Chapter 23

A few hours later, Jalen was still resting on his couch, his abdomen still sore from the wound, when he remembered that he was supposed to see Jessica Robinson, or rather Jennifer Rollins, again, but he got shot literally right after their last “not-a-date” meetup. She had no idea what happened and probably thinks he ghosted her.

“How the hell do you explain something like this?” He thought.

He stared at his phone for a moment before finally typing out a text message to her.

Jalen: “Hey, I know I kinda disappeared on you, but I promise it’s not what you think. Can we talk?”

He hit Send and exhaled. Now came the waiting.

About fifteen minutes later:

Jennifer: “Oh, so you DO still exist? Thought maybe I imagined you.”

Jalen smirked. She was clearly annoyed, but at least she was responding.

Jalen: “Yeah ... about that. I swear I wasn’t ghosting you. I was in the hospital.”

A pause. Then the dots appeared again.

Jennifer: “Hospital?? What happened??”

Jalen took a breath. No more dancing around it.

Jalen: “I got shot.”

Jennifer: “Jalen, don’t joke about that.”

Jalen: “I’m not”

Jennifer: “WHAT?!”

Jennifer: “Jalen, are you fucking with me right now?”

Jalen: “I wish I was. Someone tried to kill me.”

Jalen lifted up his shirt and snapped an image of the wrap around his midsection. He then texted the image to Jennifer. There was a long pause this time. He imagined Jennifer staring at her phone in absolute disbelief. Then came her next message:

Jennifer: “Call me. Now.”

Jalen sighed. Here we go. He pressed call and held the phone to his ear. She picked up immediately.

“What the hell happened?!” she demanded, her voice a mix of concern and frustration.

Jalen rubbed his forehead. “Look, before you freak out—”

“I AM freaking out!” Jennifer cut in. “You got shot, and I’m only just now finding out about it?!”

“I know, I know. I should have told you sooner.”

“Damn right you should have! Jesus, Jalen, are you okay? Where are you? Who did this? Do you know why?!”

Jalen let out a dry chuckle. “One question at a time, Jennifer.”

Jennifer huffed. “Well, excuse me for wanting to know why the guy I just went out with is suddenly getting shot like we’re in a damn movie.”

Jalen sighed. “I’m okay. I got lucky. I’m home now, recovering. As for who did this? That’s ... complicated.”

There was a long pause.

“Jalen ... tell me the truth. Are you in some kind of dangerous lifestyle?”

He could hear the worry in her voice.

“No,” he said firmly. “I’m not in a gang. I don’t sell drugs. I don’t do anything illegal. But ... I may have one or two enemies..., and one of them wanted me gone.”

Jennifer was quiet for a moment. Then softly said, “Do you have protection?”

Jalen was a little caught off guard by the question. “Yeah. Police are keeping an eye on me, but honestly? I’m more worried about the people in my life than myself.”

Jennifer sighed. “I ... I don’t even know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. I just didn’t want you to think I was ignoring you.”

There was a beat of silence before she said, “You’re an idiot, you know that?”

Jalen smirked. “I’ve been told.”

Jennifer exhaled. “I’m coming over.”

Jalen sat up. “Wait, what?”

“You heard me. I need to see you for myself. Make sure you’re actually okay.”

Jalen hesitated. He didn’t want to drag her into this mess; but ... the fact that she was choosing to come see him? That meant something.

“Alright,” he said finally. “I’ll text you my address.”

Jennifer sighed again. “I can’t believe this shit. First, you tell me you have seven pregnant women, and now you get SHOT? What the hell did I get myself into, Jalen?”

Jalen smirked. “Guess you’ll have to find out.”

An hour later, Jennifer pulled up to Jalen’s apartment building, dressed in dark jeans, a fitted, off-the-shoulder cream-colored sweater, black low-heeled ankle boots, and a fitted leather jacket, her auburn hair cascading over her shoulders. The place was quiet, except for the marked police car parked nearby, its presence a stark reminder of why she was even here.

As soon as she stepped out of her car, an officer approached.

“Ma’am, may I ask what business you have here?”

Jennifer blinked, caught a little off guard. Right. The police protection.

“I’m here to see Jalen Moss,” she said smoothly. “He’s expecting me.”

The officer didn’t budge. “Name?”

“Jennifer Rollins.”

He narrowed his eyes slightly, as if trying to recall if she was on any approved list.

