He hugged me back and then it was very apparent that he was choked up. “I know.”
For at least thirty seconds we stood in his room together like that. It was hard for some to understand how he could hate me and love me at the same time, but I got it.
Jax pushed away first and wiped off his eyes. “When you get done being a little pussy, there’s something out in the living room for you. I didn’t put a bow around it or nothing fancy.”
“I didn’t know we were doing gifts.”
“Just do me a favor. Don’t thank me. Don’t fucking even talk about it to me.” He patted me on the arm. “I’ll see you out in the barn.”
I waited a couple minutes before going out to find my present, because I knew I had to calm down. Figuring I could take the package back to my room, I went looking for it.
Nothing, and I mean nothing could have prepared me for what was in that room waiting for me. At first I thought someone had come in and was just sitting there relaxing until dinner was ready. But that hair, I’d know it anywhere.
This wasn’t possible.
How could she be here?
My parents were going to be pissed.
Jax was insane.
Panicked about what to say after so much time had slipped away without us speaking, I wiped off my eyes again and cleared my throat. “Is it really you?”
She heard my voice and turned around, standing up quickly to face me. “Jake.”
“Reese, what are you doing here?”
She placed her hands in the pockets of her jeans, which were tight enough to reveal she’d lost a bunch of weight. “I was invited.”
“What? I don’t understand. Do my parents know you’re here?”
“They’re the ones that invited me, Jake. We went out for lunch last week and put everything out on the table.”
I kept shaking my head. “This is impossible. They wouldn’t.”
“Jax did it. Apparently he sat them down to inform them he was leaving, and told them there was only one thing he wanted.”
“I just talked to him. Nothing is resolved. He’d never be okay with this.” I was sure of it. Reese was the last person Jax would want with me. He’d made that clear.
Reese broke the distance between us and stood only inches from me. I looked into her blue eyes and could feel myself getting lost. Too much time had passed, and even though I’d tried my hardest, my love had only intensified.
“Jax may not want to be your friend, but he loves you, obviously more than you know. He knows if he leaves you’ll be alone, and I think we both know what that feels like. He’s moving on with his life, Jake. We can be together.” I could tell from the way she said it that she was nervous, as if she were afraid I didn’t still feel the same.
I still wasn’t able to reach out and touch her. It was all surreal. “Why don’t you hate me? I left you. I abandoned you in that hotel room. I made you think you were nothing.”
She looked me dead in the eyes and reached for my hands. “You did it for Jax. He told me.”
“Still, I always had a choice. I could have found ways around it.”
“No. Too much damage had been done. You needed to walk away.”
“I hurt you. I’ll never be able to take that back.” I looked away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect this.” Getting choked up in front of her was kind of embarrassing.
“Do you love me, Jake?” She asked in a soft voice.
I turned back to face her. “I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you, Reese. Every day I wake up and I feel like I can’t breathe.”
Tears fell down her cheeks, but she wasn’t crying, not hard enough for it to be noticeable. “I’ve missed you so much. Your love does something to me. What we had was short-lived, but it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever experienced. That’s why I’m here now, Jake. I’m here because I don’t want to go another day without you in my life. Please tell me you want that too. Tell me I didn’t come here today to get my heart ripped out again.”
I leaned forward and pressed my lips against hers. “I’ll never let you go again, never.”
Our chaste kiss was interrupted by my sister. “Dinner’s done if ya’ll are hungry.” She noticed that she’d come in at a bad moment. “Or you can just eat later. Carry on, oh and it’s good to see you again, Reese.”
When she left I took Reese into my arms and pulled her closer. Her lips were exactly how I’d remembered. I savored her tongue as it began to trace over mine. When we pulled away I knew what we had was real, and this time we wouldn’t have to hide. Reese was finally mine, and even though I knew I was the reason Jax was leaving town, I had to appreciate what he’d done for me. I wasn’t sure how he’d convince them to forgive her, or even if they did. None of that mattered anymore. I’d find a way to bring my brother back home. I wouldn’t stop until he trusted me again, and I knew it’s what he would expect me to do.
After the party I found a letter on my bed from Jax. Reese sat down beside me as I opened the folded paper and began to rea
Reese turned and looked over at me after reading the note herself. She took my hand and smiled tenderly. “I love you, Jake. No matter how long it takes, we’ll figure out a way to bring him home.”
I leaned forward and rested my head on hers. “I love you too. I keep feeling like this is a dream.”
She kissed me again, this time climbing on top of me and wrapping her arms around my neck. The letter fell down on the mattress as I pulled her down on the bed with me. “I’ve dreamed of this too.”
“Tonight, after everyone leaves, I’m taking you somewhere special, and we can make up for lost time.”
She nodded and nestled her head against my chest. “As long as you never let me go, I’ll do whatever you want.”
“That I can promise. I’ll never take you for granted.”
***
My brother drove away from the ranch one month ago. In that time I’d spent every free moment with Reese. I thought the distance would bring Jax and I closer, but as the days passed we heard from him less.
Jax kept in touch with my parents, and with the rest of the family, so we knew he was doing okay, but his absence left a part of me empty.
I think Reese noticed it the most. When I should have been all smiles, I’d get depressed and feel alone. Our relationship was great, and in that aspect life was perfect. The only thing missing was my brother.
That’s why I knew I had to go see him. I had to go the extra mile to prove that I wouldn’t give up hope. While Reese stayed behind, I headed out in an effort to bring my brother home, determined I wasn’t leaving without him by my side.
To be continued…
**This story continues in Jax, which is now for sale. **
Jake Mitchell Page 25
