Page 82 of From Us, Forever

I sighed, nodding as I followed Tyler out, glancing over my shoulder to see White sinking down on the floor, muttering something crazy while Jay assessed her with a frown.

I had no clue why he insisted that I go. I knew he was trying to handle everything on his own, but he needed to know I could handle it too.

“I’m sorry, Ms. May. I don’t know how she evaded me.” Tyler shot an apologetic look my way.

“That’s okay, Tyler. It’s not really your fault,” I said softly. “White is known for getting her way.”

In the heat of the moment, I left my purse back at the apartment, but thankfully, I still had my phone. I randomly thumbed through it as Tyler drove me home, but only one thought stuck in my mind.

Dennis.

Who was he really, and why was he doing all this?

I never really thought much of him, but I did find it weird that he was there that day in White’s house when I went to sign her fake contract all those years ago. It makes me think that maybe White and Dennis planned this whole thing together back then, but why?

And why the hell was it my fault?

It felt like I was only deep diving into a hypnotizing swirl thinking about it. I couldn’t believe I got myself roped into thesame situation of jumping into unwelcome visitors within a matter of days.

After Tyler dropped me off, I carried my heavy feet toward the kitchen.

My mind was too full to sit still, so I kept my hands busy and made something to eat, but the flare of annoyance still lingered.

Annoyance that Jay wasn’t here yet.

Annoyance that the minutes were ticking into hours.

Annoyance that I had no idea what was going on.

I ate, took a long shower, and cuddled with Strawberry. It was well over five hours, and he still hadn’t returned or answered my calls.

A quick text to Tyler told me Jay was still dealing with White, and here I was, worrying myself sick with each passing moment.

The jitteriness kept me awake, adding to the countless coffees I had in hopes of keeping my nerves at bay, but they only lit them alive. It was well past midnight when I heard footsteps trudging up the stairs. I shot up to a seat, my eyes glued on the door, the lights from the TV flashing across the bed.

The door opened, and in walked Jay, looking disheveled and weary. His eyes instantly locked on mine. “Hey, you didn’t sleep?”

I shook my head, my lips thinning. “No, how can I?”

He sighed, slipping off his shoes as he settled on the edge of the bed.

“Don’t do that again.”

“Do what?” he muttered, pulling his hoodie over his head.

“Brush me off like I’m irrelevant.”

“What?” His eyes glared at me; his voice echoed with disbelief. “I want you safe, and I wanted you away from her. It’s my mess to deal with, not yours.”

My blood heated. “Your mess?” I asked dryly. “It’sourmess, Jay. This doesn’t just involve you. It involves me too.”

He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “Don’t make this a big deal, Evelyn. Are you holding me accountable because I wanted you safe? Do you imagine how I feel? I leave my girl alone for a few minutes, and trouble is already knocking on her door.”

“It’s not my fault.”

“I never said it was.”

“Look, I understand that you think this is all your fault, but you can’t wrap me in a bubble forever, Jay. You need to trust that I can hold the fort and handle the situation on my own. You denying my presence doesn’t help that,” I added the last sentence softly. “It makes me feel like your problems are not mine, and we’re not in this together. Because that’s not the truth. Your problems will always be my problems. You just need to trust me.”

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