Page 74 of June: Jess' Story

“I mean, no one else is offering to help…”

Ouch. That’s all this is then?I knew that’s probably all this was.

“Are you fucking Damian? Because if you are, honestly, ask him for help.” I don’t wait for her to answer, I just turn around and leave. My chest feels like it’s being ripped apart. All over again.

Blanks is waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, hands in pockets, a sorry look on his face that I’m back so soon.

“Let’s head to Brit’s. She’ll be excited to see you.” My hands fucking tremble as I grab my keys to the Jeep. Blanks doesn’t say a thing. He just follows behind me looking slightly sorry he ever came here.Same, bro.

They never lock their fucking doors.

“Hello!” I push open the large front door to a house that looks like a modern-day Norman Rockwell scene. Liam’s in the living room reading the newspaper and Brit is trimming an oversized Christmas tree. Elodie is playing with their puppy while Caroline threads popcorn onto string to hang on the tree.

The sight makes my jaw clench. Hate this fucking feeling. It’s jealousy.

“Hey!” Brit says, looking briefly over her shoulder, then back again in a quick double take. “Alex! You didn’t tell me Caleb was coming! Oh my god!” She gets off her step stool and rushes over.

“Caleb!” she squeals, hugging him. Or trying to hug him as best she can with her pregnant belly. Blanks pulls her in tight, picking her feet up off the ground, a stupid grin on his face. Liam sees the exchange and sets down his newspaper to stare at the new guy.

I clear my throat. “That’s enough, Caleb,” I say under my breath and he releases her.

“It’s been like eight years since the last time I saw you.” Brit looks at him the same way you would a long lost friend. He looks back on her the same.

“Seven years, actually. Almost to the day,” Blanks says, giving her a wink. Then Liam is standing up from his chair. Here we go.

“Cough—cool it—cough,” I get out under my breath and Brit laughs at me.

“Hey, aren’t you sick or something?” I ask Brit and her cheeks turn rosy.

“Yeah, I’m better now.” My ass.

“Still pissed then?” I ask.

She shrugs, but brushes it under the rug by grabbing Blanks’ hand. She quickly introduces him to Liam and the girls, then drags him to the kitchen.

“You have to meet Carly.”

“Why’s that?” Blanks follows her like a puppy.

“Well, for one, she’s hot. Two, she’s probably the best chef in the world. And three, she’s gonna love you.”

Blanks laughs at Brit. “Well, alright then.” And with the southern twang he only lets out when he’s with his people, he sounds and looks like a dark-haired Matthew McCounaghey.

Liam glares at me. “Who the fuck’s that?”

“Best friend from the Army. Also my business partner.”

Liam nods, then grunts. “He’s a handsy little shit.”

I actually laugh. It was the right call coming here. I can decompress. I can help the girls with something and feel useful. Liam will probably pour me a drink.

“Happy early Thanksgiving! You want a glass?” he asks me right on schedule with a pat on the back, and I nod.

“Hey, C.” I ruffle her hair as I pass her in the living room to take a seat by Elodie who’s playing fetch with their golden, Luna. “Hey, kiddo.”

“Hey, Al. Look what Luna just learned!” Elodie proceeds to show me the dog's astounding capability to roll over on command.

“Wow, would you look at that?”