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“Reed’s changed. I’m not going to lie and say it’s for the better. It’s in his eyes. He’s seen things that have made him ruthless.”
I sink down in my chair and gesture for him to take a seat on the couch.
Turning off the opera music, I murmur, somewhat dazed, “You know Brance is coming with me, right? I need him.” The last twenty-four hours seem like a bad dream that I wish I would awaken from.
“Whatever you need.” He leans back, stretching his legs out in front of him. I fidget with my watch.
“He wanted to get some of the energy out before getting on the plane. He’ll be here soon.”
“Relax, Tess. I’m not your enemy.”
I cross my legs, looking at my new Louboutin Bianca platform boots. I wasn’t going to buy them because I don’t usually spend that kind of money on shoes anymore. But Brance wouldn’t leave the store until I had them. So, here I sit in my house, waiting, uncomfortable, a nervous wreck, and all I can think about is admiring my boots? Christ, I really am losing it!
I clear my throat. “So, Brance and I are going to stay at the Plaza. Did Jax give you any information about when the funeral is?”
Jay looks at me. “I think everyone expects you to stay at the estate.”
My cheeks heat up. “What?” I stand and start to pace. “Well, I can’t do that!” My breaths come in shallow and fast. “If that is what Jax is thinking, then you might as well turn around and leave because I… I can’t do that!” I’m stuttering in full-blown panic.
The room is silent, except for my boots clicking on the hardwood floors. I run my fingers through my straightened hair. Fear like I have never experienced crawls all over my skin.
Jay stands. “I guess I need to make a phone call then.”
“Yes, you do. You know what? Screw it. I’ll call.”
Taking my own phone, I walk into the dining room and push on Jax’s name. Figures, it goes to voice mail!
My hands shake as I call again. At long last, Jax growls, “What?”
“You didn’t honestly think I was going to waltz in there after being gone for years and confess to Reed, did you? Your poor family has just lost your grandfather—a man I genuinely loved. For fuck’s sake, Jax, he is not even buried yet.” I try to stay calm and sound reasonable. The last thing I need is Jax knowing that I’m ready to have a complete breakdown.
“You didn’t honestly want me to do all that. Tell me you didn’t!”
“Tess, I have been up for almost two days. I’m fucking exhausted. What we did was wrong on so many levels—” I try to talk, but he raises his voice and talks over me. I give up and listen. “Reed made his mistakes, and he is paying for them. It’s time he knows, Tess. Get on the jet or I’ll tell him everything. And you can deal with him alone banging down your door in LA.”
I tilt my head up and stare at my white ceiling, taking deep breaths. “Please, I’m going to tell him, I promise. And I appreciate everything you have done and still do for me. Trust me, I know Reed. Blindsiding him right now will cause more damage. I won’t do it.”
Jax is silent. “You will do it. You have to.”
“That’s not what I mean,” I snap, losing patience. After all, I’m the one with the secret eating me from the inside out. “Yes, I’m going to do it! I was hoping to at least get through the funeral first. You know how many people are going to pay their respects to you and your parents? Me showing up is going to be a fucking mess as it is. Telling him the truth as soon as we get to New York is crazy!”
His silence tells me he’s thinking. Poor Jax. I love him like a brother. But Jesus, when he gets his mind set on something.
“It’s time to tell him. I’m not denying that. But please think. This is not the right time. After the funeral, okay?”
He sighs. “Tess what you fail to understand is that we’re all involved in this dirty secret. None of our hands are clean. My dad and mom are sick over worrying what Reed is going to do. Literally, we had to sedate my mother earlier. They need this to be over.”
My head is throbbing. I lean against my polished wooden dining table. Silence fills the phone.
Finally, I speak. “I can’t, Jax. I have to think of what’s best for everyone involved. Telling Reed as soon as I land is not going to happen. So, I guess if you can’t respect my wishes then you do what you have to do. Also, we will not be staying at your grandfather’s estate. You let me know if you can live with that. Otherwise I will send some flowers.” I push End on my phone.
