Chapter Thirteen
Jessa
I thought I knew what it was to be hurt before. It turns out I couldn’t have been more wrong. The pain from my breakup with Jerome was more of a bruised ego than anything. It certainly wasn’t anywhere near what is currently happening.
Right now it’s as if my heart’s been crushed inside my chest. It hurts to even breathe.
This is what I get for taking a chance.
I’ve taken the coward’s way out, staying in bed the last two days, sulking and nursing the aching organ in my chest. Today I was so tired of wallowing I dragged myself out of the house, hoping a drive will help ease the pain.
It hasn’t helped nearly as much as it usually does. I’ve been driving on autopilot and find myself pulling up in front of Uncle Jackson’s house. The tan modern double-wide is on a two-acre lot with a large shop next to it. It’s Saturday morning, so I know that’s where he’ll be.
He’s tinkering on a 59 Ford F100, his latest project.
He peers out from under the hood with a broad smile. “Hey baby girl. Wasn’t expecting you. What a nice surprise.” His lips turn down as he gets a closer look at me. “What’s wrong?”
I walk straight to him, planting my face in his chest. His arms wrap around me, and I take a shuddering breath. His familiar scent of spicy cinnamon and traces of oil soothe me in a way that nothing else has since my fight with Lane.
“I got you Jess,” he murmurs, rubbing up and down my back.
No one has ever been able to comfort me like he has. Well, until Lane. Before he blew us up. Confirming no man is worth falling for.
Uncle Jackson doesn’t hurry me in the least, waiting until I break contact first. “How about a drink?”
I snort. “It’s a little early for a drink, isn’t it?” Glancing at my watch, I see it’s just past 10:30.
He grins and winks. “You know it’s 5 o’clock somewhere. Besides, it seems like this might be a special case.”
I nod, sighing. “I suppose so.”
He pulls two brown bottles from the fridge in the corner, handing one to me as we settle into the old recliners situated by the potbelly stove. The comfort of being in a place that is home eases the ache in my chest ever so slightly.
We drink for a few moments in silence while he waits for me to unload my burden, knowing I’ll eventually get there in my own damn time. I perch on the edge of the chair, legs spread, with my elbows propped on my knees. I roll the bottle between my palms as I consider where to start.
“I think I love him.” The words pop from my mouth, startling me as much as my uncle.
But I haven’t just taken a drink of my beer. He hacks uncontrollably for a moment before wheezing, “Jeez baby girl, you can’t do that to an old guy like me.”
I snort at the fact he thinks he’s an old guy. He may be sixty-two, but he doesn’t look a day over fifty. His gray temples only add that air of distinction they only do for men. He’s fitter than a fiddle and still has women half his age chasing after him.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know I was going to say that. It took me by surprise as well, but now it’s out there, I can’t deny it.” I tip the bottle to my lips, taking a long swallow before continuing. “Lane’s like no other guy I’ve ever met. Well, except maybe you.”
My brows pinch at another thought which never occurred to me before. Lane and Uncle Jackson are very similar. They both make me feel completely at ease with who I am. When I’m with them, they each feel like home.
Uncle Jackson chuckles. “Well, he can’t be all bad if he reminds you of me.”
I shake my head with a small smile. “He’s really not. It’s just that I thought he was going to beat a guy so badly the man was going to end up in the hospital just because of some bullshit he was sputtering. It wasn’t anything I haven’t heard a hundred times before, but he refused to let it go.”
“Good.”
My eyes jerk to him, my jaw dropping. “What?”
“You deserve a man who feels that strongly about you. Who won’t stand for you to be disrespected.”
“But he’ll end up in jail if that’s the case, because it happens on an almost daily basis.”
“I never said he didn’t need to learn to control the urge.
Hell, it took me years to not want to step in for you every time and let you fight your own battles.
It killed me to do so, but I knew you needed to be able to stand up for yourself, especially since you decided to follow in my footsteps.
I knew a woman as beautiful as you was going to have to learn early and quick how to handle the assholes that would be inevitable.
I almost considered dissuading you, but you loved turnin’ wrenches and had a knack most men don’t even have. ”
My phone rings. I pull it from my pocket even though I’m positive I already know it’s Lane. I frown at his name flashing on the screen.
“That him?” Uncle Jackson tips his head at the phone.
I nod. He holds out his hand, and I hesitantly pass the device over.
He answers the call. “Hello?” He pauses. “This is Jackson Martin, Jessa’s uncle. She’s right here, and as good as she can be given the circumstances, from what I hear.”
Another pause, this one much longer. His eyebrow arches, and he looks in my direction. “You think so, huh?”
Curiosity is killing me, but I refuse to ask. I actually kinda want to see where this goes. I’m surprised Lane didn’t hang up the second Uncle Jackson answered. My pulse races as the silence continues while Lane talks.
“That may be son, but you’re gonna have to work a hell of a lot harder to prove it.
Our girl deserves a man who respects her enough to stand beside her.
To honor her wishes. I made sure she was capable of taking care of herself.
I have absolute faith she can protect herself.
I love that you want to do that for her, because she abso-fucking-lutely deserves someone who does.
But you gotta learn to wrangle that urge and let her take care of business. ”
A ghost of a smile appears as he listens to Lane’s response. His green eyes sparkle as they move to me once again. “Well then, you have my approval if you can convince her. If you manage to do so, I can’t wait to meet the man good enough for my girl.”
His smile gets wider. “Good luck, and here she is.”
Uncle Jackson rises from his recliner and holds out the phone. “Hear him out before you hang up, baby girl. I’ll be in the house when you’re done.”
I watch him saunter out of the shop as I bring the device to my ear. “Hello?”
“Thank fuck. I wasn’t sure you’d listen.
I’m sorry Jess. So fucking sorry. I let my own need override what you needed.
I don’t want to be that guy. I know it won’t be easy for you to believe it won’t happen again, but you have my promise it will not.
I’m willing to do whatever it takes to earn back your trust. Hell, I’ll quit Masterson’s and work some place else if that’s what it takes.
Whatever you need, you say the word and I’ll make it happen.
I really don’t want to do this over the phone, but I’m afraid if I don’t, I might not get the chance if you don’t forgive me.
The truth is I love you and I don’t want a life without you in it. ”
I sniffle as I bite down on my bottom lip so hard I taste blood. Tears are streaming down my cheeks as I futilely attempt to brush them away with the back of my hand.
“Jess? Are you okay? Please say something.”
“I love you too.”
There’s a thud over the line. “Ow shit, that hurt.”
“Are you okay? What happened?” I ask.
“Well, uh, I may have gotten a little overwhelmed hearing that and missed the chair when I was collapsing. Say it again.”
A smile spreads across my face. “I love you too.”
“Fuck yeah. So much Jess. Uh, I know you’re visiting your uncle right now, but when do you think I could possibly see you? I’m dying to hold you.”
“I’m on my way.”
“Hurry. I mean, be safe, but seriously, drive that car like it was meant to be run.”
I laugh. “I will. Be there soon.”