Jack's Surrender (Holiday Cove 5)

God, I am a bitch.

My house came into sight and a wave of relief crashed through me. I wanted my own food, real clothes, and a big, comfy fire for Hunter and me to lounge beside. I also wanted my work laptop…although I doubted Rachel or Carly would allow it.

Carly pulled into the driveway and threw her car in park just as an unfamiliar car pulled up beside us. I glanced over and saw Hunter’s face hanging outside the passenger window. My heart leaped only to crash again as I realized the man in the driver’s seat beside the oversize dog was not Aaron.

It was Jack.

29

Holly

“Jack’s here?” I said, using Rachel as leverage to get up out of Carly’s low riding car. “Did you two set this up?”

Rachel shook her head. “I swear, Holly. We didn’t.”

That only meant one thing—Aaron Rosen was gonna end up with a size eight-and-a-half stiletto up his ass as soon as I was healthy enough to wear them again.

Carly went to Hunter as Rachel helped me around the front bumper. “Now, baby Hunter, you need to be extra nice to mama. No jumping!”

I would have laughed at her earnest instructions but my eyes were fixed on Jack as he rose out of the car and shut the driver’s door. Everything else melted away as his eyes found mine. A dark shadow lingered behind his eyes and I knew immediately that he hadn’t slept. Lines rimmed his eyes and aged him. A pang of guilt sparked in my stomach for not letting him in to see me at the hospital. Maybe Rachel was right. Maybe he was just as devastated and broken by the way things ended up as I was.

Carly opened the passenger door and let Hunter out. He raced over to me and I broke away from Jack’s stare long enough to greet Hunter as he danced around at my feet, barely able to keep himself from jumping up on me. I bent as much as I could without pain and scratched his head. Tears sprang to my eyes as Hunter licked my bare legs and pawed at me. “I missed you too, Hunty.”

“Holly,” Jack said softly.

I looked up and blinked away the tears. “Thanks for bringing Hunter.”

“Anytime. I was hoping I could stay for a little while. We need to talk.”

I glanced at Carly and Rachel and then returned my eyes to Jack. “Okay.”

“Do you want us to stay?” Carly asked.

“No, that’s all right. I can get situated.” I reached over and hugged each of them gently. “Thank you for everything.”

“Call me later?” Rachel asked in my ear as we embraced.

I nodded. “Of course, I will.”

They waved and then piled back into Carly’s car and backed out of the driveway. Hunter barked at the car as it pulled away and started down the street. Jack snapped his fingers. “Come here, Hunter. We don’t need you tripping Holly. Want me to put him out back?”

“Sure. He’d probably like that.” I scratched his head and then started for the door. After a few steps, my legs swayed. The pain was nearly blinding with each step. Jack stopped and rushed back to help me. I glanced up at him reluctantly and then took his arm. “Thank you.”

“Let me carry you.”

“No, I got it. Just hold on.”

Jack nodded and we shuffled slowly toward the door. I was panting by the time he got me to the couch. He piled up some throw pillows and got me situated before calling Hunter to go outside. Hunty resisted and circled back to the couch and parked himself on the floor by my side.

I laughed softly and dropped my good hand to the top of his head. “I guess not.”

Jack smiled and took a seat on the cushioned ottoman on the other side of Hunter’s enormous body. “Guess not.” He leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his thighs, and laced his hands together. “How are you feeling?”

“Well, I haven’t personally been run over by a truck before, but I imagine it would feel a little like this.”

Jack winced.

“I can’t really take too much for the pain because…well, because of the baby.”

“Right.” Jack nodded and then dropped his eyes to his interlocked hands.

I sighed and his eyes bounced back up. “I don’t know how to do this, Jack. I don’t know what I’m supposed to say. We’re so far off course right now that I can’t see the coastline anymore.”

“I know.”

“I’m sorry for keeping you out at the hospital. I was overwhelmed and needed some time to get myself back together. At least, as much as possible, considering the situation.”

Jack straightened. “It’s all right. I understand. Our last conversation didn’t exactly give you much reason to talk to me. I was an asshole.”

“You were—”

“No,” he interjected, holding up a hand. “There’s no excuse for it. I was angry and frustrated and confused but I shouldn’t have let that take over and say those things to you. The truth is, I’m not happy. I fucking miss you. I got to New York and even on the plane ride there, thinking about everything, I knew. I knew I was making another mistake. I knew I was running away and if there’s anything I’ve learned, running away doesn’t solve one fucking thing. I swore to you that I’d always be here, to protect you and take care of you. To love you with everything I’ve got inside.”