Chapter 34
I’ve been on edge all day. This morning I sent a text to Nick as soon as I had a moment alone. He needs to know Adam has found me and I need advice. I still don’t know whether I should come clean to West or run.
Every time the door chimes, I brace myself for Adam.
I wasn’t sure before that it was Adam who’s been watching me. But after last night and the mention of my old name, there is no more denying it. He’s here. And it’s me he wants.
I don’t understand why he’s hurt these other women, but I don’t want to wait and see what he’ll do to those I love. I’ve already learnt my lesson once.
After graduation, Nick and I agreed that I’d go off and never tell him my whereabouts, but this changes things. I had to tell him. Without hesitation, he offered to come get me. The only problem being my hesitation to leave.
The bell above the bakery door chimes, and I relax when it’s just Officer Ian who enters.
“Afternoon, Officer,” I greet with a friendly smile.
“Hi, Jade, how are you? I hear you’ve been bunkering with West?”
“I-I have, yes.”
Ian nods, watching me with a look I can’t really explain, but something about it unsettles me. “He really likes you, Jade.”
I know this, but my cheeks flame anyway. “He’s a great guy,” I confirm, though I’m sure he already knows this from his years of working alongside him.
There is a beat of silence that makes the air feel heavy before he speaks.
“You need to tell him the truth.”
My heart drops, dread pooling in my stomach “Ex-excuse me?” I choke out.
“Don’t do that,” he says, leaning over the counter and lowering his voice so only I can hear.
“We both know your name isn’t really Jade.
I’ve tried to be patient by sending you emails and texts, hoping you’d take the bait and tell him, but you haven’t.
You can’t keep lying to him. You need to tell him the truth.
Or I will,” Ian threatens, making my spine go stiff.
I blink, lips parting and pulse racing as I register what he has just admitted. All those threats, they came from Ian? Why? To protect West?
Swallowing the fear and unease that has coiled in my stomach, I blink back the tears that want to escape as he takes a step back and starts his way to the door, leaving me in shock.
“Today, Jade,” he warns, eyes pinning me into place, before walking out the door.
When it closes behind him, I grip the counter with white knuckles as the blood rushes in my ears and my thoughts begin to spiral. I need to go. Now.
The door to the kitchen swings open, and I try to focus on the clicking of Sarah’s heels, but fear and nausea surge through me and I think I’m going to be sick.
“Jade?” I feel her hand on my back, and my breathing slows just a little. “Hey, are you all right?” she asks with concern.
Alll I can do is shake my head and choke out the word, “Home.”
“Okay. Wren and I got the bakery. Do you want me to call West?”
I panic, swinging my head back and forth. “No. No. I just need to go home.”
“Are you sure that’s safe? I can drive you to West’s house?”
I jolt upright. “No. Please.” My voice cracks on a sob. “Just take me home.”
Her lips purse, and I can tell she’s debating what to do, but the look on my face and the tears dribbling down my cheeks must tell her this is what I need. “Okay. Let me just go tell Wren.”
In a trance, I take off my apron and grab my purse, my mind racing a mile a minute. I need to go. I need to call Nick, and I need to run before Ian tells West the truth.
The whole drive home, I fight back the tears that want to keep flowing. I never got to say goodbye to Wren, and I don’t want this to be the last time I see Sarah. I think of West and how much this is going to hurt to leave him.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to call West?” Sarah asks as we reach my door. “You are very pale, Jade.”
“No. It’s okay. I’m just going to go lie down for a bit,” I lie, feeling guilty.
Sarah hesitates to leave, but nods. “Okay. If you’re sure.”
“I am.”
Once inside my house, I pull out my phone and dial Nick.
The phone rings until it goes to voicemail, so I leave a message explaining what happened and ask him to come get me.
Pacing my house, I think about what to do.
It’s only a matter of time until West realizes I’ve come home.
It will take Nick days to get to me. Do I pack a bag and run to Hadley tonight?
How do I get there? I could take the bus.
I look around the room, and when I see Pumpkin’s tower, the dam breaks and I sob. I can’t leave her.
What the heck am I doing?
West will protect me. He might not forgive me for lying, but he will protect me.
Falling to the floor, I let the fear and tears consume me.
I can’t let Ian be the one to tell him. It needs to come from me.
It’s time I give West the last pieces of my story.