by M. Sembera
Nodding, I whispered, “I’m...” before he said, “I know.”
“You do?” I asked.
Holding my head in his hands, Jackson carefully kissed my cheek and replied, “Let me take you home.”
With a sigh I agreed. I pulled my jacket out of the box and put it on while Jackson buttoned his shirt and put his socks and shoes back on.
It was very quiet in the car. Jackson reached over and held my hand. I placed my free hand over our joined fingers.
Realizing I had to say something, I apologized, “I shouldn’t have come to your apartment.”
Shaking his head with a frustrated expression, Jacks said, “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?” I asked.
With heavy sigh, he let go of my hand and replied, “Don’t apologize.”
Glancing around the car for a moment, I said, “Okay.”
Temporarily back to silence, I tucked my hands into my sleeves and folded my arms across my chest.
Out of the blue, he proclaimed, “Don’t take it back.”
“What?” I questioned.
Pulling into a dead end a block from the house, Jackson snapped, “Just because we didn’t do anything, doesn’t mean you should take it back.”
Before I could say anything, he got out of the car and slammed his door. Contemplating my options, I figured I should just get out, agree with him and we could go back to normal.
Stepping out, I said, “Come on Jacks, I’m not taking it back.”
His breath was heavy as he walked around to my side, saying, “Yea, you are.”
Rolling my eyes, I suggested, “Alright then, let’s get back in the car.”
“Why…Huh? Why?” he asked.
Giving him a curious look, I questioned, “Why get back in the car?”
Shaking his head with a loud sigh, Jackson walked back to his side of the car.
I rushed to his side, stopping him before he opened the door. Nudging him out of the way, I leaned against the door preventing him from opening it. With a frustrated groan, Jackson tilted his head to the side staring at me.
“Why, what?” I pressed.
He stepped closer trying to grab the door handle.
Quickly sliding in front of it, I asked, “Why, what?”
Appearing to gather his thoughts, Jackson politely asked, “Ren, will you move so I can take you home?”
Shaking my head, I refused saying, “No, not until you answer me.”
“Then I guess we’re gonna stand here all night,” he stated.
Shrugging, I replied, “Guess so.”
It didn’t take long for him to realize, I wasn’t going to back down.
“Why did you come to my apartment?” he asked.
Wishing now his, ‘why,’ was something else, I answered, “I thought I was being pretty obvious.”
“Oh, you just wanted to know, you didn’t plan on answering,” he sarcastically replied.
His comment irritated me and without thinking, I confessed, “Okay smart guy, I went over there to be with you,” watching the expression on his face, I admitted, “I have spent awhile now trying not to feel the way I’m feeling because I shouldn’t. Then tonight and my gift, it felt right. It’s not though and with everything else that’s happening, I have to have you as my friend.”
“I’m always your friend,” he confirmed.
Looking down at my feet, I said, “So we’re good.”
With a slight smile he stepped in front of me, saying, “As much as I like the idea of us…together, it doesn’t have to be that way.”
Smiling back, I asked, “Just out of curiosity, why did you stop me?”
Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, Jackson replied, “I’ve never had you like that but I’ve been your friend for a long time. You can’t miss what you never had but I would miss being your friend,” as he walked me around to the passenger side of the car.
When we were both back in the car, Jackson backed up and headed to the main road. Stopping before he continued to the house, he turned and looked at me.
“Just out of curiosity, if I hadn’t stopped you, what would you have done?” he questioned.
Smiling wide, I leaned toward him, assuring, “Unspeakable things.”
“Okay, that was just mean,” he laughed.
Laughing with him, I knew Jackson and I were back where we needed to be.
Continuing to smile, I asked, “Can we just sit here for a little while.”
Turning the car off, he said, “Okay.”
Staring out at the empty road that led back to the house, I thought of reasons not to go back.
Chapter 24
As Jackson and I sat in his car, I was surprised to see headlights heading down the road. The house was on a dead end. Usually, no one drove down this far unless they were headed to it. Appearing curious too, Jackson turned his car back on and pulled up a little.
