Page 34 of Intertwined Hearts

“Just know one thing, Jackie. I never asked you to leave and never did anything to you. Your jealousy is unwarranted, and that’s the problem right now. I don’t know, maybe we never would have worked out.”

I turned my head and opened the door. I wanted to run into his arms. I wanted him to say anything to let me know he didn’t want me to leave. Having heard nothing, I pulled the door closed behind me and walked to my car. Once seated, I fell apart.

Hunter

What the fuck just happened? We went from zero to sixty miles of totally fucked-up in a few short seconds.

I regretted my words as soon as they came out of my mouth, but my frustration soared when it was obvious Jackie had begun to doubt me and to doubt my commitment to her, and to us.

I wanted to call her. But I wanted her to think about what happened as much as I was. Why would she be so insecure? I’d done nothing to make her question me. I wanted to be a decent person and call Sophia. Did that make me horrible? I had no intention of trying to get back together with her. But if by some slim chance the baby was mine, we’d need to be cordial to each other. I admired how Jeff and Nikki handled co-parenting with Sky. I’d like to have that kind of relationship with Sophia, if necessary.

I stripped my clothes off and climbed in bed. I hated that my woman wasn’t snuggled beside me. I’d have loved to have felt her warm body curled around mine.Fuck! Why did I say that shit to her?

I sat up and reached for my phone. I stopped myself just before dialing her number. I couldn’t stand the thought of arguing with her and had no appetite for round two. Instead, I tapped the keys and sent her a text letting her know I loved her, and always would.

****

After getting one of the worst nights of sleep, I knew I had to call Jackie. I was miserable. Completely fucking miserable.

Each call went to voicemail. I was such a dick. And a hypocrite. I had chastised Jeff in the past for the way he talked to Nikki when he got pissed, and I did the same.

My texts got no reply, and my phone calls were ignored all day and all night. I guess I deserved this.

****

Saturdaymorning I received the long-awaited response. Hearing Jackie’s voice was a godsend.

“Is it okay if I come over?” she asked. Her voice crackled and I heard her sniff.

“Of course it is.”

“I’ll leave in a few minutes.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

I dragged myself out of the bed and got in the shower. When I finished and dried off, I secured the towel around my waist and splashed on some cologne. The doorbell rang within minutes of dousing myself.

I looked through the peep-hole since my clothes were non-existent.

“Hi, darling,” I said. Her eyes gave away that she’d been crying.

She stepped inside and wrapped her arms tightly around me. The heaving of her chest and soft whimpers let me know she was very upset.

“Baby,” I said.

“Just hold me, Hunter.”

My arms circled her body, and I obliged her wish until her sobs stopped.

“Sorry,” she said. She stood and wiped the tears from her face.

“Don’t be. I’m the one who’s sorry. I never should have gotten that upset and talked to you like that.” I placed my fingers under her chin and lifted her face until our eyes met. “I love you, darling. I’ll never stop. Ever.”

“I know. And I love you,”she said. “I shouldn’t have acted that way. I got jealous. I was scared you’d go back to her if the paternity test shows you’re the father, especially since she had a boy.”

“My heart is with you. If he’s mine, we, you and I, will work together with Sophia. But trust me, I don’t ever want to be with her in any way again. You’re the woman for me.”

“I needed to hear that. I meant to call you yesterday, but we got some very bad news. My boss’s husband died suddenly. He was fine in the morning before she left home. She got the call around ten AM. He had a heart attack at work.” With each sniffle, her arms tightened around my waist. “I drove her to the hospital. I couldn’t leave her alone. A couple of us stayed with her after she left the hospital, and overnight.”

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