by Emery Jacobs
“Are you okay?” the sound of a familiar male voice puts a smile on my face.
“I’m good, Liam. Really good.”
He walks around to the front of the bench before sitting down beside me.
“I’ve checked on you every day since you’ve been back. I watch you sit here for hours. Today’s the first day I’ve felt like it would be okay to get out of the car and talk.” He smiles before leaning into me with his shoulder.
“So now you’re a stalker?” I laugh.
“Well, now that you mention it, I guess I kind of am. But I only stalk you.”
I miss him. He always puts a smile on my face.
“You know, you were right. I mean, about Houston and my life. It’s worse now than it was before I left here.”
“You’re dad mentioned a few things that happened while you were away. I think it’s harder on him and your mom than you think.”
“Now I know they did the best that they could. Neither of them knew how to deal with Piper’s death. And then they had me. They were afraid. Afraid that I would be taken away, too. So I’ve stopped blaming them. I know now that everything they did, they did out of fear and love.”
“I’m impressed, Jovie. Sounds like you went away to the big city and became an adult.”
“No, Liam, not any adult. I’m still the same me, only without a heart. It’s still in Houston, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get it back.” I bring my hands to my face and hang my head.
“I’m here if you need me, always.” He wraps his arms around me before squeezing me tight. And it feels great. He always knows how to bring a little sunshine into any shitty situation.
“Thanks for stalking me. I feel much safer sitting here every day knowing I have one of Brownsboro’s finest a few feet away.”
We both stand. I grab his hands and hold onto them for a few seconds. I want to feel something, anything. But it’s not the same. He’s not Jack.
“You look super-hot in your uniform. I’ve never actually been this close to you when you’re working.” I wink.
“Just imagine how hot I look with it off.” He rubs his hands up and down my arms.
Nothing tingly, no electricity, or even warmth in his touch. I wish I felt something. Not that I would jump back in his bed. But the feeling of needing someone’s touch is one of the greatest sensations in the entire world.
“Remember, I already know exactly how hot you are out of uniform.”
“Just checking, because if you need me to jog your memory, I’ll be glad to strip for you—at my place. In, let’s say, about an hour.” He smiles before he wraps his hands around my waist. Holding me. Needing me. Wanting me. Three feelings I wish I had for him because nothing would feel better than to be bound to him for the rest of the night, but I can’t. It would be wrong to give him expectations that there could be more.
“I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“He really did a number on you, didn’t he?”
“He has my heart. And until he releases it, I’ll never be able to be happy with anybody else. Please understand. Because I need you as my friend,” I plead.
“I do understand. The offer is always open.” He jokes before releasing his hold on me.
“See you around. Remember to call me if you need anything,” Liam says as he walks toward the steps.
“See ya, stalker. Thanks for, you know… being you,” I say.
He raises his hand for a quick wave and then he’s gone.
Chapter 32
Jack
“I almost left,” I lean in behind her and whisper in her ear, “Seeing you with him stirred up something inside of me. Not sure what. But I didn’t like it.”
“Why did you stay?” she whispers.
“Because you’re mine, and I’m not going home without you.” I pull her hair back away from her face and gently run my finger over her cheek.
“Jack, I don’t know. Can we even survive this?” she reaches for my hand.
“We can survive anything together. But being apart isn’t gonna work for me. I love you, Jovie. So go across the street and get all your stuff. We’re going home.”
She stands before turning to face me. God—she’s so fucking beautiful. Perfect. And if I have to beg, I will drop to my knees and do just that.
“There’s so much I need to say. I don’t know where to start.”
“We have plenty of time for that. Forever,” I mumble as I pull her in and nuzzle my face into her neck. “God, I’ve missed you,” I whisper against her skin.
“I love you, Jack.”
I pull back from her and look into her eyes. Jovie’s eyes.
“Let’s go get your stuff. It’s a long drive home.” I interlock my fingers with hers before pulling her toward the steps.
“He called me, but you knew he would, didn’t you?” she asks.
“Yes. He showed up at Stone’s the night of Annie’s party. He wanted you. The thought of you and him. I knew you would never do it, but my mind wouldn’t let it go. But, now. Now, I know why. He wanted you because of her. He’s really messed up, Jovie,” I mutter.
She stops before we leave the playground and says, “He told me everything about them. And how he blames himself. Jack, he’s living like you. Except worse. He said that he was thinking of checking himself into a rehab because he drinks. A lot—every day. I don’t know. I feel sorry for him.” She places a kiss on my chest.
“I’m not telling you what you can or can’t do because for you and me to work, we have to trust each other. But let him be. He has family and friends that’ll see he gets help if he wants it. Right now, I just want to focus on us. Rebuilding what we had and moving on with our lives, together.”
