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

Chapter 35: Jenalyn

Wednesday, 3:19 P.M.

I'm not even sure where Rob brought me. I already knew he wasn't going to take me back to his place due to all of the eyes that'd undoubtedly be there solely because it's Creekside.

"So what did you designate two whole days with me for to tell me something that literally took ten minutes?" Rob asks. He settles down on a mattress sitting in the middle of an empty room in whatever house he'd brought me to. 

He lights a cigarette and flicks on the TV, his eyes not even bothering to cross mine. 

"That's rude." I say as I halfmindedly text all of the Golds back. "I just figured it'd be good for the baby to like... know its daddy- you won't get to see it much once it's out, you know that right?"

Rob scoffs, but doesn't say anything for a few moments. I toss my phone down and turn to glare at him, knowing he's probably biting his tongue.

"What?" I ask, not even bothering to hold back the snap in my voice. Why does he have to be so insensitive? "Go ahead, say it if you've got something to say!" 

He drops the remote now, finally turning to face me with a smug smile clear across his face. "I just think this is stupid." he says. "Why go through all of this? Just take your ass back to California, have the baby with whoever it is you're fucking now, and voila! You eliminiate almost all of the bullshit Dane would put you and that kid through if he even knew a quarter of the real story."

I don't know why his words hurt me, but they do. 

I honestly gave this more thought than I feel like I give most things- the me and Rob thing. I could easily just say forget him- do exactly what he said and tell Dane it's his, while Tyler takes the fall for Hayden! I just couldn't bring myself to do it! I know how much it'd mean to Rob to have a family again, even if the smallest sense...

It's not much, but it's something! He has nothing!

"You don't even want to try to do this?" I ask unimpressed, unable to keep the disappointment his disinterest causes me from streaking my words.

Rob laughs. "You think we're really going to be some disfunctional long distance family, or something?" he asks, his words snarky. "You really think Dane would let that happen?"

I narrow my eyes- ignoring the hurt and jumping right to the annoyance his words bring me. "You're an asshole, Rob." I snap as I stand to my feet and gather my things. "I was going to try the best that I could, okay? Because I thought it'd mean something to you considering the price you paid for fucking with Dane. But you know what? You clearly deserved that- you don't even fucking care that you could have that back!"

I'm halfway to the door when I hear Rob jump up from the bed behind me, and make his way to me. "Jena, stop..." he says weakly, all bits of snark and sarcasm in his voice completely vanished. "I didn't mean-" 

He stops himself mid sentence, choosing instead to just grab me by the arm and spin me around himself before continuing. I'd fight it any other time- he fucked up, and and I'm right! He probably does deserve nothing!
I let him turn me around to hear him out though, only because deep down, I know he really does want this.

He wouldn't have kept quiet this long if not. He wouldn't have picked me up today...

-and I don't have it in me to take that away from him.

"This is dangerous, Jena." he states, his eyes burning into mine as if to try and penetrate them. "This isn't going to be a walk in the park, okay? Our lives are on the line- it's life is on the line! I just don't want you risking this all over pitying me because of what Dane did. I want my last child to actually get to live. And for as much of a pain in the ass you are? You, too. You'd have that opportunity if you just... leave me out of it."

I can't respond right away. A million thoughts and feelings rush through my mind at a mile a minute, making the process of forming words nearly impossible.

Rob let's out a small sigh, releasing my arm before running his hand through his hair. I don't think he expects me to respond- his demeanor has changed into one of someone completely defeated and maybe even a bit broken.

"You're already in it, Rob..." I manage to say after a few moments, despite all the clamor still rustling through my head. "We're already in it... all three of us."