Page 72 of Protecting Bianca

Fine, then.

I opened the door, called a cab from the front porch, and waited ten minutes for the car to arrive. My foot tapped on the concrete porch while I waited. The breeze picked up, and I lifted my collar to shield myself from the wind.

I couldn’t even trust my brother.The one person in my life I thought I could depend on just left me here out in the cold without so much as a ‘take care of yourself’.

What had I expected to happen tonight?I thought he would apologize. But would I have told him I understood why he’d done it? No. I couldn’t imagine that scenario, either.

But this?I hadn’t expected to be standing on the porch, suitcase beside me, leaving my brother’s house having just told each other to fuck off. I hadn’t expected that at all.

Headlights poured onto the street, and then a car pulled into the driveway. I gave the driver Jager’s address. I didn’t want to be alone tonight, and I needed him more than anything or anyone else right now.

I texted Jager from the car and told him I was on my way.

A few minutes later, I received a text from Lizzie.

‘Oh my God, Bianca. Are you okay?’

‘Yeah. I’m fine, thanks. How’s River?’ I deleted the last part and sent the text.

‘I hope you’re staying with Jager tonight. If not, you’re welcome to come to my place. River called me. He sounds really upset. I’m heading there now.’

‘I’m glad you’re there for him. We both need someone to lean on right now.’

‘I wish I could be there for the both of you.’

‘I know. But I’ve got Jager. You don’t have to cut yourself in two.’

‘You know I would.’

‘I know.’

I sent a heart emoji and a kissing face. I knew Lizzie cared about me, but I also knew she loved my brother. My heart sank when I realized this may affect our friendship. I would understand if she chose to distance herself from me. I was used to people doing that by now. I guess I sort of expected it.

I spotted Jager waiting inside the foyer as soon as the car pulled up to his building. He strode outside with a big smile on his face, but frowned when the driver pulled out my suitcase.

Oh shit. I hadn’t told him what had happened or asked if I could crash at his place for a couple of days. This was awkward.

“I don’t have to stay. I can get a hotel room, but I just needed to get out.”

“What happened?” he asked softly, searching my eyes.

“We had a fight.” My throat seized, thinking of the words I’d said to him. Although they were true, I couldn’t help but remember his face when I’d said them. As though I’d slapped him across the face. Well, it felt as though I’d been punched in the gut, so maybe that made us even. “Can I stay?”

He grabbed my suitcase and my hand. “Of course. I never wanted you to leave.”

Standing next to Jager, his presence calmed me. My heart rate slowed down, and I felt like I could finally take a deep breath. Inhaling, I held the air in my lungs for a few seconds before letting it out in the elevator.

Jager rubbed my back as I leaned into his embrace. The warmth of his body through the black sweater seeped into my bones, relaxing my shoulders.

When we entered his apartment, I felt like myself again. “I don’t remember being that angry in a very long time.”

Bringing me to the couch, he interlaced our fingers and pulled me back into his arms. He held me tightly, blanketed in his embrace as tears fell down my cheeks. He caressed my arms, massaging my tense muscles.

“I said some hurtful things to him.”

“Mmm,” Jager said, noncommittally.

“But he reminded me so much of my mother that when I looked at him, I saw her, and then I saw red.”

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