Page 29 of Jameson’s Salvation

“Can I please explain?”

“Nope.” I popped my P and headed for the door. “I’ll walk back to my truck and wait for Weston to call me.”

I threw open the door and calmly left with a lump in my throat and a suspicious hurt in my heart.

9

Jameson

It took a moment for Jameson to come out of his stupor. Kennedy had rightfully laid him out and he was in shock. He would’ve never guessed she’d gone through what she had.

Not the way she smiled.

Not the way everything about her was light and airy and projected so much beauty.

No, he would’ve never guessed she’d seen such a horrific event.

By the time his feet came unglued, Kennedy was already down the stairs and quickly making her way across the reception area. He had to double-time it to beat her to the door.

“Wait,” Jameson said, placing his hand on the knob so she couldn’t open it.

“Please move.”

“Not until you hear me out.”

“I think we’ve both said enough.”

He was smart enough to know he needed to choose his next words carefully or she’d be gone and he’d never have the chance to make things right.

“I’m sorry I was an asshole.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t do that, Kennedy.”

“Do what? Thank you for your apology? Saying you’re sorry doesn’t change anything.”

“You’re right, it doesn’t. I’d like to explain.”

“Why? It doesn’t matter. Nothing changes. It’s not like we were even friends.”

“You’re my friend.”

The admission felt strange. Jameson didn’t have many friends and that was by design. Kennedy was right, his hateful attitude prevented most people from wanting to get to close to him. She’d been right about a lot of things.

“Right. So we have one drink together, and you don’t call me for a week. And when you do, it’s only because my house is getting broken into.”

If there was ever a time to practice what he preached about honesty, this was it. But, damn it was hard.

“I didn’t call you because your house was getting broken into. I called you because even though I didn’t see your car there, I didn’t know if you were inside. And when you didn’t pick up your phone my heart felt like it was going to explode. I was an asshole when I finally got you on the phone, because all I could imagine was you in your house alone and some man breaking in. I didn’t handle it well, because I’d never felt panic like that before. And considering I spent years in the desert killing bad guys, that’s saying something.

“And you were right. I am scared that I’ll be the one who will want to call the next day. As a matter of fact, I know I will. I can’t stop myself from thinking about you. I can’t stop wondering what you’re doing. And that scares the ever-living shit out of me because I know you’re too good for me and I know it won’t take you long to figure it out. Then where will that leave me? Fucking crushed.”

Jameson let go of the door handle, stunned at what he’d admitted. He didn’t think there’d ever been a time when he’d confessed he was scared of something.

“Why do you think I’m too good for you?” she asked.

“Because I know you are. And what you just told me upstairs confirmed it. You’re stronger than I am. I’ve allowed the things I’ve seen to blacken my soul. You’re too good to have someone like me darken your doorstep.”