Page 46 of Meant to Be

“Can you let me know?” My voice is small as I ask. I know I’ll never get over Jax properly.

“Of course.”

“I’ll message you when I get to my dad’s.”

“Be safe. If you need me for anything, let me know.”

“Okay, and thanks, Harry. Oh, can you let Addy know please?”

“Yep, no probs.”

I cut the call and ring a taxi then wait.

As soon as I get the text from Uber to tell me my taxi is on its way and what car to expect, I sneak down the stairs and open the front door softly, closing it just as gently. I know she’s asleep because she has ears of a hawk and hears everything.

I don’t hang about when the car pulls up at the kerb, I get in and tell the driver where to go. Once he pulls away, I hang my head back, feeling like I can breathe again.

I look up at the nice detached house as I step out.

“Can you hold on five minutes please, I just want to make sure he’s here.”

“No problem.”

I get out and walk up the drive. Dropping my bag on the ground, I knock on the brown PVC door and wait, sucking in a breath and blowing it out slowly. I feel sick, my stomach is churning like a washing machine. It seems so long since I’ve seen him.

A woman with blonde hair opens the door, a questioning look in her eyes until she realises who I am.

“Hi. I’m here to see my dad?”

“Shelby?” I nod nervously. “Hang on a second…”

“Jack?” She turns away from me, calling him to the door. I have to breathe deep to stop from being sick, my hand covers my mouth hoping it doesn’t come up.

I look behind the woman and see him. His eyes go huge when he sees me.

“Shelby?”

Quickening his pace towards the door, he pulls me into him when he reaches me, holding me tightly.

“Oh Jesus Shelby, what are you doing here?”

“Could I stay with you for a while please?”

He tips my head back as he frames my face with his hands, wiping my eyes of the tears I didn't know I’d shed.

“Is that your taxi?” I nod. “Go inside I’ll pay it.” His lips linger on my brow for a long time before pulling away and going outside. His wife, my step mum, wraps an arm around my shoulder comforting me and leads me to the couch. Dad follows in a minute after and gets down to his knees, kneeling in front of me.

“Oh my god, Shelby? I can’t believe you’re here?”

“I can’t go back.”

“Anna, can you make her a cup of tea?”

Anna goes into the kitchen leaving dad and me to talk.

“What’s happened, sweetheart?”

“Everything.” I bite back the sobs, so I can explain but it doesn’t work; instead, I end up drowning in tears. Dad gets up from the floor to comfort me. I end up with my face buried in his chest.

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