Page 120 of Must Have Been Love

Lee lets out a sigh.

“He was on the ferry. He wanted to know if you’re okay. I told him you were fine, no thanks to him. Shit, are you really pregnant?” He shakes his head.

“Yes, but it’s early.”

“Is that why he broke up with you?” Jesse’s jaw tightens. “I’m really going to fucking kill him.”

“He doesn’t know,” I say quickly. “And I don’t want you telling him. You have to promise.”

Jesse looks at me. “You’re going to tell him, though? He has a right to know, doesn’t he?” He looks as confused as I feel. And I love that he’s on my side. But I’m not sure what that side is. Not yet.

“How was he looking?” I ask.

“Like he had a painful jaw.”

Lee laughs uproariously. She looks like she’s enjoying this way too much.

“Did he say anything else?”

“He said ‘hit me’.” Jesse shrugs.

“He actually asked you to hit him?” Lee frowns. “What kind of idiot does that?” She lets out another laugh, staring into the distance like she’s trying to imagine it.

“I said I was going to make him pay for hurting you, and then he told me to hit him. After I did it…” Jesse looks at his knuckles. “He asked if you’d left the country.”

“Oh.” Is that what he wants? For me to be as far away as possible? That thought hurts more than anything else.

“I told him you hadn’t. I hope that’s okay.”

“It’s fine.” I pat Jesse’s hand and he winces. “No more hitting, okay? In this family we’re lovers, not fighters.”

“Wasn’t planning on doing it again. Anyway, Autumn has a much better plan about making him suffer.”

“What?” I almost laugh. “Autumn is conspiring against her own brother?”

“Oh she’s mad as hell. And when she gets mad…” Jesse grins. “It’s delicious. As long as you’re not the one she’s directing her anger at.”

“I like her already,” Lee says. “What’s her plan?”

Jesse pulls out his phone and brings up a photo on the screen. “She’s getting a thousand of these printed and putting them up everywhere,” he says, turning the screen to us.

I read the words on the flyer that’s got The Salty Dog branding.

70s Karaoke Night – Saturday July 13th

Be Kitsch, Be Bold, Be There!

(Free shots to every singer)

I start to laugh. “Oh my God, Hudson will hate this.” After all his attempts to make the Dog into somewhere more sophisticated, Autumn is taking it right back to its roots.

“He will.” Jesse grins. “It’s okay isn’t it? That we’re planning this? She’s already organized the equipment. She already put in the drinks order today and she’s gotten some extra staff to help. It’ll be like the opening night all over again but our style.”

His eyes meet mine and I can see that he wants my approval. “The place is half yours,” I remind him. “You’re allowed to do what you want.”

“But what I want is you there. And I want you to want it too.”

“I love it,” I say. “And I’ll be there.” And it gives me a reason to go back. Not that I needed one.

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