“Will you do me a favor, Jack?”
“Whatever you want.” I place my hands on her cheeks and rest my forehead against hers. “Just say it.”
“Tell me about her, about my sister.”
Yes, I just agreed to talk to her about Piper. I must be going insane. But, if this is what she needs, then I’ll give it to her.
So we stand on the edge of the playground for almost an hour. I tell her everything. How we met, the places we went, our friends. I also told her about the sketch of the tattoo, and I held her while she cried. We left Brownsboro, Georgia that day together. I even drove and she rode beside me in the passenger’s seat of my Jeep.
Chapter 33
6 months later
Jovie
“Thank you for doing this,” I say as we make our way to Piper’s gravesite.
It’s the first time I’ve been back since that day almost a year ago. The day I fell apart and ended up in the emergency room.
“You don’t have to thank me. I need this as much as you do. She was part of both of our lives,” he says as he hands me the flowers to place in the secured vase.
This is hard for me, so I can only imagine how Jack feels. Awkward maybe. I don’t know. But we’ve spent many nights talking about the whole screwed up situation. And it will always be difficult because it is what it is. And nothing will ever change it.
“Piper Evans Blake.” I read her name as it’s written on the tombstone.
“I never knew her as Piper Blake. She always said her name was Evans, Piper Evans. That’s one reason I would have never known the two of you were sisters.”
“She never used the name Blake. Her name was Piper Evans. My parents didn’t get married until she was four. Evans is my mom’s maiden name. I think my mom was so pissed at my dad for not marrying her before Piper was born that she never changed her name. But after she died, my dad said that it was only right for her to be remembered as a Blake. Because that’s who she was.” A single tear rolls down my cheek as I lean into Jack.
He puts his arm around my waist and holds me close.
“You amaze me. Every single day. You are the strongest person I know.” He leans down and kisses the top of my head.
“I love you, Piper. And I promise I will spend more time with you becau
se I’m back in town. My life is here now, and I’m not going anywhere.” I smile and look up at Jack. “Oh, and I brought Jack with me. He probably won’t say much, but just know he’s here. And he loves you, too.”
Jack let’s go of me and drops to his knees. He bows his head and closes his eyes. He’s praying. Or at least, that’s what it looks like. Or maybe he’s talking to her in private. If he needs to talk to her for his closure, then that’s what I want. He has to let go of the guilt. It wasn’t his fault. I will never blame him. Never. I want to give him privacy, but I want to hold him. He doesn’t need to hurt alone. So I drop to my knees and lean into him. He raises his head and turns to face me. His eyes are glassy.
“Are you okay? I can leave and let you have some time alone with her. Whatever you need, Jack. Just tell me.” I gently wrap my hands around his arm.
“No, don’t leave. I need you here, beside me.”
He helps me stand and then he does the same. And just like that, he seems better. Relaxed. At peace.
I turn toward Piper and continue to talk to her. “Mom and Dad are good. They’re not real happy about my living situation.” I smile at Jack, “Other than that, everything with them is okay. Oh, I don’t know if you know this or not, because I’m not sure what they tell you when they visit, but Mom stopped drinking. You would be so proud of her. She hasn’t had a drink since the night, well, since the night you left us. So that’s good news. I think we’re gonna go for now, but I’ll be back. Soon.” I place my hand in Jack’s before we turn and walk away from the grave. Once we get to the parking lot, he stops and faces me.
“Thank you for bringing me here. I didn’t realize how much I needed this. But everything is all right now. We’re okay. And I believe she’s good with us.” His lips touch mine softly. “I love you. So. Damn. Much,” he whispers.
I pull back and look up into his brown eyes and remember the very first time I met him. In the bathroom against the door. How badly I wanted him to kiss me that night. But he’s made up for it a million times.
“How did I get so lucky?” I smile.
He laughs. “You think what we have is luck?”
I nod before leaning into his chest.
He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear before he says,
“Babe, this isn’t luck—it’s fate.”
The End
Note from the author
Anxiety is real. It’s no fun for anyone. Most people don’t understand what it’s like to live in constant fear of when it will attack again. Racing thoughts, worry, and the inability to control your own body. The fear. It’s always there. Where will I be when it strikes again? How will I control it? Will I die? Maybe this time it’s not anxiety. Maybe this time it really is a heart attack or maybe a stroke. My face is tingling—my left arm is numb. Those are symptoms. Of both. I’m right—I am dying.
