Chapter 14 #2
“That’s why I left, Jase. That’s why I never looked back.
I felt like I couldn’t. I was pregnant and afraid because I didn’t have a clue which one of you was the father.
I came to talk y’all because the two of you always knew what to do or say to make a situation better.
I knew that you were going to make me laugh, and then JoJo would comfort me and tell me that everything would be alright.
I knew as long as I had y’all, it would.
Then I saw all those naked girls, and they were asking which one of you I was there for.
By the time I made it to JoJo’s room, I could barely think straight until I saw the girl with his dick in her hand.
All I knew to do was get the hell away from whatever you two were into.
I felt like I couldn’t trust y’all anymore. ”
“He was in a dark place after you left, Harp. No matter what has happened or how it went down, know that he still thinks the world of you. I know how you felt because I’ve been going through it the past few days since I got the results.
I want to run to my son just as much as I want to run to my brother.
At the end of the day, if anyone is to blame, it’s all three of us.
We knew the risks we were taking. I wish that Jordy was Cameron’s dad.
It damn sure would make it easier, but I can’t pretend that part of me isn’t excited about being a father. I already love the kid, Harper.”
“I’m grateful for that. I just feel so bad for JoJo.”
“So do I. Just give him time. Promise that you won’t disappear on us again. I can’t take that, Harper. I need to be around my son.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
I rested my head against his chest until the tears stopped. If the time came again, I wouldn’t hesitate to tell JoJo that I wanted to move in with them. I wasn’t ashamed of the life I wanted. More than anything, I was ready to live in my truth. It was long overdue.
Jase stayed with me until I fell asleep on the couch.
I felt it when he kissed my forehead before leaving, but I was too spent to move.
I needed JoJo. He would have held me all night.
I knew that wasn’t Jase’s style. Now hours had passed, and I lay on the couch, watching my phone and willing myself not to call Jordy.
When my phone buzzed against the table, I almost broke a nail grabbing it and shoving it to my ear.
“Hello?”
“He’s in the hospital, Harp. Room 119. I’m almost there.”
Those words made my heart seize up in my chest. Jordy’s confession about taking pills after I left came flooding back to my memory in an instant. This could not be happening. He said that he had his depression under control. I couldn’t blame him for being triggered by everything that was happening.
“I’m on my way!” I said, springing to my feet.
I made it to the hospital in no time and jumped out of my car, running.
Someone yelled something as I ran through the open doors to get to the back, but I didn’t care.
I had to see Jordy. I couldn’t wait for anyone to give me permission.
I passed a few doors before I came to Jordy’s room.
I took a deep breath before pushing through the door.
“You have some fucking nerve coming here!” Jordy’s sister Janelle shouted, standing to her feet as soon as our eyes met.
“I need to see him,” I said, refusing to back down.
“Stop it, Janelle. Get your ass in here, little girl!” Doctor Lisa demanded.
Janelle kept the scowl on her face as she plopped back down in her seat. Her eyes never left me as I moved closer to the bed where their mom stood.
“How is he?” I asked, finally getting a look at Jordy. His eyes were closed. I could only assume that he was asleep.
“We don’t know yet. We’re not talking about that right now.”
“Ma!” Jordy groaned, making my heart soar. He was awake.
“Baby, I’m here.”
“No, she’s going to hear this, JoJo. I know you want to protect her, but she can’t run from me forever.
I don’t know what you did to him or what he did to you this time, but obviously, he’s still a damn fool for you because he’s probably ruined his career to protect you after you ran off and broke his heart all those years ago.
He’s still carrying a torch for you. I don’t like it, but that’s not my business.
My son is an adult, but that’s still just as much my baby as it is yours.
I just hope you love my son half as much as he clearly loves you. ”
“I do, Doctor Lisa. I never meant to hurt him.”
“Now, I saw your son with your mom the other day. Is that my grandbaby?”
I glanced over at JoJo who was nodding with his eyes still closed. “Yes.”
“Bring me my baby. He needs to know us.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m going to give you a minute to talk to him alone before they prep him for surgery. JoJo, open your heart and stop being so damn stubborn. Obviously, you two have a lot to talk about.”
Once Jordy’s mom and sister were out of the room, I moved closer to the bed. I couldn’t resist the urge to touch his face.
“I asked you to give me space, Harper.”
The chill in his voice made a lump form in my throat. I was used to Jordy being warm and sunny. I could only blame myself for the stark change in his disposition. It hurt, but that didn’t mean I was going to run away.
“I couldn’t leave you like this, JoJo. Did you do something? Did you like . . . What happened, baby? You should have called me. I should have been with you.”
“I didn’t try to hurt myself, if that’s what you’re asking, Harper. I told you I know how to process my feelings. I asked you to give me space so I could do that.”
“Well, I’m giving you space, but I’m not leaving. I’ll just be on the other side of the room. I’m not leaving you again, JoJo.”
I moved the chair that Jordy’s sister had been in to the other side of the room and plopped down. The curtains were pulled so that I could only see the foot of Jordy’s bed, but I was there. I couldn’t leave without knowing that he would be OK.
“I fractured my hand hitting your ex-husband. My brother Jameer is on the way to see if I need surgery. My mom thinks I do. The doctors on call here don’t agree. So, we are waiting on him to give his opinion.”