Chapter 221

Jake's POV

Three years after she disappeared, the whiskey burned going down, but not enough. Nothing burned enough these days.

I sat in the corner booth of some overpriced Lincoln Heights bar, staring at my phone screen. The same fucking text message I'd read a thousand times. I'm sorry. I can't do this anymore. Eleven words that had destroyed me three years ago, and I still couldn't make sense of them.

Cole and Tyler pushed through the door, their faces doing that thing where they tried not to look worried. Failed miserably.

"You've been here three nights straight," Cole said, sliding into the booth.

I didn't answer. Just poured another drink.

Tyler grabbed the bottle before I could refill. "Jake, man—"

"Don't." My voice came out rougher than I meant. "Just... don't."

They exchanged that look. The one that said he's losing it without actually saying it. Maybe I was.

Tyler poured himself a drink. Cole did the same. We sat there in silence, three guys drinking away problems we couldn't fix with our fists or our last names.

"I need air," I said eventually, standing too fast. The room tilted.

"Jake—" Cole reached for my arm.

I shook him off. "I'm fine."

I wasn't fine. Hadn't been fine since the day Sadie Brooks walked out of my life without explanation.

---

The night air hit my face, cold and sharp. I stumbled down the sidewalk, Lincoln Heights' streetlights blurring into streaks of gold. Behind me, I heard Cole telling his driver to follow. Typical.

I kept walking. Past the boutiques Sadie used to window-shop at. Past the coffee place where she'd get those ridiculously sweet lattes. Past every fucking memory this town held.

My phone buzzed. Dad's security guy again, probably. Still refusing to tell me Sadie's exact location. Just "she's safe" and "give her space" and other bullshit I didn't want to hear.

I stopped at a corner, leaning against the brick wall. My vision swam. When had I become this person? The guy who drowned in whiskey and couldn't function without knowing where his ex was?

Ex. The word tasted wrong.

"Jake?"

That voice. I'd recognize it anywhere, and I fucking hated it.

I turned. Hannah stood there in a dress that left nothing to imagination, her dark hair perfect even at midnight. She smiled like she'd won something.

"Go away, Hannah."

She moved closer instead. Her perfume was too strong, too sweet. Nothing like Sadie's subtle vanilla scent.

"Jake, it's been so long." Her hand reached for my shoulder. "I've missed you."

I pushed her off. "I said go away."

"Don't be like that." She trailed a finger down my chest. "We were good together, remember? Before you got all hung up on that girl—"

"Don't." The word came out dangerous. "Don't you dare talk about her."

Hannah's smile turned calculating. "Why not? She left you, didn't she? I'm right here, Jake. I've always been here."

My stomach turned. The alcohol, the memories, Hannah's proximity—it was all wrong.

"You need to leave. Now."

"But Jake—"

"Jake Montgomery!"

Liam's voice cut through the night like a knife. I turned to see him storming toward us, face twisted with rage. His eyes locked on Hannah's hand still resting on my chest.

Shit.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Liam grabbed my collar, yanking me away from Hannah.

"Nothing. She just—"

"Nothing?" His voice cracked. "You're here with her while Sadie's been suffering for three years?"

The accusation hit like a punch. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I?" Liam's grip tightened. "Do you even love my sister? Or was it all just some game to you?"

Something snapped. I shoved him back. "Let go of me."

He came at me again, fist swinging. I dodged, but barely. My own fist connected with his stomach. He doubled over, gasping, then straightened and lunged.

We crashed into each other, all fury and hurt and three years of unspoken shit. His fist caught my lip. I tasted blood. Mine hit his nose. He staggered back, blood streaming.

"Stop it!" Cole's voice somewhere behind us. "Both of you!"

But Liam wasn't done. He came at me again, eyes wild. "She gave up everything for you! And you're here with this—"

"You think I wanted this?" I grabbed his shirt, pulling him close. "You think I don't want to find her? That I haven't been going insane trying to figure out where she is?"

"Then why are you with Hannah?"

I shoved him away, turning to face Hannah. She'd backed up, eyes wide. Good. She should be scared.

"You want to know why?" I walked toward her slowly. "Because of her. Because three years ago, Hannah made sure Sadie saw something that wasn't real. Made sure she believed I'd cheated. Made sure she'd leave."

Hannah's face went white. "Jake, I—"

"Don't." My voice was ice. "Don't you dare lie to me again."

"I just... I thought if she was gone, you and I could—"

I didn't let her finish. My hand moved before I could think, the slap echoing through the empty street. Hannah stumbled, hand flying to her cheek.

Then I hit her again.

She fell, tears streaming. I felt nothing but cold satisfaction.

"You destroyed us," I said quietly. "And for what? You really thought I'd want you after that?"

Cole grabbed my arm. "Jake, that's enough."

I shook him off, but didn't move toward Hannah again. She was crying on the pavement, mascara running. Tyler helped her up, his face carefully blank.

Liam stood frozen, blood still dripping from his nose.

I turned and walked away.