Yes. The fear is real. Real damn scary. Everything can be fine one minute and then the next you’ve lost control. Anxiety does not make you crazy, it only makes you stronger because you have to learn to manage it. And you can—so, if you are one of the thousands of people who suffer from an anxiety disorder—please get help. Talk to your health care provider or a counselor. There are even support groups you can join. Don’t suffer in silence because you are embarrassed. Your life is too valuable to continue to live with constant worry over when the next anxiety attack will happen. Know that you are not alone. There are other people just like you. And there are also those who truly want to help you get better. So, please—stop suffering and talk to somebody—get help.
Start with this web site: http://www.adaa.org/finding-help
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Acknowledgments
Wow. Writing Twisted Fate has been quite the adventure. One that I did not go on alone. I feel very fortunate to have connected with so many wonderful people on this journey.
Teresa Funke—Even though we didn’t finish this project together—it was you who first believed in Jack and Jovie and their story. You taught me to write, to edit, to rewrite, and not to give up. I thank you for your knowledge, support, and encouragement because it was what I needed to see this story through…until the end.
Kristi Falteisek with Sassy Savvy Fabulous—Thank you for everything you do! I realize I probably say this to you almost daily, but it’s the truth. There is no way I could have made it through the last two months without your knowledge and expertise. Your patience and ability to guide me through the marketing and promoting part of this journey has been an amazing experience. Again—thank you for everything—you have been wonderful.
Stacey, CeCe, and Radka—My betas. You guys are fabulous. Thank you for telling me what I needed to hear, even if it wasn’t what I wanted to hear. And thank you Radka and Stacey for taking bits and pieces of my story at a time—sorry I would leave you hanging until I had time to write more. You guys are awesome!
My editor, Rogena Mitchell-Jones of RMJ Manuscript Service—Thank you for taking on the incredible task of making my writing presentable. It worked—you did an excellent job. And I appreciate you doing all of this without changing my writing style. Thank you! Thank you! You’re absolutely brilliant.
To my husband. You are wonderful, but I guess you already knew that, huh? Thanks for putting up with my many hours locked away in my office or talking about this book to the point of making you want to go anywhere just to get away from the sound of my voice. And yes, I have read through it for the last time—for now. But guess what? I’ve started the next one. So, at least I’ll have something new to talk about. Oh—and thank you for reading Jack and Jovie’s story—it meant more to me than you’ll ever know.
To my son—even though you’re grown—well, kind of grown. Thank you for asking about ‘my book’ with each phone call. It’s finally done, so you can stop telling me how many words I have to write every day to finish it before my deadline. You are my absolute greatest accomplishment. And I’m thankful every day that I’m your mom.
To my mom and dad. Thank you for always believing in me and giving me the freedom to make my own decisions. Sometimes, it took me the long way around to get to where I was supposed to be, but I always made it.
Drew Truckle—Thank you for being my Jack. You are one of the kindest people I know and have gone above and beyond what I would have expected in helping me promote Twisted Fate. Thank you again for everything. It truly means so much to me.
Cassy Roop—You Rock! You have mad talent, and I am so excited that you shared it with me on this project. You are not only my cover designer and all around go to person for teasers, branding, website design, etc., but I also consider you a friend. Thanks for chatting with me and walking me through issues that may or may not pertain to graphic design. Thanks so much for everything!
Eric David Battershell—Thank you for the perfect image of Drew for the cover of Twisted Fate. You are so much more than the photographer—always kind and willing help me promote my book—whether a teaser, cover reveal, or release. You have truly been there every step of the way—and I greatly appreciate it!
Alex Maxwell, you are an amazing poet. Thank you for the beautiful poem for my book. It’s perfect. But most of all…thanks for being such a great friend.
JM Nash, you are absolutely marvelous! You have walked me through, or should I say, led me out of more crap than I even care to discuss. I’m so very thankful I met you, because not only have you been my sounding board, but also a great friend, always giving me advice about things I know absolutely nothing about. Because, remember, I don’t know how to do anything but write, and you, my friend, can do everything—write, graphic design, swag design, size photographs, format, market… Do I need to go on? Thank you for your guidance and friendship.
Terrie Meerschaert with Indie Editing Services—Thank you for last minute proofreading. I appreciate you so much.
A special thank you to Kerry Calloway. You have supported me since the beginning. Thanks for sharing all
of my teasers and promoting me every week since that first teaser came out about six months ago. You are truly a remarkable person!
To every blogger, reader, author, and friend who has shared my teasers and cover, or who has promoted my book—thank you—because without your support, no one would know Twisted Fate even existed.
To the readers—thank you for taking a chance on a new author. You guys are the best! I really hope you enjoy Jack and Jovie’s story.
About the Author
Emery grew up in Southern Arkansas and has lived most of her adult life in Northern Louisiana. She spends her days working as a Nurse Practitioner in rural health and her nights reading, writing, and occasionally, sleeping.
She loves real life romance…lots of angst and heartbreak, but always a happy ending.
Connect with Emery
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