“But something held you to him… something kept you from divorcing him.”
“It wasn’t him, that’s for sure. When I showed up there in October, when I called you? He was pissed. He left to go to a fundraiser with a date and left me alone all night.”
“He did that to you?”
My heart hurts for him. That’s an awful way to treat your husband.
He huffs a laugh. “Trust me, Miles, that’s low on the scale of shitty things he’s done to me. I dealt with it because I thought I had to, because I thought it was some kind of penance for my mother.”
“And you fixed that in three months?” I ask.
“No,” he says solidly. “Not entirely. But enough to know that I can have what I want, that I’m allowed to be happywhileI’m working through my issues.” He steps closer to me, taking my other hand. “Enough to know that I want to be with you and see where things go. I’ve always known what I wanted in life, and I can see that future—with you. It’s a clear picture now, not just an idea.”
“But you saw it with him too, right?” I ask cautiously.
“That’s the thing,” he says with a slight shake of his head. “I didn’t. Never. We made the plans, we talked about it, but deep down, I neversawit. Not the way I can with you. It’s not just an idea anymore, it’s a clear picture.” Jericho places two fingers beneath my chin, lifting so I look him in the eyes. “Franklin and I are done. The divorce will be official soon. I tried to talk to him. That’s that last thing I needed from him.”
“What if he calls back? What if he comes here?”
“Then I’ll deal with it. But trust me, Miles, he is not the kind of person I’m going to run back to. What does he have to offer me? Money? I don’t care about money. And honestly, I may die of a heart attack if Franklin ran back here because he’s not the type. He didn’t try before, why would he try now? All he does is make me feel like shit about myself. I like the way you make me feel. I like who I am when I’m with you. I just like being with you, and I am not going to convince you to be with me, but I meant it when I said I love you… but I also know relationships take more than that. If you need more time—”
“I just need honesty from you. All the time. Even if it’s something you think I won’t want to hear. And if it’s something hard, something you can’t talk about, I need you to try.”
“That’s exactly what I’m giving you. I wasn’t up front before, and I can’t apologize enough for that. I hate that I made you feel this way.”
“I know you’re trying. I appreciate you putting it on speaker.”
“I just didn’t want you to think I was hiding. I don’t want my phone to be a problem between us. That’s just… we’re better than that.”
We hold each other’s gaze as I try to calm my heart that’s picking up speed.
“I don’t want this to be a problem between us,” I begin. “I do think I need more time to learn that I can trust you, but I do love you, and I do want to do this.”
Jericho smiles, closing the distance between us. His lips are cold when they press against mine. His arms wrap around me, and he lifts me up, holding me tightly for a moment before putting me back on my feet. His arm comes around me, and we turn to face the backyard.
“I can’t decide if I want to move or not,” he says.
“Do you love this house?” I ask.
“Not really,” he says.
“Then sell it.” He glances down at me, raising a brow. “I love my apartment, and I love living so close to Audrey and Noah. It’s important to be comfortable at home. If you don’t love this house, then get rid of it.”
He watches me carefully, then asks, “Where do you see your future? Do you think you’ll live there forever?”
I shrug. “I’ve imagined living in a one-family, and I don’t hate the idea. I just want Audrey to get a little more settled first. I help a lot with Noah, and I love doing it, but I can’t leave and let her do everything on her own.”
“You’re a good brother,” he says, pulling me closer to him.
“So are you.”
“Nah, I’m kind of an asshole. Didn’t even help Nash move,” he says with a smile.
“You were dealing with stuff, and I’m sure he knows that.”
We stay there for a few moments longer, until my feet have turned into icicles. Inside, JJ makes me breakfast, and it all feels just right.
Chapter 36
