Chapter 52: Chapter 52

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"Oh crap."  She almost forgot that he shouldn't be driving in his condition.

For some reason, he got really drunk again. Had he been drinking all day? By himself? And worse: the rain poured harder.

Poor visibility plus alcohol intoxication...  Darn it! Was he suicidal or just plain careless?

"Shit." Jessi wiped her tears off and rushed out of her bedroom. The loud thunderstorm prompted her to grab a hoodie before dashing out the front door.

If she didn't run after him now, whatever happened to him on the road would be on her.  A sigh of relief escaped her lips the moment she saw his black pickup truck.

It was still parked on the other side of the street. His headlights were on. Why didn't he leave? Maybe the alcohol made him hesitate. Was he feeling dizzy now?

"What're you doing?" She stood outside the driver's seat with her hoodie not doing much to shield her from the downpour.

"You told me to leave, so I'm leaving."

"Joss, get out."

No answer. The guy wouldn't even look at her. Jenson clenched his jaw as the engine stayed running. His window was rolled down.  He didn't look like he had any plans to get out of the vehicle.

"Are you seriously trying to piss me off?" The roaring thunder hurt her ears. She winced, her face and clothes already wet. "You can't drive. You're intoxicated."

"I'm not that drunk."

"Get out."

He sighed and pinched his nasal bridge, eyes squeezed shut.

"Joss, get out."

He just stared past the windshield as though he didn't hear her.

"Jenson. Please."

"Go back inside."

"You can't drive," she stressed with a grunt. Jessi backed away, summoning what's left of her patience, just waiting for him to unlock the door. She would drag him out of the vehicle if she had to.  She would cry on cue just to stop him from leaving...

Drunk. Angry. Driving alone on a stormy night.

For a moment, he just gripped the steering wheel, hunched forward, his scowl wrinkling his brows and lips. His almost clean-shaven jaw made him look younger, and it stayed tense like he was gritting his teeth.

"Babe, please..."

The muscles below his cheekbone jerked.

"I'm sorry. Just get out. Please."

He grunted and closed his eyes again. His forehead pressed onto the top of the steering wheel before he unbuckled his seat belt, turned the engine off, then finally stepped out of his truck.

"Come on." She grabbed his arm. Another lightning flash made her pull him closer. "Let's go back inside."

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"Change your shirt. It's wet." She handed him a clean and loose shirt to use. She should call him a cab now.

But the grim look on his face clearly said that he had no intention of leaving yet.  Jenson sat hunched over on the couch, his blank gaze focused on the floor.

"Joss. You need to change."

He grabbed the blue shirt in her hand without glancing up at her. A frown etched faint lines on his tan face, his utter silence telling her she was being a pain in his ass right now.

But she really didn't care. She just wanted to confirm her suspicions.

Was his mother's death  the only reason he decided to drink a lot tonight?  If he would explain himself and his involvement with Magnus, then good.

If not, then she wouldn't push her luck. She would just send him home, safe and dry in a cab, then make sure he reached his house with no problems whatsoever. Then she could freely carry on with her plans.  "Why are you drunk again?" Jessi tried to sound calm as she sat beside him. Changing into a dry shirt and gym shorts didn't take a minute, but her hair was still damp like his clothes.

Jenson didn't reply. He took off his shirt, then put on the clean one she gave him.  He got up from the couch without bothering to look at her.

Great. Now she had to apologize.  Did she just upset him again? Jessi sat back and watched his quiet steps towards the front door. Stifling a sigh with her fist, she ran after him before he could leave her apartment again.  "No."  An octave higher and she would've screamed the word. "You can't drive."

"Why didn't you call me back?"

Ah jeez... Back to this again?  It was such a petty issue to argue over, but it seemed to bother him a great deal.  She blocked the doorway and tried to look as calm as possible.

His brows stayed creased. "You think I'm just stringing you along?"

"Can we not—"

"Why? You really think I'm that kinda guy?" Jenson stood closer to her, his deep-set eyes poring on her face, seeming eager for an answer.

She took a step backward till her head touched the door. It trapped her between his arms.  His hands, now on either side of her head, pressed onto the hardwood, keeping her immobile. She held her breath as his face inched closer.  Her pulse was probably racing against her heartbeat.

He didn't reek of beer or hard liquor, but his droopy eyelids and pinkish cheeks told her he had one too many shots tonight.

"You okay? D'you feel dizzy? Or something?"

"No."

"Were you drinking with Darren and the guys?"

Jenson glanced down. His nose was almost touching her forehead. Then he stared into her eyes again.  A smirk stretched his beautiful lips. It vanished the next second.  "You know I like drinking alone."

