Page 192 of Make Me Trust Again
The muffled response from the other side of the call has her pinching the bridge of her nose as she lets out a frustrated sigh. Rebecca and I exchange a look, matching worried expressions on our faces. “Well, this kind of behavior isn’t helping. I need to go. I have to get?—”
Loud yelling cuts off whatever she wanted to say, making the color drain from her face. She looks away, her voice dropping lower. “Then why are you even with me? Why just not break up already?”
My lips part in surprise as the silence stretches for a long moment before the muffled yelling continues, making her press her lips in a tight line.
“No,yousaid that!Youare the one who’s clearly not happy in this relationship, so maybe we should just end it here…” Jessica listens for a moment before shaking her head. “I didn’t. You did, Damien. And I’m done playing your games and being your punching bag.”
Before he can say anything, Jessica hangs up the phone, her breathing heavy as she just stares at the screen.
“Did she just…?” Rebecca glances at me, and I simply nod. “Yup.”
“It was about damn time.” She winces as Jessica turns toward us. “Sorry, are you okay?”
“No, it’s fine. I just…” Jessica shakes her head. “I can’t deal with this now.”
“What can I do?”
“Fuel me up? I was supposed to be off until seven this evening, but they called me in early since there was some kind of emergency, and of course, my coffee machine decided today that it won’t work.”
“I’ll do you one better, how about I fill up that thermos you have with a backup for later? I’ll even throw in a dessert.”
Jessica’s shoulders relax slightly. “You’re a godsend, Becky.”
“I’ve gotcha.” Rebecca takes the thermos and turns around to the coffee machine, pressing the start button. “How is work?”
“Long. Hectic. Fulfilling.” She gives me a tentative look. “I heard about your ex. Aiden was called to the scene. He said there wasn’t anything that they could’ve done. Is it true that he took Kyle and shot Chase?”
“Unfortunately.”
“That’s just so crazy. I’m so sorry, Rose. I guess that was his karma, huh?”
“Rightfully so,” Rebecca mutters as she puts Jessica’s coffees on the counter along with her dessert. “Will you be coming to book club next week?”
Jessica places a twenty-dollar bill on the counter before sliding the dessert and thermos into her bag and grabbing the to-go cup. “Maybe? I need to see which days I’m working. I’m not sure I liked this one. The guy didn’t grovel nearly enough for my liking.”
“I agree.” Rebecca gives her a pointed look. “Gotta make them work for it.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll see you ladies later.”
“Don’t forget about this weekend!” I call out just as her phone buzzes to life again with an incoming call.
Damien.
She hangs up on her way out, muttering something under her breath as she reaches for the door, just as a man enters the café.
I open my mouth to tell her to watch out, but it’s already too late.
“Shit.I’m so so—” Jessica sucks in a sharp breath as she lifts her gaze and stumbles back, all the color draining from her face. “M-Matthew.”
I follow the sound of laughter and murmuring voices once I get back home, all the way to the barn. The smell of hay and animals greets me the moment I step inside and find my two boys in one of the stalls.
Chase is standing next to Kyle, who has a brush in his hand and is slowly running it through the horse’s hair. Or is it fur? I have no idea.
“Is it good like this?” Kyle asks, tilting his head so he can see Chase’s face.
“You’re doing great. Just take it slow and gentle. We don’t want to spook him.”
“He’s so pretty.” Kyle shifts his attention to the horse, his stroke slow and even. “Can we go for a ride? Please?”