When the car flew past us, I asked, “Was that Emerson?”
Pulling onto the road, he sped up, saying, “We’re fixing to find out.”
I was sure it was Emerson. Wondering what he was doing, I flew into a panic when I noticed the porch light on.
Quickly shouting, “Oh my gosh, Hert’s home!” I rushed him, saying, “I didn’t leave the porch light on because I was going to go in through the back, you need to catch up, hurry we have to stop him.”
Flying down the road, Jackson questioned, “If Hert’s back maybe Roberts is going to see him.”
Nodding, I blurted, “That’s what I’m afraid of,” before instructing, “He’s going to the back. Just stop in the front and we can run in. Hopefully, I can get Hert upstairs and you can stop Emerson.”
“What?” he asked, questioning, “Ren what is going on?”
As Jackson pulled in front, I quickly informed, “Hert was looking for Em, I knew where Em was but didn’t tell, I went and saw Em at Amila’s and you didn’t know any of that but you know about Salvador and Hert doesn’t.”
Jacks shouted, “What?” as we both ran towards the door.
“I’ll explain it all later. Hopefully Hert’s upstairs wondering what I did to his office. Just act normal and get rid of Emerson,” I snapped.
Stopping to take a breath, I opened the front door.
Swiftly walking into the living room, I headed straight to the kitchen. Composing myself, I stepped in with Jackson close behind. Hert was standing behind the counter.
“You came back early,” I said.
With a cool expression, Hert replied, “Technically, it is Saturday.”
Glancing at the clock, I asked, “Can I talk to you upstairs?”
With a slight smile, he declined, saying, “No, but I see you did some rearranging.”
“I was mad,” I snapped before urging, “I really need to talk to you, upstairs.”
With a slow deep breath Hert ignored me, asking, “Jackson how was your vacation?”
Clearly confused by the situation, Jackson answered, “Alright.”
“Hert!” I shouted, with a last ditch effort to stop whatever was fixing to happen.
We all heard Emerson’s card door slam before I questioned, “Why is he here?”
“I’m sure he’s here to see why you dimed him out but surprise, I’m here,” he replied in a mild tone.
Furious with him, I shouted, “I didn’t!”
With a smirk Hert revealed, “But you did…indirectly of course.”
“That’s why you wanted the driver to take me everywhere,” I said before the back door flew open.
Emerson stormed in. Aside from giving Hert a dirty look, Emerson overlooked him, focusing on me.
“You promised!” he yelled at me.
Shaking my head, I tried to explain but was interrupted, by Emerson shouting, “I trusted you! He sent them to her house!”
Wide eyed, I turned to Hert, yelling, “What did you do?”
Clearing his throat, Hert calmly stated, “Doesn’t feel very good when someone messes with your
girl, now does it.”
Before Emerson could reply, I snapped, “Wait!” then clarified, “I didn’t tell where you were,” to Emerson, then shouted, “Why would you do that to her?” at Hert.
Appearing nonchalant about it, Hert replied, “Roberts should have been a man about it instead of hiding out like a little girl.”
As Emerson made his way closer to Hert, I shouted, “Oh like you?” The three of them stared at me as I continued, yelling, “You think persuading and using people makes you a man?”
Slamming his hands down on the counter, Hert shouted, “I was man enough to have you droolin’ all over the place!”
Gasping at his comeback after I insulted his manhood, I heard Jackson snap, “You don’t wanna do that!”
I glanced at Jackson seeing his face turning red and his fists clinching.
