Jake spent the next couple of days enjoying his girl, thankful for every minute, thankful that she was his, thankful she was safe.

He woke Tuesday morning to her auburn head on his bare chest, her soft body curled up against his, one lithe leg draped across him.

He trailed his fingers through her long soft curls, savoring the moment until she woke.

"Hey, beautiful", he greeted her as she stretched.

She glanced up at him, flushing and smiling. She seemed to never get used to his affection. It hurt his heart that she didn't believe she was worthy of being adored, but he also enjoyed the flustered reaction he received each and every time- evidence of how purely sweet she was.

As they climbed out of bed, his phone dinged with a text alert. As Riley pulled on her robe to head to the bathroom, Jake checked his messages.

It was from Travis- That package you been waitin' on is arrived.

'Bout damn time, Jake thought, then realized what that meant. He'd only been home for two days. Now he needed to take off again. He wasn't sure how Riley was gonna be with all that.

He approached the bathroom apprehensively.

"Baby?", he asked, stepping through the open door.

She was running water in the tub. He admired her bending over to check the water temperature.

Her clear light green eyes met his expectantly as she straightened.

"I gotta head back to work today".

He watched those eyes fill with tears, her expression most definitely injured.

"Why?", she asked in a wavering voice. "Why so soon?"

His heart gave a mighty wrenching pain.

"Sorry, babe. I don't want to".

"Then don't", she stated, watching him hopefully.

"Ah, baby, don't do that to me. I gotta go. I don't wanna but I have'ta".

She shook her head like she didn't believe him.

"How long?", she asked, still seeming near tears.

"Maybe two days, not sure".

"Why do you have to leave?", she insisted.

Riley wasn't typically this assertive. She must be really upset. He felt horrible but he couldn't very well tell her what was actually going on. She didn't need that kind of stress.

So, he lied.

"They need me to fix a machine that I've fixed in the past. It's down and they dunno how to fix it. They're hopin' I can get it goin' again".

He watched the tears in her eyes spill over and reached for her, but she pulled her arm from his hand.

"Just go", she said in a flat voice.

"Riley!", Jake gasped, shocked.

"Please go", she said. "Get done whatever you need to do. I'll see you when you get back".

"I ain't leavin' this second", he protested. "I need to getcha to Deb's and-".

"No, you don't", she interrupted sternly. "You may as well go now. I can very well get myself there when I'm done getting ready".

Jake was stunned.

"Babe, I-".

"GO!", she instructed sternly, turning on the shower, removing her robe, and climbing in.

Jake moved slowly from the bathroom, packed his things, made breakfast for them both, and texted Travis and Deb while he waited for her to finish showering.

She emerged with red eyes, her curly hair wet, wearing only a towel, walking quickly to her bedroom without meeting his gaze.

Fuck.

He decided to continue waiting rather than follow her in there.

Eventually she emerged, fully dressed with a suitcase in her hand. She dropped it at the front door next to his duffel bag then finally met his eyes.

"Darlin'...", Jake started softly.

Her peridot eyes were hurt and accusatory.

"Baby, I'm sorry. Come eat somethin'".

She shook her head no.

Jake sighed as he started cleaning up the kitchen.

Riley put on a peacoat and knit beanie, waiting silently by the front door until Jake made sure the fire was completely out.

"You don't come back out here without me, ya hear?", Jake reminded her sternly.

"I know", she replied impassively.

He locked the front door, opened her car door for her, then drove them silently to Deb's cafe.

Riley popped her door open as soon as he came to a complete stop, but he caught her arm before she could climb out.

"Hey", he stopped her.

She turned to him, he took her chin in his hand and kissed her.

"I want'cha takin' good care of yerself now", he said. "I'll be back before ya know it".

She didn't respond but her eyes filled with tears all over again. She left the vehicle and walked into the cafe with her suitcase, not even glancing back at him.

That stung. That really fucking stung.

And Jake had no idea how to make it better. His hands were absolutely tied on this. He couldn't bear to see her hurt and angry at him, but it was better than her being kidnapped or killed.

...........................................................................

Will was researching people tied to Harrison's phone records when the front door of the station opened.

Jake.

Will had always been flooded with anger when he saw Jake, but now he could add embarrassment and jealousy, too. Overall, the overwhelming wave of negativity which washed over him when he saw that man nearly swept his feet out from underneath him.

Today, after the brief eye contact they shared, though, he felt something else.

