Wednesday, December 17, 2008

One-Hundred



Just a quick note - One hundred? Yikes... never thought I'd see it this far. So thank you so much for YOU the readers making it possible and keeping me motivated, you truly have no idea how much it means to me :) so Enjoy!



Jesse cranked the handbrake on and killed the ignition. She leaned back pressing into the headrest and sighed. She was back. Time to go and face him. She'd been in completely a different world driving home and that was obvious when she'd nearly rear ended a Volvo. As much as she wanted to be angry, yell and scream at him she knew she'd just have to hear him out.

Locking the car and adjusting her coat she found her way back to the double doors of the apartment, she jammed her key in the door and opened it walking through to the living area. Jon was lying asleep on the couch, alone. Carol must have gone as there was no sign of anyone.

She stood for a few seconds, just watching him, his hand was strewn across his belly and his head turned to face her. His eyes still closed, with the stray tuffs of cinnamon framing his face. He looked so peaceful, and harmless. Not like the rough mob man she was painting in her head.

She placed her keys and purse down on the table quietly and thought about making some coffee and organizing some dinner when a small groan came from the couch.
His eyes were cracking open as he saw her he went to sit up.

"Jess?"

"Hey, just stay there Hun... I'm just going to get some coffee and I'll be right back." She walked to the couch and pressed her hand against his shoulder when he ignored her. "Just stay. I'm not going anywhere k?" she said softly.

He nodded, his eyes still full of sleep "Ok"

He watched her walk to the kitchen, thank god she was home. That was a good sign right? He'd get time to explain why he did it and what an idiot he was. And pray like hell she'd forgive him.

Jesse made two cups of coffee took a deep breath walking slowly back into the living area. She placed them both down carefully on the table. Jon was still lying with his feet up on the arm of the couch.

"I'm glad your back Jess" he said running his fingers down her arm as she perched herself on the side of the couch. "You are back aren't you?" he asked his eyes fixing on hers and the creases in his forehead deepening.

She nodded "Of course I'm back". The bruising around his face was still a shadow of what had been. She dragged her finger down his cheek slowly. "This could of all been avoided Jon" she said quietly.

Her brown sad eyes hit him hard. Of course it could have been avoided but he was ok right? A few bruises, a cracked rib. It would all heal. "I'm sorry Jess, I made a terrible mistake not telling you" he wrapped his fingers around hers and brought her hand to his lips.

She blinked away the tears that pricked at the corners of her eyes and nodded. "I don't know if I'm angrier that you did it, or more angry you know how to do it? The mob Jon? I mean hell?" the crack in her voice escaped.

He pulled himself up slowly with no protest from her. "Come here" he said patting the space beside him on the couch.

She nodded sliding into it beside him. His arm pulled her close pushing her cheek into his shoulder. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the heavy smell of soap mixed in with male wishing that it was just this without all the complications. It could be.

If she let it.


His fingers ran down her arm as she curled into him and came to rest at the small of her back. He kissed the top of her head and buried his nose into her hair. Always silky and smelled like the jasmine shampoo she used. He felt her settle against him with a soft moan.

He brushed away her hair as his lips connected with her ear "Jesse, I did it to protect you… I can't lose you…ever…the very thought of it has me twisting on the inside" his teeth nibbled on the lobe tugging on in gently. "You're mine to protect"

Tilting back her head, her neck exposed to him he trailed kisses down the arch of her. "Mine" he breathed again.

How did he do this to her? His warm touch that took almost everything away. Every time. No, she couldn't let it happen again. She snapped her head up and pushed him away slowly.

"Not till we've talked" her eyes fell to his lips. Maybe just one kiss….. She leaned forward and let him press his against hers. His tongue lifted under her upper lip before plunging right in. Her hands slid up his neck and into his hair grabbing and wanting.

The moan that left her mouth vibrated into his as his hand hooked under her shirt and up across her skin. If she didn't stop it shortly she knew it wouldn't at all. She'd missed him, missed his heat so much.

Her lips left his and kissed along his jaw, disappearing down his neck scraping her teeth across his Adam's apple. The growl in his throat vibrated against her mouth as she fingered the opening of his shirt desperate to feel the warmth against his skin.

"Jess….." it came out more like a hiss as he pulled her top right off over her head.

His lips found hers again, hungrier this time he lost his hands in her hair as the taste of her consumed him.