Suddenly Jackson wasn’t the issue. Emerson shoved Hert. Narrowing his eyes, Hert smiled, daring him to take a swing. Emerson took his offer, popping Hert right in the eye. Holding my breath, I had seen Hert fight before and I knew what was going to happen next. Smiling wide, Hert raised his eyebrow at Emerson as if to say, ‘is that all you got?’ Emerson started to take another swing but Hert grabbed the front of his shirt and punched him in the nose. Continuing to hit him in the face without stopping, they started to disappear as Hert beat him to the ground behind the counter. Lunging forward to stop them I was jerked back by Jackson holding me tight. Covering my mouth with my hands, I started crying when Hert lifted a bloody Emerson off the floor and slammed him so hard against the wall, all the cabinet doors flew open.
Holding him there, Hert growled, “You wanna take me on you pathetic…” before I shouted, “Salvador knows about Sophia!”
Hert stopped and stared at me. Slowly letting go of Emerson, he headed towards the back door. Jackson caught Emerson before he hit the floor, checking to see if he was still conscious.
Following Hert, I knew he couldn’t leave. The last thing I needed was for him to go looking for HIM or Salvador.
I shouted, “Hert!”
He kept walking.
“Hert!” I yelled louder.
Walking out of the back door, Hert slammed it behind himself.
Running after him, I left the back door open and shouted, “Scott!”
Finally, he stopped and turned to look at me.
“Come over here,” I ordered, stepping into the garage.
Walking in behind me, Hert questioned, “How does he know?”
Shaking my head, I said, “I don’t know.”
“I’m going to handle this,” he snapped before I ordered, “No you’re not.”
With a look of surprise, Hert glared at me as I informed, “Your done handling stuff that pertains to me.”
“Sophia’s just yours now?” he questioned.
Taking a breath, I replied, “No and that’s not what I meant,” before explaining, “You have been trying to handle things for me, since long before I even knew about all this. I need your help but I have to do this.”
Walking a little closer, he reached out to me, saying, “I’m sorry.”
I shook my head and stated, “Don’t touch me.”
Hert looked at his bloody hands and griped, “Wouldn’t want to ruin your jacket. Ren and Jacks, huh?”
Truthfully, I forgot I was even wearing it.
It wasn’t like I wanted my hoodie all bloody but under different circumstances, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. This time though, I couldn’t allow it. Hert probably was sorry but it didn’t change anything. If I let him touch me, he would be so sweet and I would momentarily forgive him. Then he would just hurt me again and I was determined to stay in control.
“Don’t be like that,” I fussed before saying, “It was my gift for The Society Event.
Shaking his head, he questioned, “And when you went to his apartment after, what did you give him?”
“Really?” I asked.
Hert gritted his teeth, saying, “You did, didn’t you!” before shouting, “You’re nothing but a…”
Rushing into the garage, Jackson assured, “Say one more word to her and I’ll put you right on your ass.”
Furious, Hert snapped, “You think you’re so much better than me, you’re not! You knew and didn’t tell her!”
Taking a step back, Jackson gave me an apologetic look before admitting, “I never said I was the better man.”
Unable to take another fight, I stepped between them.
Understanding more and more, I glanced between the two of them. With a heavy sigh, I started with Jackson.
“I need to talk to Hert for a minute. Can you please go in and call Amila? Tell her it was all a big misunderstanding and that Emerson is fine and he will call her in the morning,” I requested.
With a slight smile, Jackson nodded and walked back into the house.
Turning to Hert, I said, “That’s enough.”
Looking down at me, he whispered, “I don’t want to lose you.”
“Then stop,” I stated before sharing, “We’re all guilty in one way or another and this has to stop with us or Sophia’s going to grow up just like we did.”
Quietly nodding, Hert followed me back into the house.
The four of us were in the living room. I looked at Hert then Jackson and Emerson. Taking a deep breath, I knew my heart had been divided so many times, there was no way to keep it from breaking.
With a heavy sigh, I informed, “Emerson, you can stay in your parent’s old room. I’ll have doctor Chepelli come and check you out in the morning. Hert you’re sleeping in your office. Jacks if you don’t mind, the couch is still yours. I think we all need a good night’s sleep and we’ll start figuring out how to fix this mess tomorrow.”
