I laughed. “No shit. Mrs. Jenkins?”
“Told her where to find y’all.”
I shook my head. A million different things were running through my head. “What if Liza and I had ended up sleeping together that night?”
I saw the muscles in Layton’s jaw tighten. “I was willing to take that chance. There’s one thing I know for certain about you, Walker. You’re a gentleman. I don’t think you’d allow yourself or Liza to become cheaters. When I saw the two of you dancing together, I knew for certain. I wasn’t sure if you’d stop yourselves or not, so I stepped in.”
I looked down as my heart beat faster. “I’m glad you did. I wish I was that sure of myself, sir. I love her. Just being around her can be a struggle. I’ve had to stop myself a million times from telling her I love her and…well, um…from telling her I—”
He held up his hand. “I get what you’re saying. Stop torturing yourselves—and me.”
I pushed out a breath and said, “I can’t stand the thought of her being with another man. But if she truly loves him, and that is what she wants, I’ll stand back and let her live the life she wants.”
Layton didn’t respond for a few minutes. “What are you going to do son?”
I closed my eyes. “Well, one thing I know is that I have to talk to Jessica.”
Layton nodded. “Walker, I brought you here because a lot of memories—good and bad—happened in this very spot. You can’t go back to the night that you decided to break up. Everything happens for a reason, son. Every road you travel down is because of a decision you made. Some decisions are good, some are bad. Learn from each one. But don’t look back in regret. Always look forward in anticipation of what could still be.”
I smiled at the man who was like a second father to me. I stood and Layton followed.
“Thank you, sir. Thank you for helping to guide me down the right road.”
“I’m always here for you, Walker. I love you like a son.”
I checked the time on my phone. “Jessica should be home by the time I get to her house. I’m going to just head on into Austin and talk to her.”
“I think that is the best thing to do.” Layton shook my hand and pulled me in for a hug. When he pulled back, he winked at me. “Just remember one thing. Don’t sit back and let Liza walk away because you think you’re doing what’s best for her.”
I nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll remember that.”
Layton smiled and slapped me on the back. He and my father liked doing that. Sometimes, I swear, they hit a hell of a lot harder than need be.
“Come on, son. Let’s head on back and fix that fence so you can head to Austin.”
I PULLED UP and parked in front of Jessica’s house. I was about to text her when I noticed a BMW parked in the driveway. I stared at it for the longest time. Why did it look so familiar?
Me: Hey. What are you doing?
A good two minutes passed before she responded.
Jessica: Just about to lay down and take a nap. I’m wiped out. All that traveling just sucked.
Me: Are your parents’ home?
Jessica: No. Just little ol’ me wishing I had your body close.
Me: Is that right?
Jessica: I can’t wait to see you. I’m excited about the adventure we’re about to take. I’m tired of getting myself off and being alone. I want you, baby.
Opening the door to my truck, I got out and made my way up the driveway. I glanced at the BMW and shook my head. I knew where Jessica’s parents kept the spare key. I made my way around the side of the house to the small potted plant that held the ugliest plant I’d ever seen. Jessica’s dad said no one in their right mind would even think to look under that plant for a key. Lifting the pot I stuck my hand under it until I felt the cool metal of the key.
I walked back to the front of the house and prayed like hell that she hadn’t set the alarm as I unlocked the door and slowly opened it. Closing it quietly behind me, I made my way up the stairs and to Jessica’s bedroom. It didn’t take long to hear her moaning. Then she started calling out.
“Yes. Oh, God! Harder. Give it to me harder!”
I closed my eyes and reached for the door. Slowly, I pushed it open and was stunned by what I saw. I was watching Mitchell Cunningham fuck my girlfriend. I cleared my throat, but with the two of them moaning and going at it like wild animals, they couldn’t hear me. I saw one of Jessica’s flip-flops nearby. She always wore flip-flops. Everywhere. It drove me fucking nuts. I picked it up and threw it as hard as I could, hitting Mitchell in the head.
“What the fuck? What’s going…” He turned and saw me leaning on the doorjamb. “Fuck!” He yelled as he jumped up, covered his dick, and searched for his pants.
“Baby what’s wrong?” Jessica turned to see what Mitchell was seeing. The second she saw me, she flew up. “Oh my God. Walker? What…I mean…how did you get in here? I mean…why are you here?”
I raised an eyebrow, remaining silent.
“It’s not what you think,” she said.
I chuckled. “Really, Jessica? ’Cause I’m thinking my girlfriend is fucking another man. How long has it been going on?”
Mitchell looked to Jess, waiting for her to lead him in the lies they were about to tell.
“Walker, baby, can we just talk in private? I swear to you, Mitchell doesn’t mean anything to me. He’s just a fuck. That’s it.”
I glanced at Mitchell. “The night we saw each other at Lunckenbach, you’d been with her that day, hadn’t you?”
Jessica spun around and looked at Mitchell. “What? What day? What night are you talking about?”
Mitchell looked away as he barely said, “Yes.”
I turned back to Jessica. “How long have you been cheating on me?”
She swallowed hard. Then I saw the tears sliding down her face. “I don’t love him. I love you. But, being with him feels right. I’ve been so freaked out about moving to the country and starting this whole new life and…”
I closed my eyes and said, “How. Long. Have. You. Cheated. On. Me?”
“About ten months,” she said.
My heart dropped. I shook my head. “Okay.”
She cocked her head and let out a nervous giggle. “Okay?”
I looked at Mitchell and then back to her. “Yeah. Okay.”
She smiled. “So you…you forgive me?”