“One moment.”

Jennifer sighed, pulled out her phone, and dialed Jalen. He picked up almost immediately.

“Hey, I’m here, but your babysitters won’t let me through.”

Jalen chuckled, his voice still a bit strained but warm. “Put me on speaker.”

Jennifer held up the phone, and the officer leaned in slightly.

“She’s good,” Jalen said. “Let her through.”

The officer exhaled, then nodded. “Alright, go ahead, Ms. Rollins. But just a heads up, we’ll be around.”

Jennifer rolled her eyes. “Noted.”

She pocketed her phone and made her way toward Jalen’s apartment, taking a deep breath before knocking. A few minutes later, Jalen opened the door, and Jennifer immediately scanned him up and down. His silver button-up shirt from the night at St. Regis Bar was replaced with a simple black T-shirt, slightly loose to accommodate his injury. His usual confident posture was a little stiffer, a reminder that he was still recovering, but the moment their eyes met, her irritation softened into something else: concern.

“Jesus, Jalen...”

Before he could say anything, she stepped inside and closed the door, then gently placed her hand on his side, right near where the bullet had gone through.

“Does it hurt?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

Jalen smirked, but it was a tired one. “Not as much as it did before.”

Jennifer exhaled, shaking her head. “You’re insane. I swear, I meet you one time, and suddenly, you’re in the middle of some damn crime thriller.”

Jalen chuckled. “Yeah, well ... welcome to my world.”

She sighed, then stepped back, crossing her arms.

“Okay. Now, tell me everything. I want the whole story.”

Jalen motioned toward the couch. “You might want to sit down for this.”

Jennifer hesitated, then nodded and took a seat. Jalen sat beside her carefully, wincing slightly but trying to hide it.

“You sure you’re okay?” she asked again.

Jalen nodded. “I promise.”

Jennifer narrowed her eyes but didn’t push it. “Alright then. Start talking.”

And so, Jalen told her everything. Jennifer sat with her arms crossed, listening intently as Jalen recounted everything. How Megan had been trapped in a controlling, emotionally abusive marriage, how she had secretly planned her escape, and how her husband, Chris Westward, a powerful and well-connected lawyer, wasn’t about to let go without a fight.

Then he told her about the shooting itself, including how it happened not even ten minutes after she had left in her ride that night after their “not date”. He finished by telling her that the police caught the suspect, but he wasn’t talking. At least not yet.

“We don’t have direct proof yet,” Jalen admitted, “but we’re all pretty damn sure Chris ordered the hit on me. Megan leaving him? Fine, maybe he could deal with that. But the idea that she might’ve left him for someone like me? That probably broke him.”

Jennifer raised an eyebrow. “So, this guy is a full-on narcissist, huh?”

Jalen nodded. “Big-time. He’s rich, entitled, and used to getting his way. He also knows how to cover his tracks, which is why we haven’t been able to pin anything on him yet.”

Jennifer leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “So, what’s next? If you can’t prove it was him, what do you do? Just ... wait until he tries again?”

Jalen exhaled slowly, shaking his head. “No. We’re going to build a case. Karla, Megan’s lawyer, is already working on Megan’s divorce, and now that this has happened, she’s making sure I have police protection. We’re also trying to keep Megan off his radar for as long as possible.”

Jennifer absorbed all of this, tapping her red manicured acrylic nails against her knee. “Damn,” she muttered. “You weren’t joking when you said your life was a circus.”

Jalen gave a small laugh, but there was exhaustion behind it. “Yeah ... no dull moments.”

Jennifer studied him for a moment. “Alright. I have two questions.”

Jalen smirked. “Only two?”

She ignored the joke. “First, does this Megan woman still love him?”

Jalen’s expression darkened. “Hell no.”

Jennifer nodded. “Good. That makes this slightly less messy.”

Jalen tilted his head. “And the second question?”

Jennifer gave him a long, searching look before saying, “Are you safe?”

Jalen exhaled and leaned back into the couch. “I have cops outside my building, and Karla’s making sure I stay protected. So, for now? Yeah. But if Chris is willing to send someone after me once, I doubt he’ll stop there.”

Jennifer pursed her lips, shaking her head. “Jesus, Jalen ... What the hell did I just walk into?”

Jalen chuckled, despite everything. “To be fair, I did try to leave that night in your dressing room.”

