Burden

*~chapter forty~*

*~jaspers pov~*

Sitting at my desk, I watch as Maeve gathers her things and prepares to leave. It's that time of day when she heads out earlier to pick up the twins. She moves with a mix of efficiency and care, making sure she has everything she needs for the evening.

As she slips her bag over her shoulder and gives a quick wave, I can see the familiar look of determination on her face. She's focused, her thoughts clearly on the twins and the evening ahead. I catch her before she heads out.

Sitting at my desk, I watch as Maeve gathers her things and prepares to leave. It's that time of day when she heads out earlier to pick up the twins. She moves with a mix of efficiency and care, making sure she has everything she needs for the evening.

As she slips her bag over her shoulder and gives a quick wave, I can see the familiar look of determination on her face. She's focused, her thoughts clearly on the twins and the evening ahead. I catch her before she heads out.

"Bye, Mae," I say awkwardly, feeling a bit self-conscious for some reason.

"See you later," she replies, her cheeks flushing a faint red. There's a hint of surprise in her expression, but she quickly recovers with a warm smile.

I watch her leave, wondering why I felt the urge to say something. It's not like I won't see her when she picks up the twins later. Still, the brief exchange leaves me with a lingering sense of curiosity and a slight smile.

Heading back to finish off my work, a couple of hours later it's around 7:00 PM. I grab my suit jacket, phone, and keys, then head to my car, making my way home.

As I enter the house, I hear the sounds of laughter and talking. Curiosity piqued, I glance into the kitchen and see Maeve's friend Alexa and presumably her boyfriend, Jack. They're chatting animatedly, clearly enjoying each other's company.

I remember that Scott had mentioned wanting a game night tonight. Part of me suspects it's just an excuse to drink and avoid getting into trouble, but the thought of socializing with two strangers isn't exactly appealing. Still, the idea of being around Maeve makes my heart beat in a way I can't quite understand. It feels almost overwhelming, and for a moment, I wonder if there's something wrong with me. Maybe I'm just overthinking it.

"Jasper!" A loud, aggravating voice cuts through the room. Finn. What the hell is he doing here? I glance at Scott, who's completely oblivious to the tension and is already chatting with Finn.

Maeve, on the other hand, clearly looks irritated. She's trying to mask her frustration with a forced smile, but it's evident she's not thrilled about Finn's presence.

Finn strolls into the kitchen, completely unfazed by the mood shift. I watch the scene unfold with growing annoyance and curiosity.

I say hello to everyone, quickly putting my stuff down, and then head straight for Jasper. I grab him by the arm and pull him into the hallway, away from the lively conversation.

"What the fuck is going on?" I demand, my frustration boiling over. I need to know why Scott thought this was a good idea.

Scott raises his hands defensively. "I know, it was a terrible move to invite him. He stood her up, and bringing him here was a mistake."

"Ya think?" I retort, my gaze piercing as I wait for more details. "What were you thinking, Scott?"

"Well, he did explain himself to us the other day," Scott says, looking uncomfortable. "He said he wanted to talk to Maeve and make things right. I thought inviting him might give them a chance to sort things out."

"Well, if that's the case, then he and Maeve can hash it out," I mutter, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. When I return to the lounge room, I see Maeve and Finn on the couch, laughing together. My frustration flares up again. What the hell is going on here?