Page 116 of Sergeant O'
My chest tightened. “What did he want?” I asked, even though I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer.
Lainey offered a sad smile. “To explain what happened—and get advice about how to talk to you about it.”
I huffed out a humorless laugh. “Of course he did. Now that the whole town’s watched the video on repeat, he suddenly wants to explain.”
“He said it wasn’t what it looked like.”
I looked down at my hand in my lap. “It never is, is it?”
Lainey hesitated, then said quietly, “He looked wrecked, Jade. Whatever happened, I don’t think he’s fine either.”
I wanted to believe her. But all I could see was that video burned into my brain—Sylvia smiling for the camera, the reporter’s question hanging in the air, and Brian just standing there saying nothing. And underneath it, the comments—people saying they knew it couldn’t be true that he was datingme. A few added that guys like him always go back to their type.
“You don’t have to defend him. I get it. He didn’t mean for it to happen and feels bad.”
“I think it’s more than that. Whatever’s between you two—it’s not over for him.”
That made my heart skip a beat. Then, because my reaction pissed me off, I bit out, “Well, it sure looks over from here.”
Lainey gave me that look—the one that meant she could see right through me. “Were you in love with him?”
I pressed the heel of my hand to my forehead. “I don’t know, maybe? I just know it hurts. And yeah, maybe he told himself he was doing the right thing, but he did it while she smiled for the camera and I became the punch line. Everyone saw it, Lainey. The whole damn town.”
“You were humiliated, Jade. You’re allowed to be angry about that. Even if he thought he was doing the right thing.”
My shoulders dropped. “I just hate that he stood there and didn’t say a word.”
For a long moment, neither of us said anything. Then Lainey reached over and squeezed my hand with a tiny grin. “I say this with love, but… you need to take a shower. While you’re in the bathroom, I’ll make you something to eat. Then we can talk about your next move.”
I managed a small nod. “Yeah. One thing at a time.”
Penny Lane stretched beside me, flicking her tail like she agreed.
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Brian
I’d watched the clip enough times to know every frame—Sylvia’s hand on my arm, my mouth set, saying nothing.
I told myself keeping quiet would protect Jade. Keep her out of the gossip, off the rumor pages. But that’s not what happened. It left her standing there alone.
Adam told me what I should’ve done the minute we got back: claim her and the relationship. Make it clear she was mine and let people talk. Instead, I’d tried to control the narrative.
She didn’t need that. She just needed me to show up and mean it.
I blew out a breath and dragged a hand down my face. Seven years of proving I could handle anything, and I still managed to screw up the one thing that actually mattered.
Time to own it.
I grabbed my phone and headed next door.
~~~~
I was nervous as I knocked on Adam and Lainey's back door. Lainey answered holding Conor, and fortunately, she didn't slam the door in my face. Instead, she stepped aside to let me in.
“Hey, stranger. You hungry?”
“I’m good.”
