Page 199 of Eight Years Gone

She held his gaze. “Which isn’t old.”

He jerked his shoulders again. “It’s practically middle age.”

She wanted to smile again as her eyes wandered to the Christmas tree still glowing in the window, but her stomach grew queasy instead. “Jagger and I are going to be fine. It’s just a rough patch,” she said mostly to herself as she and Colton got out of the Sorento.

* * *

Jagger looked up from his seat on the couch as Colton and Grace walked through the front door. He dropped his feet from the coffee table as he raised the remote, shutting off the TV.

Colton looked from Jagger to Grace. “I’m going to bed.”

Jagger nodded as he stood, aware that Colton was bowing out of the evening, even when it was barely nine thirty.

“Good night,” he and Grace said as Colton disappeared down the hall.

Tension hung heavy in the room while Grace put her coat away in the closet.

“Can we talk?” he asked, not quite sure how to navigate their current situation. Grace had never been upset enough to walk out on him before.

She turned, holding his stare as she closed the distance between them, stopping in front of him.

He exhaled a long breath as another wave of guilt ate at him. “I hate that your eyes look like that because of me. Guarded. Sad.”

She dropped her gaze, staring at the floor as she sniffled.

“Gracie.” He captured her hand, tugging her closer. “I’m sorry.”

She shook her head.

He stroked his finger along her jaw, gently nudging her chin until their eyes met. “I’m sorry.”

She exhaled a shaky breath. “Are you unhappy?”

“No.” He sighed as he sat on the couch, tugging her down to his lap, loathing that they were back here again.

He’d worked so damn hard over the last three months to show her that the life they were building was everything he needed. But a few careless words spoken on speakerphone had rightfully made her question where they stood. “You heard a seriously shitty conversation.”

She huffed out a breath. “Yes, I did.”

He hooked his arm around her hips, pulling her closer. “I wish I hadn’t turned in the chair when I did because you would have heard me tell Jason that my life has only gotten better since I’ve come home. I don’t feel like I’m giving up anything, especially not my freedom. I want the marriage and babies package with you, Grace.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, Gracie. I’m exactly where I want to be.”

She nodded as she swiped at the tear on her cheek.

“I don’t like that this is the second night things haven’t been great between us.”

“I don’t like it either.” She swiped at her cheek again. “I’m sorry I walked out on you.”

He shrugged because he only had himself to blame. “I came to the fair a while ago, but I knew that sticking around wasn’t what you needed. I saw you with Ben—the way he made you laugh. I didn’t like that either.”

“He’s my friend, Jagger. He and Christy knew I was upset.”

He nodded. “I never want to not be what you need. I’m supposed to make your life better.”

She hugged him. “You do.”

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