She doesn’t answer.
Doesn’t even look at me.
Instead she stands up abruptly and heads straight for the front door.
Not normal.
“Hey,” I call after her, getting to my feet. “Jess, what’s wrong?”
No response.
I turn the TV on to the first cartoon I can find and give the boys a quick, “Be right back,” before following her.
By the time I reach the front door she’s already shoving her feet into her boots, hands trembling so badly she can barely hold them.
“Jess, where are you going?” I ask.
She ignores me completely, fighting with the sleeves of her coat like they’re too tight.
I step closer. “Jess.”
Nothing.
“Jess,” I say louder. “It’s freezing out there. Where the fuck are you going?”
Finally, she answers, breath shaky. “I just need air.”
Before I can say anything else, she yanks the front door open and slips outside, letting a blast of cold air rush in.
And just like that, she’s gone.
Chapter Eleven
Jess
Walking out of the house in the middle of winter felt dramatic at the time.
Now, standing outside with snow crunching under my boots and icy air biting at my face, it just feels stupid.
A few minutes in the cold and the panic finally subsided. My chest no longer felt like someone’s sitting on it. The horrible buzzing in my head even went quiet.
But the relief was quickly replaced by reality.
It is freezing.
I wrap my arms around myself and shiver, suddenly very aware that I’m outside in pajama pants and a coat with no gloves and no plan.
Great.
By the time I realize how far I’ve walked, the office is actually closer than home. Turning back means facing Logan, and I’m not ready for that yet.
So I keep going.
Thankfully, my phone was in my pocket when I bolted out the door. I pull it out with numb fingers and text Logan.
At the office. Needed air.
That’s all I say right now.
