I get dressed, finish packing my bag, and stare at my room one last time. I’m struck by how terrified I was coming back, but think of the many ways that Grant made it bearable while we were here. For the first time, I realize that I’m going back to Western a different person than I was when I arrived here. As though I faced my demons and now I’m free. By the time I get outside, my parents and Sam have started saying goodbye to everyone.
“Take care of her, Grant,” my dad instructs and Grant nods to him. After they shake hands, Grant gives my mom and Sam hugs before stepping back a little to make room for me.
When I reach my parents, I already feel the tears in my eyes, threatening to fall. I’m not immune to the fact that it probably seems odd for a twenty-two year-old girl to be crying when she says goodbye to her parents, but we’re exceptionally close. And even with a zillion phone calls and emails, it’s not the same as face-to-face contact.
After a few hugs and words of parting, Grant and I make our way to meet everyone else at the minivan. I give one more wave to my parents before stepping in and cozying up to Grant, who is sitting in the same spot he was in a week ago. He puts his arm around me and I kiss his neck, instantly comforted.
We all wave to my parents and Sam before Brady drives off. I’m not blind to the fact that Dex is turned around in his seat, still waving to Sam. A minute later, I hear his phone ding, alerting him to a text message. I wonder if it’s my sister or someone else, but my guess is it’s Sam. Maybe I am wrong about them.
When the pilot announces we’re clear for takeoff, I grab Grant’s hand and glance over to the man I love. The man who holds my fragile heart in his hands. We keep making so many strides, I don’t see how we can’t make it. The odds were stacked against us, but we’re beating them, one by one. Feeling content, I place my head on Grant’s shoulder and the humming of the engines and shuffling of people lulls me to sleep.
Grant
We arrive back at Brady’s house to find a brand new black Mustang with tinted windows and an exhaust system one could hear five miles away parked in the driveway. After I park Jessa’s car, the four of us pile out, and Brady and Sadie get out of his Camaro with the same questioning look as us. We grab our bags and walk up to the back door, finding it open. Trey’s the first one in, and the rest of us bump into one another after he stops in his tracks. We all just stare at Rob, who is drinking a beer in the kitchen, obviously making himself at home.
I’m sure my body is as tight as a coiled wire as I stand there, unable to move. Jessa weaves through the bodies and, not missing a beat, asks, “What are you doing here?” He continues to down his beer, completely disregarding her.
“I’m on break,” he says casually, as though it’s no big deal he’s just returned after two months without a word to anyone.
“So, you came back here?” Trey starts in on him. “Why? You obviously don’t give a shit about us,” he sneers.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Rob walks up to Jessa and kisses her cheek. My bag drops to the floor with a loud thud.
“Don’t fucking touch her,” I seethe, weaving my way through my friends to reach her.
“Oh yeah, I heard a little rumor about you two,” he laughs, and Jessa quickly comes to my side. “Really, Jessa? Him?”
Jessa might be standing by my side, but she isn’t telling Rob she’s with me, choosing instead to remain silent.
“I know I broke your heart, but come on, a frat boy?” I turn to look at Jessa and see her staring at the ground before she peeks my way.
“What the hell is he talking about?” I ask her. Anger starts boiling in my blood. Did she fucking run to me after he broke up with her? Rethinking that night, I realize now that she said it was over, but not that she was the one who ended it.
“Rob, don’t start shit. She’s happy. Just get the fuck out,” Trey hollers at him. I’d actually forgotten they were all here.
“You didn’t break my heart, you asshole,” Jessa finally says, and I want to thank the heavens above.
“I’m sorry I never called but things were busy. I’m here now, so why don’t we say you ditch Richie Rich and we can make up for lost time.” Rob steps closer and he’s only inches away from her now. All I want to do is step between them, but I’m trying to be mature about this.
“Busy with what things? Girls? Pussy? Having your dick sucked?” Trey spouts, coming to stand along the other side of Jessa.
“Stay out of it, Michaels, this isn’t your business,” Rob warns and I grab Jessa’s hand.
“Rob, you might not remember because you were either wasted or high or maybe a combination of both, but I broke it off. You were practically having sex on the other end of the phone.” She shifts her weight closer to me and further away from Rob. Quickly, I wrap my arm around her waist to secure her where she should be.
“What?” he asks, scrunching his eyes in disbelief. “Whatever Jessa, don’t make up shit. If you want it over, it’s over. Believe me, you’re nothing special. All I have to do is say ‘next’ and some hot girl will happily fill your spot.” He tosses his beer bottle in the trashcan and walks out of the room.
“I already pity her,” Jessa hollers to his back.
“Brady, you better go kick his ass out,” Trey demands, turning his body toward him.
“Uh, yeah,” he huffs. “I’ll be right back.” He appears exhausted and annoyed that he has to deal with this drama as he reaches over and grabs Sadie’s bag from the floor before venturing out of the room.
After Brady leaves to talk to Rob, I take Jessa into my arms. “Are you alright?” I ask.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry I never told you exactly how we broke up.” She peeks up to me through her eyelashes, obviously wondering how I will take the news.
“I don’t care how it all went down, as long as it did.” I form it like a question and she snaps her head back.
“I swear it did. You believe me, right?” she asks, her voice sounding panicky. I gently nudge her head back to my chest.
“Of course,” I tell her. “Now get your stuff so you can come to my place.”
“Why?” She pulls back again, but I keep my arms fastened around her waist.
“You’re not staying here with him,” I say and she cocks her head to the side.
“And why would that be?” She pulls further away and my body goes cold from the lack of contact.
“Do I really have to explain it to you?” I regret my tone as soon as the words leave my mouth.
“I guess you do, because what I’m hearing is that you are trying to order me to go somewhere and that you don’t trust me to be in the same house as my ex.” She grabs her bag, getting ready to wheel it out of the room
“Jessa, I have to go to that group discussion I told you about for my business management class. You could come to house and stay there until I finish. I really don’t understand what the big deal is.” I step forward to reach her but she steps back.
Thankfully, Brady comes in at that moment, and I pray he’s about to tell us Rob’s packing his stuff and getting the hell out.
“So did you kick his ass out?” Trey steps up, asking the question we all want an answer to.
“I gave him until the end of the week.” Brady sighs, knowing full well that Trey and I are going to argue his decision. “Listen, he has shit to get out. He promised me he’ll stay out of the way and keep his mouth shut.”
“Is that even possible?” I ask and Brady turns to Jessa.
“I’m sorry, Jessa. I know this might make it uncomfortable for you. Maybe you should go stay with Grant until he’s gone.” See, I am being rational here. She’s the one who thinks, unrealistically, that her current boyfriend would be okay with her sharing a bathroom with her ex.
“Don’t worry about it, Brady. I can handle it.” She touches his arm and Brady gives her a sympathetic smile.