Page 80 of Choosing You

“She did. It all makes sense now. I was a constant reminder of what he did to her. And she hated me for it. That’s why she drank and took pills.” Saying it out loud, my life is finally beginning to make sense.

My shivering continues. Garret removes the blanket and wet towels from me. “Let’s go to your room and get some dry clothes.”

“I can’t go down there right now. I’ll read the letter again and I can’t do that.”

“You can’t sit here in wet clothes.” He goes over to his drawer and takes out sweatpants and a sweatshirt, then holds them out in front of me. “Put these on.”

I remain seated on the bed, staring at the blank TV screen.

“Jade, come on.” He pulls me up to standing. “I’ll turn around while you change. You need to get these wet clothes off.”

I don’t move. I’m not even really listening to him. My mind is too busy with a million other thoughts.

Garret sighs and walks behind me. He peels my wet t-shirt and sports bra off and slips the sweatshirt on. It’s so big it goes to my knees and hides my hands.

He stands in front of me again and holds out the pants. “Now put these on.”

“I don’t need those.”

“You’ll never warm up in wet clothes.” He waits while I stand there shivering. “If you don’t do it, I’ll do it myself.”

I don’t move. I’m so cold and my legs are so tired that putting those pants on is far too much effort.

“Fine.” He reaches under the long sweatshirt, being careful not to let it ride up so he doesn’t see too much. He slides my shorts and underwear off. I don’t even care that he’s undressing me. It’s the least of my concerns. Besides, I’m sure he just saw Ava naked and has no interest in seeing me that way. He puts the sweatpants on me, one leg at a time but they’re so big he has to hold them up as he walks me to his bed.

The dry clothes feel good but I’m still cold. I get under the covers and he tucks me in, putting extra blankets on top. I close my eyes and hear Garret taking his own wet clothes off and putting dry ones on. Then he gets into bed and pulls my body against his, keeping his arm around my middle.

We lie there quietly for a few minutes and his warmth finally stops my shivering.

My thoughts return to the party.

“Are you dating Ava?” I ask him so quietly I’m not even sure he heard.

He sits up slightly and moves the blanket away from my face. “Ava?”

“I saw you in that room with her. Blake said it’s where people go to, you know.”

“No! Jade, you know I’d never do anything with her. I was just asking her if she’d said anything to my dad. The music was so loud I couldn’t hear her so we went in that room. Did you really think we were doing something? Is that why you ran out of there like that?”

“Frank wasn’t home. I had to talk to you. I don’t have anyone else. And then I saw you in there with her.”

“Nothing happened. I swear. You should never listen to Blake. So is that why you were drinking?”

“I lost control. I never lose control. But that drink took everything I was feeling away. I guess that’s why she drank. I get it now.”

“Jade.” He lies down and rests his head against mine. “You need to stop trying to make the feelings go away and just feel them.”

He leaves a kiss below my ear and whispers something, but I don’t hear him. I’m so tired. And now that I’m warm, I drift off to sleep.

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

Loud noisesin the hallway wake me up. People are stumbling back from their night out, laughing and banging into doors. Garret’s body is nestled close to mine, my back against his chest and his arm around my waist. I lift my head to read the clock. 3:30.

“I should go,” I whisper.

He tightens his hold on me. “Just go to sleep, Jade.”

I don’t argue with him because I want to stay. I just wasn’t sure if he wanted me to.

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