Cole & Jamie

Chapter 26

We were only supposed to circle the block once or twice, but I found myself asking to be taken down to Williamsburg. As we turned down the familiar street, I felt the emotions begin to take over and the tears started flowing. I couldn't stop them. I wiped my eyes and new ones just kept flowing.

"Stop here, please," I croaked, making the driver bring the car to a stop.  Fat raindrops fell from the sky, first as a drizzle then a downpour. I ran from the car with my purse overhead, the small beaded bag didn't protect me from much. If I was out here for too much longer my dress was going to be ruined. My hair too.

I kept punching the number on the call box, praying for an answer. I had to have punched the button over ten times before I got a response.

    A groggy voice came through the speaker. "Hello?"  

    "Jackson, it's me! Can you buzz me in?" I was going to be soaked to the bone if I had to stand out here much longer. "Please, it's raining."

    "Jamie?" he questioned. 

    "Yes! Now, please let me in!"

    As soon as the door unlocked I ran inside. My wet dress dragged across the floor, no doubt getting filthy on the bottom. Normally the thought of this gorgeous gown being ruined by the rain and then dragged across a dirty cement floor would have worried me to no end but I would just have to add it to the growing list of disappointments tonight.

Jackson was waiting for me when I got off the elevator. He stood shirtless in his doorway, a pair of plaid pajama pants low on his hips.

    Soaking wet, I ran into his arms. "Jackson!" I sobbed, "I've missed you."

    "I've missed you too, Darlin'." He put his arms around me, holding me close. "I will say it's a bit late."

    "I'm sorry," I sniffled, suddenly feeling like a terrible burden. "I should have called first." My lower lip trembled. "I can go if you need me to."

    "Don't be ridiculous, you know you are always welcome here." Tilting my head up, he asked, "What's the matter?"

    "Jackson, I feel like such an idiot." Blubbering like a fool, I recounted everything I heard between Cole and Bella, and what he admitted to. The embarrassment was ten times worse the second time around.

    Jackson blinked down at me. "Wow, that is...I'm sorry, Jamie, I don't even know what to say."

    I took a shuddering breath. "I think I made a mistake."

    His thick brows came together in confusion. "And what was that?"

    "We were good friends, and I went and got my feelings involved. Like of course, he wasn't single." I'd seen the stories in magazines over the years. Hell, I even saw him in action in high school. I don't know why I thought I'd experience anything different.

    "Sounds to me like Cole is the one who has made a mistake. And a massive one at that. I mean you're not the one who lied about being in a relationship were you?"

    I sniffled. "No."

    "You have done nothing wrong, Jamie. It was his responsibility to tell you about her and her about you. Don't place blame on yourself."

    " But I feel so dumb," I whimpered. He told me he loved me. He said he came back for me. I'm questioning if all of that was true now. "We had so much history–" I shook my head, "I shouldn't have taken so much stock in that. He had no problem throwing it away before."

    "And that makes him an idiot."

    Normally I would jump to Cole's defense but right now I couldn't find a kind word to say. Jackson steered me in the direction of his bathroom. "Come on let's get you cleaned up and into some dry clothes."

    I sat on the closed toilet seat as he dug in his closet for a clean t-shirt and pajama bottoms. "Thank you for taking care of me."

    "Consider it a debt paid," he said, "You've wiped my tears over undeserving men more times than I can count. It's only right I return the favor." He placed a set of clean pajamas and some fresh towels in my lap before dropping a kiss on my forehead. "Clean up and I'll get the guest bedroom ready for you."

    When he left I remained seated for awhile, staring at the wall. The last time I was in this position I had just called off an engagement and even that didn't hurt like this.

    I took off my gloves and unzipped the back of my dress letting the satin fall to the floor. Grabbing a spare shower cap, I stepped into the shower.

Jackson has done some renovations since I was last here. The water pressure wasn't nearly this good when I lived here. That was about a year ago now.

I didn't think I'd be running back for an escape so soon, but here I am. More man problems.

Frustrated, I scrubbed at my skin, trying and failing to wash the stain of this night off of me. I couldn't stop thinking about Bella. I'm sure whatever I'm feeling now she's felt ten times over these last few months. A sob slipped out at the thought.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. Maybe once I get a good night's sleep, I'll be able to truly face all of this.

I stayed under the spray as long as I could before I started to feel bad about using all of Jackson's hot water. Drying myself off, I tried to clear my head. I was swimming in Jackson's old pajamas. I rolled the waistband of the bottoms three times and they still dragged on the bathroom floor.

My phone buzzed on the bathroom counter. I'd almost forgotten it was even there. The screen was filled with messages, all from him, all varying levels of desperation.

"Where are you?"

"Are you coming back to the hotel?"

"Jamie, I know you're mad at me but please just let me know you're safe."

"I'm at a friends' house. I'm safe." I typed and pressed send. A little part of me wanted to send him my location, but then I thought why should I?

I turned my phone on silent and flipped it face down.

Tomorrow.

That's when I'd deal with all of this mess.