“I’ve never gotten more than one.” I blurt out, attempting to make sense of this. But I look. It’s an exact match, address and all. What the heck? Did she send two, just to make sure I didn’t miss it?
“What do you mean? You’re acting like this isn’t new, Jo.” Clay is now staring me down. I’m feeling every inch of his height next to me. Not that I think he would ever hurt me. Grant’s looking at me just as confused as I feel.
“Well… not entirely…” Fuck. What do I tell him? I’m terrible at lying. I can’t tell them about my dead fiancé or his angry mother. I’ve never told anyone.
“Spit it out. I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on.”
“We can’t help you.” Grant corrects him.
Double shit.
Do I even want their help? If she starts sending more letters, I don’t know how much more I can take. I also don’t think Clay is going to drop this. He seems… invested for whatever reason.
“I get one every year, but just one. I swear. That’s the weird part.”
“That’s the weird part? Jesus Jo. This isn’t normal at all. Nothing about this is okay.”
“Let me read it.”
He hesitates for a second, but he decides I need to read it.
* * *
Jolee,
I wasn’t planning to write this letter, but I can’t hold it in anymore.
I knew he didn’t love you. He loved me. Only me.
We had a life planned, and you weren’t in it.
I was his real love—doesn’t leave this kind of wreckage behind.
This isn’t a conversation. Not up for debate. It’s simply something I felt you should know, since you still seem to occupy space in a story that is no longer yours to tell.
It’s time I made my own peace. It’s also time to help you understand how you destroyed my family and me.
SJ
* * *
She’s right. I don’t understand… any of this. Something more has snapped in her, and I’m not sticking around to dwell on it. She already consumes enough of my life.
“Clay, I’m fine. They’re just letters. Nothing more.”
I don’t know what’s gotten into Sherry, but whatever. If it makes her feel marginally better, then so be it. I might need to stop opening them, though. My walls aren’t built for this.
Both men look concerned, but I do what I do best. Ignore it. Attempt to go about my life. And right now, we have a wedding to get to.
“We should get going. I don’t want to be late.”
I grab Star’s gift and head out the door.
They can follow or not.
11
Clay