The three of them nodded. Hert and Emerson made their way upstairs and into their rooms.
I stood there staring at Jackson for a moment before asking, “Can you come here? I need to talk to you?”
Without a word he stood and followed me.
Walking through the kitchen and into the dining room, I closed the doors and locked them behind us.
As Jackson gave me a confused expression, I said, “I want to talk to you in private. Please, have a seat.”
Sitting down at the large table, he asked, “Are you mad at me?”
Shaking my head at him, I pulled the chair next to him out and sat down facing him.
“It wasn’t your place to tell me anything. In fact, Hert shouldn’t have had to tell me either. I should have paid more attention and then I would have known myself,” I assured before saying, “But Jackson you’re the only one of us that’s really not involved.”
Giving me a stupid look, he said, “Come on now.”
Shaking my head, I replied, “No, you let me do the right thing for once,” before I offered, “You don’t have to be a part of this. I listened to Salvador’s proposal only after he gave me his word he would stay away from you and your family. So you don’t have to do this. I know you make your own decisions and I swear, whatever you decide won’t change the way I feel about you at all.”
Appearing to be deep in thought, Jackson sat there contemplating my offer. With a slight smile, I stood up.
“You can let me know in the morning,” I said before unlocking the doors and walking out.
In my room, I saw a familiar box sitting on my bed when I walked in. Knowing Hert was trying to make things right by leaving it for me, now, as much as he did the first time, I knew he was willing to relinquish some control. Momentarily ignoring it, I changed into my pajamas, washed my face, and brushed my teeth. Sliding back into my green hoodie and sitting on my bed, I opened the ‘just in case’ box Hert gave me when he left to handle HIS attack on Jackson and I. Nodding at it, I thought, ‘okay’ before I opened it.
Inside the box was an envelope sitting on top of a stack of files. Setting the envelope to the side, I pulled out six files. Kicking the box to the floor, I opened the envelope. Inside, was one key and
three bank cards. Unprepared for the information inside, I found the files belonged to Hert, Jackson, Emerson, Salvador, HIM and myself. Starting off slow, I opened mine. Shocked at the detail, I flipped to the back and found that my file ended the day Hert and I got married. I reminded myself, this was necessary and flipped back to the front of my rather thick file. Ready to face myself, in order to become the right Wren, I read the entire thing.
Seeing as it was written from a third party perspective, I found it fairly critical of me. Thinking it lacked reason and emotion, I laid back and recalled how this all started.
The Last One Book V
Sitting up in bed, I realized a few things. Hert was my anchor. He held me accountable for of all my actions, good and bad. He was no different than he had always been. I just kept wanting him to be something he was never going to be. Emerson gave me care and compassion, something I was in desperate need of. Jackson made me laugh and blush. He was my heart. The three of them made me complete. The most important thing that occurred to me was how wrong I was. I took the best from what they had to offer and gave nothing in return. With a new found sense of remorse, I decided, in addition to protecting Sophia’s future, I would try to make up for my past with them.
Chapter 1
Rolling out of bed with only an hour of sleep was difficult. Wanting to make sure everyone was on the same page before Sophia came home, made it a necessary chore. After taking a shower, I got dressed and headed downstairs. I noticed the couch was empty. Emerson and Hert were sitting at the kitchen table. Making my way to the refrigerator, I pulled out items to make them a good breakfast. Hert had a black eye and Emerson’s whole face was black and blue. Guessing Jackson was in the downstairs bathroom, I started breakfast.
It wasn’t long before breakfast was ready and Dr. Chepelli arrived. He set Emerson’s broken nose and gave the three of us a disapproving glare before leaving. As I set the table I noticed, Jackson was still missing.
“Where is Jacks?” I asked.
Shrugging, Hert shook his head.
Emerson stood up saying, “I am going to call Amila and go lay down.”
I nodded, watching him leave the room.
Hert’s expression was serious as he stated, “I have to go to The Office. I will be back in a few hours.”