Page 98 of The Last Love Story
I practically scrubbed my skin raw in the shower with how angry I am. Not because he said shit about me. What the fuck ever. I lived through the New York modeling scene. If I couldn’t handle guys like him, I never would’ve survived. But he said shit about Jade, and that makes the psychotic,I-want-to-put-him-in-a-shallow-graveside of me come out.
Don’t go after my wife.
I’ve already been in contact with my cousin Stacy about what we need for a defamation lawsuit, just in case.
We aren’t there yet, and I doubt anything will come of this before it goes softly into the night. It’s such a load of trash and the people who feed off that are trolls.
I meant what I said to Jade. It’ll blow over and be okay. I’m determined to distract her as much as possible until she’s a little calmer, and then we can figure out what we want to post.
I run my hand through my wet hair, spiking it up a little, then open the door to the bedroom.
“Baby, I hope you’re wearing a short little dress, because?—”
I cut off when I find the room empty.
“Jade?”
I wander out to the living room and kitchen, but she isn’t there, either.
What the hell?
Spinning on my heel, I run down to the office, my heart ticking up when she’s not there. As I turn to leave the room, my eye catches the window and her car isn’t in the driveway.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I run out to the living room and call her.
Voicemail.
My stomach burns.
Where would she be? Why did she leave?
Breathe.
When my phone rings, I almost drop it, but I right myself, only to see it’s not her calling, but her dad.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Justin. I saw that post on social media this morning. How are you? How’s Jade? She wasn’t answering her phone when I called.”
Sighing, I drop onto the couch. “She’s not answering for me either. I showed her the post this morning, and we talked. I went to take a shower—now she’s gone. I don’t know where she is. I’m guessing not with you.”
He hums. “No. She’s not. If I had to guess, she’s panicking. Losing what she’s worked so hard for is her greatest fear. And when she feels like she’s in trouble, she wants to fight back, prove herself. If I had to guess where she went, I’d say Trish’s or Zoey’s.”
“Probably Zoey’s,” I grit out.
But why? Why did she leave me? We’re supposed to be a team. Figure it out together.
“She’s still getting used to having you to rely on, son. Don’t stress too much. Find her and talk to her.”
“Papa Jackson, can you read minds?”
He laughs. “No. But I know my daughter. And I know the way you care for her—and it’s been obvious from day one that you’ve wanted to make this last. Which is how I know you will.”
I let out a weak laugh and run my hand over my face. “Thanks.”
“No problem. Call if you need anything.”
“I will. Bye.”
