32. Thirty-Two
Thirty-Two
Jake
Later that night
I ’m going to lose my ever-loving mind .
Giving a low growl of frustration, I violently yank my tie off my neck and toss it onto the mattress beside me.
I’m fuming by the time I snatch my phone off the bedside table and pull up the YouTube app, silently cursing my old man for never teaching me a single useful thing and forcing me to learn this shit through how-to videos.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. After several more failed attempts that have me cussing up a storm, I finally manage to make myself look presentable and quickly shrug on my suit jacket before the perfectionist in me has time to convince myself that my best isn’t good enough.
Thanks to my poor knot tying abilities, we’re going to be late to our own damn engagement party, and Tessa has hollered up the stairs more than once already, urging me to hurry.
I allow myself one last cursory glance in the full-length mirror, before I get my ass in gear and jog downstairs to meet my brand-new fiancée.
“Alright, baby. I’m ready. Sorry it took so long, but I almost strangled myself with my own damn tie.
” My thumbs fly over the keyboard as I tap out a text to Carter to let him know we’re only a few minutes out.
When Tessa’s reply doesn’t come, I lift my gaze off the screen and come to a screeching halt.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, taking in her pale complexion and panic-filled eyes.
“Jake,” she whispers, a slight tremble to her voice, as she stares over my shoulder like she’s seen a ghost. The shuffling sound behind me has me whipping around and my own eyes widen in shock as I take in the sight that greets me.
There, in the middle of my living room, stands Jessica Cartwright, pointing a gun at the love of my life.
Her face is a twisted mask of anguish, eyes begging. For what, I don’t know yet.
“Jessica,” I say in a calm, even tone, doing my best not to spook her.
Her skin is covered in red blotches, making it obvious she’s been crying.
There’s a wild glint in her eye, arms shaking as she adjusts her grip on her weapon.
I raise my hands and subtly step sideways, inserting myself between her and my girl.
“So, the rumors are true?” She accuses, looking at me like I’ve betrayed her in the worst possible way.
“You’re about to marry that worthless whore?
Why, Jake? She abandoned you. All it took was a sprinkling of doubt, and she ran for the hills.
I did you a favor. Don’t you see?” she wails as she beseeches me to understand her actions.
“I needed you to know she wasn’t worthy of your love.
That she wasn’t deserving of your loyalty and devotion.
I’ve loved you from the moment I met you.
I’d never have left you. How could you let her back into your heart so easily after she discarded you like a piece of trash? ”
“Jessica,” I urge, holding her jumpy gaze and silently begging her to stop this madness. “You don’t know what you’re saying. You need help. When was the last time you spoke with your therapist?”
“I don’t need a damn therapist,” she screeches, lifting the gun until the muzzle lines up with my forehead.
“I don’t need more treatment. What I need is you.
I’ve sat on the sidelines for years, biding my time while I waited for you to come to your senses and realize we belong together.
I’ve stood idly by while you picked up women at bars.
Watched you fuck them through seedy motel windows. ”
Jesus fucking Christ . The mere thought of her peeping through the curtains while I shared what I thought to be a private moment with someone makes my skin crawl. The sensation sends an icy shudder down my spine, but I can’t dwell on it right now.
“I’ve always kept tabs on you, and I was more than patient.
But when you started dating Alicia, you really tested my self-restraint.
There’s only so much a woman in love can take.
I didn’t want to have to hurt her, which is why I was so relieved when you broke things off.
I saw her tears when she climbed into her car that night, and I saw you standing on the porch as you watched her drive away.
Imagine my shock when I figured out why you sent her packing.
” I suck in a harsh breath when she takes a threatening step toward me.
My whole body tenses in preparation to make a grab for her firearm, but she stops just out of reach.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard rumors that you and your whore reunited.
And when I ran into you the other day and she so brazenly laid claim to you?
Taunting me,” she spits, staring past me and pinning Tessa with a venomous look.
“I should’ve taken care of your disloyal slut that day, but my grandmother noticed something was off and made arrangements to have me readmitted.
That meddling old bitch, always sticking her nose in where it doesn’t belong.
” Jessica releases a bone-chilling laugh .
Glancing over my shoulder, I make sure Tessa is still behind me and out of the line of fire. This woman is utterly unhinged, and if she came here intending to do Tessa harm, she’ll have to take me out first.
“But she won’t stand in our way anymore, my love,” Jessica states in such a detached way it makes my blood run cold. “I took care of her once and for all.” My eyes flare at her whispered confession.
“You killed your own grandmother?”
“She tried to keep me from you!” she screams, causing me to recoil.
“Said I’m unwell and my obsession with you is unhealthy.
She didn’t understand that we’re meant to be.
I needed her gone so we could finally be happy.
And when I heard about your engagement, I simply couldn’t risk waiting.
” She shifts from foot to foot, trying to look around me to get a handle on Tessa’s location.
I angle my body, taking a step back to cover her better, before I reach behind me to link my fingers with hers.
“I came here tonight to give you one last chance. There is no way I’ll stand by while you marry that spineless bitch.
I won’t allow it. You hear me? Not after all the sacrifices I’ve made for us to be together.
I slept with Shane Cooper for crying out loud.
Do you have any idea how degrading it was to let that slimy weasel rut into me for months on end when it was you I really wanted?
But I needed him, so I did what had to be done.
I killed my only relative because she was trying to keep us apart.
What has she ever done for you? What has she sacrificed? ”
Tessa’s hand shakes in mine, and I give her a reassuring squeeze before I release her, intending to end this once and for all. I won’t let this crazy bitch come into our home and threaten the woman I love. Jessica Cartwright has cost us enough, and she’s not taking anything else from me.
“Put the gun down, Jess,” I demand, meeting her red-rimmed eyes and urging her to do the right thing.
“We can talk about this. You don’t have to hold us at gunpoint. I’m willing to listen. But this is between you and me. Let Tessa go, and I’ll happily sit down with you and have a conversation.”
Jessica looks at me with a longing expression, and for a split-second, I think she’ll listen to reason. Then she gives her head a subtle shake and lifts her chin with a newfound determination.
“Do you think I’m stupid? She’d call the police and have me arrested the second she clears the front door. No one leaves this house until you promise not to marry her. I need you to choose me.”
I regard her with a pitying look—letting her know I sympathize, but also needing her to understand this isn’t ever going to happen .
“I can’t do that, Jessica. I don’t have feelings for you.
Never did. Never will. You can’t force someone to love you, sweetheart.
It doesn’t work that way. The heart wants what the heart wants, and mine belongs to Tessa.
That doesn’t mean I don’t care,” I tell her as I watch her every hope crumple right before my eyes.
“I want what’s best for you, Jess. Please,” I beg, holding out a hand and slowly inching closer.
“Hand me the gun and let’s talk about this.
I’m sorry I can’t give you what you want, but it’s not too late to do the right thing. ”
Jessica’s features contort, a tortured expression settling on her face as she briefly stares at the ceiling. Then she looks me straight in the eye and gives me a regretful smile.
“I’m sorry too, Jake,” she says on a broken sob. “But if I can’t have you, no one can. Maybe we’ll be together in the next life.”
I watch in utter horror as her index finger twitches and a deafening sound resonates through the room. I hear Tessa’s blood-curdling scream only seconds before fire explodes in my chest. I stumble back, colliding with Tessa’s front as I stare at the weeping woman opposite me with shocked disbelief.
Then Jessica turns the gun on herself and pulls the trigger once more.