49. （BEGIN）nings
JAE
49
My days at Jennifer’s house had become routine. I woke up with my back fucking hurting because of this goddamn air mattress. I had half a mind to just refurnish the room, but Jennifer told me I wasn’t allowed to take over her house. Even though it needed new windows. An updated bathroom…I was already planning on gifting her the remodel of her dreams for helping out so much.
And like every other day at her house, Jennifer burst into my room, the no-nonsense nurse, coaxing me out of bed by tempting me with an update on Vee.
“Jae, get up! You can’t sleep your life away on that deflating piece of plastic,” Jennifer announced, flinging open the curtains with a flourish.
I groaned, rolling over and glaring at her. “I’m considering buying you a new house just so I can sleep in a decent bed.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Not necessary. But I do have news about Verena.”
I sat up instantly, ignoring the protest from my aching back. “What about her?”
Jennifer smiled knowingly. “Get up and I’ll tell you. Maybe even let you in on how she’s doing these days.”
I grumbled but swung my legs over the side of the air mattress. “Fine. But this better be good.”
“It’s great,” she said, tossing me a pair of jeans. “Now, come on. The kitchen floor isn’t going to sweep itself.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered, pulling on my jeans. “You know, this place could use some serious upgrades.”
“Nice try,” Jennifer shot back. “But I’m not letting you take over. You can’t fix everything with money, Jae.”
I smirked, grabbing the broom she handed me. “Wanna bet?”
Jennifer chuckled, patting my shoulder. “Sweep the kitchen, and then we’ll talk.”
With a sigh, I started sweeping, feeling a strange sense of comfort in the routine. Jennifer hovered nearby, offering unsolicited advice on my technique.
“You know, Verena always hated cleaning too,” she said, a hint of teasing in her voice.
Mina, my cat, lazily walked through the piles of dirt I just swept up.
Fuck, that was weird to say. I had a cat. I wasn’t planning on having a cat, and I even surprised myself when I had Jennifer ask Laura to bring Mina here. But…she was comforting. When I wasn’t sneezing at the sight of her. And when she graced us with her presence.
I paused, looking up. “How is she?”
Jennifer’s smile softened. “Why don’t you see for yourself?” She pulled out her phone and showed me a photo. “She finished her book.”
I froze, my eyes locked on the image of Verena on the beach. She looked so at peace, so happy. Her hair blew gently in the breeze, and she had that serene look I hadn’t seen in a long time. My heart ached with longing and regret. “She did? She finished her book?” I whispered, unable to tear my gaze away from the photo. “I should’ve taken her to the house in the Hamptons more often. Always too busy with work.”
Jennifer nodded, a knowing smile on her face. “She did. And she looks so proud. Now, let’s get to work. I’ll teach you how to make another one of her favorite dishes. Let’s talk.”
The past two months, Jennifer had made it her personal mission to teach me how to cook. It was something to do, a way to keep my mind occupied. We pulled out ingredients, and she started showing me the steps.
“Jae, it’s time for you to leave,” she said softly as she showed me how to chop vegetables.
My heart sank. “I’m not ready,” I said, the thought of leaving the safety of her home overwhelming.
She placed a hand on my arm, her eyes kind but firm. “You are. The purpose of you staying away from Verena was to find your footing and let her shine. My baby is bright as the sun, and I haven’t seen you log on to read news updates for your company in a couple of weeks.”
I nodded, knowing she was right. Jennifer had a way of cutting through the bullshit. “I guess I’ve been distracting myself with everything else.”
She smiled, shaking her head. “Sometimes, being still is the hardest thing to do. But it’s necessary. You have to go for what you want, Jae. You can’t keep running.”
I sighed, looking down at the chopping board. “I know. I just…I miss her so much.”
Jennifer’s expression softened. “I used to think I was so smart. But there you were, suffering right under my nose. I think of you as part of the family, and I didn’t include you because the lines got blurred. I didn’t know what part of you was my daughter’s boss and who was the goofy kid in college that I had to literally beg to stop calling me Mrs. Williams.”
I chuckled, remembering those days. “You’ll always be Mrs. Williams to me.”
She rolled her eyes playfully. “Just call me Jennifer, for heaven’s sake. And remember, you’re stronger than you think. It’s time to face Verena and figure things out.”
