Love Me Nots (Jasper Falls 3)

Gage reached out to help her and she snapped, “I’ve got it. I don’t need your help.”

He stepped back, and she finally got the belt unbuckled. Yanking her purse onto her shoulder, she marched off the jet and cursed at the sight of his car. If it wasn’t the middle of the night, she would have called Maggie to come get her.

She climbed into the back seat and waited. He sighed and started the car. “I don’t think you’re being fair—”

“Please think to yourself. I just want to go home.”

Another sigh.

The ride was long and painfully awkward. She wavered between wanting to hear his excuses and wanting to kick his seat. In the end, her stubborn side won, and she said nothing.

As soon as he parked, she got out and slammed the door.

“I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Please don’t.” She stomped up the steps, unlocked her door, slammed it, and burst into tears. She supposed every village needed an idiot. Jasper Falls had her.

Chapter 7

He gave her twenty-four hours to process in silence, before the phone started to ring. After that, her voicemail quickly overflowed with messages begging her to pick up, meet for a conversation, hear him out. It was all very similar to her miserable situation not too long ago.

Once her voicemail was full, the deliveries started to arrive. Flowers, chocolates, and a gigantic teddy bear no normal person would want in their home. It seemed inevitable he’d eventually show up and corner her in person, yet she was still unprepared to see him that evening.

Her back stiffened the moment he stepped into O’Malley’s. Tristan and Luke were sitting at the bar, grabbing dinner after work. They instantly noticed the tension radiating off her and followed her line of vision. Luke scowled.

“That dipshit’s still around?”

“Luke,” Tristan warned softly. “Perrin, you okay?”

She nodded tightly, her heart trembling as Gage crossed the floor in only a few long strides. She swallowed as he stared at her. He looked terrible. His eyes wore dark circles and his five o’clock shadow was not nearly as polished as it usually was.

“Perrin, I need to talk to you.”

A lump formed in her throat. She’d been dreading this moment. Her determination to keep him away was so much easier when she wasn’t forced to look at him. But seeing him now, she recalled how deeply she wanted him and how strong her attraction remained.

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“Please.” His voice was a raw nerve, and it abraded her senses. “You have to hear me out.”

“I don’t have to do anything.”

Luke stood. “Is there a problem, friend?” Tristan’s hand rested on his arm, but there was no use, because Luke decided he didn’t like Gage the moment he learned his purpose in Jasper Falls.

“No problem,” Gage said. “I just need a moment alone with Perrin.” He turned his gaze back to her. “I’m begging you, Perrin. If you felt anything genuine for me, give me three minutes of your time.”

She glanced at Luke, noting his hulking size and narrowed eyes. He was waiting for the signal and he’d toss Gage out of the bar. She only needed to blink.

Sighing, her shoulders sagged. “Three minutes.”

She led him to the back of the bar, past the pool tables, where the back hall appeared empty. She wasn’t going anywhere behind closed doors with him.

Once a safe distance from any audience, she pivoted. “Speak.”

“I’m getting a divorce.”

She didn’t respond, but deep down she hoped his decision wasn’t caused by her interference. She couldn’t deal with the guilt of being an unknowing home-wrecker.

“I filed the papers eight months ago, but my wife refuses to sign.”

Her skin prickled at the term wife and she cringed. Shutting her eyes, she fought back the bile rising in her gut.

“We got married too quickly. I know that’s not an excuse, but I need you to understand the entire picture. Tara wanted marriage, and I was the sucker who believed giving her what she wanted would improve our relationship. But there was no improving it. The longer we were together, the more she demanded. First, it was an extravagant wedding, then the house, then the cars and lifestyle.”

Poor boy. “This has nothing to do with me.”

As she turned to walk away, he caught her arm. “Wait. Please.” He released her and his eyes filled with desperation. “You have to understand, all of my life, all I wanted was to feel needed. I thought… It felt like she needed me every time she wanted something. I didn’t grow up with money, and I was so blind I refused to taint my marriage with things like prenups or contracts. I was stupid. It didn’t take long to realize she wasn’t in it for me. She was in it for my money.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that you’re married and lied to me about it.”