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“Yes, it’s yeah…it’s a lot to comprehend.” I said quietly back into the phone.
“I know, sweetheart, I wish I was there to try and help you, but I’ll be there soon. Next weekend?” His words warmed me.
“Me too,” I answered him honestly. I had seen him every day for almost a year and even though it’s only been two days, I missed him. “Next weekend,” I added.
He hung up and I was left staring down at Troy’s phone. I was surprised to see me, staring back up at me. I never saw him take this picture of me and it was so raw and beautiful. I was sitting by the fire last night, the blanket bunched around my hips, and the guitar in my lap; I almost looked naked. My curly hair was wildly beautiful as it covered the straps of the bikini, but my cleavage was barely visible above the guitar. My eyes were closed, my head was thrown softly back. He captured me in a moment where I had lost myself in the music, my lips slightly parted. The flames from the fire cast my face in an ethereal glow. I loved it!
I looked up at Troy and he gave me a sheepish grin and shrugged.
“The egg rolls are done!” Ella announced as she came running down the stairs.
Chapter 17
To say Jemmy was pissed at me was an understatement. She hated that we had left her out of the loop for so long. We hadn’t told her Drake and I had connected and most importantly we didn’t tell her about catching Rose with Collin. Luckily, her anger burnt out quickly.
Every hour that passed, anger was replaced by fear. No one could reach Drake, not even Will. Noah had even braved texting Rose and all we received back was a middle finger emoji. Stacey and Rick were asked to go home, I don’t know how they did it, but I’m pretty sure I heard Stacey’s tires squeal as she drove away.
She was mad that Noah wouldn’t tell her why he yelled at her to go back upstairs earlier and pissed that their plans for going to the movies were canceled. Rick had taken it better and I liked him even more. He had already agreed to give me my first tattoo soon and I knew exactly where I wanted it.
I convince Jemmy to help me get Ella in a bubble bath. Her giggling at the bubbles in the tub she could almost swim in was infectious and Jemmy seemed to relax somewhat. We tucked Ella into bed and read her a book. She was soon sound asleep, and we could sneak back downstairs.
It looked like the guys decided we were having a slumber party in the living room. Air mattresses had been blown up so they were lying side by side. I had a feeling they didn’t want to miss Drake sneaking back in.
The guys had been talking quietly as we came downstairs. Jax had his cake, that he hadn’t touched last night, out and ready to be consumed. A movie was on the big screen, waiting for someone to push play.
I had never seen Will in anything but a suit or another version of dressed up clothing. He was obviously worried as well because he had changed into his flannel pajamas. Unlike the guys, he remained in one of the oversized recliners.
“Where are your pajamas?” Noah tried to feign excitement. Like this was an impromptu sleepover and not a stakeout.
“I didn’t get the memo,” Jemmy said with her hand on her hip.
“Well, you got it now,” Jax stated as he threw some popcorn in his mouth.
“Let’s go,” I grabbed her hand and led her back upstairs. I got dressed in sweatpants and a dark tank top and debated whether I should leave my bra on or not. I couldn’t sleep comfortably with it on. I shrugged, it had a built-in bra and for their size, they were surprisingly perky. I placed my bra in the hamper and went to go find Jemmy.
I found her in her room sobbing. She was sitting on the floor clutching a photo in her hands. On closer inspection, I noticed it was a picture of her and Drake. It must have been taken when they first got here because they were both scrawny little kids, with knobby knees and elbows. They were side by side, their heads touching, huge grins on their faces. They looked like babies. It surprising what nine years could do.
“I always tease him, and I’m always so mean to him,” Jemmy sniffled. “I just want him to come home and I will be nice to him all the time.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at her. “No, you won’t,” I stated. “Then you wouldn’t be Jemmy,” I hugged her tight. “He’s going to come home. He needs to lick his wounds and he then he’ll come home.”
Jemmy attempted to wipe her tears away. “You’re right,” she let out a broken laugh. “I wouldn’t be able to stop teasing him, after all, I like to lash out irrationally because I have abandonment issues.”
I could see the seriousness behind her laughter. “We’re all damaged,” I looked at her sternly. “And you don’t have to explain yourself to anyone.”
“My mom was a bitch,” Jemmy bit off. “She was always so harsh with me, but she loved my brother in her own twisted way. That’s why he took it the hardest when she wouldn’t try to figure out his ‘issues,’” she held her fingers up in quotation marks. “She was so quick to sign over her rights to us. She wanted to focus on her career more. She hated coordinating before-school care, after-school care, daycare on our days off, and summer camps in the summer. She never wanted kids, my dad did. When he died, she could tolerate Drake. He was a perfect child, even back then. He got good grades, took care of me, and always loved to please her. I don’t know why he clings to a woman that wanted to ultimately hurt him. He doesn’t know how to take out those scissors and cut them loose. I wish I would have been there this morning. I would have beat the crap out of Rose.”
“You still have a chance to, now let’s go back downstairs before the guys eat all of Jax’s cake.” I gently squeezed her once more.
She brushed her tears away and braved a smile.
As we were walking back down the stairs she said, “Like, did you ever sue that surgeon that left those scars, because they won’t just go away.”
I turned and looked at her, blinking. “Do you seriously think my boobs and rear are fake?”
She shrugged looking confused. “I mean, your boobs are really big and perky for your size.”
The room was silent as we entered it. Jemmy didn’t know how to speak below a yell. The guys were staring at us in stunned silence and Will had the good graces to pretend to find his phone very interesting suddenly.
