Three years after his mother's death, Noah Reed is lost once again. Unsure of where to go after running from his problems for so long, he ends up back home, wanting a place to finally settle down. He's ready to tie up loose ends and to try and corre...
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"She's barely talked to me all week."
Jess is visibly upset, and her revelation only confirms my suspicions.
"I'm not even sure what to do at this point," she admits, swirling the straw around in her glass of sweet tea. "We've never fought before. I don't know how to get through to her."
I remain silent as Jess vents to me, understanding that Jess is the type of person who likes to get her feelings out without interruption. However, knowing this about her isn't the only reason I can't seem to find anything to say. The truth is, I feel guilty. I hadn't wanted to return to this town to wreck havoc on Blake's life, though it seems like that's all I've done for her so far—including her relationship with Jess, who has been her best friend since childhood.
"I've seen her once since we fought," Jess continues, staring at her glass as she watches the condensation drip off of it, "and that was only because I walked in on her while she was packing a suitcase. She's been staying with her parents over the past week. I managed to get a few words out of her before she left. Apparently she invited Dylan over to meet her family and things didn't go well. She hasn't been talking to him much these past few days either."
I raise my eyebrows at this news. I listen as Jess continues to rant for a few more minutes, though she pauses when she notices that I haven't contributed much to the conversation.
Glancing at me expectantly from across the table, she asks, "So? Have anything to say?"
"I'm not sure what you want me to say . . ."
"There's nothing I want you to say," Jess corrects me. "I'm just sick of hearing my own voice. Tell me what you think about all of this."
"You want to know what I think?"
"I know it's hard to believe," Jess retorts, "but yes. I would like to hear your opinion on my ridiculously dramatic life."
"I think . . ." I trail off, trying to find the words I want to say. "I guess I'm just curious as to why you're here with me now if Blake was so upset about you hanging out with me."
Jess's expression turns thoughtful as she purses her lips, gaze wandering somewhere past me. "Honestly? I don't get why I shouldn't be here. You're back in town, and I would rather take advantage of that fact than ignore it. The last thing I want to do is upset Blake, but I also know that she'll get over this. It's a small town. You and I seeing each other is inevitable. Deep down, I think she knows that." Jess opens her mouth like she wants to say more, then seems to think better of it.
"You might as well just say it, Jess," I tease, leaning back in my seat. "We both know you're not very good at keeping your mouth shut."
Jess narrows her eyes at me before balling up a napkin and throwing it my way. I flick the paper away from me with the back of my hand before it can hit me, waiting for her to continue speaking.
