"Did you really think it would be this easy, Jack? You can't drag me out here, ask me to help you mend things and expect me not to have a little bit of say for myself. You wanted me to tell her the truth about our relationship and I did!"


"Really? Because it looks to me like you're trying to smother her in bullshit!"


"Come off it, Jack. You didn't even tell her we slept together."


"I didn't know!" I defended myself, stepping closer to the redhead with rage in my eyes. "How in the fuck am I supposed to tell her about something I wasn't aware of, huh?!" I turned to look at Ember, my eyes pleading for her to understand. "I didn't know until like, five minutes ago, baby. I swear."


"Stop trying to make her happy, Jack! You can't even be you when you're with her!"


"I'm more me when I'm with her than I'll ever be with you. For fucks sake, Bri," my voice came at a low growl, water splashing under my feet as I moved closer to the girl. Behind me, it sounded like Ember was starting to catch her breath a little better, but that didn't stop me from towering over Bri. "Why didn't you tell her why I actually brought you here? Why'd you have to put your fucking nose where it doesn't fucking belong?"


"Why is she here?"


Though I wanted nothing more than to turn around and answer Ember, pick her up off of the cold ground and take her inside to explain, I just couldn't do that. The lessons I'd been taking to control my anger had completely gone out the window and I was ready to prove that to Bri. This is what I get for trying to be the good guy again.


Bri put her hand on my chest in attempt to shrug me off, but my fingers wrapped around her wrists and held her firmly in place. I made sure not to leave a bruise the way I'd done with Ember before, but I also made sure she understood how furious I was.


"The sex? The roadtrip? The long conversations? They don't mean anything to you, do they?" Bri whispered, tears pooling in her eyes. Fuck, that just pissed me off more. How dare she play the victim! "You locked yourself away from everyone just so you could be with her! I loved you when you were at your lowest, Jack!"


"You're damn right I did it to be with her! Even when I was sick I knew I wasn't good enough for her and that's all I ever wanted to be!" I huffed, using the force I had on Bri's wrists to shove her back. "You were supposed to be my friend, Bri? What the fuck happened to that? I trusted you with things I couldn't even trust my fucking therapist with!"


"Exactly, Jack!" She attempted to yank away from me, but failed. Her tears were flowing at a steady rate now, yet I still couldn't help but want to kill her. "You trust me with things you can't even trust your own girlfriend with!"


Her voice came high and shrill, cracking with every word she spoke, but it wasn't that which spooked me. It was the loud crack of thunder and Bailey's bark that sent chills down my spine. If I didn't know any better, I'd say the universe was just as angry as I was.


"I came to you with those things so that I wouldn't hurt Ember! She has a chance to get better, but you? There's no fixing your kind of fucked up."


"Why the fuck is she here?"


Ember's voice floated through the wind, but neither of us could focus on her right now. Despite what Bri had done, I knew I went too far with my last comment. She finally found the strength to pull away from me and hide her head in shame. Another crack of thunder and rain started falling down around us. Sadness was lingering in my gut, but more than that, I finally felt a sense of freedom.


It's always a tragic day when you see the true colors of someone you once considered a friend, but the peace that comes after the storm is like bliss. I finally knew the truth. Ember finally knew the truth and it was time to do exactly what Bri had come here to do.


A deep sigh fell from my lips and acted before I could even think about it. Pulling Bri into my arms, I rubbed her back while she cried. At least it was clear now why she attracted all those douche bags in the past - She wasn't any better than they were.


When we finally pulled away, she wiped the tears from her face and glanced to Ember, a jealous regret in her eyes.


"I came here to say goodbye. I guess I thought if I could come in between you two I wouldn't have to. Jack just wanted you to see that I wasn't a monster. Guess he never really knew me."


"Bri, stop," I sighed, running a hand over my face to rid the rain. "If I can be saved, so can you. And you'll find someone, someone you don't have to blackmain for attention."


"No, I won't," Bri sighed, pulling her hood up over her face to cover her face. She was shaking from how cold the air had become, though it didn't stop her from digging around her for cigarettes to light one. "If you two don't work out, you know where to find me."


"Bri-"
"No, I'm serious. I'll be in town for a bit. Already paid for the hotel room," she sent me a wink, which made me feel like an idiot for actually hugging her goodbye. "Later, Mr. Barakat."


So this whole time, that was her plan? All of those things she'd said to me were bullshit? Growling at her body as she walked away, I remembered the small brunette that desperately needed me right now. Letting most of the anger fall away from my body, I ran over to Ember, who had blood trailing down her chin, mixing with the rain. Her chest was moving rapidly, so I was pretty sure she was still crying, but all I could think about was getting her inside and taking care of her.


Wrapping my arms around her body, I pulled her into my arms bridal style. I made my way to the building, Bailey hopping around behind us, and opened the doors so the heat could comfort us.


Where we went from here, I wasn't sure. This was never my intention. I wanted to save us, not murder us. I only hope Ember understands that.

Notes

Angry Jack defending his lady is a sex Jack indeed!