CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
LIAM
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I lean against the kitchen bench, spooning the oats into my mouth in the silence of my home. It’s weird.
Jayden moved out two weeks ago after securing a mortgage and purchasing a house. Not the house he wants, but the first one never is.
Our friendship seems to have held strong. Then again, I haven’t seen Jessie for four weeks, which means he hasn’t had to face the reality of what the two of us look like together.
Four weeks.
Four fucking weeks without her.
She gave Jayden her new address, and he shared it with me. I’ve done a few drive-bys but I’ve never seen her. At least I know where she is, and that is a small comfort.
Watching her walk away a month ago nearly killed me. Of all the women in the world, I never would have expected Jessie Rogers to reject me.
It’s not about rejection. I don’t give a fuck about that. It’s about knowing she’s the woman I love and want to be with. And not being able to love her at a time when she needs me.
Savannah and Ryder had their baby. A little boy who looks so much like Ryder it’s almost creepy. When I visited them in hospital along with Jake, Scarlett and Cole, Sav was staring at me for so long it was getting awkward.
“Do I have something on my face?” I laughed, wiping it when everyone else was talking.
“Yes, sadness.” She took my hand. “Be patient with her.”
“What?” I laughed, pretending I didn’t know what she was talking about.
“Jess got the role on the show. Give her time. I know she misses you.”
Fucking funny way of showing it. I’ve messaged her a few times, but she’s never replied.
“Yeah, it's fine.”
Savannah's soft smile told me she knew I didn’t mean a word of it. I appreciated her telling me. Knowing Jessie was working and doing something she loved made me happy. But a huge part of me wanted to park outside Warner's, or hell, shadow her and make sure no one hurt her.
I raised it with Jay last night.
“We should go in together and pay for private security.”
He lifted a brow. “A bodyguard?”
“Yes, a fucking bodyguard.”
“She’s not a superstar yet, buddy.”
“She was raped,” I hissed.
“I don’t need reminding every five days.” He frowned at me.
Ugh.
I seemed to be the only one worried about her. Like I was going insane. “Fine. What about a driver?”
“Jessie is fine. Look, I know this is a touchy subject between us, but maybe it was all just a childhood crush and now...”
I’d slammed the beer I was drinking down and glared at him. “She said she loved me. It’s not a crush.”
His condescending nod made me see red.
I walked out of the bar three minutes later saying I had things to do. At eleven at night.
I did.
I was going to get my girl back.
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I LEAP IN THE Jeep after I’ve done a workout and check my hair. Something I never do. Then I head over to Jessie’s house. She goes to yoga on a Saturday morning (don’t ask me how I know) and should be walking home by the time I arrive.
Depending on traffic.
My knees bumps up and down as I sit at the lights, my tummy unsettled.
What if she rejects me again? This time I’ll know it’s not in reaction to what transpired. To Frank fucking Bonito, who is out on bail. Who will pay one way or another if I don’t see the justice system do the right thing.
What if Jayden is right?
What if this is just a crush?
Ten minutes later, I’m outside her house and watch as she rounds the corner, headphones in her ears bopping away.
I see the moment she spots the Jeep. Her steps slow, her eyes widen.
I climb out, circle around and stand on the sidewalk with my heart on my sleeve.
Please come back to me.