Page 93 of Sergeant O'
“I want to make sure you get inside,” he said, reaching for the door handle.
“That’s sweet,” I chirped, cutting him off before he could open the door. “But unnecessary. I’ve been walking myself inside for years.”
I slipped out, tugged my backpack higher on my shoulder, and flashed one more grin and gave a small wave before heading up the walk. The smile stayed on my face until the door shut behind me.
Then I slid down the wood, the first sob breaking free as the tears came.
Chapter Forty-Four
Brian
I hadn’t expected her to bolt out of Adam’s truck with that chippersee ya around.She didn’t even let me walk her to the door. Just a grin, a wave, and gone, like she was happy to be home and away from me.
Adam killed the engine in his driveway, and we both climbed out. He hefted my duffle from the back and held it out.
“You want to come in for a beer?”
“Tomorrow,” I said, taking the bag. “I’m beat.”
He gave me a look that suggested he didn’t believe me but didn’t push.
I started across the lawn to my place, Adam’s words from the drive still in my head.Haven Springs isn’t Cape Cod—you won’t have anyone hiding in the bushes here.
That didn’t stop me from checking. My gaze swept the hedges and porch shadows before I unlocked the door. Nothing. Just the familiar smell of home as I walked inside, and Jade’s bright smile before she headed into her house without looking back replaying in mind.
I told myself it shouldn’t matter—we’d agreed this was temporary. But the cheer in her voice landed harder than a slap.
I tossed my bag on the stool in the entry, grabbed a beer from the fridge, and flicked on the Red Sox game. Players were up to bat, and where I’d normally be commentating about their plate performance with such gems as, “What the hell are you looking at? Swing the damn bat!” or jumping up and hissing, “Yessss!” if someone got a hit, all I kept seeing was Jade’s grin as she hopped out of Adam’s truck, waving me off like she couldn’t get away fast enough.
I muted the TV and tried scrolling through my phone. Headlines about the Cape popped up, and I found myself clicking, even though I should have known better.
A blurry shot of me and Jade walking into the airport. Another grainy picture of her head ducked as I kept my hand at her back.
No strings.That was what she’d said. Just while we were at the Cape.
I’d agreed, thinking it was better that way. Except it didn’t feel better. It felt like shit.
I set the phone down and got up to make something to eat, but the only edible food in my refrigerator was a carton of eggs, butter, and a package of cheese. Jade would’ve teased me for it, called me out for living like a bachelor. I cursed under my breath and slammed the door shut.
I thought about going next door to see if Adam and Lainey had anything, but I really didn’t want to talk about Jade or our time together at the Cape. And I knew that’s all they’d want to talk about.
I opted for a frozen pizza I found in my freezer instead but then only ate one piece.
Even though I wasn’t tired, I made my way to my bedroom and stripped down to my boxers. I got under the covers and told myself I needed to sleep; I had shit to do tomorrow.
Instead, I stared at the ceiling as I pictured Jade coming out of the bathroom in the cottage in those skimpy pajamas, rubbing lotion on her elbows like she didn’t even notice me watching. The easy way she’d smiled, the smell of her skin when she’d slid into bed beside me, how she’d snuggle into my side and practically demand I put my arm around her without saying a word.
That was what I was going to miss—the quiet moments she probably didn’t even realize had gutted me.
More than once, my hand hovered over my phone on the nightstand. I wanted to hear her voice, to know she’d gotten home safe, even though I’d watched her walk through the damn door. But I never picked it up.
This was what was best for her. In the long run, keeping her name out of the gossip sites, keeping her out of the crosshairs. That was what mattered.
So why did it feel like a piece of my heart had just been ripped out of my chest?
I sat up and threw the covers off.
“Fuck this.”