Her heart raced against her chest, she had to stop him. "Jon" she managed between a kisses "we need to talk….." her skin was aching for his touch, it had been too long.

"I need you Jess…. "He slid his lips down across her shoulder nosing the strap of her bra off. "Talk…." The kisses burned her skin lower over the soft curve of her breast. "Later…."

Her hands knotted through his hair tugging as the tip of his tongue circled the tip of her breast. "Shit" she muttered as the pleasure began to wash away anything else.
His mouth scooped her nipple right in and sucked gently as she fell back against the cushions.

The smell and taste of her skin was driving him wild. It had been too long, god he'd missed this. This is what kept the hope and determination alive when he was held by Jason.

This moment right here.

He tugged the other half of the bra down to pop her breasts free of the lace. One hand clutched the small of her back as he drank from her. His movements were slow and deliberate and kept the pain at bay as he changed to her other breast, nipping and teasing his way to her orgasm.

"I need you" was all she could manage. His hot mouth was destroying her piece by piece. He laid her right down before shrugging out of his shirt and reaching for her jeans tugging them down her legs.

He devoured her belly up his mouth searching, biting its way up over her ribs. He wanted every part of her.

The room was blurring in front of her eyes as he licked, bit and sucked his way over her torso and back up over her breasts. Teeth scraped up her neck before he swallowed her breath.

Her arms wound around smoothing over the blades in his back before she gripped his skin. He'd found the center of her. Her breathing hitched as his fingers slid under the scrap of lace and teased down her slit before sliding in.

"Oh god" she cried arching her body off the couch into his. Her world became focused on just one thing. Him. The way his chin dragged across her skin and the way his hands brushed against her knowing how to kill her. Oh god had she missed this.

He bit down on her bottom lip and smiled into the kiss as his fingers pumped her spiraling any thoughts of being gentle and slow far from his mind. His cock was thrumming and desperate to be inside her.

She reached down and found the heavy buckle of his jeans un-threading his belt between the hot kisses he was still lathing on her. The belt hit the floor with a clunk as she found his zip springing his cock right into her hands.

Massaging him slowly she circled her thumb around the tip and stroked along the shaft with her fingers.

"Fuck" he mumbled onto her lips thrusting downwards giving her more access to her hands. Her touch was something he'd missed. People often argued sex was sex. But with Jesse, god was it different. She knew exactly what buttons to push. His eyes crossed as the pad of thumb pressed against his sac gently.

"Fuck I've missed you" he growled knowing he wouldn't take the torture much longer.

"Me too" she kissed his nose as he shook out of his jeans.

"Are you ok?" she asked still wary he was very much bruised.

He didn't even answer her as he lifted his leg up over his shoulder as he pushed forward sliding right into her. He braced himself over her with his hands sinking into the couch on either side of her as he continued to drill.

She closed her eyes as he took her to their place. The one where no one could touch them. There were no ex-husbands and no stupid arguments there. Just them.

Her hands splayed across his back as she reached up nipping at his chin, urging for more. She searched and he gave. Rolling her hips into her deeper he groaned. The tightness he felt right there nearly had him. This woman did things to him without even trying.

"Jon" she moaned, feeling her body start to tremble and her arms shake as she held onto him.

The overwhelming desire to plunge into her and complete them both was there but he held back just easing in and taking his time. His head dipped and his lips slid down her neck reaching her breast as he nipped and took while his movements continued.

Her mouth desperate to find his again as her tongue plunged in. “More, I need more” she pleaded as her hips pressed back in time with his.

He shifted her scooping his hands under her shoulders pulling her in closer “Jess, I’ve missed you so much” his mouth scraped across her jaw till he pressed a kiss at her forehead. His movements quickened, the sweat sliding between both of their bodies as he was reaching his point.

“Please...now” her breath caught in her throat as she tightened around him, the lust and passion towards him almost becoming too much to handle. The air around them was growing thick with their moisture and the sounds of skin to skin slapping echoed through the room.

He looked down at her, sweat beading down her temples and her cheeks flushed with their sex. Her dark hair strewn across the cushions as he pressed his body closer into hers. He groaned feeling her hard nipples against his chest. “Christ”.

“Oh god Jon.... Jon....” her body began to shake under him as she gave it to it all.

The explosion of light blinded her eyes as she cried out, her toes curling into the upholstery of the couch.

His balls clenched and he followed suit spilling deep into her, the throaty shout leaving his mouth. “Yes...” Her eyes locked with his as they both rode through it.