Curiously, Will felt some mild sympathy for him. Jake seemed...wounded somehow, almost...vulnerable?

"This whatcha been wantin'?", Travis asked as Jake approached his desk.

Will heard packing tape being peeled from cardboard and assumed Jake was opening the small box deposited earlier by Fed Ex.

"This is it", Jake confirmed. "I'm fixin' to get this done right quick. Told Riley a coupl'a days though, 'case I run into any snags".

"We're on Riley duty?", Travis asked, sounding pleasant enough.

But when Jake replied, he sounded gruff and hostile.

"It ain't like I gotta choice 'bout it! Reckon I'd prefer to stay an' watch her myself!"

Will nearly stood to make sure Travis wasn't being threatened, but instead told himself to hold a moment.

"We know that", Travis replied calmly.

Will heard Jake take a deep breath then say quietly, "Riley ain't none too happy 'bout me leavin' again so soon".

Will groaned internally. He didn't want Rillian missing this jerk, but he didn't want her sad at all, nor did he want her in danger. Jake being with her happened to conveniently fix all of those problems. Since Rillian wouldn't even let Will come near her, to keep her happy and safe, it must be Jake.

"I can imagine", Travis sympathized.

Will stood and walked into the cubicle next door to Travis' office.

"I could do it", Will offered.

Both men peered up at him with surprise.

"Tell me how and I'll do it. Then you don't need to leave. Problems solved".

Will watched Jake mull it over.

"No", Jake replied.

Will opened his mouth to protest but Jake continued before he could.

"'Preciate the offer. I think it's gotta be me, though. I know where I'm goin', who I'm lookin' for, an' I done this plenty of times before. Less likely somethin's goin' wrong and the sooner we get this on him the better our peace of mind".

"You could talk me through it", Will offered.

"Not this time", Jake replied. "You two study his information and make sure he don't come near Riley, just in case I miss him in passin'".

Jake was being polite as far as Will could tell, so he nodded and accepted the task he had been given. At least he was being included.

...........................................................................

I was appalled at Jake. He blatantly lied to my face and ran off to...someone.

I didn't know who or where but that didn't matter. The lies were real. Just because I didn't know who he was seeing didn't mean she wasn't real, no matter how much I wished it were otherwise.

"Darlin', have some tea and cookies", Deb advised sympathetically, setting a plate of snickerdoodles and a mug of vanilla chai in front of me.

I was seated at the table next to the window, Eddie's head keeping my feet warm, while I stared outside at languid snowflakes dancing their way through the air until they came to rest on a sidewalk warmed enough by the sun to dissolve most of them.

I simply sighed.

Deb patted my shoulder but otherwise let me be while I waited for customers to give me something to keep my mind off Jake. Eventually those cookies called to me enough times that I caved and was glad I had. While they didn't lift my spirits they did lift my blood sugar. Since I hadn't eaten breakfast, I was dragging at two in the afternoon.

At the end of the night, once we were back at Deb's, she finally broached the topic.

"I know it's hard to be away from him but you must try not to think on it so much", she gently advised.

"It's not that", I confessed to her, hearing myself choke up. "He's lying to me".

I watched her dear face register shock and told her what his coworkers had told me.

"Maybe they really didn't see him and perhaps he really is fixing machinery", she countered objectively.

"But how the one guy kicked his friend to stop him talking? That doesn't add up".

"Have you asked Jake?", she logically questioned next.

"No".

"Maybe you should have that conversation with him when he returns".

I felt my heart jump into my throat. Of course I should do that.

Liv would have done that the first chance she got after talking to those men in the diner.

Sadly, I wasn't her.

The thought of the confrontation combined with the horror of Jake coming clean about how we weren't even a couple and it wasn't my business who else he was sleeping with was simply too much for me to fathom.

No, I couldn't imagine me doing that.

...........................................................................

Jake made it to Asheville efficiently, easily finding Jerrod's truck at his work. However, a quick glance around the company lot assured Jake they had security cameras present. Jake ground his teeth and punched the steering wheel. He did not want to be caught on camera anywhere near Jerrod's truck.

That meant he waited.

When Jerrod's shift ended, Jake followed him back to the apartment complex he was already familiar with. It was dark but Jake knew there were no cameras outside this building.

As soon as Jerrod went in, Jake watched the lot and the building for several minutes. When he didn't see any movement, he pulled a black stocking hat over his sandy blond hair and moved like a jaguar through the sparse bushes and run-down autos. He tucked the tracker up on the undercarriage of the truck and activated it before scooting back to his vehicle.

