Page 81 of Never Started
Answers that I don’t know if I’m ready to give.
Chapter thirty-seven
Jett
November 2023
"Jettson," she whispers my name, and fuck, I've missed the sound of it on her lips.
She shoots up in the bed, her eyes instantly finding and colliding with mine. A noticeable shiver spreads throughout her body as she takes me in.
"You're crying." Of all the things I could possibly say, I decided to point out the most obvious.
She sighs and quickly wipes at the tears.
I walk up to her, reaching for her wrists. I tug her off the bed, pulling her directly against my chest, wrapping my arms protectively around her.
When I practically begged Via to let me be the one to talk to Izzy, I expected her to put up more of a fight. She didn’t oppose at all—simply looked me over, then gave me a nod and told me to let her know once we’re finished talking. I suppose she could see the sadness on my face. The desperation. Part of me thinks I should feel like less of a man for letting that emotion show. Butfuck, it was worth it. I’m glad I did because Izzy is in my arms again.
"Jett," she whimpers my name as the once-silent tears turn into a sob. Then she falls apart on my chest.
"I know," I whisper back, running a hand across her temple and then through her hair, the sweet floral scent filling my nose. "I know."
We stand there connected like that for what feels like forever, yet not long enough simultaneously, and fuck me, it's everything I've yearned for all this time. I've longed for the connection, the feel of her in my arms, the security I've always felt in her presence. While it's healing the part of me that needed this, it's also breaking the other part of me. The logical part that holds all the questions and needs the answers.
"Shh,don't cry." I pull her in closer to me. "Is this because of him?"
"No," she says with a scoff, shaking her head. "It's because of me. It's always because of me. I am the problem, Jett."
I don't speak. I should tell her she's not. Reassure her. I don't.
"I can only imagine what you think of me," she adds, and stiffens in my arms at whatever thought is racing through her mind.
"You have no idea what it is I think of you. Don't go making assumptions in that pretty little head of yours."
Reluctantly, I remove my hands from her waist and place them on her shoulders, slightly pushing her back to face me.
Our eyes meet, and there it is—the same intense connection that has always existed, sparking between us like a live wire.
I push the familiar feeling down and set out for the answers I've come here for—the closure I know I need but also don't want to receive.
"Can we talk?" I keep my voice even, although it's difficult.
She scoffs, pulling out of my grasp, and begins pacing the small room.
"Here we fucking go," she mutters under her breath. "You really wanna do this?"
"Verbal sparring match with you? Absolutely. Sign me the fuck up." My words are coated in sarcasm, and she isn't the least bit impressed, rolling her eyes.
"Fine. Let's talk."
Oh shit.
I did not expect her to agree that easily. Now, I'm left dumbfounded, not knowing what the hell I should say. I know all the questions I have, but do I really want to go in guns blazing?
"You talk, I listen," I say instead, and she nods hesitantly, agreeing.
With a sigh, she drops to the edge of the bed, brushing a hand through her long blonde hair. I want nothing more than to reach out and touch her again. Hold her in my arms for longer.
