Page 51 of Love Lies Bleeding

Cherry takes the cakes and begins loading them onto the display as I watch her. She flits around the patio like a deranged fairy giving orders and making people laugh or smile. She’s a force of nature and I want her back in my life. Not as Lexi’s friend but as what she should always have been, mine. Yet, how do I do that without telling her the truth and breaking her heart?

There’s only one way and that means causing chaos on a scale that would impact everyone I love. Everyone who’s supported me could suffer if I do this and yet watching her I know I’m about to burn down the world for her and the chance of her forgiveness. Other guests begin to arrive, dragging my mind away from my plans, including Lexi’s parents, who Hunter had flown in to surprise her.

Cherry greeted them like long-lost loved ones. I saw her mom, who was like an older version of Cherry, walk in with Frank who tipped his head in greeting at me. I nodded not wanting to engage in small talk right now. I had fences to mend but the first had to be Lexi. I’d wronged her shamefully and it was time to be the bigger person.

“They’re here. Everyone be quiet.”

We all huddle in the lounge as we wait for Hunter to lead Lexi in from the foyer, then as one, we all shout.

“Surprise.”

Lexi blinks, looking completely shocked as she takes in all the faces of those she cares about in front of her. Then I see her lip wobble, her eyes grow wet as she spots her parents and turns to Hunter who looks at her like she hung the moon every night.

“You did this? You brought my parents over?”

Like a voyeur, I watch as he swipes her tears from her cheeks and kisses her, whispering softly before he pushes her toward her parents.

Standing back, I give Lexi time to do the rounds before I approach her. This is the first time I’ve seen her since the showdown at Lungo and she looks a million times better. The bruises have healed, her sunken eyes have lost their shadows, and her smile is radiant instead of defeated.

“Lexi.”

She turns at the sound of my voice. “It’s Jake, right?”

She asks, but I know she knows who I am. She’s cautious and once again shame fills me. “Yes. I just want to apologize for my behavior at the office that day. I was a complete asshole and behaved despicably.” My words aren’t flowery but they’re heartfelt.

“Well, I’d love to disagree but…” she says with a disarming grin.

Right in that moment I know it’s going to be okay because the woman in front of me has more grace than I could ever hope for and she clearly loves Mac as much as he adores her. I smile as the tightness in my chest that had been so persistent these last months eases.

“I was a dick but it wasn’t personal. I thought I was protecting my friend, but I was just jealous. I see that now. For what it’s worth, I really am happy he has someone who makes him so happy.”

“Why jealous?” She asks with a tilt of her head and I regret that admission as she studies me waiting for an answer I don’t want to give, but she deserves my honesty no matter how uncomfortable it makes me.

“He’s my best friend, my wingman, and I didn’t want that to change. It was selfish and childish. He has the right to be happy with the woman he loves.”

“And what about you?”

“Me? I think my chance is lost,” I say wistfully as my gaze finds Cherry laughing with Cassie, but maybe I have a second shot.

“You never know what the future holds, Jake,” she says with a grin as I pull my focus from Cherry and back to Lexi.

“Friends?” I ask as I hold out my hand for her to shake.

“Friends.”

As she grasps my hand and goes to shake, her face contorts in surprise, her hand tightening on mine as a gasp leaves her lips. Lexi looks down and gasps again. “Oh no.”

Her hand tightens around mine as her eyes widen in pain and a groan leaves her lips.

“What is it?” I ask as she doubles over holding her stomach, a moan ripping from her lips and not the good kind I’m used to hearing from a woman’s mouth.

“My water just broke.”

I hold her hand as I look around for help, spotting Hunter talking to Lexi’s dad. It’s too early for the baby to come, and I’m so far out of my comfort zone that it isn’t funny. Did I do this? Did I put her into labor with my sorry excuse for an apology?

Hunter seems to sense something is off as he looks up and takes one look at Lexi before he rushes over to us.

“Lexi.”

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