Safely inside, he called Trey.

"My man!", Trey answered jovially. "You got my present?"

"Yep. Just attached it".

"Shit, man. You actin' way too fast right now", Trey grumbled.

Jake could hear the clicks of switches and electronics booting up in the background.

"Ah, yeah, man. We're live! It shows him at his apartment".

"Yessir", Jake confirmed.

"All right man. I be watchin' this for ya. You go take care of ya girl".

Jake smiled, picturing her.

"Yeah", he agreed, texting Travis an update before heading for home.

He got back to her cabin around midnight, not even bothering a glance at his own. Hers was home to him, more than his had ever been. He would collect her in the morning. No point in waking her in the middle of the night.

...........................................................................

I hadn't heard from Jake once yesterday. Not one text. My mind so ran wild with scenarios that I barely got any sleep at all.

What if this other girl was onto me, and she gave him an ultimatum? What if he was choosing her? What if she had discovered she was pregnant? That would make for a sudden urgent trip.

Oh, how that thought pierced my soul! A baby wasn't something I could give Jake, and after what happened with Liv and Hope, I would bet my life he would do his best to make a family with whomever he got pregnant, love being irrelevant.

When Deb, Eddie, and I got to the cafe in the morning, the first thing I did was start coffee for myself, but drinking it hurt my stomach.

When I commented in frustration, dear sweet Deb observed, "It's because your belly's full of acid from all that anxiety and you haven't put anything substantial in there to soak it up".

I felt myself flushing.

"I'm sorry for being so erratic", I told my friend. "Harrison lied to me all the time and I was clueless. I don't want to be in that situation again, but Jake isn't him, but I still don't know what to do".

Deb took me firmly by the shoulders.

"Jake isn't him", she agreed. "You need to discuss this with Jake, but first, you need to eat something".

As I was picking at my toast, I received a text from Jake- Got back late last night. Headin' to getcha soon!

My stomach started fluttering so much that any thoughts of eating were gone. I was excited and apprehensive at the same time. I didn't think I could broach the topic of his lies. I knew I should, I simply didn't know if I could make myself. I wasn't brave enough.

...........................................................................

When Jake woke, it was ten and he was starving. Getting to Riley as quickly as possible was his objective, however he desperately needed food and a shower. He texted her then completed those tasks as quickly as possible before starting for town. The sun was blazing today but it wasn't quite warm enough to get rid of all snow yet. Still, he knew Riley would welcome the temperature increase, no matter how slight.

He smiled affectionately to himself thinking about how she was always cold...

Jake's phone rang, shaking him out of his reverie.

It was Trey.

"Yello?"

"Jerrod's on the move", Trey blurted out with no greeting.

"What?"

"He's left town, headed your way".

Jake felt his stomach sinking.

"Ya gotta be fuckin' kiddin' me", he muttered.

"You in the middle of somethin'?", Trey guessed.

"Not yet", he sighed. "Gimme the exact location and keep me posted".

"You got it".

Jake hung up then continued on driving away from town, every cell in his body wishing he was going there instead. He texted Riley, Change of plans. Update you later, and focused his attention on the task at hand-

Intercept Jerrod and prevent the danger from getting anywhere near her.

...........................................................................

I told Deb that Jake would be coming for me soon, then busied myself with customers and tasks while I waited. I checked my phone awhile later, which turned out to be an entire hour later, to see a text from Jake.

Change of plans. Update you later.

Hot tears instantly sprang to my eyes. I was insulted, offended, and hurt. On top of the lying and running off, his commands about what I was doing when he wanted me to felt very similar to living with Harrison. Now, the abrupt cancellation of plans when I had been looking forward to seeing him...it was such an emotional let down it was nearly too much to bear.

Where is he going now, back to Sam?, I wondered bitterly.

Deb walked in to the kitchen, finding me with tears pouring down my face, and pulled me into a comforting hug.

"Now what?", she asked.

"Jake...not coming...no explanation", I spoke between ragged breaths.

"You need fresh air and exercise", she said decidedly. "I'm going to pack some treats and coffee to go, and you're going to take them down to the station".

I sighed. I really didn't want to go to the station in case Will was there, but going for a short walk seemed appealing. Though it wasn't yet warm by my standards, it was a great deal warmer than it had been for months.

