarlett says, turning to Alley. “I saw it, okay? I sat there and listened to you cry. I heard every horrible story. I watched you fall apart.” She points at Matt. “And you did too. Honestly, I don’t know how you let this go so easily.”
Jesus. This parachute’s a knapsack.
Matt straightens beside me. “I did,” he admits. “But I know Jensen. And I know what he’s done to fix this. I’ve seen it.” He pushes off the counter. “I need some air,” he mutters, heading for the balcony. The sliding door opens, then closes, awkward silence following.
Alley blinks fast, her chest rising and falling. Dammit. She’s trying not to cry.
“Scarlett,” I say, “I know you’re angry with me. You have every right to be. But stop shoving me under the bus. Alley’s her own person. She gets to choose what she does with her life.”
“Yeah. And she also gets to choose where she wants to sleep, Jensen. And she doesn’t want to go back to that apartment.”
“No shit!” My voice jumps, sharp enough to surprise me. “Jesus, Scarlett.” I drag a hand down my face. “Let’s hash this out right now. Whatever you’ve got to say, say it, so we can move on.”
It doesn’t help that everyone here but Alley and me is drunk.
Scarlett’s eyes well up, lips pressed together.
She takes a shaky breath, and then it all comes out in a sob.
“God! I’m so angry with you! You don’t even know how she was.
” Her voice cracks, hands shaking as she wipes her cheeks.
“You don’t even know. You hurt her so much. Made her cry every fucking day.”
Alley loses the fight to keep it in. Shit.
Her breath hitches, shoulders trembling, and there’s this small, broken sound that guts me.
I move swiftly, wrapping my arms around her.
She falls into me, and my chest aches so hard I feel it everywhere.
My eyes burn. My throat swells. The tension in here makes poker night feel like a fucking vacation.
“I know,” I tell Scarlett, my voice low but steady. “And I’m sorry. I was selfish. I was fucked up. And if I could take it back, I would. Every single bit of it.”
Megan watches from the corner, arms crossed tight, her expression heavy. Kevin looks like he’s wishing he could be anywhere but here.
Scarlett scoffs, folding her arms with a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
“We all saw it, Scarlett,” Megan says, voice soft but edged with grit.
“And we all love Alley. It broke all of us. But we also love Jensen. We watched him break, too.” Her voice wavers, the defense blindsiding me in the best way.
She blinks back tears, but they spill regardless.
“Trust me, I know how pissed you are. But look at them.” She gestures to Alley and me.
“God, they were the perfect couple. What they had was beautiful. Doesn’t this…
” She points again. “Doesn’t seeing them like this make you want it to work? ”
Dammit, Meg. Her words hit me square in the chest. My throat burns as I fight to keep my emotions in check.
Scarlett shakes her head hard. “No. I’m sorry. It doesn’t.” She grabs both her purse and Alley’s. “I’m leaving. Come on, Al. Let’s go.”
Alley doesn’t move. Her arms just cinch tighter around my waist.
I press a kiss to the top of her head before loosening my hold. “Scarlett, please. Just… talk to me.”
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Jesus. What more can I do?” My voice cracks. “You were my friend once, too. I’m doing everything I can to make things better. Why can’t you see I’m trying?”
“Trying doesn’t erase what you did.” Her voice is choked. Raw. “You can’t undo the damage. Yes, you were my friend, but I’ll always be Alley’s friend first. And she deserved better than what you gave her. I don’t care how it started, your true colors showed in the end. That erased all the good.”
My jaw tightens. “Is that all?” I bite out. “Don’t hold back.”
Her eyes narrow. “Fine. You better not fucking hurt her again.” She takes a step closer, heat practically rolling off her.
“Do you even remember the last night before she left? Or the night she dressed up for you in lingerie and you never came home? Or how about that double date, when you lost your damn mind?” She shakes her head, disgust flashing in her eyes. “Didn’t think so.”
I rake a hand through my hair, a groan tearing out of me. “Fuck.” My gaze locks on hers. “You think I don’t know what I did? What I lost? You think I don’t hate myself for it? I wake up every day praying she doesn’t run. I go to sleep begging she’ll still be there when I open my eyes.”
I step forward, my voice shaking. “Don’t think for a second I don’t know I failed her. That she deserved better. That I’ll never be good enough.”
I force a breath, willing myself to calm down. “I hurt her. I hurt all of you. Maybe that erases all the good for now. But I’ll still show up for her. Every damn day. Because I love her.”
I hold Scarlett’s gaze, palms damp, heart pounding.
“I know I messed up, but I’m here now. I’m not walking away, and I don’t expect you to forgive me.
” I glance at Alley, then back to her, my voice softer now.
“You matter to her, which means you matter to me. All I’m asking is that you give me a chance.
I swear you won’t regret it. I’ll be the man she deserves. Better than I was before.”
The silence hangs between us like a bomb, ready to blow. Scarlett’s face is blotchy from crying, her eyes bloodshot and glassy. She looks between me and Alley, torn. There’s nothing left to say. I’ve stripped myself bare and begged for mercy. If she can’t take me as I am now, she never will.
In rehab we talked a lot about redemption and making amends. But nothing prepares you for this: standing in front of someone you hurt, armor gone, praying they’ll see the man you’re trying to be.
Scarlett takes a long breath, pressing her fingers under her eyes to wipe away the last of her tears. Her shoulders sag. Then she looks at me and sighs. “Fine.”
My head snaps in her direction, brows furrowing. What?
“I’ll give you a chance. I’ll try.” She looks at Alley. “For Alley.”
Relief rips through me, and I’m moving, pulling her into a hug before I can even think. “Thank you.”
She hesitates, stiff at first, then slowly wraps her arms around me, cautious, like she’s still unsure.
When she lets go, Alley’s already there, arms open. They cling to each other, voices thick with emotion. “Thank you,” Alley says softly. “I love you.”
“I love you too. I just want you to be happy,” Scarlett says back.
“I know,” Alley whispers. “I know.”
They step apart, and Alley turns to me, eyes steady. “I’m going to come home tonight.”
My brain short-circuits. For a second, I think I misheard her, but she holds my gaze, unflinching.
“Really?” My voice comes out low and rough, almost disbelieving.
She nods once.
God, this is everything. My chest tightens, air threatening to escape all at once.
I pull her in, arms locking around her, praying she doesn’t change her mind.
She’s finally coming home.