Jane was right about one thing. It scared me. She was like my sister, and I wanted to protect her from herself, but at what cost? Jane had to figure herself out on her own, but I just wish she would do it with us, or at least in Mountain View. She was alone, and that’s what scared me the most, because that’s when the doubt settled in and I just… I guess she was right. I didn’t trust her. She was right. Goddammit. I wasn’t ready to let her go, but what choice did I have? It wasn’t up to us anymore. Jane had to figure out if we were worth it. The more I thought about it, I didn’t think this was the last time we would see Jane.

1 week later

I passed by her house, and there was a for sale sign in front. I don’t know if that hurt more than when she said she didn’t love us. Aiden was still hopeful when I told them about it at dinner that night. I think he was just trying to make us feel better. Some nights I saw him staring at his computer, trying to work, and looking lost.

Cal has said little since that day. He was back to his scowls, looking mad every day. I don’t think we would ever get back the Cal who had thawed because of Jane. He was in the gym every day, and I was just waiting for the day he brought someone home to get lost in.

Most days, I stayed home helping Aiden with admin stuff since I couldn’t do shit with my hand. I debated going back to work, but I didn’t know if I could handle the workload. I don’t think the reality of not seeing her again had settled in, and I wasn’t looking forward to that day.

25. Jane

TWENTY-FIVE

Jane

4 weeks after my dirty, lying, cheating, dead husband couldn’t keep his fucking dick in his pants—send wine, fuck the water.

I left my therapist’s office feeling emotionally drained. It was like a hangover that made me feel fuzzy in the head, and I felt the need to just sleep it off. I still had a few things I needed to do before court tomorrow morning. I walked the downtown area, picking up dinner before walking to my car.

“Jane?” The familiar voice made me freeze.

This was the last person I wanted to talk to, and I didn’t know if I had the strength to get through this conversation. I debated running to my car, but I knew that was childish. I turned around slowly, seeing Madie, and her three beautiful children.