Page 73 of Where the Music Grows

He pulls away from the bakery.

I quickly buckle my seatbelt, my stomach already knotting. “Okay, what’s wrong?”

He stares straight ahead. “Let’s just talk at your place.”

“Okay.”

The drive to my tiny house is silent except for the rumble of the engine. I stare out the window, watching the familiar landscape blur past. It’s clear he’s angry with me. I don’t know what I’ve done. He doesn’t seem the type to use me and leave me.

We get back to my place. He turns off the engine and just sits there. “Do you want to come in?” I ask quietly.

He nods. “Yeah, I think I better.”

We go inside and sit down. He’s keeping his hands to himself which is disturbing in a way I can’t explain. I want him to try and touch me.

I reach for his hand. “Whatever it is, just—”

“Lisa mentioned your ex,” he says abruptly. “Your husband.”

The word lands like a punch. My breath catches. Of all the things—

“Jack, I—”

“Were you ever going to tell me?” He finally turns to look at me, his eyes dark with something I can’t quite name. Hurt? Betrayal? Anger. I’m sensing anger.

I swallow hard. “Yes, I was going to tell you. I just didn’t know how.”

I’m going to kill Lisa. I finally tell someone, and the first thing she does is blab. She could have at least given me a heads up.

Max climbs out of his chair in the corner and weaves between my legs.

“You’re married,” he says.

“It’s not what you think.”

“You’re either married or you’re not,” he snaps.

“Yes and no.”

“Are you going to tell me, Jinnie? I don’t like games. This isn’t funny. I know we’re both eighteen, but this feels childish.”

“I’m not playing games,” I insist.

He rubs his hand over his jaw that has the beginning of a five o’clock shadow. “Right now, all I know is that you’re married—”

“Was,” I correct quickly. “I was married. It was a mistake. At least, in my mind we were. It’s just, well, it isn’t officially over.”

Jack runs a hand through his hair, his shoulders tense. “Start from the beginning.”

I take a deep breath. I’m so embarrassed. This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done. I had hoped to get through life without anyone finding out.

But there was something about everything coming to light. My shit is being exposed.

“His name is Sam. He came into the bakery last summer, all charm and compliments.” I reach down and absently pet Max. He’s my comfort. “I was seventeen, stupid, flattered by the attention. He made me feel special. Like I was the only person in the room. I had stars in my eyes. He convinced me he could give me the world. I was going to be this big marketing star.”

Jack’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t interrupt.

I lick my lips. “My parents weren’t fond of him. They didn’t necessarily say it, but I knew how they felt. I think he was too smooth, I guess. They warned me, but I didn’t listen. I thought they were being overprotective, like always.” I pause, my throat tightening. “He knew all the right things to say. I was so naïve. So stupid. I can’t believe I fell for his nonsense.”