"Does Charm know you're here?"

"I don't wanna talk about her," he murmured with a shallow sigh.

She looked away. Her breathing shallowed at their physical closeness, but she couldn't  really shove him off or do anything about it.

"Why won't you just answer the question?"

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"You really think I'm just stringing you along?"

She placed her hands on his warm chest to try to push him away. To put some space between them.

But he didn't budge. He just stared at her while she leaned against the front door, his shoulders drooping. "Why can't we talk about it?"

"I-I just don't wanna talk about it."

"I'm not lettin' you leave till we sort this out."

"Ugh."

Why couldn't he just give her a break?  Sort what out? Did he want her to be brutally honest? Maybe he actually wanted a confrontation.

Well, too bad she was too tired to be bothered.

"Jess, I just wanna talk," he murmured.  "You're leaving in a couple of hours."

"Yeah. Like I said." She added a shrug. "And you know why I have to leave."

"But you didn't tell me the truth."

"What?" She squinted at his poker face. "What else d'you want me to say?"

"She wanted to be there. I didn't ask her to stay for the funeral. Okay?" He leaned in to kiss her cheek. Just a quick brush of his soft lips on the corner of her mouth. Then his fingers caressed her face. "I'm sorry."

"Fine. Okay," she sighed.

"Sorry if that upset you."

"You don't have to explain," she mumbled, trying not to sigh at how warm and comforting his touch felt on her cold skin.  "I'm not your girlfriend, and we're not in a relationship."

"Then why're you acting like you're jealous?"

She scoffed.

His scowl deepened the creases between his dark brows. "You didn't even text me back."

"Because I've been busy packing. Okay? I don't know what else you want me to say." Jessi tried to push him away but he wouldn't even move an inch.

Darn.  It was like he weighed more than his truck.  "I'm just trying to keep it friendly with her. Alright?"

"Jenson..." She breathed out a sigh. The frustration coupled with his obstinacy were giving her a bitching headache already.

Why wouldn't he stop talking about the woman? It was just the last thing she wanted to discuss tonight.

Did he not care or was he just too inebriated to realize it?

"I had to act like everything's fine, to fend off the press finding out."

"Then why are you here? You could've been followed. You know a few snapshots is all they need." She glanced away and shook her head. "That didn't cross your mind?"

"I wouldn't be here if you just answered my calls and texts."

"Ugh! Fine! I'm sorry. I didn't wanna talk to you 'cause I know she's gonna be with you all day. That's it. Can we move on now?"

"I didn't spend the whole day with her."

Jessi sighed.  "That's not the point, Joss..."

"Can I come visit you? In Minnesota?"

Good heavens... Was it just the alcohol talking? Probably. But something in the fairly desperate look in his eyes told her he was still dead serious.  "No."

His cheek twitched when he frowned again. Jenson stepped backwards and finally stopped touching her face. "Why not?"

"Where is she?"

"On a flight to Beijing."

Oh. Of course...

So he was just feeling sad and lonely tonight. Hence the booze binge and him being here with her again.

How convenient...  "Y'know what? This is why I don't—"  Jessi grunted and took a deep breath, covering her face with her hands to hide from his intimidating stare. The incoming tears burned her eyes and throat again. But she had to keep calm.

Otherwise he would think she was just being dramatic—acting like an irrationally jealous side chick who didn't know any better.

"I care about you. Yes. But you can't just keep dumping all this on me every time you need someone to make you feel better. Okay?"

"I know. Sorry." Jenson leaned closer to hold her face. Like his caresses, his warm palms on her cheeks were just soothing. Familiar. Encouraging.

"Then you just...  You show up with her like nothing happened."

"Sorry."

"Fine. But..." She turned her face to the side. If she looked him in the  eyes again, her chest would only feel like it would implode.  "I'm done."

"No. We're not."

"I don't wanna talk about it anymore. Please just—"

"Hey. I said I'm sorry." He grabbed her wrist to stop her from walking away. "I know I fucked up. But I didn't mean to hurt you."  He pulled her in for a hug, gently kissing her forehead while she tried her best not to cry.

Tears brimmed her eyes  till she eventually regained her grip on her emotions. She wiped her eyes dry. His arms stayed tight around her back, keeping her against the door, unable to push him away.  "You should go home now." She sniveled. "Get some sleep."

"I don't wanna leave yet."

"I'll call a cab for you."

"No." Jenson pulled back to look into her eyes, his brows furrowing again.

"Come on—"

"No." He sighed, tilted her face, then leaned in to kiss her on the lips. "Stop pushing me away."

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