I was about to ask where to begin when the most annoying motherfucker in the world walked into the house like he owned the place.
Luke.
I hated him. Genuinely. The ease he had with Jennifer, the cocky way he’d update us on Verena. This man showed up every goddamn day, and I was two seconds from murdering him.
He trudged in and hugged Jennifer while sneering at me. “You’re still here?”
Jennifer clicked her tongue. “No dick-measuring contests in the kitchen, children. Jae is welcome to stay here.”
Luke shrugged, giving me a smug smile. “Just surprised he’s still around. Thought he’d have run back to his office by now.”
I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my cool. “I’ve got more important things to deal with than work.”
Luke’s smirk widened. “Like trying to win Verena back? Good luck with that.”
I took a step closer, my fists clenching at my sides. “What are you implying?”
“Nothing,” he said innocently. “Just that I’m driving out to see Verena tonight. Thought she could use some company to celebrate finishing her book.”
My heart stopped. “What?”
Luke’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “Gonna surprise her. She finished her book, so we should celebrate.”
“You can’t go,” I snapped, the words out before I could stop them.
“And why not?”
Jennifer rolled her eyes, clearly tired of our antics. “Boys, enough.”
I ignored her, my gaze locked on Luke. “Because she’s staying at my house, and I forbid it.”
Luke laughed, shaking his head. “Then I’ll just meet her at the bar she’s going to.”
My blood ran cold. “She’s going to a bar?”
He nodded, a smug grin on his face. “Yep. Told me herself.”
The jealousy rolled through me, and I had to resist the urge to punch him. “You have no right?—”
Jennifer’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. “Enough!”
We both turned to her, the authority in her voice undeniable.
She turned to Luke, her eyes narrowing. “When are you going to stop pretending to be in love with my daughter?”
Luke looked nervous, shifting on his feet. “What are you talking about?”
Jennifer sighed. “You pretend to like Verena because it’s easy. You automatically know she’ll reject you, so you use it as an excuse to avoid the elephant in the room.”
Luke’s face paled, and he opened his mouth to protest, but no words came out.
Jennifer softened. “It’s time to stop running, Luke. You never settle, because you’re afraid. For once, be honest with yourself.”
I stood there for a moment, letting Jennifer’s words sink in. Then, a thought hit me, and I said, “I’m going to the Hamptons.”
Jennifer’s face lit up with a smile, while Luke’s expression darkened into a glare.
Luke crossed his arms, trying to look nonchalant but failing miserably. “You should stay, Jae. You’re just going to mess things up.”
I shook my head. “No, I’m done with running. Verena deserves better.”
Luke scoffed, his jealousy evident. “You think you can just waltz back into her life and everything will be fine?”
“Yes, because I’m not going to run away anymore. I’m going to fight for her.”
His face twisted in frustration. “You’re making a mistake.”
I chuckled. “You can fight this and I’ll tie you to Jennifer’s kitchen chair, or you can back down. I think we both know Jennifer is right and you’re pursuing someone that will never be yours, Luke.”
Luke’s face turned a shade of red I’d never seen before. “I-I don’t like Laura,” he protested weakly.
“Sure you don’t, dear,” Jennifer said, patting his shoulder. “Why don’t you stay here tonight and help me with a few things. Vee doesn’t need your pestering.”
Luke pouted like a fucking puppy, clearly torn between his jealousy and his loyalty.
I turned to Jennifer, a grateful smile on my face. “Thank you. For everything.”
She nodded, her eyes warm. “Go get your girl, Jae.”
I headed upstairs to pack a few things, feeling a sense of purpose I hadn’t felt in months. As I threw clothes into a bag, my mind raced with thoughts of Verena—her smile, her laugh, the way she made everything brighter.
By the time I finished packing, I felt ready. Ready to face her, to tell her everything, to fight for what we had. I took one last look around the room, then headed downstairs.
Jennifer and Luke were in the kitchen, Luke sulking while Jennifer busied herself with some task.
“I’m ready,” I announced.
Jennifer looked up and smiled. “Good luck, Jae.”
I nodded, then turned to Luke, who was still pouting. “Don’t worry, Luke. You’ll find your own path. Just stop trying to sabotage mine.”
With that, I walked out the door, ready to reclaim my future and the woman I loved.