Page 121 of The Originals

“Don’t forget me, Jack.”

I won’t forget you.

Colleen turned and walked up the stairs. She specifically chose a seat on the opposite side of the bus. This was hard enough without having to watch him disappear as the bus drove away.

It was another ten minutes before it pulled out of the lot. She closed her eyes, resting her head back.

Bye, Jack.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Don’t forget me, Jack.

Fucking impossible.He’d fed her too much bullshit. But she’d believed him. That wasn’t a flaw on her but had confirmed that he’d made the right decision letting her walk away. Colleen would have spent her life building him up, supporting him, and loving him more than he deserved. It was a fucking dream. But at what cost? She would’ve been sacrificing her own happiness for the sake of his.

Jack had every intention of going home, but he found himself taking the exit to Ghosttown. The thought of going to his house and her not being there was like a thousand knives to his heart. It was his choice and the right one to make. It didn’t make it hurt any less.

He pulled into the lot, ignoring the greetings from the brothers and women standing outside the clubhouse. He walked in and went straight to the bar.

“Jack, brother, we meeting up?” Grain asked.

They’d all be eager to hear about his meeting with Sal. This would specifically mark a complete change in the club. It was probably going be one of the most important and significant meetings with his brothers.

“Tomorrow,” Jack said.

He rounded the bar, watching two club whores dart in the opposite direction. He grabbed a glass and the bottle of bourbon, pouring himself a drink. Another rarity. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d made himself his own drink at the clubhouse.He capped the bottle, placed it on the shelf, and started toward the back door.

“Have you seen Colleen?” Maureen asked.

Jack didn’t even slow down. “Gone.”

“Gone?” Maureen’s voice hitched. “When is she coming back?”

“She’s not,” Jack said, walking out the back door.

He pulled out a chair in front of the fire ring. He downed half his drink in one sitting, watching the flames. Reflection on one’s choices was the worst. A million things ran through his mind. His head was telling him that he’d made the right decision sending her away. His heart disagreed.

He’d purposely made sure not to map out the closest bus terminal. He didn’t want to know exactly where she’d be in Colorado. The temptation would’ve been too great. Jack knew that.I don’t trust myself.

He didn’t even acknowledge Mick when he took a seat beside him. It was just the two of them in the yard. Jack took a long swig from his drink and ground his teeth at the burn flaming his throat.

“Where’d she go?”

She.

“Don’t know.” The less information anyone had on Colleen the better. She was gone and promised never to return. It was over.

Mick took a drag from his cigarette and nodded but remained silent. Of all his brothers, Mick had been his closest ally. Jack had made a silent vow to himself as he watched her bus leave the station. He wouldn’t talk about Colleen and do his best to erase her from his memory.

“Lied to her,” Jack said.

“About what?” Mick asked.

“Said I wouldn’t regret her leaving.”

There was a long stretch of silence.

“Do you?” Mick asked.

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