Chapter 85: Jessica and Jennifer

That night after Kristen and Heidi both left, 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 again.

Unfortunately, he had gotten shot literally right after their last “not-a-date” meetup. She had no idea what happened and probably thought he had 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. Then about fifteen minutes later:

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

Jalen smiled. 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.

Jessica: “Hospital?? What happened??”

Jalen took a breath. No more dancing around it.

Jalen: “I got shot.”

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

Jalen: “I’m not”

Jessica: “Jalen, seriously, 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 Jessica.

There was a long pause this time. He imagined Jessica staring at her phone in absolute disbelief.

Then suddenly his phone began buzzing repeatedly. It was Jessica actually calling him now.

Jalen sighed. Here we go. He accepted the call and held the phone to his ear.

“Yes?” Jalen answered with an amused tone.

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

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

“I AM freaking out!” Jessica 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, Jessica.”

Jessica 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.”

Jessica 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.”

Jessica 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 smiled. “I’ve been told.”

Jessica 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 and not being stupid in your recovery.”

Jalen hesitated. He didn’t want to drag her into this mess, and the other women had already made sure he was good for the next couple of days. But the fact that Jessica was choosing to come see him really meant something.

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

Jessica 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 smiled. “Guess you’ll find out.”

An hour later, Jessica, or rather, Jennifer Rollins, pulled up to Jalen’s apartment building, dressed in jeans, a fitted off-the-shoulder cream-colored sweater, black low-heeled ankle boots, and a leather jacket with her cooper-red hair cascading over her shoulders.

She wasn’t in her Jessica Robinson persona this time, which was rare outside of her home these days.

Right now, she was Jennifer. The woman underneath it all who inexplicably but undeniably cared about this guy she met a week ago.

The place was quiet, except for the marked police car parked nearby. Its presence was 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,” Jennifer said loud enough for the officer to hear. “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 ended the call, 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 grey T-shirt, slightly loose to accommodate his injury along with some sweatpants. 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.