Page 83 of Breaking
Chapter 63
Jenna
Jenna stood in the kitchen, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she set the table for lunch. The aroma of roasted chicken and buttery mashed potatoes filled the space, wrapping around her like a warm embrace. This wasn't just a meal-it felt like a step forward, a quiet but significant moment where the past didn't press so heavily on her shoulders. She hadn't expected Troy to stay after their conversation, but the fact that he had was... nice. She was starting to believe that maybe things could be different.
Troy leaned against the counter, watching her with an unreadable expression, but there was something in his gaze, something that made her heart beat just a little faster. She caught herself smoothing the edges of the napkins with more care than necessary, a small but telling detail.
Dylan and Dani came downstairs, their footsteps breaking the silence with a welcome energy. Dani offered a small, hopeful smile, while Dylan remained moody, but even his usual scowl seemed to be losing steam. Jenna met Dani's glance, a silent exchange passing between them-maybe this could work.
"How's the algebra going?" she asked Dylan as she placed a plate in front of him.
Dylan grunted. "It's impossible."
Jenna raised an eyebrow, undeterred. "Maybe you just need a different approach. Maybe Troy can help with that. He used to be a whiz at math"
Surprise flickered in Dylan's expression, quickly masked. He hesitated, then, in a tone that was almost reluctant, said, "Okay."
Jenna nearly dropped her fork, realizing belatedly that she should have asked Troy first before volunteering him. But before she could backtrack, Troy nodded. "No problem. We'll go through it after lunch."
The rest of the meal was filled with light conversation, easy laughter, and an unexpected sense of warmth. When the plates were cleared, Dylan lingered, shifting awkwardly before finally mumbling, "Sorry for being a prick."
Jenna sighed. "Dylan, language."
Dylan blinked. "What? I apologized."
Dani snorted, and Jenna shook her head, but a smile tugged at her lips. It wasn't perfect, but it was something.
The next few days were unexpected. Troy found himself at Jenna's more often than his own home. He worked early mornings, then went for a run before returning with breakfast. One morning, as Jenna and Grace stood outside talking, Troy jogged past, giving them an awkward nod. Grace, ever irreverent, smirked and nudged Jenna as Troy jogged past. "I always said men mature like fine wine, and look at that-aged to perfection," she teased, her gaze unapologetically fixed on Troy's retreating form. "That tight butt should be illegal. Seriously, Jenna, how do you get anything done with that in your vicinity?"
Jenna gasped, slapping Grace's arm in mock horror. "Grace! That is my ex-husband you're objectifying!"
Grace grinned. "Not quite an ex, is he? And you have eyes? Honey, I know you've noticed. If you say otherwise, you're a liar."
Dylan and Troy, meanwhile, had found common ground in the unlikeliest of places-Assassin's Creed. What had started as casual gaming turned into a full-fledged rivalry, each determined to outdo the other. If Jenna hadn't been so surprised by their growing bond, she might have been exasperated by how often they were glued to the PS4.
And then, there was the casual touches. Troy kept finding reasons to touch Jenna-a hand on her waist as he reached past her, a casual arm over her shoulder, the occasional stolen kiss. It started innocently enough, a lingering touch here, a brief press of lips there, gone before Jenna could protest. And then Troy decided to up his game.
The first time it happened, Troy was about to leave for the night. He lingered in the doorway, his hand gripping the handle, but he didn't turn it. Instead, he looked at her, and something in his gaze shifted. Jenna felt it, the weight of everything unsaid thick in the air between them.
She opened her mouth to say something-anything-but before she could, he closed the distance, his hand sliding around the back of her neck. And then he kissed her.
Not a hesitant, fleeting kiss like before. No, this one was full, open-mouthed and deliberate. His mouth moved against hers, his tongue sweeping in to taste her, and before she could think better of it, she responded. Her fingers found the fabric of his shirt, gripping, holding, as though he might disappear if she let go.
When he finally pulled back, Jenna's breath hitched, and she followed him involuntarily as if unwilling to let the moment go. They were both breathing heavily, eyes locked.
Troy's lips curled into the sweetest smile as he whispered, "I needed that. See you tomorrow."
Jenna was frozen, her mind spinning. What just happened?
A loud whistle broke through the silence. "Damn, Troy!" Dani crowed from the couch. "Way to go."
Dylan, unimpressed, made a face. "Get a room. There are kids living here!"
Jenna groaned, covering her face with both hands, while Troy, smug, simply chuckled and walked out the door.
But all was not smooth sailing
There was Adam.
