PART 2 – CHAPTER 121
LUKE
I was five seconds away from smashing my phone against the fucking wall.
Aiden.
Aiden answered the phone.
If I had to hear his name one more time, I was going to lose it.
What the hell was he doing with her phone?
I paced back and forth, practically burning holes through the floor as I tried to call her again and again. But nothing–no
answer.
I need to breathe. As much as I hate the fucking idea of Aiden with Jess, he would make sure nothing happened to her. Even if his intentions are to have Jess for himself. I could read it on his
face.
Did Jess tell me where she was going? I can’t remember. Maybe she did. Fuck. I’ve been so busy. I need to do better. I was fucking this up.
This was driving me insane.
I was on the verge of crushing my phone in my hand when it started vibrating.
PART 2–CHAPTER 121
204 (Vouchers
Finally.
It was Jess.
“Why the fuck does Aiden have your phone?” I growled into the device, barely containing my anger.
Her voice came through, strained but steady. “Luke, it’s fine-”
“I don’t want to fucking hear that it’s fine. Tell me why he was there. Tell me right now. Is he there now?” My pulse was racing, heart thudding in my chest. I was already picturing myself at her doorstep, fists clenched, ready to handle Aiden myself.
“Luke,” she said, her voice softening. “Just calm down.”
“I am calm,” I lied. “Just give me a straight answer. I’m serious. You know what, I’m coming over.
“No, no, just listen, okay? He was just bringing my phone back. I left it at the party,” she said, sighing.
“What Halloween party?” I gritted out. This was getting worse and worse.
“It was just a stupid Halloween party. I went with Sophie, not anyone else. I didn’t go with Aiden. He was just there, and I forgot my phone. That’s all.”
I took a deep breath, trying to slow the boiling anger in my veins. “Why did he answer it? Why didn’t you?”
“He’s an asshole for answering it, okay? I already told him that. He knows he won’t cross any lines. I promise. You made it pretty clear, and so did I. He helped but shouldn’t have answered it. I’m sorry.” Jess said, and I swallowed the angry
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PART 2 – CHAPTER 121
rage, feeling guilty for how I had just reacted. I didn’t want to fight; I wanted the opposite. I wanted to be the one taking her to a party.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Okay… fine. But, Jess, you have to understand–this Shit is driving me crazy. I’m trying to trust you, but being so far away… it’s not easy.”
“I know,” she replied, and I could hear the weight in her voice. “I get it, Luke. I really do. It’s just… things got mixed up. But just so you know, I have a bone to pick with you, too!” Jess said, and I was confused for a second.
“With me? I’m not the one whose phone was answered by another guy!” I defended myself.
“You are right, it was answered by another girl,” Shit. She was right. Jocelyn answered my phone. What a fucking shit show.
“Jocelyn was over earlier, helping me with the apartment, and I guess she must’ve answered my phone while I was in the shower. Then the battery died. I didn’t even realize. I’m sorry. You know how managers are, controlling everything.” I started explaining, and instead of going off at me like I did, Jess stayed quiet and listened.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling the tension ease just a little, but not completely. “I’m sorry Jess. I should have checked
I fucked up and this whole fight is my fault,”
“I know. I just miss you, and I haven’t heard from you. Then someone else answers, and my mind just goes reeling, you know?” Jess confessed, and I realized this long–distance thing was eating up both of us.
PART 2 – CHAPTER 121
“Is she pretty?” Jocelyn?” Jess asked, and I thought about it for a second.
“Honestly. Yeah, she is.” I wasn’t going to lie to her. But I only know two women who are truly beautiful. That’s my mother and you,” I added softly.
“Okay. I believe you. But I don’t trust him. You know that right?” she whispered. “I just… I’m sorry I made things worse.”
“No, it’s not your fault,” I muttered, leaning back against the wall. “It’s just this distance. It’s killing me. I hate not being there with you.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line before she spoke again, her voice soft, almost vulnerable. “I miss you too, Luke. More than you know.
“I fucking love you…” I said, finally feeling my anger disappear.