Jennifer rolled her eyes. “Oh, shut up.”

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Then Jennifer sighed, rubbing her temple. “Alright. I don’t know what’s crazier, the fact that some psycho lawyer tried to have you killed, or the fact that I’m still sitting here listening to all of this instead of running for the damn hills.”

Jalen grinned slightly. “Must mean something, huh?”

Jennifer looked at him, then let out a quiet, frustrated laugh. “Yeah. Unfortunately, it does.”

They were silent for another moment as they both processed what she had just said. Jalen couldn’t help but feel a warmth spread through him after hearing her basically admit that she was already starting to care for him.

He smiled before asking, “So have we decided if I’m calling you Jennifer or the other name from now on?”

Jennifer smirked, tilting her head as she studied Jalen. “You’re really hung up on that, huh?”

Jalen shrugged, his usual cocky smirk playing on his lips. “I just want to make sure I’m addressing the real you, but if Jessica is who you are now, I’ll roll with it.”

She sighed, leaning back against the couch. “Jessica is who the world knows. It’s the brand, the persona, the woman that makes men weak in the knees and pays my bills. But ... Jennifer?” She hesitated, biting the inside of her cheek. “Jennifer is the girl I was before all that. The girl no one really cared about knowing until now.”

Jalen held her gaze, his expression softer now. “Then I want to know Jennifer.”

Jennifer exhaled through her nose, shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was about to say. “You can call me Jennifer ... when it’s just us.”

Jalen’s smile widened, something warm and victorious in his eyes. “I can work with that.”

The evening essentially turned into an impromptu date at Jalen’s apartment. Jalen tells Jennifer where to find some wine and some snacks. She then wandered into his kitchen, opening cabinets until she found a bottle of red wine and a glass. She grabbed a bag of chips and some chocolate-covered almonds from the pantry before heading back to the couch, where Jalen was propped up with pillows, still recovering but looking more alive than when she first walked in.

“I feel like I’m breaking some kind of rule drinking wine while you’re on pain meds,” she teased, pouring herself a glass.

Jalen chuckled. “You can make up for it by eating half that bag of almonds. Gotta balance out the vices.”

Jennifer shook her head, taking a sip before settling next to him. “Alright, you wanted to know the real me. Ask away.”

“I’ll start with a simple one. Do you perform just at the Ice and Flame club or do you perform at other places too?” He asked.

Jennifer took a slow sip of her wine before answering. “Mostly at Ice and Flame. It’s where I got my start, and they treat me well, but I do perform at other places from time to time. Private events, exclusive lounges, a couple of jazz festivals. I’ve even done a corporate gala or two when the money was too good to turn down.”

Jalen raised an eyebrow. “Corporate galas? Can’t imagine Jessica Robinson working a room full of CEOs and accountants.”

Jennifer smirked. “Oh, you’d be surprised. Wealthy men love a woman they can’t have, and Jessica? She was built for that.” She exhaled, twirling the stem of her wine glass between her fingers. “But those gigs don’t feel the same. Ice and Flame is where I can really be her, where the atmosphere fits the performance. The other venues? It’s more about the spectacle, the brand, and I guess I can’t complain. I built that brand.”

Jalen nodded, watching her closely. “And what about you? Do you ever get tired of being Jessica Robinson? Tired of the whole act?”

Jennifer hesitated, then leaned back against the couch, stretching her legs out. “Yeah ... sometimes. But Jessica gave me a life I never thought I’d have. She gave me control, power. She made men beg for something they could never touch. I don’t know if I’d be ready to let go of that, even if I wanted to.”

Jalen studied her for a moment, then smirked. “Yeah, but it sounds like you’re the one who built all of that, not Jessica. The way I see it, Jennifer Rollins was pulling the strings all along.”

Jennifer blinked at him, processing his words. Then, slowly, a small smile formed on her lips. “Maybe you’re right, Jalen Moss. Maybe you’re right.”

Jalen studied her for a moment, noting how different she seemed compared to the sultry, unattainable Jessica Robinson he first saw on stage. Her long auburn-red hair was now loose and slightly tousled, falling in soft waves over her shoulders, a contrast from the sleek, perfectly styled curls she wore as Jessica. Her makeup was minimal, with a light touch of mascara and a natural, pinkish lip balm, but gone is the bold red lipstick, the smoky eyes, and the high-glam contouring. This is Jennifer, unguarded, raw, and real. Here, in his living room, barefoot, curled up with a glass of wine, she wasn’t a goddess on display, she was just a woman. An incredible woman at that.

