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“He came home one day, and she had overdosed. He found her passed out on the bathroom floor. By the time he got her to the hospital, they told him what he already knew. She lost the baby. It tore him apart. He took Jade home and tried to be there for her, but she acted like she was grateful they lost the baby. All she could focus on was getting her next fix, but he stayed clean and began to realize how bad she was for him. When he stopped giving her money to get high, he came home to find her blowing her dealer. He left and came straight back here.”
We are both silent for a minute as I retell the story over and over again in my head. I had no idea. He didn’t tell me. But why would he have?
“I didn’t know,” I say quietly.
“I know. He told Momma, and that’s why she let him come back. It wasn’t until a couple of days ago that he finally came clean to me. And for the record, when he showed up at her doorstep, he had all that money he stole from her.”
“He paid her back?” I ask.
He nods. “Every penny. And he even gave her extra for putting up with his shit all these years. Right now, he’s staying at her house, but he’s already been scoping out places around town to rent. I think this time, he’s really trying.”
As much as I would love to believe everything Jared is telling me, it’s so damn hard with Jessie’s track record.
“And he’s actually sober?” I ask since I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around all of this.
“Can’t you tell? Jessie was never good at hiding his addictions like Daddy was. It was pretty obvious when Jessie had fallen off the wagon. This is the best I’ve seen him in years. As I said, I’m not telling you to forgive everything automatically, but at least be willing to talk to the guy. If not for him, for Momma.”
“Did you get her text about her canceling dinner?”
He sighs. “Oh yeah. Jenna says she is still seething mad at both of you. She asked if she could come to stay with Macey and me for a few days to get out of the line of fire.”
“Damn,” I groan. “I’ll make things right.”
“I know you will. Jonas Mitchell would never stay the bad guy for very long,” he says mockingly.
All I can do is roll my eyes and laugh. “Okay, asshole. Can I go fishing now?”
“Depends. Can I come with you?”
“Depends,” I retort. “Are you going to shut your trap so that you don’t scare away the fish?”
He laughs. “Maybe.”
I hand him the extra pole and the tackle box. “Well, come on then. We don’t have all day.”
Chapter Thirty-seven
Andi
“So, how are things going with Jonas?” Tracy asks. She’s sitting across the booth from me in Meg’s Diner.
“Oh, you know, Jonas is perfect, and so far out of my league it’s not even funny,” I reply before shoving another fry in my mouth.
These fries might just be the best fries I’ve had in my life. Does everyone in this town know how to cook amazing food? There’s no way I will ever be able to diet in a place like this.
Thank goodness.
Tracy interrupts the intimate moment I’m having with these fries. “Yeah, I think you’re public enemy number one in this town for scooping that one off the market.”
“Honestly, I can’t believe he’s still single. It seems like every girl in this town would be begging for a chance with him.”
She laughs. “Oh, trust me, most of them have tried. I’m sure a lot of them have promised to do absolutelyanythinghe wanted.”
“Why do you think he never really took any of them up on it?” I ask, not sure if I want to know the answer or not.
“I don’t know. I know he’s dated. I was seeing a guy a couple of towns over, and I saw Jonas there a few times on dates with other women, but it never seemed to go anywhere.”
“Hmm.” That’s all I can muster because the thought of Jonas doing what he does with me to other women turns my stomach.