It had been too long. Far too long.

He swept back the hair from her face, plastered there by sweat and pressed his lips on hers. “God, I love you”

She fluttered her eyes and ran her hands down his arms as she kissed him back. “Ditto” she was exhausted. Thoughts of talking had long passed. All she wanted to do was curl up and sleep.

“Bed?” he asked “We’ll have a late dinner...I haven’t finished with you yet” his lopsided boyish grin made her laugh.

“Bed” she agreed.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Chapter Ninety-Nine





Jesse drove downtown through the bustle of afternoon traffic. Her eyes were focused on the whizzing cars in front of her but her mind was somewhere else. Gripping the steering wheel harder she wondered, was this the right thing? Running off to your fiancés ex-wife? She of all people would know him the way Jesse was trying to still wrap her head around.

“Dammit” she swore slamming on her breaks as the flash of a red range rover cut in front of her. She rested her head on the wheel for a second, why did you have to go and do this Jon? Why?

A blast of a car horn snapped her attention back and made her press down on the gas again as traffic started to move. She curled her fingers around the wheel tighter as she pulled into the street where Raphael’s’ was.

Was she really being unreasonable here? He did it to protect her and his family. What more could she possibly ask for? But to have someone actually beat him up? She shook the small shiver that crept down her back away.

Her cell phone shrilled back into life, five seconds away from turning it off she saw her best friend’s name flash on the digital display so she flipped it open and tucked it quickly under her ear.

“Hi Kia”

“Hey Jess, where are you? Jon just called to see if I’d heard from you and when I asked why he just said that you’d left in a hurry. What’s happened?”

She let a deep sigh out “We’ve had a fight, kind of big one” she said simply.

“Jess, where are you? He’s really worried. Did you want to meet?”

The skyline blurred again as she desperately bit back tears “I’m just going for a drive. I needed space. He shouldn’t be worried” She couldn’t tell Kia where she was going. She’d think Jess was crazy.

“Jess you’re killing me here, what’s going on? He wouldn’t tell me. He didn’t hurt you did he?” the panic rising in her friends voice.

“No Kia, he didn’t hurt me…physically anyway” she murmured. God, she couldn’t even bring herself to say it.

“JESSE ADAMS, tell me what the hell is going on” Kia blasted.

She pulled into a parking space and jammed on the handbrake. “He called goons on Jason Kia. That’s what caused Jason to take him and do what he did to Jon” she grabbed her purse and coat and opened the door to the car.

“What? Why did he do that? Goons? Like Mob goons?”

“Yes Kia, mob goons” she snapped.

“Holy shit! You can’t be serious…. Well did he say why?” she asked.

“Because I didn’t press charges, so he took it upon himself to make sure that Jason didn’t come after me or his family. Protection” she bit her lip. That part still got her. He went that far to protect the ones he loved. She should be overjoyed he loved her so much. But right now, she couldn’t.

“Oh god, Jess I’m so sorry. Does he have a whole history with the mob or something? He doesn’t do dodgy dealings with them?”

Jesse’s eyes widened, she hadn’t thought of that. How did he even come to know this sort of company? God knows what sort of company he was keeping away from her? Her mind spiralled into a thousand thoughts when a figure waved her down. Dorothea.

“Kia, I’ve got to go I’m just driving for a bit and need to clear my head. I’m fine, I’ll call you back” he snapped the phone shut and turned it off slipping it into her purse.

She walked up to Dot who opened the door for her “Hi Dorothea, thanks for coming” she said as both of the woman entered the bar. They took a corner booth, Dot shrugged out of her fur collared coat.

“Jesse, I’ve got to say I was surprised to get your call” she pulled out her cigarettes “You mind?” she asked as the waiter came to take their orders.

“No it’s fine, I’ve got half of mind to take one myself but I won’t. I’ll have a Jack Daniels and cola” she told the waiter.

Dot chuckled and ordered a glass of white wine “The hard stuff at this hour of the day? Ok what’s happened” she asked flicking her lighter into life.

Jesse waited till the waiter had left and pressed her hands flat on the table. Her arms still shook a little as she tried to regain composure. “I just don’t know what to do or think…” she stuttered blowing out a deep breath.

“Honey, what’s he done to get you all shook up like this?” she asked concerned.

