Fight Left In Me ✔

Chapter 8 - Broken

Jo wakes up with a headache and a heavy heart, she touches her necklace with a sigh and closes her eyes. Last night was rough, but Jake stood by her, being her shoulder to cry on. He was the best big brother she could ever want. 

She drags herself out of bed for a shower and braids her hair, before getting dressed. She thinks of Dart, but shakes it off and goes downstairs to find Jake. She is going to keep herself busy today, because feeling sorry for herself is not going to help. 

She finds Jake behind the bar, with the phone in his hand to order some things for the cafe. She walks up to him and leans against him. 

He wraps an arm around her and plants a kiss on her hair. He finishes his phone call and looks at her. "How are you today? Did you get some sleep last night?" He already knows the answer, he can clearly see it on her face, but he wants her to know he is there for her. 

She takes a step away from him, leaning against the bar. "Thank you Jake. For last night, for all the nights and days really. For being the best big brother I never knew I needed. I really don't know what I would do without you. I am not sure what I did to deserve you, but I thank God for leading me here."

Jake swallows and catches his breath. This wonderful young woman, that has been through so much, thinks she's the lucky one, while it's clearly the other way around. "Jo, listen to me. I'm the lucky one. My life was sad and loveless without you. I finally have someone to protect again, someone to give all this love I have inside of me too. You make everything better. And you deserve it all and more. Your love has healed my shattered heart and I'm a better man for it." 

He looks at the floor, suddenly overwhelmed by his own feelings. 

Jo moves over to him, spreading her arms and he moves in for a warm hug. 

"I already miss him so much Jake", she whispers.

"I know sweetie, I can tell. And I know he feels the same way. He was already missing you last night, before he left. Now sit down at the bar, I'll get you some toast and coffee." 

Jo does as she's told and sits down, playing with the charms on her necklace. 

Jake sits down next to her and puts two coffees and a plate of buttered toast on the bar. He looks at the necklace and Jo shows it to him. 

"Well, I don't have to ask who gave that to you. A dart and a heart. Everyone will know it's from him." 

Jo blushes slightly and smiles. "Yeah, I love it." She drinks her coffee and nibbles on the toast, wondering what Dart is doing. She feels stupid for not asking him, but she was a bit afraid of his answer. 

Jake walks towards the door and signs for a package, grinning suspiciously. 

"Jake, you're being sneaky. What are you doing?" 

"It's a surprise, you will find out soon enough. But I need to fiddle with it first. So, you stay put okay?" Jake walks into the kitchen, chuckling. 

Jo gets more curious by the second, keeping her hands busy by drumming on the bar. 

After a while Jake comes in and hands her a cellphone, like it's the holy grail. "Here you go my lady. The perfect way to communicate with all the new people that love you." 

She takes the phone from him and looks at the contacts: Big Brother Jake, Dart, Maria and Ronnell. She laughs at the fact that Jake put big brother in front of his name, to make sure he was on top of the list. "Smart move, big brother! You should be on top of that list." 

The phone beeps in her hand and she looks at Jake, assuming he was the one sending her a message, but he puts his hands up to show her it wasn't him. She looks at the message and her heart starts beating faster, it's from Dart.