“The papers weren’t Zach or someone from the office. It was Jessa’s ex. He tried to attack her and Aiden.”
“Are they okay?” I ask, fear for my brother racing through me grabbing my phone, attempting to call Aiden, he sends me to voicemail.
She stares at her phone and nods her head.
“Aiden says he’ll tell me more details later. They are both safe and at his house, Jessa is really shaken up. I’m going to try and go see her tomorrow for lunch to get a gauge on how she’s handling things. Her ex is in custody.”
Penny stares at her phone a little longer and mine buzzes with a text from Aiden letting me know what happened and to not worry and that they are safe.
“They could have been seriously hurt,” she breathes out, clutching her chest.
“But they’re not, they’re safe.”
She nods her head, sending one last message to Aiden before putting her phone away.
“They’re safe.” She sighs and rests her head against the pillow. “I really hope Jessa is okay. I can’t imagine how scared she must have been.”
“She’s with Aiden. He’ll make sure she’s okay.”
“You’re sure?”
“It’s the same thing I would do for you.”
She bites her lip and nods. Something about that clicks with her and calms her nerves. But it’s true. Aiden is protective and strong. She’s in good hands. He will make sure that she’s safe and they can work through this together.
“He wants you to visit tomorrow?” I reiterate and she nods.
“Do you think you could take me over there tomorrow? I know you’re probably?—”
“I’ll take you, it isn’t a big deal.”
“I really should start driving again,” she sighs.
I realize then that I never asked her why she didn’t drive places. I kind of just always liked that she depended on me in that way.
“Why don’t you drive?”
“Promise not to laugh?”
“I promise.”
“I watched the most fucked-up documentary about this woman driving on the wrong side of the road and everyone she killed in the crash and ever since then I just… I don’t know, I can’t stomach driving. It didn’t hurt that Kemper’s is right down the street. Everyone is close, and you were always willing to give me a ride. I think I got comfortable in this little bubble of my life.”
“I can just continue driving you everywhere,” I suggest, and she snuggles up against my chest.
“Or I could work on being braver. Knowing what Jessa went through today, and how strong she is, I want to be more like her.”
“You don’t need to compare yourself to her,” I tell her honestly.
“She’s been through so much and?—”
“So have you. You’re brave. Look at where you are right now, in my bed. That’s brave. Taking the interview with Krystal would be brave, too.”
“Did you talk to her?”
I nod and grab her hand, interlacing our fingers and kissing the back of her hand. “She has a proposition for you.”
“What is it?”
