CHAPTER263
My breath catches in my throat at the last one, a mix of heartbreak and something else, a tingle of something I can’t even pinpoint. I should be angry with the way he’s text me but strangely I’m not. He should be groveling at my feet for my forgiveness.
This is the Jake I need to see. The one who ignores all and comes pounding after me regardless. The Jake who came after me to Chicago despite me saying no. The Jake who always pursues me because he can’t help being the dominant one.
Do I want Jake to show up and break down my door just to see me? Prove to me he will fight for me? Maybe I do. Maybe it’s partly what I need from him, that instinctual way he cuts through everything, to come for me regardless of protest.
I shake the thought aside and open my email app, logging into my personal account quickly, before I can linger on my confusing thoughts, there are two.
Jake Carrero has sent you an iTunes song.
Jake Carrero has sent you Beyoncé–Halo.
Attached message – I never had a way to resist letting you in, you’re my angel baby. The light in my world, the reason I want to be better, you’re in everything I look at, you’re always around me even when you’re not here. You’re the voice in my head that tells me to be a better man. I waited a lifetime to find you and I’m not going to lose you now. Talk to me Emma, Please. I need to know what you’re feeling and thinking. I won’t just lose you without a fight. Xx J.
The use of our old mode of communication hits me like a punch to the heart; painful yet not. Memories of how sweet he can be, how attentive, funny, and loving. It confuses me more and despite myself I press play on the song as I agonize over his sweet words.
Listening to it almost breaks me, more tears and more internal assault, as I imagine Jake saying every single word to me. I can’t stop the ache of longing or the insane depths to which I miss him. Each lyric clawing at me reminding me of all the good in him and the way he shows me love, the way he’s always expressed his devotion without any hesitation, it hurts so much.
When the song ends, it lingers in my head for a while before I have the strength to read his last email. Thoughts of his touch, his kiss, his heart like a bittersweet torture.
I tried your cell and got your answering machine a dozen times. I hate that you don’t want to talk to me. Just tell me what to do, baby … Please. I’m literally on my knees begging here. Xxxx J
I have no clue in which order the emails and texts were sent, my head too frazzled to care. The point is I’ve done it. I’ve read them, despite the emotional turmoil, the tears, and the ache to see him and yet, I’m still breathing.
The salty warm tears are pouring down my face and I slump back onto my bed staring at the ceiling, my head a whirling mass of crazy emotions and thoughts. I don’t know what to say to him or what I need from him. I’ve never been here before, never dealt with this kind of heart ache, or been in a situation where I’ve freely given my trust away only to have it wrenched apart like a worthless rag. The thought of never seeing him again destroys me but the thought of him brings a full vision of his mouth on hers that tortures me. I’m so stuck between two excruciating realities I can’t breathe.
I hold the phone above my face and read his texts once more, wanting his nearness through the only contact I’ve allowed. My heart constricts and twists inside of me. I devour the messages over and over, memorizing them until etched into my heart, absorbing the words, letting the slice of agony they cause dim. Trying to find calm in my chaos yet still being connected to him in some small way.
What do I say? If I say nothing he’ll come here at some point, I know him. Jake won’t sit back forever and wait. Do I even want him to come?
I don’t know if that’s what I want; my mind and body are at odds with one another, fighting a grand battle to the death. Self-preservation, PA Emma, telling me to keep him out, the new weaker me begging to let him come.
I sit up, take a deep breath, and wipe my face, steeling myself to do this; to do something. I don’t want him to sit suffering with my silence indefinitely, despite the pain he’s caused me. I can’t do that to him. I can’t keep inflicting silence when he’s trying in any way possible to reach out to me. My hands tremble as I impulsively type a response.
I needed head space to think. I’m confused and heartbroken. You hurt me. I don’t know what I need from you so how can I tell you what to do? X Emma.
I look at the text before I send it then inhale heavily, emotions swirling up again, my hands shaking violently. If I don’t know how to deal with my head, then what chance does he have? This day may kill me after all.
My phone beeps seconds later. My heart skipping a beat, and when I swipe my phone my fingers shake.
Let me pick you up so we can talk face to face. X J
I inhale sharply as panic sets in knowing it’s too soon. I don’t know if I can handle seeing him right now. My heart bleeds that he’s so quick to connect, like he’s been waiting, it feels like he’s right here beside me. But he’s not, he’s somewhere alone, mirroring what I’m doing, touching me instantly when I need him, like he always has done.
What happens if I can never handle seeing him again? What happens if this destroys everything, so I can never move on? Maybe it’s better to try to see what happens rather than hide and die a slow painful death of heartbreak?
I grab onto my hair at the temples of my head tugging in frustration, my emotions and brain are tormenting me relentlessly. I can’t pick one path to follow and it’s driving me insane."
