15. Jesse
JESSE
M y head pounds as consciousness slowly seeps into my brain. Even without opening my eyes, I know that I’m not home, the pillow under my head something you’d put on your couch rather than a bed.
Adrian.
Fuck me.
The entire night comes back in a blur.
Me walking around the tree farm getting wasted.
Sending Adrian’s calls to voicemail.
Adrian showing up and asking me what happened then taking me home.
I’d refused to sleep in his bed after he made some kind of pasta with chicken that I practically inhaled before passing out.
Awesome.
I’d pissed all over the lines Adrian had drawn and I owe him an apology…right after I find some mouthwash.
And coffee.
Throwing back the blanket, I stand and fold it, thankful that my legs are steadier than they had been last night. It wasn’t my finest moment, but I’d hoped to drink the ache in my chest away. It didn’t work; my heart’s just as heavy today as it was yesterday.
The house is quiet, as I make quick work of washing my face with the hand soap. Finding something to tackle the pint of whiskey I drank is a different story, but after rummaging through the vanity drawers, I finally find a small bottle of mouthwash in a travel case.
Figuring the least I can do is start a pot of coffee, I wander back into the kitchen, the space tidy and completely void of the dinner Adrian had thrown together last night.
“You’re awake,” he mumbles, his voice low and gravelly from sleep, and God does my body take notice.
“I wanted to make you some coffee”—clearing my throat, I turn to face him—“and apologize for last night. You?—”
“No apology necessary.” I open my mouth to argue but he just shakes his head. “How are you feeling?”
“Probably better than I would have if I’d stayed in the trees.”
I know that’s not what he meant but it’s too early for that kind of heartache.
Buzz. Buzz.
“Sorry,” I tell him, fishing my phone from my pocket. “It’s…”
WREN: Breakfast at the lodge at ten
BEAU: That’s not breakfast
WREN: Brunch then
LAKE: It’s Saturday and I’ve spent all week with you guys
WREN: Mom and Dad have news
WREN: Reid—you and Harlan are not exempt
REID: Dammit
LAKE: Why are you so bossy today?
JESSE: Like it’s just today
WREN: Oh, good, he lives!
WREN: Bring your boyfriend
Panic hums in my veins as I look up at Adrian and back down to the screen.
JESSE: He’s not my boyfriend, we’re just friends
WREN: Well bring your friend
LAKE: Is that the same friend who found your drunk ass roaming around the tree farm?
BEAU: Is that why your truck was there?
JESSE: Fuck off all of you
WREN: I already told Mom you’re bringing him
JESSE: Why the fuck would you do that? I don’t need Mom scaring him off
WREN: Relax. She’s going to feed him pancakes and coo at him and pretend like the rest of us don’t exist
LAKE: I haven’t had enough coffee for your attitude
BEAU: Tell Merrick to take care of that
LAKE: Did you just tell our sister to go have an orgasm?
BEAU: What, like we don’t know she has sex. She’s a hell of a lot nicer when she does
WREN: I’m still here you know
BEAU: Exactly. Go get laid
WREN: If you insist
BEAU: We do
WREN: Jesse don’t ‘accidentally forget’ to bring Adrian
Dammit.
“So, uh,”—I swallow hard, looking up from my phone—“your presence is requested this morning.”
“For what?”
“Breakfast…with my family.”