Page 35 of The Last Autograph

“How do you know you’re not?”

“Is that a trick question? You do realize I’m a little drunk here?”

As Molly cut the engine and stared straight ahead, Jake expected a witty rebuttal, but instead, she said, “May I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“What was Jesse like… you know, as a person?”

Jake hesitated. He was hammered and so freakin’ horny it physically hurt, and she wanted to discuss his late brother? They’d spent several weeks together; didn’t she already know him inside and out?

“It’s just,” she continued, “our short time together played out inside a bubble, and I’ve always wondered if I ever really knew the essence of him.”

Hand resting on the door lever, Jake smiled at the memory of his twin. They’d exchanged plenty of angry words over the years but never stayed mad at each other for long. “Jesse was one of the best. Reserved at times, but I couldn’t have asked for a better brother.”

Molly offered a soft smile in return. “Thank you.”

“Anytime. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Hands buried in hispockets, Jake strolled between rows of standard roses to the front door and let himself in. Although he’d lived in this house until he turned twenty, with Jesse now gone and his parents divorced, there was an emptiness to it that never seemed to ease. Like a jigsaw puzzle with several missing pieces that would forever sit at one end of the dining table and never be completed.

With a large glass of water in his hand, Jake walked into his childhood bedroom and lay on the bed. He didn’t have the energy to undress, not just yet. Once again, he imagined Molly outside stargazing—her red lipstick smudged and hair tousled. And in that moment, he realized how lonely he’d been since Jesse’s death.

Lonely and filled with regret.

Still, Jake was glad they’d had another chance to talk. Perhaps one day, he’d find out what really happened between her and Jesse, but for now, he needed sleep.

Moments later, when his phone lit up with a text alert, he was tempted to ignore it, but it could be his mother requesting an update on her precious cats as she lay awake, worrying about them. Understandably, she worried about many things lately, so for that reason, he picked up his phone and tapped the text icon.

Alexia:You and Jesse’s ex? Unbelievable!!! Then again, I suspected there was something going on at the bake-off. Discreet, not.

Jake huffed out a low “fuck.” He knew he shouldn’t reply, but with excess alcohol in his bloodstream, he couldn’t help himself.

Jake:What are you on about?

Alexia:I saw you get into that vintage car with her. All smiles and drunk Jake flirty.

Jake:My life, my business. Besides, I was too hammered to drive so she dropped me off. How do you know Molly anyway?

Alexia:We’ve met a few times.

Jake:Really? Where?

Alexia:Around. Just be careful, that’s all I’m saying. You do realize she’s part of that Lime Tree Hill family? Rich entitled pricks who think they run the show.

With an exhausted sigh, Jake dropped his phone on the bed and closed his eyes. Alexia had always had a thing about people with money, not that she’d ever been short of cash growing up. He’d shouted her one drink earlier, and that contact was enough for Alexia to slot back into her pseudo-stepsister role, where she gave her opinion freely whether or not he wanted it.

He thought back to the scene in the tent, Alexia and Molly chatting like long-lost friends, then picked up his phone again.

Alexia:Does your mum know?

Jake:Know what?

Alexia:About you and catfish Parker?

Catfish Parker? WTF?

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