All Roads Lead Home (Book #1)

Chapter 5

The drive back to the house is silent. As we pulled out of the parking lot, I slid over next to Jay and he wrapped his arm around my waist. He kept tracing circles on my hip trying to keep me calm. It was working for the most part, but silent tears continued to fall.

As we pull into the driveway I look up at the house. It looks so empty and cold. I wrap my arms around myself and sit up straighter.

"Come on, let's go to bed," Jay says as he reaches for my hand and tries to pull me closer to him.

A shiver runs through me as I look back at the house. I climb out behind him and reach for my purse. He grabs it instead and closes the door.

We walk through the front door and I look around. The phone is still sitting on the floor where it fell, broken from hitting the floor. My journal is still on the table where I left it. Everything is where it should be, but nothing feels right.

"Can we go stay at your house tonight? I can't be here Jay," I say as my eyes fill with more tears.

Jay simply nods his head. "Do you want me to make sure Halloween has some food and water and grab you some clothes?"

I just nod my head and walk into the living room. Jay heads upstairs to get me some clothes. Then he heads into the kitchen and fills the food and water dish for Halloween.

"Ready to go if you are," he says as he comes back into the living room, my gym bag over his shoulder full of clothes and other items.

I stand up and grab my journal, holding it close to my chest. "Did you get my phone charger and toothbrush?"

"No, I didn't because you have them at my house too," he says as he reaches for my hand. "Come on. I got everything you'll need. Halloween will be fine. Let's get you in bed," he says as he grabs my house key from my hand.

I walk behind him and stop as he locks the door behind us. I walk towards his truck and climb in. He pulls me close to him again as he drives away.

As we pull into his driveway his house is dark and his dads car is gone.

"Dad must have got called into work. We'll have the house to ourselves. Come on," he says as he grabs my gym bag again.

We walk to the front door in silence and up the front steps. The automatic light blinds me as it pops on revealing my tear streaked face and the worry on Jay's.

"Do you want to have a bath or just go straight to bed?" Jayden asks as he shuts the door behind us.

"I think I want to have a bath," I say as I slip my shoes off and put them on the shelf.

"Okay I'll get it started for you," he says as he heads towards the bathroom. I just nod my head.

I walk towards the bathroom and watch as he tests the water temperature. He looks up at me and gives me a small smile.

"All set," he says as he dries his hands on his jeans.

"Thanks," I say as I take my sweater off. He starts to walk past me and I grab his arm to stop him.

He looks into my eyes and just pulls me into another hug. He rubs circles on my back again.

"Don't leave me," I say as he holds me close. "Ever."

"I'm not going anywhere Krys. I'm right here, always," he says.

"Good," I say as rest my forehead on his chest.

"But I do need to go and grab you some towels because they're all in the laundry room. I'll be right back," he says as he releases his hold on me.

"Okay," I say as I step away. Jay walks to the door as I strip down to get in the tub.

As I sink into the hot water I hear the door click closed behind me and I know I'm alone.

That single click of the door started a new round of fresh tears.

Jayden's Point of View

I stood in the doorway after telling Krys that I needed to grab her towels and watched as she undressed and climbed into the tub.

After she sits down I close the door and was just about to walk away until I heard her crying again. I sink to the floor and cry with her.

Marcus was always like a second dad to me and was always there for me to talk to when I couldn't talk to my own dad. How can he just be gone?

I sit and cry outside the door along with her for several minutes before getting up and walking to the laundry room.

Marcus said I need to be strong for her and that I need to protect her like she did after mom died. That's what I'm going to do.

I walk back up to the bathroom door and knock lightly.

"You can come in Jay," she says quietly.

"Got you some towels. They're right out of the dryer so they're still warm," I say as she stands up and wraps one around her wet hair.

"Thanks," she says as she wraps herself in the larger towel. I just nod and walk towards the door.

"I've got your bag in my room already. Let's go to bed."

She nods her head and grabs my hand as we walk to my room.

She goes to my shirt drawer and grabs a t-shirt as I strip down to my boxers. She grabs a pair of her underwear from the bag and slips them on under my shirt.

I grab the brush from her hand as she begins to brush her hair and finish it for her. I watch as she braids her hair.

We climb into my bed and she curls into my chest and I simply hold her as she cries some more tears while she falls asleep. I wait until she's sound asleep before I cry myself to sleep.