[chapter thirty-five]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
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~Jeffy's POV~
If I thought I could get away with it, I swear I would strangle her with my bare hands and bury the body somewhere.
I don't think I've been this pissed in my entire life.
Let's see … the divorce, the years of mental torture, the greed over the money, the fact I think she was cheating on me, everything … I've dealt with.
But now she's here, and she's yelling at Jasmine.
God knows, Jasmine can take care of herself, but I think it's time I put a stop to this catfight.
Not to mention it's taken me this long just to find my voice and control my anger enough to speak.
"What did you say?" Brooke says, turning to look at me. I can see Jasmine smirking out of the corner of my eye, and find it incredibly comforting.
Not to mention that she's still here. And said she was staying.
I'm so in love with that girl.
Focus, Gordon. Focus on getting Brooke the fuck out of your life.
"You heard me. Now, what are you doing here? And how did you get a key?" I ask, trying to sound calm.
"I have ways."
"Sleep with the realtor?" I can't resist asking and she actually dares to gasp in shock. Like she wasn't boning everyone and anyone when we were together.
"Jeff. Please. Honey."
"Don't 'honey' me. I want you out of my house, my business and my life. Now." I demand and she dares to look hurt. "Out. After you apologize to Jasmine."
"You're insane."
"No. For the first time, I think I'm sane. I have been insane since the day we met, but now that I'm finally away from you, I seem to be coming back to my senses. And I kinda like the guy I am when you're away from me." Truer words I don't think I've ever said.
"You aren't different." Brooke says, losing control. "You're still the meek, shy little boy I met who hasn't a clue about the world or how to live in it. You are always so safe, so right, so correct. I just made you complete, honey. You needed me to keep you on the straight and narrow. You needed me to see that you were destined for better things than living here with a bunch of hicks. You needed me to help you find the way of God, and to do His work. You needed me to show you love. You needed me to help you with so much."
Huh. Yeah. Right.
"Well, now I need you to get the fuck out of my life after you apologize to Jasmine." I say calmly. "And for the record, I didn't need you for any of that. I was just too stupid to stand up for myself and tell you to fuck off years ago."
"Jeff … "
"Get. Out. Now." I say, stepping towards her. "I mean it. Out. You have something to say to me, say it to my attorney."
Her eyes are filling with tears.
Does it make me a bad person that I want to dance a jig upon seeing that?
Judging from Jasmine's smile, I would say not.
Excellent.
"Jeff, I just want one more chance." She begs, finally breaking down. "I miss you."
"Tough." I say. "Out."
"I'll call you tomorrow." She says sweetly, stepping towards me.
"No, you won't." I state simply. "Apologize."
I know she's trying to get on my good side now. I know how she operates. Talk about mental abuse.
"I'm sorry for losing my temper, Jasmine. That was uncalled for. I just hope you understand that your tenure here is short-lived, as Jeff and I are just working a few things out." Brooke says pleasantly.
"I don't know what things are like in your world, but that sure as hell isn't happening in ours." Jasmine fires back, and I feel another urge to dance. "You may still consider him your husband, but he kicked you out of his bed, his mind and his life a long time ago. And luckily, I'm the girl that gets to spend time with him. Do you have any idea how fantastic this man is? How funny? How wild? How fucking sexy and silly and kickass he is? Because I do. And I'm done sharing him with the ghost of you." Jasmine stops for a breath. "So why don't you take your sorry ass to the curb and leave us alone. Because if you continue to deal with Jeff, you deal with me, and I'm telling you, you won't win."
"He'll always be mine."
"Tell yourself what you like. But I'm here to tell you, I'm the one he's going to be with." Jasmine says quietly. "Now, if you don't mind, Jeff and I were about to have lots of hot, nasty sex on the porch outside, and you're kinda ruining the mood. So, see ya."
Ouch. That had to hurt.
God, I love that girl.