Page 65 of His Fake Fiancé

“If you’re sure?” Trey looked at him, his eyebrows drawn together. There was concern in his gaze, but Jake couldn’t worry about that right now. Besides, there was no reason for Trey to be concerned. Jake was fine. He was fine.

He turned and headed for the exit. Gina was watching him, he could feel her gaze on him, could feel everyone’s gaze on him, as he walked to the door. Everyone watching the loser duck and run, tail between his legs.

He pushed open the door and stepped out into the foyer. The air was cooler out here, turning the sweat dotting his skin to ice, chilling him to his soul. There were other families seated in the hall, some huddled together on the benches. Together, but still separate. All of them waiting for the court to decide what was best for them, best for their family.

Like Gina having Olivia was best for his family.

He put his head down and hurried out the door. The air was bitterly cold, stinging his skin. He tucked his hands into his pockets, hunching his shoulders against the frigid wind. He hadn’t worn a coat, because he knew it would be too hot in the courthouse, but he was currently regretting that decision.

It was no wonder the judge hadn’t seen him fit enough to raise his daughter. He couldn’t even look after himself. Could barely keep himself alive. How was he supposed to keep another human being, a baby no less, alive and well?

He didn’t remember walking, but he was already at his truck. He fished the keys out of his pocket, the movement automatic.

“Jake?”

He spun around.

Claire stood behind him, her skin extra pale, her eyes shiny. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” he said, the words rolling off his tongue automatically. “I’ve j-just got to g-g-get home, is all. Get everything t-t-together. Make sure it all goes sm-sm-smoothly.” The words were falling from his mouth, but he had no conscious thought of what he wanted to say, of actually forming the words.

“There’s no rush. No one’s expecting you to do anything right now.”

He nodded, although why he was nodding, he didn’t know. He didn’t know anything anymore. “I n-n-need t-to g-g-go home.”

“I’m coming with you.” She wrapped her arms around her middle. Like she was holding herself together.

He wanted to reach out, touch her, maybe pull her into his arms. Hold her close against him. Let her soothe his shattered soul.

But he couldn’t do that. Because he’d been a huge dick to her and it wasn’t fair to use her like that. And, let’s face it, she’d probably cold cock him for even trying. And even though he’d totally deserve it, he couldn’t handle the rejection right now. Couldn’t handle another blow.

He shoved his hand through his hair. “You c-c-can’t come w-with me. W-w-what about your j-jeep? You’ll need your j-j-jeep.” The tips of his fingers tingled, turning numb. His chest burned, tightened. He rubbed at the ache, but it didn’t go away.

“Brock dropped me off. He had some stuff to do in town.” She moved closer to him. So close he could smell the outdoorsy vanilla scent that would always remind him of her. It was something he’d never noticed before—or if he had, he’d forgotten. But he wouldn’t forget this time. “Jake…”

He clenched his fists, mainly to stop from reaching for her. “You d-d-don’t have to d-do this, Cl-Cl-Claire.”

“I want to do this. I want to help you with this.” She shuffled even closer, almost in his space. His skin tingled, awareness of her proximity making it sing. “I don’t want you to have to do this alone.”

He couldn’t do this right now. Whatever this was. He needed to get back and make sure Olivia was okay, and that everything went smoothly, and that he got a chance to say goodbye.

His throat thickened, making it hard to swallow. No, no, he couldn’t think of that right now. Besides, it wasn’t like he wasn’t going to ever see her again. She was going to live with Gina, and he had visitation rights.

Like the way you let Gina see Olivia whenever she wanted?

Fuck, he was such an asshole. What had he been thinking? Why had he been such a dick? Was Gina going to be the same way? Give him exactly what she got? He wouldn’t blame her. It was what he deserved. He just hoped Gina decided not to be petty and stoop to his level.

He pushed the button on the key fob and the truck unlocked with a beep and a thunk.

Before he could say anything else, Claire bolted around the truck and climbed into the passenger seat. He sighed and climbed into the driver’s seat. The truck roared to life and they were pulling out of the parkade.

Traffic was light, so it wasn’t long before they were on the highway, headed for home. The tension in the truck was almost a living thing, pulsing and writhing between them. And he had no idea how to fix it. How to fix any of it.

He was just dumb Jake Callahan. Fumbling his way through life with no direction or ambition. Coasting by on a wink and smile.

He snapped on the radio, hoping the sound would get rid of the stupid tension. Or at least distract him enough so he didn’t have to think. He wasn’t very good at it anyway.

The sun was still high in the sky. He didn’t quite know how it could still be afternoon. It felt like hours, if not days, had passed. He glanced at Claire. She was staring out the window, her thumb tapping against her knee to the beat of the country song playing on the radio.