I bundled up, accepted the package from Deb, then scooted past the customers who were walking in.

...........................................................................

Will was hovering at Travis's desk, gathering as much information as he could from Travis' side of the conversation. From what he understood, Jake was in pursuit of the guy suspected of being the hired kidnapper.

Will was listening intently, watching Travis' tanned forehead crinkling and his brown eyes fill with concern, when he was startled by the station door opening.

Then he was even more startled when he saw petite Rillian stepping through the door with her arms full.

"Can I help?", he asked, approaching hesitantly.

"Sure", she agreed, only meeting his eyes briefly.

In that glance, Will could tell she was upset, had been crying.

He hoped it wasn't because she had to see him.

"What's all this?", he asked, opening the bag he had taken from her hands, reveling in the assorted pastries within. He hadn't ordered anything, and he was quite sure Trav hadn't, either.

"Deb wanted me to get some fresh air and exercise", she replied quietly.

"Ain't my place to ask but...you all right? You seem upset".

She shook her head slightly, setting the cardboard drink holder on the front desk.

"I'm sure I'm being silly and overly emotional. It's really nothing", she gave for an explanation.

Will didn't believe that for one second but he was in no kind of standing to press her for more.

"To what do we owe the pleasure?", Travis asked jovially, having finished his conversation.

"Deb thought I needed to go for a walk", Rillian told Travis, flushing underneath her navy blue beanie hat. Will noted a slight bottom lip tremble before she pressed those perfect lips together tightly.

"I'm sure she was right", Travis smiled. "Typically is".

He reached inside and pulled out a sticky bear claw.

"Can't believe she makes these from scratch", Travis marveled before taking a bite.

"Well, I better head back", Rillian stated, glancing from one to the other. "We had customers coming in as I was leaving".

"Hold up", Travis said, wiping his mouth with a napkin then swallowing before proceeding. "Been meanin' to ask ya...I heard you was real good at organizing?"

She smiled politely. "I suppose I am. It's something I enjoy".

"Well, been wonderin' if ya wouldn't mind takin' a gander through all our files and helpin' us to come up with a better system. I can pay ya but it's gotta be all in one chunk at the end. Won't be much but I'd sure 'preciate it".

"Oh, sure", she agreed readily. "I'd like to do that".

"Lemme call Deb an' see if she can spare ya", Travis replied, heading back to his desk, giving Will a meaningful glance as he passed by.

"Oh...now?", Rillian asked, seeming flustered. "I'm not sure that-". 

"We could really use your help before spring time", Will jumped on board, his heart beating wildly.

Is she in danger right now?

There wouldn't be another reason why Travis would suddenly need her to stay here.

Travis returned a moment later. "Deb says to take your time. She said, 'I believe that project would be just what she needs'".

Rillian gave a sad little smile and a nod.

"All right", she agreed, unbuttoning her coat. "Where do I begin?"

...........................................................................

Will had been at his desk, combing through phone records for Travis, trying to keep his mind off the danger and act natural for Rillian's sake for an entire hour while she pulled folders and files from file cabinets.

He tried not to stare at her, but she captivated him as usual, simply by being her. He observed her tucking a stray strand of hair behind a delicate ear with a sparkling round diamond earring. He smiled to himself when every time she stood she had to pull up the waistband of her jeans because they were apparently too loose. He watched her contemplating her next organizational step with her hand on her hip. He answered her quiet questions. And he was dying for an update from Travis.

Finally Travis texted him from the next cubby- I got somethin! Gotta call Jake. Don't let her outta yer sight.

No sooner had Will read that than Travis was breezing past his desk.

"Hey, you two, I gotta run an errand. Hold the fort down 'till I get back".

"Sure", Rillian smiled back at him.

Great, now I'm alone with her.

The silence between them after Travis drove off was deafening.

...........................................................................

Jake was nearly to Jerrod's last known location, on edge, focused, waiting for another call from Trey or to see Jerrod's silver truck when his phone rang.

Travis?

His heart leapt into his throat.

"Yeah?"

"I got her sitting at the station under the guise of organizin' files for us. Does actually need to be done. Gonna take her all day an' then some".

Jake felt some relief about that. She was sitting right under the noses of the two most competent men in that town, though it burned him that Will had to be one of 'em.

"Bless ya, man. Seriously", Jake said.

"That ain't why I'm callin', though", Travis said. "I made a connection. Gave up on those dang phone records a minute ago, started searching Brent Denning online".

