  &quot;Joey's … An old friend from Queens.&quot; I know how stupid his reaction to the bear was the first time he 'met' him, whether it was in jest or not, it highlighted Jake has a severe jealous side and would probably miss the name of the bear. I hope it makes him suffer in the way he's making me suffer right now. I hang up just as he explodes. Silencing the onslaught of Carrero abuse and craziness. I stand trying to calm the panic surging through me, my body shaking violently and my nerves trembling. Weak and hysterical, my heart pounding through my chest. I know everything is falling apart around me. My world is crumbling.
      I jump as my phone rings and his number flashes across my screen, but I red button him in defiance. He wanted to be an asshole and now he suddenly wants to talk. I reject button him a second time when it rings again.
      ANSWER THE FUCKING PHONE!!!! The t

  &quot;Emma … I want you to know how much I love you … I mean really love you … There's no one else in this world for me. I need you …&quot; He gets up and paces around for a moment, making me feel sick with worry but relieved that this isn't a breakup speech. He comes back to his previous position and swallows hard. &quot;Last night, when I thought you'd done something, after the talk about not wanting to marry me and pretty much breaking up … It fucked me up in the head.&quot; His eyes are focused on my hands and I can see they are filled with unshed tears; he can't look at me. &quot;None of this changes how I feel about you … I need you to know that I still love you every bit as much as I did, I still want the same things with you, and I acted like a complete fucking idiot at the airport … I believe you when you text me that nothing happened. I wish I had the sense to realize it last

  Sarah isn't home when I let myself into the apartment carrying my case. I let Jefferson go, assuring him I can manage and despite his fatherly protests, he is finally gone. I still have a key to the apartment and want nothing more than the coziness of the couch and throws and space to mull over Jake's asshole attitude.
      I text Sarah informing her of my arrival, so she won't be surprised when she gets home but my heart sinks at her response. Marcus has taken her to Florida for a few days to meet his family and she only left this morning. She tells me to help myself to the freezer contents and to call her later. My heart aches but I don't tell her why I'm here.
      Meeting the family equals seriousness. It signals forever!
      Maybe Sarah and Marcus are really making a go of it this time, the thought bothers me, but not as much as it did before. I'm lost now that my stability is

&quot;Joey's … An old friend from Queens.&quot; I know how stupid his reaction to the bear was the first time he 'met' him, whether it was in jest or not, it highlighted Jake has a severe jealous side and would probably miss the name of the bear. I hope it makes him suffer in the way he's making me suffer right now. I hang up just as he explodes. Silencing the onslaught of Carrero abuse and craziness. I stand trying to calm the panic surging through me, my body shaking violently and my nerves trembling. Weak and hysterical, my heart pounding through my chest. I know everything is falling apart around me. My world is crumbling.
      I jump as my phone rings and his number flashes across my screen, but I red button him in defiance. He wanted to be an asshole and now he suddenly wants to talk. I reject button him a second time when it rings again.
      ANSWER THE FUCKING PHONE!!!! The text beeps on almost as soon as I lay it face down on the bed, inner fear sweeping over me, so my bod

Chapter 92