Page 117 of Tear Me Apart

There is something about the way she says it that makes Juliet want to slap her, but she resists, lets the urge pass.

“Listen, what do you need? I know you’re going to stay here for the next couple of days. I can go to the house and bring back whatever you might have forgotten. Fresh clothes, toothbrushes, anything. I’m going stir crazy here, I gotta get out and stretch my legs.”

“How will you get past the media? They’re camped outside, and I bet a few are at the house waiting, just in case.”

“I can do it. I can get a police escort if I have to. They won’t be able to stop me. Seriously, do you need anything?”

It is Jasper who answers. “No. We don’t. The house is locked up so none of the media can peer in, and we’re fine. Thank you, Juliet.” So dismissive, so hard. When did he become this person? She barely recognizes him.

“Are you sure?”

Lauren glances once at Jasper, then nods. “I think it’s best that you don’t go near the house.” She’s become an automaton, parroting Jasper.She’s given up, Juliet realizes.She thinks Zack is going to take Mindy away, and she’s given up.

“My clothes are in there, so I’m going to go get them. I’ll find a hotel room. I’ll get Zack’s things, too. We wouldn’t want to be an imposition on you.”

“Maybe that’s best,” Lauren murmurs.

“I wish you’d stop blaming me. My God, all I did was find the man who’s saving her life. Why am I suddenly the villain here?”

At the twin looks of anger on the faces of the only family she has, Juliet storms out of the room, not caring that Mindy has heard her outburst and is watching her retreat with concern.

She doesn’t understand Jasper and Lauren, not one bit. And it pisses her off they are treating her like she is some sort of monster, like she’s brought this hell down upon them.

She does have a plan mapped out for leaving the hospital grounds. There is a back door out into the lower parking lot from the floor below the ground-level cafeteria. She’s already gone out there once to check, and no one of note was hanging around. This time, she goes full speed, not bothering to look as she crashes out the door.

She reaches her truck without incident. She unlocks the doors, and as she climbs in, a face appears on her passenger side, making her jump with fright until she realizes it is a familiar face. Jasper.

She presses the lever and the window whirs down.

“What is it?”

“You need to stop upsetting Lauren. She’s very fragile right now.”

“Why? What in the world has changed? I don’t understand the attitude shift from you two.”

“She feels like you’re siding with Zack, that you’re going to try to take Mindy away from her. Apparently Mindy made an offhand comment about you and Zack being a cute couple, and it upset her terribly. We’re all under stress, Juliet. Lauren is a very private woman, and she’s not at all comfortable with your open relationship with the people she thinks are trying to steal her child away from her. I’ve had to give her Ativan to calm her, she’s been a complete wreck since Zack showed up. Her fears might not be rational, but she is legitimately afraid. I have to keep her calm, keep her focused.”

“She hasn’t seemed like that big of a wreck to me. When did this shift happen?”

“Trust me when I say she’s been trying to keep a brave face on. She’s been under so much pressure lately, and this scrutiny is making her a little anxious. We’ll get through this, but I wanted to remind you to be careful who you talk to, and what you say. We don’t want anything misinterpreted.”

“Do you mean Zack? My God, Jasper, it’s like you’re mounting a campaign to make sure he doesn’t have access to Mindy.”

Jasper doesn’t speak, and then it hits her. “That’s exactly what you’re trying to do. You’re going to mount a legal defense that she’s yours and not his?”

“We’re going to try.”

Juliet shuts her eyes and shakes her head. “Don’t do it. You won’t win. And Mindy wants him to be a part of her life.”

“Mindy is a minor. We make the decisions.”

“For a few more months. Jasper, you will lose her if you try to make unilateral decisions, trust me. She’ll fight you, and so will he. You’d be much better off accepting that now and working with all of us instead of trying to drive a wedge.”

“All of us. So Lauren’s right. You have chosen a side.”

“Jasper. There are no sides here. We’re a family. We are getting Mindy through this trial, and we need to do it together.”

“Hm. Do you really know Zack Armstrong, Juliet?”