“Okay,” Jalen said, adjusting himself slightly. “What’s something people assume about you that’s completely wrong?”

Jennifer smirked. “That I’m this confident, in-control, untouchable woman all the time. That I don’t have moments where I doubt myself. Jessica? She’s all that. But Jennifer? Sometimes, she’s still that scared girl who had to learn how to survive on her own.”

Jalen nodded, taking that in. “So, what’s your biggest regret?”

Jennifer’s smirk faded a little, and she stared into her glass before answering. “That I had to create Jessica in the first place. I mean, I love what I do. I love performing, but sometimes, I wonder if I would’ve been happier if I never had to put up walls in the first place.”

Jalen reached out, taking her free hand in his. “You don’t have to keep them up around me.”

Jennifer let out a soft, almost disbelieving laugh, shaking her head. “You’re dangerous, Jalen Moss. You make a woman want to believe in things she shouldn’t.”

Jalen smirked but didn’t let go of her hand. “You’re not the first one to tell me that.”

They sat like that for a while, talking, laughing, and peeling back layers. Jennifer told him about growing up in a strict household, how she left home at 18 and never looked back, how she tried college but realized it wasn’t what she wanted and dropped out, and how she then built her career as a singer from nothing after being rejected as an aspiring actress. Jalen told her about his mother, his complicated relationship with his brother, his love for basketball, and how his life took a turn he never could’ve expected (without mentioning the Beyonder or the prophecy of course).

At some point, Jennifer curled into his side, her head resting against his shoulder, and Jalen realized that this impromptu date was probably more intimate than any dinner at a five-star restaurant could’ve been.

He didn’t need Jessica Robinson right now. He needed Jennifer Rollins.

She sipped her wine slowly, her fingers lazily tracing the rim of the glass as they talked. Jalen could tell she wasn’t used to letting her guard down like this. Maybe no one had ever truly asked her about her before; about the woman behind the performances, the woman behind the untouchable allure.

“So, tell me something you’ve never told anyone,” Jalen said, tilting his head as he watched her.

Jennifer scoffed playfully. “That’s a pretty bold request.”

Jalen smirked. “You should know by now, I’m a bold guy.”

She exhaled through her nose, setting her wine glass down on the coffee table. “Alright ... something I’ve never told anyone?” She thought for a moment before finally speaking. “When I was little, I used to sneak out of bed just to watch old black-and-white movies with my grandma. She’d fall asleep in her recliner, but I’d stay up, memorizing the way the women moved, the way they carried themselves. That’s where Jessica Robinson was born. She wasn’t supposed to be me. She was supposed to be untouchable. A dream. A fantasy.”

Jalen leaned forward, his forearms resting on his knees. “But now she is you. Or, at least, a part of you.”

Jennifer nodded slowly. “Yeah ... somewhere along the way, the lines blurred. I became her, and she became me. Now, I don’t even know where one of us ends and the other begins.”

Jalen took her hand gently, his thumb stroking the back of it. “Well, I like this you. The one sitting across from me, in my apartment, drinking wine with no shoes on. The one who doesn’t have to be Jessica Robinson if she doesn’t want to be.”

Jennifer swallowed, staring at their joined hands. She looked up at him, something unspoken passing between them. “Jalen...”

He could see the conflict in her eyes. The pull was there, just like it had been with the others, but she was still fighting it and he wasn’t going to push.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Jalen said softly. “Just be here. Be you. That’s enough for me.”

Jennifer let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. For the first time in a long time, she felt safe. Jennifer stretched, rolling her neck slightly as she glanced at the clock on Jalen’s wall. “Damn. It’s already 1 AM?”

Jalen chuckled, shaking his head. “Guess that means we had a good time.”

Jennifer exhaled, setting down her empty wine glass on the table. “Yeah ... we did.”

For a moment, they just looked at each other. There was a comfort between them now, a shift in the air that wasn’t there before. She wasn’t a performer, a seductress, or an illusion. She was just her, and Jalen saw her.

Jennifer tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and hesitated before saying, “I should probably get going.”

Jalen leaned back on the couch, eyes still locked on her. “You could stay.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

He smirked. “Not like that. Just ... you don’t have to rush out. Stay a little longer. No pressure.”

