Page 93 of Stuck with Me

My mind instantly settles on Rosie. Maybe that’s insane, but that’s where it goes.

“Can’t say that I have,” I lie through my teeth.

The last thing I’m gonna do is spill my guts to this guy. Someone who I barely know but who knows Rosie.

“I was in love once. Only once.”

But apparently, he’s completely fine with spilling his guts to me.

“And when she left me, I swore I’d never fall in love again,” Jones says, slurring the last few words.

“You all right?” It’s a dumb question. The guy is drunk off his ass. Not only is it obvious in his demeanor, but no guy has a heart to heart with another guy he just met while sober.

“She was here one day, and the next…gone. Skipped town without a word to anyone.” He turns to look at me, eyes hollow. “But I know why she really left.”

I remain still and quiet.

“I knocked her up.” He laughs bitterly and my gut twists in discomfort. “At first, after she told me the news, I thought our lives were ruined. But then, I was like, I fucking love this woman. We talked about marriage and moving in together and having a house full of kids. And then…” his voice cracks. “Mia lost the baby. Miscarriage at sixteen weeks. Doctor told us it was a little girl.” Jones looks at me again and I can’t look away. His eyes glaze over. “That’s why Mia left. She couldn’t stand to look at me. She felt guilty. Like it was her fault, even though the doctors said there wasn’t nothing she could’ve done. Sometimes those things happen, he’d said.”

My throat is thick but the way Jones is looking at me, like he’s desperate I say something. “I’m sorry,” I croak out.

He twists his lips to the side and finally, tears his gaze from me. “I’ve never told anyone else about that. You know, about the baby. About why Mia really left Maple Ridge.”

“It must’ve been real hard. On the both of y’all.”

He nods and we both sit in the peace of the chilly, darkened night. Jones seems more relaxed. Almost as if he’s been waiting a long ass time to get that secret off his chest. What I can’t figure out, is why he told me.

The door to the cabin swings open with a quick creak. Cammie pops her head out into the cold. “Mr. Cabin-Stealer, are you out here?” she says in a little sing-song. She spots me and her eyes light up. “We’ve just put on Home Alone and I made us a new batch of spiked eggnog. We need another player for our next round of strip UNO. You in?” She waggles her brows.

“Aww shit,” Jones groans out and chuckles. He smacks me on the back as he stands. “Man, don’t pass up that opportunity.”

“What the hell, deal me in,” I relent.

“Jones, you are staying out here, right?”

“For sure, sis. I’m gonna make a fire. Rosie said she brought stuff for s’mores.” He winks.

“Of course she did. Rosie is the best.”

She goes inside and I stand to follow in behind her.

“Hey, man, one more thing,” Jones calls out and I glance at him over my shoulder. “Love is painful. I’m never putting myself through that shit again. But Cammie is right, Rosie-Posie is the best. She’d be worth the heartbreak.”

CHAPTER26

Rosie

Strip UNO is all fun and games until someone passes out wearing nothing but a bra, one sock, boxer shorts, and a beanie hat. Designated Dean is curled up on one end of the sofa and the rest of us cannot stop laughing.

“It’s so cute. He’s such a lightweight,” Cammie says.

“Cammie,” Maverick groans. “Please don’t call another guy cute.”

“You can’t seriously be jealous of that.” I gesture my hand toward Dean and lift my brows. “He’s wearing a bra for fuck’s sake.”

Sabrina hunches a shoulder. “I mean, hot pink is a good color for him.”

And we all laugh harder. Even Nico. Maybe it’s the eggnog. Or maybe it’s really because Dean looks hilarious wearing Sabrina’s bra.

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