Page 52 of Fighting Jacob

The viciousness in Curtis’s tone reveals he won’t believe me no matter what I say, but I can’t help but reply, “No, Curtis, I didn’t. Callum is a big boy. He’s capable of making his own decisions.”

I’m referring to more than just Callum’s drug usage. Just like his decision to hit me months ago was his choice, so was last week’s incident, so why is his brother fighting his battles?

“Yes, he’s an adult, but then women like you throw wrenches into the works, making usually sane men insane. Take your boyfriend, Jacob, as an example."

My eyes snap to his as my heart thuds against my ribs.

He smiles, loving my stunned response. “You didn’t think I knew about him?” He leans in close to my face. “I’ve known for months. He was doing well until he started dating you. I guess you have an adverse effect on the men you mess with.”

With an arrogant smirk, he saunters to his truck parked at the end of my driveway. Just before he climbs inside, he turns his evil eyes back to me. “Tell your boyfriend his day is coming.”

Detesting the threat in his tone, I slam my door shut before securing the lock into place. Our run-in has my hands shaking as much as my thighs. It takes me several tries to get the lock into place, and even then, I double, triple-check it. The rumble of Curtis’s engine tells me I’m safe, but I don’t feel it. I’m trembling all over, which only increases my irritation. I’m furious at myself that he has me fumbling like an idiot. I’m stronger than this—I’m also not a victim!

Anger is still bubbling in my veins when I hear my cell phone shrilling from my room. I know who is calling me without needing to look at the screen. It will be Jacob... again! He hasn't quit calling since he arrived at my house last week, begging for a chance to speak to me just as Curtis did. I didn't give in to him, though. I maintained my stance like I wish I had just now.

When my phone rings again a mere second after sending his call to voicemail, my anger gets the better of me. I snatch up my phone, swipe my finger across the screen, then squash it to my ear.

Jacob is so relieved I’ve answered his call, he doesn’t wait for me to greet him. “Lola... finally. I’ve been calling you for days.”

“I’m well aware of that. What do you want?”

He takes my angry, rude tone in stride. “I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

His genuine concern halts my bitch façade. “I’m fine.” My tone isn’t as harsh as seconds ago.

“Okay. Good.” He breathes out before continuing, “I also wanted to apologize for how I reacted when you told me what happened.”

“It’s too late for apologies. What is done is done, but maybe next time, consider the consequences of your actions before banging your chest like an ape. I didn’t need saving, Jacob. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”

The shake of my words makes a liar out of me. I don’t mean to act cowardly, but my blood pressure is too high for it not to affect my voice.

I hear him scrub at the stubble on his chin—the stubble that used to tickle my chin when he kissed me. “I wasn’t trying to save you, Lola... I just snapped.”

“No, you didn’t just snap; you acted like an imbecile.” As I am now. I’m not weak, so why am I acting as if I am? “I have to go—”

“Please don’t shut me out of your life again.”

His somber tone nearly breaks me. It would have if I didn’t believe this was best for us both. “I’m sorry, but our arrangement isn’t working for me anymore. It’s time for us to move on.”

Before he can talk me out of my decision, I disconnect our call and shut down my phone. With the dam in my eyes close to breaking, I clench my fists into a white-knuckle hold before screaming out my frustration at the top of my lungs. I’m hollering so loudly, I’m certain the neighbors will call in a disturbance, but if I don’t do something, I’ll break—then everything I worked so hard for the last year will be wasted.

I hate what I just did to Jacob—he didn’t deserve all of my anger, but Maggie was right. I need to stop the games and start acting like an adult. I can’t do that and continue leading Jacob astray. He deserves better, and so do I.

That's why first thing tomorrow morning, I'll hand in an official resignation to Maggie, then I can go back to the life I had before Jacob entered it. Back to one where I’m not responsible for other people’s actions. I’ll miss Jacob, but like I’ve already said, walking away is the nicest thing I’ll ever do for him.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jacob

Six months later...

* * *

“Have you got ants in your pants?”

Emily stops squirming in my passenger seat to peer at me. “I’m nervous.”

“You'll be fine.”

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