Jennifer considered it, weighing her options. She could leave, slip back into her world, her routine, her carefully controlled existence. Or ... she could let herself have this moment, just a little longer.

She exhaled and settled back into the couch, curling her legs beneath her. “Okay. But only for a little while.”

Jalen just smiled.

Eight hours later, Jennifer stirred first, shifting slightly and feeling a weight around her waist. It took her a second to register that she wasn’t in her own bed. Hell, she wasn’t even in a bed at all. She was on Jalen’s couch, tucked into his side, his arm draped lazily around her like it belonged there. For a brief moment, she panicked, her mind racing to figure out how this had happened. Then, it all came back, the hours of talking, the laughter, the way time slipped away from them until they both just ... drifted off. She glanced up at Jalen, still fast asleep, his breathing slow and steady. Even in sleep, he looked effortlessly handsome, his features relaxed. Jennifer sighed, closing her eyes again. She should get up. She should go, but damn, it felt good to just be here and just exist in a moment without expectations, performing, or thinking. Instead of moving, she let herself sink into the warmth of his body, allowing herself this stolen moment of peace before the real world came calling.

Then about 30 minutes later, Jalen blinked awake, his body instinctively stretching before he registered the warmth pressed against him. His arm was still draped around Jennifer, her smaller frame curled into his side. She was still here.

That surprised him. He had expected her to be gone, slipping out quietly in the early hours, leaving him with only the memory of their conversation, but she wasn’t. She was still here, still nestled against him, still breathing slow and steady.

Jalen tilted his head slightly to look down at her. She was awake, though she hadn’t moved much, her green eyes staring at the ceiling as if lost in thought.

“You’re still here,” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.

Jennifer turned her head toward him, her expression unreadable. “Yeah ... I guess I am.”

Jalen studied her, searching for any sign of regret, but he didn’t see any. Just a quiet sort of contemplation.

“You okay?” he asked.

She hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. I think so.”

Jalen smirked. “Didn’t expect you to be a couch sleeper.”

Jennifer scoffed, shaking her head. “Neither did I. But ... I don’t know. I didn’t want to leave.”

Jalen took that in, his smirk softening into something more genuine. “I’m glad you stayed.”

Jennifer glanced away, biting her lip like she was trying to suppress a smile. “Don’t read too much into it.”

Jalen chuckled. “Too late.”

For a moment, they just laid there, neither of them in a hurry to move, to shatter whatever this was.

“Well, I better get going for real this time, couch boy.” Jennifer says.

“When’s your next performance?” Jalen asks.

“Sunday night. Why?”

“How would you feel if I came to see it?” Jalen asks.

Jennifer paused mid-stretch, looking at Jalen with an expression he couldn’t quite decipher.

“Aren’t you supposed to be resting and recovering?” She asked with an eyebrow raised.

“I’d just be coming to watch, not breakdance.” Jalen said, chuckling.

“You really want to come see me perform again?” She responded.

Jalen shrugged, but his eyes never left hers. “Yeah. I meant it when I said I want to know you. Not just Jennifer Rollins, but Jessica Robinson too.”

Jennifer let out a short laugh, shaking her head as she grabbed her purse. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.”

Jalen smirked. “And?”

She exhaled through her nose, amused but thoughtful. “And ... I guess I don’t hate the idea.”

Jalen raised a brow. “That’s the most noncommittal ‘yes’ I’ve ever heard.”

Jennifer rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile playing on her lips. “Fine. Yes, you can come. Just don’t make it weird.”

Jalen chuckled. “I’ll do my best.”

She gave him one last lingering look before making her way to the door. “See you around, Jalen.”

As she stepped out, Jalen sat back against the couch, watching the door close behind her.

That night Jalen had a scheduled Zoom call to chat with all seven of the pregnant women in his life.

Jalen logged onto the Zoom call, adjusting the laptop on his coffee table. One by one, the women appeared on the screen: Sydney, Kristen, Megan, Rachel, Karla, Heidi, and finally, Chrysti. Seeing all their faces together, even through a screen, gave him a sense of calm despite everything going on.

“Hey, ladies,” Jalen said, offering a small smile.

“Hey,” they all responded in a mix of warm and concerned tones.

“First things first,” Sydney said, crossing her arms, “How are you feeling? And don’t give us some macho answer. We need the truth.”

