“You’re welcome. You doing okay?”
I filled her in on everything that just happened, and she let out a deep sigh.
“I’m so sorry, Jasper. I wish I was there with you.”
“Jesus, me too.”
“What are you going to do?”
“No fuckin’ idea. Feel like giving me your opinion?” I asked.
“I don’t think you want it.”
I palmed an eye socket. “I value your opinion above everything, baby, so lay it on me.”
I heard her take a deep breath and imagined she was biting her lip. “I guess I just think about my mom. She wasn’t supposed to take Dad’s truck that day but her car was on the fritz, so Dad told her he’d tow it to the club and fix it while she used his truck to do whatever she needed to do. It was supposed to be him in the truck. She was collateral damage and he blamed himself for a long time because of that. So, I feel like Harmon’s doing the same thing, you know? We all make choices and decisions that could go either way. You and I could jump on your bike one day because we’re sure it’ll be fine, and some freak mishap might mean one of us gets hurt. It’s just a tragic, stupid accident. It could have been you, honey.”
“I wouldn’t have taken her out.”
“But you followed,” she reminded me gently.
“Yeah.”
“You have the right to feel however you feel and it’s absolutely your choice whether or not to forgive Harmon, but I think you need to forgive yourself first, then work on the rest.”
“I don’t need to forgive myself.”
“You don’t think so?” she challenged. “You have nightmares more than you will admit, and I know you tried to brush off that night you woke up grabbing my leg, but I know you were in a state of trying to save your sister.”
Fuck, she was right. For a few seconds, I thought Violet was Stella and was trying to stop the bleeding.
“I love you, honey, so whatever you decide to do, I’m on your side. I’m team Jasper all the way.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, honey, and I miss you like crazy, so get this stuff sorted out so you can come home and be free, okay?”
“Yeah, baby, I’m workin’ on that.”
“Good. I’m going to spend a lot of time worshiping your dick with my mouth when you get home, so the sooner you get here, the sooner I get to do that.”
I was hard just thinking about, so I ran baseball stats through my head for a few seconds as I grinned. “Can’t wait.”
“You good?”
“Yeah, beautiful, I’m good. I’ll call you tonight.”
“Okay, honey. Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
I hung up and took a seat, waiting for Harmon.
