Page 58 of I Want Crazy (Loco, Texas 3)

So she ran. She ran out the front door and kept running until her lungs were on fire and someone was behind her, yelling her name. Ignoring Red’s shout, she kept going, slowing only when he grabbed her and pulled her to a stop.

“Jessie, stop. It’s fine.”

“No…” she shouted, sucking air in hard, fast bursts. “It’s not fine. It will never be fucking fine.” She couldn’t hold still, running her hands over her hair in frustration, a bitter, breathless laugh escaping her. “I mean, I thought things were bad in LA, walking into an interview, but this? An entire town knowing exactly what that tape was and thinking the worst of me?”

“Once we explain, no one will think anything.”

“No. I can’t. This was my fresh start. Now they’re going to be surfing the Internet looking for videos, and I—”

“No one is going to do that.”

“I don’t have any idea how that video got in there. There is no way…” She trailed off and turned away. “Can you just clear out the bar for me please?”

“Yeah, I can do that, but we have to go to the police. There’s no question now whether or not that asshole was in your room and planted that disc.”

“I just want everyone gone,” she whispered sadly.

There was a pause from him before he asked, “Even me?”

“Yes.”

“Jessie…”

“I just need some space, okay?”

“I don’t think—”

“Seriously, I don’t need you! I just want to be by myself.”

She sat down on a rock, her back to him, and tried to suck back the sobs threatening to overwhelm her. When she finally heard the retreating crunch of his boot heels as he walked away, she let loose. Curling her arms around her bent knees, she lowered her face and sobbed.

How had Will done it? She had checked the discs before she left. Which meant he had to have slipped it in at the bar.

Or in the car. You did stop off for a pita at the bakery.

However, he’d done it, he’d ruined her life all over again. Her fresh start, her new home.

Clenching her fists, she wished she could take a couple of swings at the slimy asshole.

* * *

Red and Ray cleared the bar, and as they left, Rand asked if she should go talk to Jessie.

Red shook his head. “She wants to be alone.”

Rand opened her mouth like she wanted to argue, but Jake touched her shoulder. Without another word, she let him lead her to their truck.

Red looked off toward the place he’d left Jessie and felt Ray’s hand on his shoulder. “Hey, man. I’ll stay here with her and make sure she gets home okay. I don’t live far.”

Jealousy ate at Red as he turned toward the handsome chef. “Thanks.”

“I know what you’re thinking, but I’m not after her. She gave me a chance when no one else would. I respect her. She’s like a sister to me.”

Red took a deep breath. “Sorry, man.”

“It’s okay. Hell, I wouldn’t trust another man around my woman.” Ray shot him a wink as he walked back inside, and Red climbed into his Charger fighting the urge to go to her. His first instinct was to fix everything, but he didn’t know how. And he was afraid if he tried, it would just make things worse.

* * *

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