The waiter soon returned placing the drinks down in front of them. Jesse took a deep swig letting the coppery liquid burn to her belly. She ran her finger around the rim of the glass “You remember my ex-husband, the one that beat Jon up…well it turns out he might have been provoked…by Jon” she finished.

Dot flicked her ash and took a deep drag “Provoked? How so?”

“He called on some friends, I never knew he had… to pay Jason a visit if you get what I mean” she said not making eye contact with her.

Dot leaned back and held her cigarette up lace in her fingers “Ahhhh he’s still got those contacts huh?” she asked sympathetically.

Jesse’s gaze shot up meeting hers “You know about all that? He told you?” she asked feeling the anger boil in her gut. Why hadn’t he trusted her enough?

Dot shook her head “No, he never told me. I found some papers and things once in his study. Did some investigation and realized what he was doing” she picked up her wine and brought it to her lips. “It was when he had a problem with a crazy fan a few years ago now, he needed help to get them off his case and the police weren’t really all that interested so Jon took it in his own hands”

“He had a fan beat up?” Jesse asked feeling the thud of her heart against her chest.

“No, god no just had them check it out and apply a warning… you know slashed tires that sort of thing” Dot said gently. “I let it go, I figured he had to do it to feel safe. So I couldn’t blame him you know?” she asked.

Jesse’s fingers curled around the glass, “I see, well you’re stronger than I would have been. I just feel….” hurt, sad that he’s like this? Betrayed?

“You feel like now you don’t know him?” she asked.

Jesse nodded rubbing her hand across her tummy. “Yeah, I guess that’s it. I mean I never thought he was capable of it”

“Jess, I went through the same thoughts at the time I found all this out and believe me I was angry at first… especially since it’s not just me I had to think of. I have the kids to worry about as well. But then it dawned on me. He was doing all this for us and for the kids.” She swirled her wine around in her glass. “One thing about Jon is that if he doesn’t get what he wants … he will go and try and get it himself. At almost any cost”

“I can see that now. He always wants to fix things and he was so angry when I wouldn’t press charges against Jason and I wanted to… I just…” she closed her eyes and sighed “God this is such a mess”

Dot chuckled “So in this case Jon didn’t push you to do it. He respected your decision because he loves you. Doesn’t mean he had to accept the outcome. He obviously wanted to make sure of your safety and the kids. Jon will do anything for those closest to him… anything Jess so in a way you should feel glad he loves you that much to risk his creditably dealing with guys like that” Dot said.

Jesse leaned back against the cool leather “God, you’re right and I know that’s why he did it. And the kids. He’d do anything for them but its just so hard coming to terms with it”

“Take this advice, if you truly love him and I know you do. Accept that part of him. I know it doesn’t make it right but one thing about Jon is he doesn’t change all that often. It’s just who he is.”

She was right. Jesse knew that even before she came here that it didn’t change how she felt about Jon at all. She covered her eyes with her hands “God I’ve made such a mess of all this haven’t I?”

Dot chuckled “No you haven’t. You’ve reacted the way I would of, well should of”

Jesse smiled “He is something else that’s for sure, do you ever miss him?”

Dot nodded “Of course I do, it’s hard not having him around all the time for the kids but even when he toured he wasn’t around a lot. You’ll learn that when they tour next. Just a word of advice don’t let it go too long without seeing him. I doubt he’ll let you far after the mess of what happened when he toured last with us. As independent as Jon is, he needs to be needed and I just didn’t in the end”

Jesse nodded. She was surprised how honest Dot was being with her. But she needed to hear it, and Dot must have known it. “I’m kind of like that too in a way... maybe that’s why we connected so well”

Dot relit another cigarette and signalled to the waiter for two more drinks. “It must be, he loves you Jess. He made a point of telling us all when it came to you there was no negotiation you were in his life to stay” she added.

“I know, he has been pretty great through everything even at the beginning when he knew how nervous I was to date again and he waited” she said recalling the earlier days.

“Do you still love your husband?” Dot asked.

Jesse caught the breath in her throat. She was caught a little off guard at that one. But shook her head “No, not like I love Jon” she admitted it finally to herself. “Of course there is always going to be that history, I guess like you and Jon… but that part of my life is over. It was over when they told me he died”

“God yes, that must have been awful and awful still to realise he was actually alive this whole time. I can’t imagine what that was even like” she said.

