Page 88 of The Other Side

“If you don’t, at least I got to see you on your twenty-eighth birthday,” he says.

“Don’t go.”

I hardly whisper the words through quivering lips.

I know I have to walk back, and my legs slowly retreat from his proximity. My body continues to face his truck, and all I want is for him to just toss me over his shoulder. Lug me in his Tacoma, and steer us into the sinking sun above.

His presence is like a damn EpiPen stabbing my thigh, blasting my airways open.

A couple hours ago, I fought to breathe. Now, I’m beautifully overwhelmed with oxygen.

My chest pumps viciously when his engine roars to life. I spin in the opposite direction, my hand flying to my forehead when I trek over the blacktop.

All the way to the entrance of the restaurant.

The ashes of his touch burn into my skin, the debris filling every hollow pocket inside me.

Ten years ago, I ran away from everything I once knew.

Ten years later, I’m running right back to it.

Chapter 27

Callie Rae

The tires of Jesse’s M8 roll along the stone pavers of the driveway. I’ve managed to respond to his rambling through single syllable words for the ride home.

My belly jumps when we park in the garage. He swings the car door open, and my pulse skyrockets as I tug the passenger-side handle.

I step onto the concrete, swinging the door shut behind me. And as soon as Jesse’s murmuring grows distant, I steer my body away.

Before he can press the rocker to lower the garage door, I scurry to greet my Range Rover in the driveway.

“Callie! Hey!”

My chest heaves when my body twirls. I lay my back against the door, wrapping my palm around the lever.

Only to fasten my grip when Jesse invades my space.

“What the hell are you doing?” His dark eyes are saucers as a pout spreads over his face. “What is this?”

I tip my chin up, shaking my head as tears pierce my eyes. “I’ll scream. I swear, I’ll scream,” I whisper.

His lips part before his head shifts to the window beside me. He leans closer to it, laying a hand on the tinted glass to peek through. I clutch the door handle tighter, white-knuckling it as my heart beats my chest to smithereens.

When Jesse lifts up, he pivots his attention to me. Disbelief is etched in every crevice of his face. “You packed a bag. You planned this.”

I knew Jesse wouldn’t be late to an important investment meeting. He certainly wouldn’t miss it for anything. It’s abrupt, but this is the only opening I have.

The last couple days were spent gathering a week’s worth of clothes and toiletries under Jesse’s nose.

Until I can figure out a permanent plan, this is all I have right now.

It’ll have to do.

I fight a swallow through the stone wedged in my throat. “I’ll be back for the rest of my things,” I croak out, lifting my hands to reach behind my neck. “Here⁠—”

Jesse’s arms cage me in an instant. I gasp, my back pressing into the side of my Rover.