Page 114 of A Love That Broke Us
Alcoholic, addict—they’re all the same. They lie, they manipulate, they cheat the system of life. Jensen taking something to get through tonight? Cheating.
How did the one thing I feared the most become my reality? How could he do this to me after everything I went through with my dad?
After his second attempt at detoxing, I really thought he’d done it.I thought he kicked it. But he didn’t. Two weeks later, he was sick again. Trying again. And the week after that.
He hasn’t tried since, not that I’m aware of anyway. I’m not even sure he ever made it past two days. And I’ll never know because I can’t trust him anymore. He’s always lying, stretching the truth, disappearing, locking himself in his office.
I sigh and turn my head, staring out the window as cars blur past.
That kiss in the closet? It was good.God, it was good.My fingers drift to my lips, brushing over them. It felt like he was almost there—almost.
Jensen’s hand falls to my thigh, pulling me out of my thoughts. He gives it a light squeeze. “What’s this guy’s name again?”
“Mark,” I say quietly, still watching the cars pass by.
“And where did Scarlett meet him?”
“Bumble.”
“What does he do?”
I turn, my gaze landing on Jensen. He’s… trying, and I appreciate the effort. I muster a small smile. “I don’t know. She told me, but I can’t remember.”
He chuckles—an actual laugh, and the sound wraps around me like a hug. I don’t even remember the last time I heard that sound from him.
“Don’t worry, babe. I got you. I’ll make sure to ask. She’ll never know you forgot.” He gives my thigh another squeeze, and it’s… weird. Like he’s already forgotten I stormed out and yelled at him to open the door.
But it’s also nice because it feels—normal.
I place my hand on top of his, welcoming the touch as our fingers weave together.
He leans in, pressing a kiss to my temple. “I love you,” he murmurs.
A lump rises in my throat, but I swallow it down. “I love you too,” I whisper.
Because I do.God. I do. I love him so much.
Mark seems great.No red flags so far, and Scarlett looks happier than ever. He does something with insurance—I didn’t catch the details. I stopped listening halfway through. I’m distracted.
I can’t figure Jensen out tonight. He’s been super attentive, talkative, happy, touchy. His personality is back, charming and fun—more like himself, but… not.
He hasn’t stopped talking, bouncing from one topic to the next. It’s like ADHD on steroids.
I watch him while he and Mark chat, slipping into my own world, trying to decode him. His jaw keeps flexing when he talks. I can’t tell if he’s anxious or angry, but the way he’s half-talking through clenched teeth… it’s disturbing.
He’s also talking a mile a minute. His energy feels like it’s vibrating off him. Like he’s about to explode.
Scarlett and Mark haven’t seemed to notice, thank God.
Our entrées finally arrive, and the server sets them in front of us.
“Oh my God, this looks so good,” Scarlett says, eyeing her salmon.
“It lookssogood,” I echo, cutting into my steak. Jensen and I both got the ribeye. Mine’s cooked to perfection.
Jensen cuts into his steak. “Dammit,” he mutters. He drags a hand down his face, groaning under his breath. “These idiots overcooked my steak.” He drops his silverware with a sharp clink. “I can’t fucking eat this.”
I freeze, completely mortified. This is so not Jensen.
