The Price Of Love

Chapter 42

**1 Year Later**

Jay's POV

I stare at the closed door ahead of me, completely zoning out the man talking in my ear.

"You get the title in six months and I won't give it to you if I don't think you're fucking worthy!-"

I drone him out.

These phone calls are unfortunately daily ever since we hit the one-year countdown until I take over.

I sit in my office chair every day, wishing I could just ignore his calls, but I know better than that. It would only cause one of his tantrums.

My eyes look around my office, scanning for anything interesting I can use to further zone out Issac.

My eyes land on the photo frame on my desk.

The picture is of Clayton, Charlotte and the twins. Elijah took it on Clayton's thirteenth birthday a few months ago.

Elijah is holding the phone, smiling largely, while Ezra stands close beside him, one arm around little Charlotte's shoulder while the other hand is loosely around Clayton's shoulder.

Charlotte grins, showcasing her missing front tooth. Clayton has his arms crossed over his chest, attempting to glare at the camera but his lips fight a smile.

Clayton sent it to me in a letter, with the words, 'We're alive. Calm down' written on the back

"Jayson tell me you're fucking listening to me!"

I sigh, pissed he drew my mind back to the present. "Yes", I say, not bothering to say anything else.

"You need!-" I drone him out again.

Removing my phone from my ear, I put him on speaker, before tossing my phone onto my desk.

Leaning back in my chair, I cover my face with my hands, beyond exhausted despite it only being two pm.

My door suddenly opens.

I remove my hands from my face, immediately spotting Talia. She smiles at me, and I find myself smiling back.

"Miss me?" She says teasingly, walking over while I just watch her. "Tell the bitch to fuck off!-"

"Fuck off Issac" Talia mutters, and I take that as a cue to hang up the call. Talia reaches me, and my hands go straight to her hips where I pull her forward and onto my lap.

Her hand is cupping my face next, and in seconds my lips are on hers.

She laughs, before kissing me back as her hands slip around my neck and lock, hanging loosely while I feel myself relax.

She pulls away, smiling at me largely. "Good class?" I whisper, leaning back in my chair and bringing her with me. Her chest presses against mine, and her face stays close to mine.

Talias in her first year of college, studying psychology. She loves it, and I love that she's happy.

Talia grins at my question. "Guess who fucking aced their mid-term exam?" She says, and I smile. "I don't need to guess," I tell her simply, and she snorts before closing the gap between us, pressing her lips to mine again.

It's been nineteen months.

One year and seven months.

I fucking hate Wisconsin.

But Talia makes it bearable.

She holds me together. Stops me from falling apart- from losing my mind.