Page 27 of Rescued By My Best Friend's Brother

Elena

Istandnexttothe coffee pot in the kitchen, thinking about last night. Jasper had been drunk. He hadn’t known what he was saying, or did he? Was he really jealous of Adam? Is that why all of this started? I mean, it would explain the timeline of when he started to pick on me more and act irritated with anything I did from then on.

I sip on my coffee. It had chilled, my thoughts about last night holding my attention rather than my cup of java. Josie walks in, already dressed for work. She stands next to me, pulling a travel mug out of the cabinet and then grabbing the pot.

“You okay? You seem a little out of it,” Josie points out.

I snap out of my daze. “Does Jasper get drunk a lot?”

She gives me a small, nonchalant shrug. “I mean he did a little bit when he divorced Caty, but stopped when he realized he needed to take care of Lily. And being drunk doesn’t really help with that.”

I take in this information. “What was Caty like? I never really met her. I saw pictures from the wedding, but I wasn’t really around Jasper after they started dating.” All I know is that she disappeared without contacting anyone, and that Jasper doesn’t seem worried about it. It is odd, if you ask me. Why isn’t he worried? Why isn’t she trying to be with Lily?

“Um, well, she was a really caring person. She did a lot of charity work, especially with the homeless who had mental illnesses. Her parents were well off, so she was in charge of the charity work their company did, I believe.”

My eyes widen. I feel like Jasper and I live in completely different worlds. I mean, this guest house and his main house showed me that when I first arrived. Time had been good to Jasper, giving him a better life than I could ever imagine for myself. I just want to survive and be independent. I want to get on my feet and figure my shit out.

“Wow. But why doesn’t she see Lily? Does Jasper have full custody?”

“Well.” She takes a sip of coffee from her travel mug and ponders for a moment. “Jasper doesn’t really talk about it. You know him, not a man of many words. The divorce hit him hard. Caty wanted it. He didn’t say much. Caty had a habit of disappearing every now and then, as like, a cool-off session for herself, a break from all the shit she sees. But something was really different when they finally separated. Caty just didn’t seem okay, you know?”

I nod, but I’m not sure what she actually means.

Josie raises a brow. “Why are you so interested in Caty? You aren’t suddenly developing feelings for my brother because he’s rich and a single dad? Women love single dads.” She winks.

I laugh, but it sounds forced. “No. No. Of course not, Jasper? I love you Josie but we all know your brother and I would not be a good item.” I hoping she can’t hear the lie spewing from my mouth.

She sets her coffee down, her smile replaced with pursed lips and a slight scowl. I should know by now that I can not hide anything from Josie. She reads me like a book. “Elena. Is there something you’re not telling me? I know that look.”

“It’s nothing, Josie. Absolutely nothing. I was just curious.” It really isn’t a complete lie. I am curious, and I still don’t know about Jasper. It may be just a blip, a tiny mistake. But… I shake my head.Don’t go there, Elena.I need to stay focused on getting back on my feet. That is my priority.

“Okayyy.” She draws the word out, as if trying to convince herself of my half-truth. “But Jasper has been through a lot over the years, and so has Lily. They deserve someone that will stick around. I don’t think Jasper can handle someone leaving like Caty did, again.”

I nod. “I plan on sticking around this time,” I say, realizing belatedly how it sounds.

She leans in, eyebrows furrowed. I immediately rectify my tone and add, “I mean, I want to stay in your life, Josie. I missed you, and I miss what we had. I also adore Lily. She’s really sweet and an amazing little girl. She deserves to have people in her life who will take care of her and be there for her.”

She sits back, smacking her lips together. “Okay, Lena. I’m going to hold you to those words.” She picks her mug back up. “And I missed you, too.” She flashes me a quick smile. “I have to go to work. Tell Jasper and Lily I will see them tonight. Thank God the weekend is close!” She grabs her purse off the table and heads towards the door. “Love ya!”

“Love you, too!” I shout after her.

I set my now empty coffee cup in the sink and head out the door. Lily must have already gotten up and eaten breakfast. I was not really hungry, so I took my time when I got up this morning. When I enter the kitchen, Lily is giving her plate to Sheri, but her dad is nowhere to be seen. “Where’s your dad, Lily?” I ask.

She sighs. “He’s still asleep. He says he doesn’t feel good.”

“Oh. Okay. Do I need to take you to school?”

She perks up a little bit. “Can you?”

I grin. “Yes. Go grab your things, and I’ll take you to school.”

When I come back from dropping off Lily, Sheri is gone, and there is no sign that Jasper has gotten up. I walk back to his room, worried that maybe something happened. He did have a lot to drink, so a bad hangover isn’t unlikely. I knock on the door. A groan from the other side tells me he is still asleep. I crack the door open and see Jasper on his stomach, still covered in his blankets. On the nightstand to the left of his bed, the glass of water and the Tylenol I’d gotten him the night before sits untouched. I sigh.

“Jasper. You all right?” I slowly walk to his bed, trying to make as little noise as possible. I remember hangovers increase the senses tenfold, causing every noise to feel like a hammer against your head. “Don’t you need to go to work?”

He groans into his pillows and turns onto his side. “I already called the office.” His voice sounds deep and gravelly. “I’m going in a little late.”

I sit down on the side of his bed, grabbing his water and pills. “Here. This will help,” I tell him.

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