Page 94 of Saved By Two

“No. One of us will come with you,” Caleb says, staring at me in disbelief.

I shake my head and cross my arms. “No. I want to do this on my own—I need to do this on my own.”

Noah opens his mouth to speak, but Caleb beats him to it, his eyes filled with concern. “It’s not safe.”

“Isanywheresafe?” I blurt out and immediately regret it when I see the wounded look on his face as he steps back. “I didn’t mean it like that. I know I’m safe with you.”

Caleb purses his lips together as he shakes his head. “You’re not going alone.”

Noah intervenes, reaching for Caleb’s wrist as if to ground him. “Caleb, as much as I know where this is coming from, it’s not your call to make.”

If I thought I had wounded him before, by his expression now, I was sorely mistaken.

“I don’t want to come between you,” I say.

“You’re not.” They both say simultaneously, their gazes now fixed on me.

I shake my head. “That’s not what it feels like.”

Caleb’s entire posture is tense as he clenches his fist at his side, his protective instincts raging. “Please, Jessica. Just think about this.” His concern for my safety is palpable, and the affection in his eyes is impossible to ignore.

I throw my hand up into the air. “I have thought about this. I spent the entire drive home thinking about nothing else.”

Moving from one foot to the other, I try to get my thoughts in order, needing them to understand.

“Well, at least let one of us drive you and pick you up.”

I shake my head. “But that defeats the purpose of me going alone, Caleb.” I don’t know how to explain this to him,fucking hell.

Noah interjects gently, placing a comforting hand on Caleb’s arm. “Caleb, I think Jessica needs to do this for herself. It’s a chance for her to reclaim her independence.”

His words strike a chord within me, soothing the apprehension that threatened to overpower my resolve. The old me would have given in to Caleb, just like I used to give in to Curtis, and I won’t be that person again, even if I love Caleb. Curtis is hiding in plain sight, but soon karma will catch up to him. In the meantime, I need to confront the demons that still haunt me—to stand tall in the face of fear.

I nod, grateful to Noah. “I just need to do this, to prove to myself I’m not a victim, that Curtis no longer controls me.”

Caleb sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “I won’t lie, Jessica. I don’t like it. But I don’t want to suffocate your independence either. I never want you to see me as someone no better than Curtis.”

I step forward and reach up to cup his face between my palms. He’s let his beard grow out the last few days, and the hairs tickle my skin. “I don’t, Caleb. You’re nothing like him.” I hope he sees the sincerity in my eyes and hears the truth in my words. I might be young, naive even, but I’m learning to listen to my instincts and trust myself again, just like Greta’s been encouraging me to. And every fibre of my being tells me that Caleb and Noah are good men. I trust them. My feelings for them might be new, but my love for them outweighs any feelings I ever had for Curtis.

He covers my hands with his and leans his forehead against mine. “I know you’re a grown woman. It’s in my nature to want you to protect you.”

He takes a deep breath, and when he exhales, it skates across my skin.

“All right, Jessica. But promise me you’ll call or text the moment you’re done. You’ll get an Uber there and straight back.”

“I know, Caleb and I will, I promise.”

Noah presses up behind me, cushioning me between them. His presence provides an extra layer of comfort. His calm demeanour and unwavering support give me the added strength to face this hurdle.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice filled with gratitude, but I wish I had the courage to tell them the three words that convey how I truly feel.

ChapterFifty-One

CALEB

It went against every fibre of my being when Jessica said she wanted to attend counselling alone, but she and Noah were right. She needed to do this for her, and it wasn't about what I wanted or needed.

She needed that space to reclaim some control over her life, to find her inner strength again. Even though I see it in everything she does, she needs to be the one who believes it.

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