Jesse managed a small chuckle “God, no it was terrible. But you know Jon was so good and patient through the whole thing. I guess I need to try and understand now, it’s just hard”

“You’ll make it through, I know I can tell. Jon’s different with you. He won’t make the mistakes that we both did when we were together”

“You think so?” she asked hopefully. This was crazy; she was seeking advice from his ex-wife of all people. But somewhere inside her it just felt right.

Dot finished the rest of her glass before setting it down “Go home and talk to him, he’ll be going crazy. Especially since he’s immobile right now it will be driving him insane he can’t just run after you”

Jesse cringed “Yeah he tried that and didn’t get too far. He’s a hopeless patient”

“Honey you’re preaching to the converted here, he’s a nightmare. Now go Jess, talk to him. Just tell him how you feel and he’ll tell you why he did it…”

She laughed “God, yes I’m sure you’ve been through it all”

As they stood Dot collected her coat “He’s worse than Romeo and Jakey when they’re sick combined”

“God thanks, I’m in for a whole lot more fun” if we can work things out that is.

“Thank you Dot, I know it was a weird thing for me to do but you really helped. I guess I just needed someone that had been there in the situation to ground me a little” she shrugged back into her coat and picked her purse and fished for her keys. She needed to go home and see him. Do exactly what Dot had told her and talk to him. Honestly.

Dot smiled and gave her a quick hug “Your welcome, let us know if there’s anything we can do for you guys in the coming days. I know the boys are itching to see him again soon, take care Jesse” she went to walk out and stopped mid step.

“And Jesse if you ever need to talk, you know just in general about anything or have a drink. Give me a call k?”

Jesse smiled feeling tears prick at the corner of her eyes “Thanks I will Dorothea”

She watched her leave and Jesse made her way back to the car. She strapped herself in and turned on her phone, and as expected it was flooded with missed calls and texts from Jon.

It was time to go home.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Ninety-Eight




She'd walked in just in time to hear not only Carol suggest that she should be the one to blame for Jon's run in with Jason, but also that he’d taken things into his own hands and hired goons to “deal” with him? Who was this man?

The ceramic mug thunked on the carpet and hot coffee spilled across the cream fibres. Her heart thumped in her throat, and her hands shook. She couldn't fucking believe it. He'd really been that stupid and never told her? And worse, was he ever going to?

"Jess, shit" Jon went to lurch on instinct out of the chair but winced as the pain ripped through his chest "Fuck it" he swore sinking back down. "Jess" he said again beckoning her over to him.

But she remained glued to the spot "You did what?" she asked calmly. Still aware of Carol in the room she wanted nothing less to lose it in front of her and have anymore displeased with her and Jon’s relationship.

Carol raised a brow at Jon."Yes Jon you better tell us what you mean you did, set some guys? What guys?"

He looked straight into the brown startled eyes, to find anger that he'd never seen before. His eyes fell to her hands which curled into tight balls. "Ma. Can I talk to Jesse alone?" he asked her. He had major explaining to do and the fire in her brown eyes told him it’d better be good.

Carol looked surprised but nodded "Ok sure I'll just—"

"Don't bother Carol, I just remembered somewhere I need to be" Jesse said not even picking up the mug that had fallen at her feet, she snatched her pursed and keys off the table.

"Jesse please, don't go let me explain" Jon said, damn it why was he so stupid to let that one slip? Fuck. She was angry and her everlasting small shred of loyalty to that fucker was evident in her eyes. "I had to do something" he said.

She threw her hands in the air and laughed "Why because I didn't lay charges against him? You went behind my back and got your "boys" to pay him a little visit? What are you Marlon Brando?" she asked.

"Jess it was a stupid thing to do, obviously... I see that now. Fuck I paid for the mistake did I not?" he growled angrily his own fingers digging into the leather arm of the couch. He understood her anger, he did. He should have never done something so stupid and if he could make the decision again he wouldn’t.

She blew her breath out and shook her head "I'm not sure if I'm angrier that you called the mob on him, or that you actually KNOW the mob. Maybe you're not the man that I thought you were" she spat. It just came out. Who was he? She spent years thinking she knew who Jason was, her husband but turned out she never knew him at all. And now, she was engaged to a man she again thought she knew. The diamond on her finger blurred in her vision as she fought to hide the emotion.

Damn him being restricted he wanted to grab her and hold her against him to show her that he wasn't like the man she was making him sound like.

"Jesse please don't say that, I had to protect you and the kids. What else could I do? What if he hadn't come after me? What if he'd gone after them or you? I would have never forgiven myself if anything happened to either of you" he said.

