Page 95 of Shameless

I’m going to call Gordon first thing tomorrow morning. I want to know what my rights are in this situation. I’m not giving up on Jenna that easily.

“Fine. Jaz, call me if you need me.” I use my most reasonable tone.

“Jenna and I will be fine.” My ex says. “We don’t need you.”

I walk out of the hospital in a daze. I don’t even realize it when Lula slips her hand into mine, but I’m grateful for her support when we reach Crew’s Jeep.

The sun is already rising on a brand new day. Usually I’d get up at this time to catch some waves before it gets too hot, but my exhaustion is bone deep. My world has been shaken from its foundations and my mind is reeling with the effort to cope with my new reality.

Tom’s car is parked right next to Crew’s.

“Are you guys ok to go home without us?” Mom asks. “Tom and I left the club as the guests were starting to leave. We just want to check that the late staff has cleaned up and everything is ready for today.”

Crew nods. “Sure, I can drive Lula, Stefan and Jules home. Mom, what about you?”

Tilly shrugs. “I don’t think there’s much room for me in your car, sweetie. Maybe Tom and Arianna can drop me off home? I’m on their way to the club.”

Tom offers her a tired smile. “I can do that, Tilly.”

Crew’s Mom smiles. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll come with you guys to the club and help you. If we stop by the bakery on the way to my apartment, I can send you home with some fresh pastries.”

We climb in the Jeep. Napoleon is asleep in the backseat, he doesn’t even wake up when Lula picks him up. Lula’s head is on my shoulder. I love the weight of her head on me, it gives me so much comfort that I don’t even realize that I fell asleep until Crew parks his car in our driveway.

Lula

“Luls,” Jules whispers softly to me. “We’re home.”

I shake my head to wake up enough to get out of the car and into the house.

Between Jules’s comforting presence next to me and the warmth of the blanket that’s still wrapped around my shoulders, I was asleep the second Crew left the hospital parking lot.

My body feels exhausted as I follow the guys inside the house and climb the stairs to my room.

I’m tired but wired and while I know I need to go to bed, I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.

The second I close my eyes, alone in my bed, I know the memories of what happened in the boathouse will fill my mind.

“I don’t want to be alone,” I say, not surprised that Stefan, Jules and Crew followed me up the stairs.

Stefan is the first to walk past the threshold of my bedroom. “I can stay with you, Jumps.” His large hand cups my jaw. “I always sleep better with you in my arms anyway.”

“Thanks, Stef.” I nod, letting the foil blanket slip off my shoulders. “Can you get my zipper, please?”

Usually I don’t have to ask Stefan twice to help me undress, but rather than helping me take my dress off, he gasps.

“What the fuck happened to you? Jumps, who did this to you?”

For a second I don’t understand what he means or why he’s looking at me with alarm in his green eyes.

Crew and Jules are looking at me with matching worried and horrified expressions.

I understand what they’re talking about when I look in the mirror above my dresser.

My neck is a mess of mottled bruises that are turning from red to blue and purple, darkening with every passing minute.

I lower my gaze, feeling vulnerable and exposed.

“Baby,” Crew is standing behind me. “Talk to us. We just want to make sure you’re ok. Please.”

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