Chapter 12 #2
Jeremy’s face falls, and my happiness morphs into anger straight away.
“Fuck you,” Jeremy says, that devilish attitude all gone, replaced by shame. His face shows the hurt Kai’s words have inflicted. He takes my hand and rushes out of the room in the general direction of the bedrooms, and I hate Kai a little bit for it.
I hear Haden scolding Kai, and part of his answer. “I’m sorry man. I didn’t…”
Once we can’t hear them any longer, Jeremy stops, and I place my arms around him and pull him against my chest. We stay there for a moment before Jeremy pulls away, pretending nothing happened.
“I’m sure he didn’t mean anything bad by it.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” So much hurt in those words.
“Okay,” I say, letting him go and taking his hand to guide him forward.
I let him go and sit on the bed, then pat next to me for Jeremy to sit, but instead he prefers to walk around and touch everything. Just like I did the first time I was here. We’re more similar than I want to admit, because it means he’s as afraid as I am of being alone.
“When are you coming back?”
“I’m not sure. Kai hasn’t cleared me yet.”
He looks at me intently, as if trying to understand what I’m hiding from him, and I immediately share. There are no secrets between us.
“Haden offered me a job. He asked me to take care of his daughter.”
“Like a nanny?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you accept?”
“I want to.
“You like him.” It’s not a question, but I answer anyway.
“Yeah. He’s kind.”
“Are you leaving me behind?”
“Never.” I jump up and I stand in front of him. I need to make sure he knows nothing has changed. “It’s always you and me against the world.”
I try to take his hand but he doesn’t allow me, and that hurts, because he’s never done that before.
“Jerr…” But he stubbornly stands there looking everywhere but me. I take his face in between my palms, just like he did before, and move his face until we’re eye to eye. “I’ll find the money,” I promise him.
He scoffs. “Don’t make me laugh. Where are you going to find thirty thousand pounds?”
“I don’t know. I’m going to work.” By the time I find the money the interest will have doubled the amount we owe.
“No job is going to give you that amount of money in less than a year. And no other job is going to keep Dick happy, unless we pay the full amount.”
“I…”
“Is everything okay?” Haden says after knocking on the semi-closed door.
“Yeah, all good.” I look at him, trying to avoid showing my fears.
“Jeremy?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” he says, sounding frustrated and sulky at the same time, and in some ways reminding me of Haden when he’s grumpy.
I giggle and they both look at me. “Sorry, sorry.”
They look at me like I’ve lost my mind, and it could be true.
“I heard part of your conversation.”
I blink once, and then twice, as if I can’t comprehend what he’s saying. Colour rises to my face and I bite my lips to keep my emotion in check. Betrayed doesn’t begin to explain it. I trusted him.
Haden raises his hands as if he can read what’s happening inside my head. “I was coming in to offer you two something to drink.”
Doubt lingers, but when my eyes land on his, searching for the truth, I find it there. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself, the need to battle with him leaving me slowly.
“Okay,” I say, and then something else comes to mind. “Where’s Arianna?”
Haden and Jeremy talk at the same time.
“She’s sleeping.”
“Who’s Arianna?”
“Arianna is Haden’s daughter,” I’m quick to say, knowing where Jeremy’s mind is going.
“That’s a surprise,” his tone is incredulous, and in some ways offensive.
“That mouth of yours is gonna get you into trouble.” Haden’s cold voice showcases his displeasure.
“Jeremy, stop.”
He looks at me and backs down. “Sorry.”
“No problem.” But the dark cloud hovering over his head doesn’t dissipate as quickly.
“Thank you.” I gently smack Jeremy on the nape of his neck, reminding him we’re guests in this house.
“I can help.”
“Help?”
“I have the money.”
“Why are you offering money to strangers? We don’t need your pity.” Jeremy looks at me, expecting me to jump down Haden’s throat, but I can’t. “Unless you want more from him than just being your nanny.”
Jeremy’s words make my stomach turn to ice. I’ve found nothing more than kindness and respect in this house. In my heart I’m sure Haden is coming from a good place, and I’m not going to offend him because I’m using the same measure I use for liars and lowlifes.
“Jeremy…” I whisper, horrified by what he just said.
“I can’t believe you’re trusting him. You don’t know him.” His eyes plead with me, but I can’t lie, not even for him. “I’m out of here,” he says when I keep silent.
“Jerr, please…” I call him back again but he doesn’t stop.
“I’m sorry.” Haden’s face is apologetic, but he’s not at fault. I’m sure his words were coming from a place of good intentions.
“It’s not your fault. I’ll talk to him.” I’m worried, though. I don’t want him to be out there believing I’m not on his side.
“I’ll be in the other room.” He turns around, but then stops. “Make sure you’re both safe.”
How can I not like him?
Even when we fight his help, he’s still here offering it without asking for anything back.
“Thank you.” I put all my gratitude into those two words, and I want to cry when he takes my hand as if telling me that what happened doesn’t change anything.
Once he’s gone, I pick up my phone and call Jeremy, but he doesn’t answer.
What a fucking mess.