Chapter 41
Now You Trust Me
I close the door, as Jack turns to go and grab Adrian’s hand. Without making eye contact, I pull him back to my room, closing the door behind us.
I spin to face him. “Adrian, I need you to listen, okay?”
His chest is rising and falling quickly as he looks between window and me, where he probably sees Jack in the driveway. He looks like he’s about to have a panic attack.
I step toward him, placing my hands on either side of his face, forcing him to look at me. When his gaze locks with mine, I begin.
“That’s Jack, my boyfriend from high school.” His jaw muscle begins to tick, but I go on. “He messaged me yesterday and asked if he could see me. I said yes because we have a lot of unfinished crap to clear up. That’s all it is, a conversation, but it’s one I have to have… one I need to have. I can’t explain it all to you right now, but I need to work this out.”
“Work it out with him?” His question sounds more like an accusation.
I nod. “Yes, but it’s not what you think.”
“Then tell me what it is.”
I want to… at this moment I want to blurt it all out, fall into Adrian’s arms and cry, emptying all this anxiety and pain that’s building in my chest, but I need to tell Jack first.
I shake my head. “It’s a long story, and I promise to tell you later, but right now I need you trust me.” I swallow hard, my next words getting caught in my throat. “I want to be with you Adrian, not him. I need you to trust that… trust me.”
His chest is still heaving, and nostrils flaring as his emotions play out in his eyes. When I see resignation settle in, I stand on my toes and kiss him, trying to reinforce my words. As soon as my lips are on him, he wraps his arm around me. As he pulls me against him, the kiss becomes more desperate, breaking my heart a little. I hate seeing him like this, preferring happy, playful Adrian, but I need to do this. Talking with Jack, about the most painful time of my life, is not something I want to do, but it is something I need to do.
I end the kiss and step back. “Everything will be fine,” I say, but I’m not sure if I’m convincing him or me. Adrian doesn’t smile, but he drops his arms from around my waist, letting me go. I turn and leave to go face my next challenge—reliving my past.
***
Adrian
I groan, and it sounds like a dying animal. Of course I knew that was Jack, Keegan’s ex-boyfriend. The picture the investigator sent was pretty recent. I also know Jack is in a band. A band that has recently become popular after getting signed—just to add icing on the cake.
It’s been only fifteen minutes since she left, but I feel like I’ve endured this torture for hours. I’m pacing the living room as Gemma, Max and Robert watch, looking at a loss as how to contain me. I should tell them to tie me to a chair because I know what I’m about to do is worse than a bad idea.
I pull on my hair with both hands, then turn to face Max. “Come on, we’re going to lunch.”
Everyone groans, confirming my new level of stupidity.
“You don’t know where she’s going,” Gemma argues.
“I know her iPhone password.”
“And?” Max asks.
“And, I can use the find my iPhone app.” I begin tapping on my phone as I explain.
More groans, louder this time.
My mind is at war with itself, one part telling me to go to her, throw her over my shoulder, and take her far away from him. The other side is telling me to calm the fuck down and trust her. That’s what I’ve been asking her to do right? Too bad the rational side of my brain has not been used enough lately, so it’s outta shape and can’t keep up with the irresponsible side.
“You’re going to make it so much worse,” Gemma warns. “She’s telling the truth, she just needs some time to talk to him.”
Talk, apologize, forgive. Fuck that. I grab my keys, shooting on last questioning look at Max.
Max shakes his head as he moves toward the door. “This is going to be physically painful to watch.”
“I won’t say anything,” I promise, knowing damn well it’s a lie. “I just want to see how they are with each other.”
“Right,” Max says, not believing a word.