Redemption(18)

I wiped my tears and stood there, glaring at him. I was determined to stay strong. I was determined to be focused and not let him back into my heart…no matter how much I wanted him there.

As I stood there, our eyes locked. I could see enough to know that the look in his eyes was just a reflection of my own. He looked as broken as me.

“I can tell you want to fix us, but you can’t fix something that’s shredded into a million pieces. You can’t fix the agonizing pain I feel on a daily basis knowing that the two people who meant the world to me, the only ones who I ever trusted, betrayed me. I wish you could fix us, Dean. By fuck, I wish you could. But you can’t undo what’s been done.”

He shook his head and I saw the agony in his eyes. “I won’t believe I can never heal you, Tyler. I will heal you. I will pick up every single fucking piece and I will put it back together again. I promise you that. I promise that I will never fucking let you down again. I promise to make you feel like the most worshipped woman again because you deserve it all, Tyler. You deserve the fucking world. I will give you anything you ask, but the one thing I can’t agree to is losing you. That is the one thing you can’t ask of me.” He stepped forward and placed a lingering kiss on my head before moving toward the window. “You better tell ‘khaki’ to put his gloves on, Tyler…because he’s in for a damn good fucking fight.”

Just like that, Dean disappeared, and just like that, I was right back where I started.







I didn’t know what to expect in the coming days. I knew Dean was going to make himself known, but I didn’t know how. I found out as much when I went around to visit Evan later on the next day. After receiving a call from Tara, begging me to go out with her, he texted to let me know he was awake and wanted to see me, so I drove around there. Greeting me at the door was Clarissa, his house cleaner, cook, ironer, et cetera. She was basically like his mum because he barely had time to look after himself.

“Jessica, how nice to see you. Come in.” I smiled warmly and walked through the door.

She was a hard worker and a lovely girl. She was originally from China, and was very small with silky, jet black hair and dark brown eyes. Her parents moved to America when she was a little girl. Her father was a nuclear technician of some sort, and was hired by a firm in Washington D.C. She loved it here and, quite frankly, so did I. I could see why my sister had fallen in love with the country.

“How’s your husband?” Last time I spoke with her, she told me he had a bad bout of vomiting and diarrhea.

“He’s fine now. It was one of those twenty-four hour bugs. He was a little weak yesterday, but he’s much better now. Thank you for asking. How is Jeremy?”

I smiled. “He’s a lot better, thanks. He’s with my parents and they’re spoiling him, so he’s in no rush to come home.” I laughed, but I felt that jolt through my stomach. I missed him so much.

“Jessica, you look amazing.”

Evan came down the stairs, wearing his khaki’s again. It was wicked of me, but I couldn’t help but smile.

I looked down at my navy capris and raised my eyebrow. “Seriously? In this old thing?”

Evan shook his head and came in for a kiss. “You’d look good in anything.”

“I’ll leave you two alone,” Clarissa said, smiling. The phone rang, so she went running to answer.

“How are you feeling today? I missed you when I came home this morning. I wanted to come over and finish what we started yesterday, but I didn’t want to wake you.” He kissed my hand and I smiled at him. It was so strange being with Evan after my encounter with Dean last night. I couldn’t seem to get him out of my head.

“I’m fine, Evan. I was safe and sound, tucked up in bed. I slept like a baby.”

Evan closed his eyes and silently hummed. “I’m sorry I missed that.”

Clarissa came rushing back in. “Erm, sorry to disturb you, Dr. Connor, but a Mr. Bundy from the hospital rang. He said you needed to come down ASAP. Something to do with some meddling kids.” She frowned. After the initial shock, it took everything in my willpower not to laugh. No doubt Dean was following me again and knew I was here. I didn’t think he would allow me alone with Evan ever again now.

Evan looked at me, a confused expression on his face. “I have no idea what this is about, so I better go check it out. Are you free this evening? I want to talk to you. I thought we could go out for dinner.”

I shook my head. “I can’t tonight. I’m going out with Tara.” I smiled, but Evan looked disappointed.