Jake felt his breath catch.

"Damned if there ain't a photo of the sommbitch with his arm around that fancy lawyer come to bail out our stalkers".

"Fuck me", Jake breathed. "You got a name?"

"Spencer Sweeny. No background. No phone connection to Harrison. Can your contact-?"

"When he calls back I'll have him dig into Brent's phone. Oh, he's callin'-".

"Go. Lemme know how else we can help. She's fine".

Jake quickly switched over. "Where is he?"

"Still there. Sittin'. It's a trailer home he's at. Ain't no cover in that trailer park. Ya can't just drive on in there without notice".

"Can I walk in?"

"Maybe risky but yeah. Sure".

Trey directed him where to park and where to walk in.

"Record on and be careful", Trey advised. "I hope you're armed. This ain't a safe place".

"I got it", Jake assured him. "Can ya do some diggin' into Brent Denning's phone records while ya wait? Travis found a picture of him with his arm 'round a Spencer Sweeny, the douche who represented the two assholes who tried to kidnap her earlier".

"Wait, what?"

"Tell ya later", Jake said, then hung up on him.

...........................................................................

Gosh, this was a strange day. I had experienced almost every emotion I could possibly consider. At least the project Travis gave me was interesting, and was keeping my mind off Jake some...though having Will in such close proximity was nerve-wracking. Though he was mainly quiet and only talked to me after I asked him a question. I didn't know what to do about Jake but I had to do something. I couldn't keep going through this...

Could I?

No, not again. Not after Harrison.

Oh, but I loved Jake so much! I couldn't live without him...

Could I?

No. Absolutely not. I couldn't do that. I would have to find a way to tolerate everything else because that was a non-negotiable. Every aspect of me needed Jake like I needed to breathe. I couldn't let him go.

What if he can't let her go, though?

I continued to torture myself like this for hours.

I suddenly realized Will was standing in front of me with a concerned expression.

"Did you say something?", I guessed.

"Yeah, I asked if you wanted to stop for lunch. Have you eaten?"

"I'm not hungry", I automatically replied.

"Have ya eaten today?", he asked again.

"Yes".

I wasn't lying. I'd had some toast.

"Rillian, I-".

"Riley", I interrupted.

"Sorry, that's gonna take some gettin' used to".

He sighed. "Riley, it ain't my business but you don't look okay, and I really think you need to eat somethin'. Might make ya feel better".

I shook my head no. "Thanks for your concern but I am all right".

He didn't seem convinced but he left me alone.

A few minutes later, as I was sorting through a pile of manilla folders on the floor, a wrapped cheese stick fell into my lap.

I looked up and had to smile at his mischievous grin. I shook my head but I didn't feel mad. It was kind of sweet of him, and I did feel hungry once I saw it. So, I ate it silently and proceeded to work.

...........................................................................

Jake sauntered through the trailer park, fully armed on high alert, though appearing to passerby like he didn't have a care in the world.

Behind his sunglasses he searched for a place to settle for scoping out the specific trailer he was interested in. The trailer park offered zero cover- no trees or bushes, only small patches of sparse brown grass amongst uneven dirt roads. The homes were run-down, unkempt, surrounded with broken toys and vehicles missing tires.

Jake noted a toothless elderly man seated on a lawn chair outside of the home directly across from the one he wanted to watch. On a whim he sat in the empty chair next to him and struck up a conversation.

Luckily, the man eagerly began ranting to Jake about the state of the economy and everything that was wrong with the president, so Jake simply interjected a comment or two to keep him revved up while he watched the windows and door across the way.

"Say, whatcha know 'bout that guy over there?", Jake asked casually as the man took a swig from his beer can. It was noon, after all.

"No good drug dealer", he muttered.

Suddenly he gave Jake a sharp look from his bleary eye. "You ain't no druggie, is ya?"

"No, sir", Jake said. "I drink whiskey".

That set the man off laughing so hard he then coughed until Jake was worried he'd need resuscitation.

"That ain't a boy by the name of Tanner, is it?", Jake asked once he was breathing normally again. He was simply throwing a name out there to see what he caught.

"Oh, no", the man said, "that there's Rick Moore. Nothin' but trouble, the lot of 'em. Their daddy was no good for nothin', neither".

Moore! A relative?

"He got a brother named Jerrod?"

"Yessir", the man replied. "And another. Larry, the oldest is".

