Page 10 of Stopping Short

I have no doubt he’s hurt I didn’t tell him about the engagement. He doesn’t know I don’t plan on going through with this. I just need to get through the next few weeks, then this will all be over.

I watch the female bartender flirting with Jackson. I'm not surprised. He’s more attractive than any other man in this bar. There’s something about him that just pulls you in and makes you want to hold all of his attention.

I swear whenever I talk to him, he makes me feel like the most important person in the universe. Like no one else has ever cared about me compared to how he feels. It’s intoxicating. Addicting. Exactly what I want to feel from the person I love.

Swallowing hard, I shake my head and try to focus on the here and now. There’s nothing I can do about Evan tonight, but I can talk to Jackson. I can make sure he gives me a chance to explain things… but he has to come back over here.

A few minutes later, he stands from the bar with an almost full glass in his hand. I'm not sure what’s in that cup, but he keeps taking small sips of it. He slowly makes his way over to the high-top tables we’re at. He doesn’t seem like he’s in a hurry to get to me and that makes an ache spread through my chest.

Why do I feel like I'm losing him?

I want to close the distance between us and throw myself into his arms. I want to explain everything to him and tell him how this is all a misunderstanding. But I can’t do any of that in front of Evan. I have to wait until we have some time alone.

Jackson smiles at one of Evan’s friends as they talk, but it doesn’t meet his eyes. He looks nothing like the happy man I'm used to seeing. He looks brokenhearted. But that doesn’t make sense.

He keeps sipping on his drink, but I swear it isn’t beer. Jackson never drinks beer. He’s more of a whiskey guy… but that’s a lot of whiskey.

He glances over at me like he can feel my gaze on him. He offers me a smile, but it’s weak and we both know it. He doesn’t want to be here. He wants to leave and Evan’s to blame for that.

I'm to blame.

I never should’ve said yes. I should’ve turned him down and left with my head held high. Instead, I'm living with this weight on my shoulder. I know it won't be going anywhere until I end things with Evan.

“I’m going to say hi to a friend I just saw. I’ll be back soon,” Evan murmurs in my ear before disappearing into the crowd.

Jennifer takes his spot at my side and leans in close. She’s the best friend I could ask for. The one I know I can count on no matter what.

“What can I do? You look so sad.” She leans her head against my shoulder.

“I wish I never did this. I should’ve just walked away last week. I don’t want him.”

“Because you want Jackson.” She nods her head. “And based on his response since Evan dropped the news, he wants you too.”

“What do I do?”

“Well, I don’t think he’s going to stay much longer. He’s drinking straight up whiskey and there’s zero chance of him finishing that entire thing. Plus, he keeps checking his phone. He’s trying to find a way out without upsetting you. I say you tell him the truth. Either here or meet him at his hotel. Either way, tell him the truth before he goes home.”

“I think you’re right.”

I move to go talk to him, but he turns his back towards me and heads towards the bathrooms. I watch him go, hoping and praying this won't be how our relationship ends. I can’t watch him walk away from me. I need him in my life.

Chapter 8

Jackson

I can’t do this.

I can’t talk to all of her friends, laughing and smiling like nothing is wrong. Like my heart isn’t breaking inside my chest every time he touches her.

“Excuse me,” I murmur before spinning around and looking for the bathroom.

If I keep sipping on this whiskey, I’ll blackout and forget all about what happened tonight. As much as that sounds appealing, I need to stay in control. I need to remember she isn’t mine and there’s nothing I can do to change that.

I head towards the hallway containing the bathrooms, placing my drink on a random table so I don’t need to take it into the bathroom with me. As I go, I pass by Evan talking to a woman. He looks a little too close to her for being a newly engaged man.

I eye him as I go, but I don’t stop. I need to splash some cold water on my face and take a breath before I do something I’ll regret.

Shutting the bathroom door behind me, I place my hands on the sink and stare at myself in the mirror. This morning when I left Philadelphia, I was happy. I couldn’t wait to get here and hold Harper in my arms. Now, I look like a completely different man. I look like I’ve been through the wringer and back again.