“I should go to bed,” Caylee eventually says, flopping back on the sofa.She shoots me a look that’s half resigned.“I can ring Cole.You should go.”
I freeze, a fry halfway to my mouth.
The fuck?
“What?”
I feel the bottom of my stomach fall out as I take in more of her expression.She doesn’t trust me and wants me to leave.
I deserve it, but the sting is fucking painful.
––––––––
CAYLEE
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“I’MNOTGOING anywhere.”Jake tosses his fry onto the plate and glares at me angrily.
I look away.
The chances of him leaving at some point over the next few hours or days is almost one hundred percent.I can’t deal with that right now.
“I don’t want to be alone.You could,” I wave my hand at his phone.“Have other priorities.”
I stand, but Jake grabs my hand and pulls me back down.
“Caylee—”
“I should have gone home with Cole and Scarlett or Mom.”I shake my head.“It’s fine, Jake.Just help me clean up.
I reach for the dishes.
“Stop.I’m not leaving you, Caylee.Not tonight—”
“That’s it, Jake.”I rip my hand away.“It’s not just tonight.What if you have to leave tomorrow?Or next week.I am scared to be on my own right now.I can’t rely on you.Which is fine.No, it’s not fine, but it’s fine.Ahh, god.I—”
“I’m not ever leaving,” Jake says firmly, turning me to face him.“Bathroom breaks aside.And work.But I’m not leaving.”
I don’t believe him.
I don’t trust him.
“Please don’t say that,” I whisper.
I could stay with any number of my friends—all of whom have been messaging—or my family, but in my heart I want Jake to stay with me.
That doesn’t mean he is reliable.In fact, I know he’s not.This is too important.What if I have an anxiety attack or something?
I can’t put my faith in the wrong place.
Now and in my future.This has to end.So, I can be free to meet a man who is committed to our relationship and could love me.
The timing is terrible.
But that doesn’t make it less true.
I open my mouth to tell Jake to leave when he surprises me by pulling out his phone and tossing it on the table.
