Page 60 of Unbreakable
“He just smacked me!” I objected.
“He smacked you because he was standing up for his wife,” Colt explained. “You need to stand up for Jeanine. Back her up. Let her know that nobody can do anything to her because you’ve got her.”
“But she’s mad at me, not the world.”
“Well, is she right?”
“I mean, probably partially,” I mumbled.
“Then go win her back,” Colton said.
TWENTY-SIX
JEANINE
THEN
“Can I come in?”Andy’s face peered around my bedroom door, his knuckle still raised to knock.
I sat up, shook a small colony of graham cracker crumbs from my shirt, and ran my hands through my hair. I was in my childhood bedroom, marinating in my parents’ house while Dylan was away on a road stand. This was the first time he was gone and I would be unsupervised after the miscarriage. While I knew I could manage on my own, I craved my parents’ comfort. I was sure Mom would feed me and keep me from falling too deep into the grief rabbit hole.
It was starting to get dark outside, and I’d wasted most of the day staring at the wall or scrolling my phone. I intended to watch a movie but it never happened.
Andy stood with folded arms and leaned into the door frame. “Your mom told me what happened. I’m so sorry, J.”
I twisted my lips and nodded. “Yeah. Thanks. How’s your mom?”
I already knew how his mom was from my own mom, but I needed something to talk about other than my misfortune.
He forced a smile. “She’s alright. Been better, of course.”
“She’s lucky to have you,” I said.
“Yeah, I guess,” he said, staring at the ground. A few beats of silence passed between us. “Jeanine, did . . . fuck. Never mind.”
“What?”
He sniffed in a breath. “Did you marry him because you were pregnant?”
I tented my fingers at my temple. “Andy . . .”
“You just met him.”
I heaved a sigh. “I’m not going to justify my marriage to you. I’ve done it enough in the last few weeks.”
“Oh, so I’m not the only one who thinks this whole thing seems fast?”
I shook my head. “Why did you come up here to talk to me?”
He rubbed his forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m being rude.” He chewed on his lip. “Can I sit?”
I gestured for him to sit at the foot of the bed. My mind’s gears started turning and for perhaps the fiftieth time that day, tears blinded me. Andy’s gaze sealed on me. “Jeanine.”
He scooted closer to me on the bed, wrapping his arms around me. I was so out of it that I didn’t resist, caving to his familiar scent and feel.
“It just hurts so bad, Andy.”
He held me tighter, rocking me from side to side. “I’m so sorry. It must feel awful.”