Fuck.

Jake hauled ass all the way out here for nothing. Probably got Riley all upset ditching her again for nothing.

FUCK.

Jake continued to make small talk and picked the man's remaining brain cells for any pertinent information while he waited. About an hour later, Jerrod emerged from the trailer with another man, assumedly Rick, who turned and locked the door behind them.

Jake pulled the brim of his cowboy hat a bit lower as he made another comment about the president to get his friend going again. Then he turned his head toward the older man, pretending to listen, while he watched the Moore brothers from the corner of his eye.

Rick was taller, more slender, and had sharper features than his brother. He wore an expression that let everyone know how badly the world had treated him.

They climbed into a rusted red pickup, Rick in the driver's seat. Jake noted the license plate number, committing it to memory. As soon as they left, he thanked the man for his time and left.

Trey answered on the first ring.

"It's his brother", they said to each other at the same time.

"Yeah, sorry, man", Trey said. "Wish I woulda gotten that for ya faster".

"He could still be involved but it's more likely he was doing a family visit", Jake muttered. "Got his plate. Dunno what for when we already know his name. Ya got his record, too?"

"'Course", Trey replied, sounding huffy. "Shoot".

Jake smiled, picturing his offended face. "I figured", Jake attempted to smooth Trey's ruffled feathers.

"This brother's got mostly drug charges, but a couple A and Bs on there, one statutory rape, one soliciting a minor".

"Fuckin' slimeball", Jake muttered, feeling his skin crawl.

"Yep".

"All right then", Jake sighed. "I'm gonna go deal with the aftermath of this trip".

"Good luck, brother".

...........................................................................

Late afternoon, Travis asked where I was at with the project.

"It's going really well", I said. "I think I have a good system but I need to get more labels and more folders. I can get those maybe tomorrow and come back to finish?"

"That sounds like a plan", Travis said. "Ya made one heck of a dent, lil' lady". 

"Thanks", I said, smiling up at his kind face.

"Well, you get on to a stoppin' point for the day then. Word is your boyfriend's on his way to collect ya soon".

I felt myself balking at that.

Coming to collect me.

Just like Harrison. Telling me when, where, how, and expecting immediate obedience.

"No", I said out loud.

Travis had been turning to walk back to his desk but he stopped, looking confused. "What's that?"

"I think I can decide for myself when I'm ready to leave". I said curtly.

I saw him glance past me, exchanging a look with Will. Travis seemed nervous, probably didn't want Jake thinking he was forcing me to stay.

I could take care of that. I pulled out my phone and called.

"Hey, babe", Jake answered, sounding relieved.

"I heard you were coming to get me?", I asked.

"Yeah. Should be there in-".

"I am not ready", I cut him off. "I will call when I am".

"Riley, I'm sorry I bailed on ya this mornin'", he started to apologize. "I wanna see ya. I'm awfully tired".

"I'm tired, too", I replied, my voice shaking. "I'm tired of being told what I'm doing when, and dropping everything when you want me to, while you take off with no notice, and I'm supposed to sit here and wait for you?"

"Babe", Jake gasped. "I'm so sorry. Please don't be mad".

I suddenly was very aware that two other people had overheard the conversation and lost my nerve.

"I'll call when I'm ready", I repeated quietly, and hung up.

Without making eye contact with either man, I continued organizing my piles.

About twenty minutes later, Jake silently entered through the front door. I ignored him. From the corner of my eye, I watched him walk into Travis' office. After forcing myself to make him suffer for another twenty minutes, I couldn't find anything else to do without the rest of the supplies I needed, so I called Will and Travis over to show them how I was leaving it (in case they needed to find anything in the mean time), then told Jake I was ready.

He did look tired, and stressed, and I suddenly felt badly for speaking so harshly to him.

He's been LYING!, I reminded myself, and felt the angry little fire inside of me fueling my bravery once more.

I ignored him the entire way home. Once inside, he approached me to apologize again.

I simply told him, "I don't want to hear it right now. Maybe tomorrow".

His face was hurt, which hurt me.

I took a shower, cried, then went to bed. At some point I must have fallen asleep. I woke at midnight, starving, completely alone.

I found Jake sleeping on the couch. I grabbed a banana and some water then went back to my room where I cried myself to sleep.

...........................................................................

* There's gonna be some more drama, and some more action, and some more Eddie... Please stick with me! Vote and keep reading! Thank You! *