Page 42 of The Choices I've Made
GOD, THIS MAN INFURIATED ME.
He was overbearing and way too controlling. Where did he get off, telling me what to do?He was the one who had walked away and vowed to never come back. Why the hell did he care in the first place? Surely, there was some trollop back in Chicago he could bother.
Of course, the idea of that enraged me even further.
Jake Jameson had always been my kryptonite. He had a way of pushing my buttons and seeing through any wall I put around myself. He didn’t take shit, and he always knew how to get me off.
In more ways than one.
But two could play at this game, and I was just getting started.
“Can’t you pick up produce another day?” he asked, but still heading toward our destination.
“No,” I answered simply.
“Really? Because, last time I checked, I saw an empty inn with no guests to feed.”
I batted my eyelashes, enjoying his discomfort. He knew, the moment he showed up at Terri’s, he would get an earful. If there was one thing that old woman was good at, besides produce, it was telling the truth as she saw it.
And Jake Jameson was no exception.
“No, that’s not true at all. I have three guests. The Lovells and…well, you. And I can hardly let our new resident doctor go unfed, can I?”
He didn’t bother responding, but I could see plumes of smoke rising from his angry, stupid head.
Molly: 1
Jake: 0
“We’re here, princess,” he grumbled.
I nearly giggled, loving his misery.
That was, until I saw the way his eyes averted the house next door.
The way mine did when I came to this part of the island. Jake’s house had always been here, right next to Terri’s. I knew that. It was a key part of my childhood as a friendship had blossomed into so much more over the years.
But, since he’d left, it had become a blind spot in my vision. A place I avoided even looking at.
Because it wasn’t just Jake who had horrible memories of this place.
“I can’t stay here, Mols. I can’t,” Jake said, his voice full of pain and regret.
“I know it hurts, Jakey, but we’ll get through it. Together.”
He took a quick glance toward the bright blue house behind me, and I could see the decision becoming clearer in his eyes.
“No,” he said firmly. “This place, this house, it will always be where she died. It will be a constant reminder of my father’s failure. Of the poor excuse of a man he’s become.”
My hand rose to meet his. “Your dad is sick, Jake. He needs help. And he needs you. Now more than ever. You aren’t the only one suffering a loss here. He lost his wife.”
“He murdered her!” he screamed so loud it echoed through the trees. “He should have seen the warning signs. He should have done something. But he was too drunk and stupid to give her the attention she needed. And now…” His voice faded, as he was too pained to go on. “Come with me,” he begged.
“To California? What would I do?”
“Does it matter?” he said with gusto. “We’ll be together. Just like we’ve always planned.”
“What we’ve always planned is that we’d go to college in state. But you’re making this decision to leave without me. This is your choice.”
