Page 83 of Eight Years Gone

“That’s what they all say. For a while, anyway.”

“I’m hanging up.” True to his word, Jagger disconnected the call, clenching his jaw as he shook his head.

Jason had a big damn mouth and an even louder voice.

“Son of a bitch,” he said on his exhale, glancing around the empty kitchen, well aware that everything he and Grace had been working so hard to fix was in jeopardy again.

* * *

Grace grabbed another extra-large bathroom towel from the basket, folding the soft cotton with hands that weren’t quite steady as her heart pounded in her chest.

Are you bored playing average Joe yet?

She closed her eyes as Jagger’s boss’s voice echoed in her head—as flashes of the Delta Force videos she’d watched reminded her of just how intense Jagger’s life had been.

She’d been so foolish—so stupid—to let herself believe they could pick up where they’d left off. So much time had passed. They were entirely different people.

“Gracie.”

She opened her eyes, focusing on her chore. Because at this moment, she had no idea what to do. “Dinner should be out of the oven in about twenty minutes.”

He snagged her by the arm, turning her to face him. “I don’t know how much of that you heard…”

She’d heard all of it. But she shrugged, crossing her arms at her chest so he couldn’t see her hands tremble. “I thought I would give you some privacy.”

“I meant what I told him. I’m happy right here.”

And she believed that he believed that. He was happy for now, while everything felt new. “That’s a lot of money to turn down.”

“I don’t need the money. I’ve made more than enough the past couple of years."

She wanted to turn and reach for another towel but held his stare. “Macaroni and cheese and Friday night lights. This is really enough?”

“Feeling like I’m home again? Fixing things with you? That’s everything, Grace.”

“You’re the very best there is. You’re wasting that in this little town.”

He clenched his jaw. “I’m not wasting anything.”

She huffed out a humorless laugh because Jagger had never been able to see just how amazing he was. “You were always afraid you were holding me back. It was never true, but…” She shrugged. “It’s funny how the tables have turned.”

His eyes flashed with temper. “That’s bullshit.”

Shaking her head, she turned away, afraid she would burst into tears.

He turned her back. “I don’t want that anymore, Grace. I’ve never wanted any of that more than I’ve wanted you.”

Her tears started falling. “I just want you to be happy.”

He sighed. “I am happy.”

“But for how long? You’re a brilliant, highly skilled man—quite the opposite of the average Joe.”

His nostrils flared now. “Jason’s an idiot.”

“He’s also right.”

“Damn it, Grace, how do I make you believe me? How do I make you understand that I don’t want to live out of a suitcase in some godforsaken place? Proof of life protocols and being responsible for other people’s lives… I don’t want to look over my shoulder and dodge bullets anymore. I want you. I want this right here. More than that, I need it. I need you, Grace. I always have.”

---