"It still doesn't excuse what you did Jon…" she said quietly. She hated that Carol was here, she didn't want to discuss this in front of her.

She grabbed her coat and tugged it on roughly. "I'm going out, I'm sure your mother can look after you" she said hurrying towards the door.

Jon lurched himself out of the couch and grunted as the pain ripped through him. He clutched his middle as his mother cursed him.

"Sit down Jon, for god's sake" she said settling him back on the couch.

"Jesse" he growled before taking a deep breath "Please stay, talk to me"

She turned back turning the door knob "I can't even look at you right now" she said before she exited and clicked the door behind her. She had no idea where she was going. Her hands soaked with the warm splashes falling from her eyes.

How could he do this? What sort of man did this? Not her Jon, so she thought. God damn him. She wrapped her arms around her body as the lift doors closed. Somewhere deep inside her she knew he'd done only what he thought was the best thing to do in the situation. He had to take control. That was Jon.

As the lift pinged on the ground floor, she had no idea where she was going. She just kept walking. Disappearing into the downtown Soho bustle, she jumped feeling her cell phone vibrate through her purse. She didn't even look. She knew it would be Jon. So she kept walking not knowing where she was headed. Just that she had to put some distance between her and Jon.

~

"Dammit" he raked his hand through his hair and slammed down his phone hearing her voicemail. It was never meant to be this way. She was never of meant to know.

Carol shook her head and sat back down next to him. "Oh Jon, what were you thinking trying to take things into your own hands. I know that you thought you were only doing what you needed to baby…but the mob? I thought you were past all that" she said.

His hands found his face "Mom, I just didn't know what else to do.I'm sorry I did but I still stand behind why I did it. I don't care what he did to me. Better me than her, or my children I’ll stand by that forever."

"Why didn't you get her to press the charges? This all could have been avoided..."

"Don't. I'm sick of hearing it. I respected her decision on that. I'm not blaming her for doing it. I do understand in a funny way why she didn’t. But now she has to understand where I am coming from. No one is wrong. Each person just did what they thought that was right" he leaned back and closed his eyes.

"And yes this was wrong" he admitted gently. Yes Jason lashed out at him because of what he did. He realized that now.

"Well she'll calm down Jonny, just give her time"

"God I hope so, I love her Ma. I’m used to having her around and I didn’t want to fuck it up” he popped his knuckles.

Carol furrowed her brow and nodded “I can see that. I didn’t want to admit it but she’s a good woman. You know I still have reservations on you and Dorothea splitting but it’s not my business. But Jesse’s ok, and the kids do like her a lot”

Jon smiled “Yeah they do, she’s been great with them through all this and I want to marry her as soon as the divorce is final. I didn’t see myself marrying so soon after all this but I want to as soon as everything is final”

Carol nodded “That’s fair, and I am assuming under the circumstances her marriage would or could be annulled”

He sighed “I have no idea but if she ever forgives me for what I’ve done. We’ll find out. I just want to move on from all this”

Carol sat down next to her youngest son and took his hand “She loves you too much Jonny. A woman can see a woman in love too easily, and she loves you… a lot” she said.

“Thanks Ma. I appreciate it”

~

Jesse had been walking for an hour or so and when she looped back to the apartment she stood at the entrance on the street and looked up at the looming building. She was still far too angry to go in. All the scenarios had gone into her head on her walk but still came with the final result which was that he’d paid someone in the mob to beat up her ex-husband. Crazy or not, it was still wrong.

She kneaded her fingers into her arms, god what do I do? Maybe the one person that knew Jon would be able to help her see sense though this. His ex-wife.

She walked into the underground parking lot and flipped open her phone dialling Dorothea. The number still there from where Jon was in hospital.

“Jesse?” she asked surprised.

“Hi Dorothea, sorry to ring you. I just don’t know who else to talk to. You’re probably the last person that wants to hear about this but I need your advice. On something that’s happened” she nervously explained finding her keys and jamming open her door.

“What’s he done?” she asked seriously.

“Can I meet you somewhere?”

“I’m still in the city. How about I meet you a Raphael’s in thirty minutes, we’ll get a drink and talk”

“I know where it is, I’ll see you soon” she closed her phone, This was nuts. His ex? But just on her brief encounters with Dorothea she knew if anyone understood the way his mind worked it was her. And Jesse needed to understand him. She didn’t want to lose him over this.