Page 37 of The Exception

“You’re going to be okay, Kristen. I truly believe that.”

“Maybe or maybe not. And if not, I’m okay with that. I’ve come to terms with the fact that the chemo and radiation may not be helping.”

I didn’t like hearing her say that. It killed me inside to think that I might lose her. She had only been in my life for a short while, and I wanted many more years with her. She was my sister, and I needed her.

Chapter Fifteen

Drew

I had just returned from a meeting when I heard my office door open.

“You can’t—” I heard Lia’s voice.

“Oh, please. And really? Those shoes?”

I turned around and clenched my jaw when I saw Jess.

“We need to talk, Drew.” She stood there with her hand on her hip.

I sighed and took a seat behind my desk.

“Jess, what are you doing here? I told you that I didn’t want to see you.”

“I know, but I needed to see you. Please just hear me out.”

“There’s nothing to hear. It’s over.”

“Stop saying that. I’m sorry for everything. Please give me another chance. I can’t bear to be without you.” Tears started to stream down her face.

“No, Jess. It’s over. You deserve someone who can give you everything you need.” I got up from my chair, walked over to her, and clasped her shoulders. “I can’t do that. And you know why I can’t?”

She slowly shook her head.

“Because I’m not in love with you. I don’t mean to hurt you, but it’s how I feel, and there’s nothing you can do to change that.”

Her bottom lip started to tremble. “But I need you. Don’t you understand that?” Streaks of mascara ran down her face.

“You don’t need me, Jess. You need a man who can love you back, and I’m not that man.”

“God, I hate you!” She began to pound her fists into my chest. “I spent a year with you. I gave you my everything. I gave you my heart and my love, and this is how you repay me?”

I held her wrists tight so she’d stop pounding into me.

“Darling, the only thing you ever gave me was a headache. Now please leave before I call security.”

Letting go of her wrists, I turned around and headed toward my desk.

“You’ll regret this, Drew. You’re going to wake up one day and realize what a mistake it was letting me go, and then you’ll be the one crawling back, begging me to take you back!” she shouted.

Rolling my eyes, I sighed. “Goodbye, Jess.”

“Fuck you, Westbrook!” She stormed out of my office, slamming the door behind her.

After a few moments, when I knew she was out of sight, I opened the door, looked at Lia, and shrugged.

“She’s crazy. What can I say?”

“You did the right thing, Drew. I didn’t like her.”

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