Jalen exhaled. “I feel ... sore, tired, and annoyed that I still need help getting up sometimes.” He smirked. “But I’m alright. I swear.”

Rachel squinted at the screen. “Are you actually resting? Or have you been pushing yourself too hard again?”

Jalen chuckled. “I promise I’ve been chilling. No heavy lifting. No running marathons.”

Karla nodded, relieved. “Good. Because the last thing we need is for you to end up back in the hospital.”

Kristen shifted in her seat. “And we’re still being careful, right? Chris is still out there.”

Karla was the next to speak. “Yeah. That tip I got was legit. He’s doubling down. He’s having his people follow us, but so far, nothing solid on what exactly he’s looking for.”

Heidi frowned. “He doesn’t have proof of anything. All he has is his own ego and suspicions.”

“That doesn’t mean he won’t try something reckless,” Megan added. “Chris is the type of guy who will act first and figure out how to clean it up later.”

There was a heavy silence. Jalen’s gaze flickered to Chrysti. She had been quiet this whole time, just listening. He appreciated that she had even shown up tonight. It meant she was at least trying.

“How are you holding up, Chrysti?” Jalen asked gently.

She hesitated before speaking. “I’m ... still figuring things out.” Her voice was softer than usual, less guarded. “But I guess I figured if you could almost die and still be there for me, then the least I could do is be here.”

That meant something. To all of them.

Sydney smiled slightly. “We’re glad you’re here.”

Chrysti gave a small nod. “Thanks.”

Jalen rubbed his hands together. “So, moving forward, we need to be extra careful. No meeting in public places unless it’s necessary. Karla, do you think we should change our routines?”

Karla sighed. “Maybe. For now, just be aware of your surroundings. If anything feels off, trust your instincts.”

“Especially you, Megan,” Kristen added. “You’re the one he’s obsessed with.”

Megan swallowed but nodded. “I know.”

Jalen scanned the screen, his eyes moving over each woman. “Listen, I don’t care what Chris Westward thinks he’s entitled to. He doesn’t get to mess with any of you. We’re going to get through this together. No matter what.”

There were murmurs of agreement.

“We’re not alone in this,” Rachel said firmly.

Jalen nodded. “Damn right we’re not.”

The conversation continued, moving between updates on their lives, light teasing, and checking in on each other. Despite the tension looming in the background, there was still warmth here. A connection that couldn’t be broken. And for the first time in a long time, Jalen felt a little more at peace.

“I miss all of you,” Jalen said sincerely, “And I’m sorry for putting you all through this.”

“Jalen shut up. You’re crazy to think this is your fault.” Megan said. “If anything, I should be apologizing for marrying that scumbag five years ago.”

Jalen sighed, rubbing his face. “I know it’s not technically my fault, but still ... if it weren’t for me, none of you would be caught up in this mess.”

“Jalen, stop,” Sydney interjected firmly. “You didn’t ask for this. None of us did. But we chose to be here. We chose to be with you. That’s not on you.”

Megan nodded. “Chris is the one who can’t handle the fact that I left his sorry ass; and yeah, he’s dangerous, but that’s because he is a psychopath, not because of anything you did.”

Rachel exhaled. “Yeah. Megan’s right. I hate that we have to be so careful right now, but if we’re being real? You’re not the problem, Jalen. We all know that.”

Jalen took a deep breath, glancing at the screen. “I just don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me.”

“We won’t,” Karla said confidently. “We’re all watching each other’s backs, and now that we know what Chris is capable of, we’re not letting our guard down.”

Kristen, who had been relatively quiet, finally spoke up. “We’re in this together, Jalen. That means you’re not carrying this alone. So, stop apologizing.”

Chrysti cleared her throat. “And ... I don’t say this lightly, but ... I think it’s time I stop fighting this, too. You have enough going on. The last thing you need is me making this harder than it already is.”

Jalen’s eyes softened as he looked at her. “Chrysti...”

She offered a small, almost sheepish shrug. “I still don’t know how I’m going to do this, but ... I do know that I don’t want to keep running from it.”

Sydney smiled. “That’s all that matters.”

Jalen felt something in his chest loosen. For the first time since getting out of the hospital, he wasn’t just trying to push through, he actually felt lighter.

“I love all of you,” he said, his voice full of sincerity.