Page 56 of One Pucking Secret
I finally guide the key into the lock and twist it, pushing the door open to the familiar safety of my space.
“It’s my fault,” I blurt out before I can stop myself. “We shouldn’t have gotten involved.”
He follows me in, the door shutting out the world outside.
The tears start to prick at the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill over. “Not only did I not help you fix your image… I ruined it more,” I confess, my voice shaking. “And now Jasper is caught in all this mess.” The weight of it crushes me, feeling utterly helpless.
“I’ll fix it,” Wyatt insists fiercely, stepping closer as if he can shield me from this turmoil with just his presence. “I’ll work with Janelle or whoever we need to get this sorted out.”
“We should stop seeing each other for now.” Saying it feels like cutting off a limb, but deep down, it seems necessary.
“Chloe…” His voice softens, but the plea is clear in his gaze. “Don’t think like that.” His tone shifts. Desperation seeps into his words. He steps forward again, catching my eye withan intensity that makes my heart race despite everything unraveling around us.
“Please don’t give up on us.” His plea lingers in the air between us—a lifeline thrown into turbulent waters.
“Jasper will be home soon,” I say finally, breaking the tension that feels like it might suffocate us both.
The moment Jasper’s name slips from my lips, reality crashes back in. I’d been trying so hard to shield him from this, from everything. He’s innocent in all this chaos, and now more than ever, I need to protect him at all costs.
Wyatt’s gaze sharpens, concern etched on his face. “Do you want me to leave?” he asks, his voice low but steady.
I shake my head quickly, biting my lip as I try to steady myself. “No,” I reply softly. “But we need to drop this discussion about us.” The words taste bitter in my mouth, each syllable laced with regret. I look down at my hands, clenched tightly together on the countertop. This is so much harder than I anticipated.
“Chloe…” He takes a step closer, frustration simmering beneath his calm facade. “We can’t just ignore what’s happening between us.”
I glance up at him, our eyes locking for a brief moment before I look away again. “Wyatt,” Isay gently but firmly, “we have to focus on Jasper right now.” My voice wavers slightly as I continue. “I think it’s time to tell him the truth before he hears about it at school.”
“You’re right,” he finally concedes, his voice quiet but resolute. “We should tell him.”
We stand there for a moment, two people caught in the eye of an emotional hurricane. The walls around us could come crumbling down, but right now, this is what we need to do.
Just then, a text from Lainey comes through.
Lainey: We’re out front.
Chloe: Be right down.
I peer up at Wyatt. “I’ll go get Jasper. You can stay here.”
He nods as I slide my phone into my back pocket and head into the hallway. Once I’m downstairs, I move through the lobby swiftly, Lainey’s navy sedan visible as it idles out front.
Lainey is already helping Jasper out of his booster seat when I step outside and make my way over to them.
“Mommy!” His voice is a beacon as he spots me, and within moments, his small, sturdy body crashes into mine.
“Hey, buddy,” I say, my voice steady despite the tremor of nerves underneath. We walkhand in hand, the distance to our apartment shrinking with each step.
“Thanks again, Lainey. I hope it wasn’t too much trouble.”
“Not at all. And I don’t think your parents suspect a thing,” she tells me in a hushed voice.
“They’re not big media junkies. I’ll be sure to call them soon. Jasper, can you tell Lainey thank you for bringing you home?”
Jasper faces Lainey. “Thank you for the ride home.”
“Anytime, buddy.” She gives him a pat on the head, then shoots me a wink. “Good luck,” she mouths, then heads around to the driver’s seat.
“Guess what, honey?” I begin, waiting for the spark of curiosity in his eyes as Lainey drives away. “Wyatt’s at our place.”
