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“Gabby?” Jack’s calm voice is my breaking point. I step forward, stumbling, and he catches me.

Sobs wrack my body and he holds me tightly, the way I’d imagine a big brother would. I never had, always wanted one. I’ve always envied Ria’s relationship with Noah. I always wondered what it would be like to have a sibling, a teammate in life. Someone you could get up to mischief with, hide from mom and dad and play tricks. Comfort each other when you are sad and make you laugh when you haven’t smiled in days. I may not have a brother, but I do have this.

“Hey, you’re okay, I’ve got you,” he soothes, stroking my hair as I cry into his chest.

“I… I’ve messed up and I don’t know what to do,” I choke out, my voice not sounding like my own.

“It’s okay, whatever it is, we’ll figure it out. Come on.” He releases the hold he has of me and guides me into the apartment.

“Ria is taking Lexi to school and then heading to the salon. She won’t be back for a while.”

“It’s actually you I wanted to see.” I sniff.

I choke out a laugh and point to his gray tee that now has a wet patch on the chest.

He looks down and shakes his head. “I’m used to it. If it’s not tears on my shirt is snot or vomit.”

I feel myself begin to relax already. Jack has a way about him that makes you feel secure. He’s the most levelheaded and calm person I’ve ever known. If anyone knows what to do, it’s him.

“I’ve got Elle home. Let me put on a movie for her and I’ll make us some coffee.” I follow him toward their open plan living space. The entire back wall is glass looking out over New York. It’s a breathtaking view.

“Elle, look who’s here,” Jack calls as he makes his way over to the area where Elle is playing with a bunch of dolls.

She looks up and her big blue eyes just like Ria’s sparkle when she sees me as I give her a wave.

“I’m going to talk to auntie Gabby in the kitchen. Can you be a good girl and watch Minnie Mouse?”

She jumps up and toddles over to the couch, clutching her big Minnie Mouse stuffie and gets comfy.

“Okay, Daddy,” she says in her cute toddler voice that makes me melt.

I take a seat at the kitchen island and scroll my phone: a text from Ali, nothing from Brad, and my stomach knots every time I think of him and the memory of last night.

Jack settles in the seat next to me, placing a steaming mug of coffee in front of me. I cradle it, not caring that the ceramic is burning my hands, I feel too numb to feel it.

“I need you to keep an eye on Brad, he’s going through something and I can’t be the one to help him.”

“Okay.” Jack says, his tone mixed with confusion. “Can I ask why?”

“Because I’m the one who helped cause it.” I don’t look at him, I just focus on the hot steam that rises form my cup that wafts in my face.

“Has something happened between you two?” he asks softly.

“Please don’t ask me that.” My words barely a whisper. He doesn’t press me further and I’m grateful.

“What do you need me to do?” He asks. I think about telling him everything but decide its safer to only tell him what he needs to know.

“He’s drinking a lot, he’s struggling. I think the thing with Cassidy and Ali has stirred things up for him and I…” I stop myself from going anything further.

“I’ll make it worse being round him, so I need you to check on him, help him. He’s hurting and he needs help and I need someone to help him until I am able to.” I express to him, my words coming out far shakier than I intend.

“Are you in trouble Gabby? Do you need help?”

Yes, yes, I do, I am being blackmailed by a man who’s controlling me and threatening to implode my entire world and everything I have been trying to hide and make up for years, I internally scream but instead I lie. I’m getting good at that.

“No, it’s just complicated and Harry has a lot going on with Ali and helping her, Ria is pregnant, Noah is god knows where and I know you have stuff going but I just need someone to help him.” My rambles turn into soft cries and Jack wraps an arm around me.

“I’m sorry.” I choke out.