Finally, he explodes. “I knew it!”
I press my lips into a tight line, feeling the pressure build between my shoulder blades.
He laughs humorlessly. “I knew it. You were just waiting, weren’t you? Just waiting for me to give you an out so you don’t have to be the bad guy. How long have you wanted to break up with me, Jessy?”
“No,yousaid that!You’rethe one who’s clearly not happy in this relationship, so maybe we should just end it here.”
“You don’t get to end this. You?—”
“I didn’t,” I grit out through my teeth. “You did, Damien. And I’m done playing your games and being your punching bag.”
“Jess—”
Whatever he wanted to say is cut off when I hang up the phone. I know I’ll pay for that later. Damien doesnotlike to be interrupted. However, I can’t find it in me to care.
“Did she just…?”
My head snaps up at the sound of Becky’s voice to find two women watching me with wide eyes.
Rose nods. “Yup.”
“It’s about damn time.” Becky winces and shoots me an apologetic look. “Sorry. Are you okay?”
Yes. No. I don’t know.
I can still hear Damien’s angry voice at the back of my mind, his hurtful words echoing on repeat as my heart gallops. My palms are sweaty and my chest feels tight, but at the same time, it’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
“Jessy?” Rose asks gently.
“No, it’s fine. I just…” I shake my head, pushing this to the back of my mind. “I can’t deal with this now.”
Becky nods in understanding. “What can we do?”
“Fuel me up?” I roll my shoulders back and force out a smile. “I was supposed to be off until seven this evening, but they called me in early since there’s some kind of emergency. And, of course, my coffee machine decided to die today.”
I can see Becky isn’t buying my forced cheerfulness. My former boss knows me too well, which is why she isn’t pushing it either. We’ve spent countless hours working together in the Reading Nook, and although she’s four years my senior, I consider her my friend.
“I’ll do you one better. How about I fill up that thermos you have with a backup for later? I’ll even throw in a dessert.”
I shoot her a grateful smile. “You’re a godsend, Becky.”
“I’ve gotcha.” I hand her my thermos, and she turns around to the coffee machine, pressing the start button. “How’s work?”
“Long. Hectic. Fulfilling.”
I always thought I would go into education, like both of my parents. Not only am I the oldest of four sisters, but I spent my teens babysitting. I love children, but over time, I realized I love helping others more, which is how I ended up changing my major to nursing instead. I’ve been working as an ER nurse in our small medical center for the past month now, and while yes, some days are really hard, I love every second of it.
My gaze darts to Rose, and I give her a tentative look. “I heard about your ex. Aiden was called on the scene. He said there wasn’t anything they could do. Is it true that he took Kyle and shot Chase?”
I didn’t really know her ex-husband. I only knewofhim. I’ve seen John O’Neil around town—it’s impossible not to with the size of Bluebonnet Creek—but our paths haven’t crossed much since he’s older. Not that I regret the fact, considering the stories surrounding him.
A dark expression crosses her face. “Unfortunately.”
“That’s just so crazy.” I shake my head, still unable to wrap my mind around it. “I’m so sorry, Rose. I guess that was his karma, huh?”
“Rightfully so,” Becky mutters as she puts my coffees on the counter along with one of her tasty chocolate chip cookies. “Will you be coming to book club next week?”
Grabbing my wallet from my purse, I place a twenty-dollar bill on the counter before sliding the dessert and thermos into my bag and grabbing my to-go cup. “Maybe? I need to see whichdays I’m working. I’m not sure I liked this one. The guy didn’t grovel nearly enough for my liking.”
