YOURS forever (JENLISA)

CHAPTER 9

Jennie POV

There’s no way this is going to be good. Not one single scenario I’ve run through will yield a positive outcome, so I’m going to suck it up. I can’t change it, might as well face it. I throw on clothes and walk back out to the hall where Lisa is leaning against the wall.

“If you want to finish this conversation, you won’t be a jerk,” I warn as I walk by her, but she just watches me. When I open the door, Taehyung stands there wearing a pair of jeans and worn T-shirt.

“Hey.” Taehyung smiles.

“Hi,” I say as regret floods through me. I hate myself for this. I know he’ll play it cool, but I ended our date and then slept with my ex-girlfriend. I’m a horrible bitch. I deserve to die a lonely cow. “Listen, Tae,” I say as I put my hand on his arm and push us both outside. “Lisa is here.”

I close the door so Lisa won’t hear my conversation with Taehyung. It’s bad enough they’re both here. The least I can do is try to make this less uncomfortable.

Taehyung nods. “I saw her car.”

Right. Okay, and he still stopped by? I’m so confused, and the alcohol fog mixed with regret isn’t helping.

Taehyung steps forward and puts his hand to my cheek. “You don’t look so good, you feelin’ okay? Are you sick?”

Does mentally unstable fall under that category? If so, I’m most definitely sick.

“No, I’m not feelin’ okay.”

“I can get you some medicine if you need it.”

Why does he have to be so sweet? Why can’t he call me a slut or worse and tell me he hates me? It would be no less than I deserve. I slept with Lisa, and now he’s here because he’s a good guy. Not because he wants to take advantage of me, but because he cares.

What is wrong with me?

I shake my head and drop my arm. I hate myself right now. I’m so confused, and I don’t know what is real anymore. In this moment, I don’t trust myself at all.

All I know is that Taehyung doesn’t deserve this. And I don’t deserve him or his friendship.

“I’m not sick—not in the physical way, at least. And you’re so sweet to offer to take care of me. I’m . . .” I pause, trying to think of the right words to say, “I’m . . . I’m so sorry, Tae.” I touch his arm and pray he hears the sincerity in my voice. “I’m awful. I’m so awful and I’m so sorry. I swear, I never meant for any of this to happen. I hate myself right now.”

“Jennie.” Taehyung lets out a heavy sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I don’t like it, but I’m not your boyfriend. You don’t owe me an explanation. I basically had to twist your arm to get you to go on a date with me. It really wouldn’t be fair of me to give you shit about somethin’ I have no right to be upset about. It just means I’m going to have to step up my game so you call me the next time you need someone.”

I stand completely immobilized by his words.

Did he seriously say that? Any of it? I would be ripping some girl’s hair out if the roles were reversed.

The door opens behind me and Lisa walks out. “Good morning, Taehyung.”

“Lisa,” Taehyung replies and then blows a long breath from his nose, seemingly in an attempt to keep calm.

“Have a good night, Tae? I sure did.”

I’m going to kill her.

Taehyung shifts his body weight forward, and I intervene. “What time is your fishing thing today? Don’t you need to be going?”