Jenalyn: A Splitting Personality (#2) [Complete]

Chapter 14: Jenalyn

Sunday, 2:49 P.M.

Evelyn isn't even here...

Maybe she's on her way? Where did she even go, and when? And why was Rob so weird about it when he told me?!

A million questions flood my mind, but I just take a deep breath and clear them as I carefully climb up onto the wooden table that sits across from the swings.

I open my phone- partially to pass the time, but mostly because I can't get Tyler out of my head.

Tyler: No.. I'm sorry 
I acted like that after
everything happened...
Tyler: You're really 
young, you're Harlee's
...little sister? My 
brother is like, in love
with you. And I'm just
sitting over here unable
to get you off my mind...

I finally get around to opening Tyler's reply. Knowing Ty, and who he is behind the lens I've been viewing him through for all of these years makes me want to downplay the replies. I try not to let my heart jump in my chest, and a smile form on my lips. 

I can't help it though, it all happens so much faster than my mind can process. I quickly begin to type a reply.

Hayden: I think you're
thinking into it too hard..
just let it happen 😊
Hayden: I'll see you in a
few days? 

I want to say more, but I know I can't. I know I can't because this isn't a conversation I'll be able to keep up while spending time in Pennsylvania with Dane.

I know I can't because Tyler is a Hayden thing, and until I'm on that plane headed back to California- I can't be Hayden anymore.

The idea of Tyler being Hayden's boyfriend sticks with me though... Haylie did say to find a guy I can bring home to Mama Gold- and well, they're already so well acquainted, right?! 

I let out a small laugh thinking about it. Yeah... right. 

"Ev isn't coming, she's on your run." I hear from over my shoulder, startling me. I immediately recognize it as Rob's voice, and quickly work to shove my phone in my pocket before turning around. 

"My run?" I ask, confused- moreso because I don't understand why he called me out here then...

Rob nods his head as he finally reaches where I still sit on the picnic table. "Yeah, the one you're not on?" he says as he lights a cigarette. "She is." 

I try not to let the realization hurt me- Evelyn does this every single day. It sucks, it always has sucked- but I can't feel bad, like I caused her something she wasn't going to go through already...

right? 

"Oh," I mumble, lowering my head to try to reel in the guilt I can't help from washing over me. I'm at a loss for words for a few moments until I'm able to re-process that I still don't know why he made me come out here. "So... you just thought I needed fresh air, or...?"

Rob's eyes roll, but not in the way I've seen so many times before. This time, a faint smile I can tell I'm not supposed to see hides behind his lips. 

"You know his apartment is bugged..." he says matter of factly, and as if he was going to say more but decided last minute not to. 

I don't say anything for a few moments, allowing him time to because I'm still a little confused. I'm completely aware that Dane has cameras and sound feed connected to his personal phone- I haven't been away that long! 

He doesn't continue though, he just stands there hitting his cigarette rather nervously for his usual demeanor. 

I can't help myself from letting out a frustrated sigh. Since when do I ever have to drag things out of Rob like he's a fricken child? 

"Okay?!" I snap unintentionally, "-and do you have something to say that a bug shouldn't pick up, or are we just out here to stare at each other and feel awkward?"

Rob let's out another laugh. He narrows his eyes at me for a moment as if to try to gage me. He let's out a small sigh. 

"I gotta tell Dane about what happened." He forces out after a second, his demeanor suddenly more nervous than before. "I gotta tell him, because he asks about that night like he knows already Jen- and I don't know how I've put off answering this long, but I'm not lying anymore. We fucked up, and we have to deal with the consequences. That shit shouldn't have happened..." 

The air supply on this Earth feels like it's instantaneously sucked dry, and I'm pretty sure I've just gasped in my last breath ever. 

"Are you crazy?!" I ask, panicked. I can't help from trying to tell myself I heard him wrong- Rob isn't fucking stupid! Rob doesn't have a death wish!!

"I wanted to let you know before I did it." He goes on after a second, ignoring my words all together as he seemingly forces out the last bit. "-and I'm going to wait until you're out of here again so I can at least try to... ya know, spare you or some shit. I know you've always been 'that special one' but I swear- we fucked up. The both of us. "

I can barely hear his words. My ears ring so loud they hurt! "You can't do that." I say, shaking my head and jumping down from the table to try and approach him. "You can't fucking do that, Rob! Don't be stupid!"

Rob backs away from me almost as if I were a disease. He shakes his head like he's trying to shake out the literal words I say to him. "I was stupid- shit, I am stupid! Okay?!" he practically yells at me. 

I don't know what else to do- I try to throw a punch at his chest, but he blocks me, and goes on to tell me it'll be okay.

It only frustrates me more because it will NOT be okay.

I try to reason with him, and help him come up with a cover story like we should have done from the start if he was that worried about it- he doesn't want to hear it though. 

I can tell I'm going to be sick again. I'm going to throw up, and I don't know if it's because every single one of my nerves is firing off right now in a state of alarm, or if the baby is trying to say something.

I take a deep breath. "I'm pregnant!" I practically have to yell over Rob, who still goes on about how he has to tell Dane to make this right. 

At first, Rob ignores me. It seems like it takes a few seconds for my voice to travel to his ears- though honestly, I'm pretty sure I heard it echo between the apartment buildings surrounding us. When they finally do make it to his ears though, his lips finally stop moving. He looks more confused than anything. 

"Good for you!" He practically spits, "You know his rules! -the fuck are you telling me... for..."

I watch it hit him. I can literally see it on his face. First, his eyes widen at the realization. Then they narrow as he questions my honesty, and even the possibility of it. Rob has told me about his.. 'issues,' and aside from the lifestyle, why he could probably never have children again. 

"I know what you're thinking-" I find myself saying, "-but please just be open to this possibility Rob, and work with me!"

He looks like he's in a state of shock- panic even! He doesn't move at all though, so I continue. I can not let him ruin this...

"We can't let him take this one, Rob..." I practically plead, lowering my voice as I, unexpectedly to him, take his hand in mine. "Think about it? Please- if anything... just think about it. Remember your family... Remember what he took! If you have one single miracle left on this Earth, are you willing to let him take it?"