I looked at Drake like he was crazy. I glanced over toward Dew and Aaron, and they both looked like they wanted to kick my ass.
I shook my head. “Wait…wait just a second. I just woke up in Gunner’s fucking barn, for Christ’s sake. I can’t even move my head, and thanks to you, I think I might have ruptured something. What are you talking about? Where is Jessie? I don’t remember anything that happened last night.”
Drake looked at me, confused, and then he looked at Gunner.
“Scott, do you remember most of us leaving because Gramps had a heart attack?” Gunner asked.
My heart stopped, and I put my hands on my knees. “What? Oh my god, Gunner! Is he…”
Gunner held up his hand. “He’s okay. He’s doing good, but he’ll be in the hospital for a few days.”
I let out a sigh of relief, and then all of a sudden, I was taken over with a sick feeling.
Jessie…
“Where’s Jessie?” I asked as I looked at Drake.
He ran his hand through his hair and waved for one of the boys to come over. Aaron walked up to me and gave me a dirty look as he handed me a piece of paper. It took me a few minutes to focus on the paper, but once I did, I felt my legs slowly about to give out. Gunner and Aaron both reached out and grabbed me before I fell.
“What does she mean…she’s leaving? Where in the hell is she? Why in the hell does she say I’m cheating? I’m not cheating! I just bought her an engagement ring. I was going to come talk to you today, Drake, about asking her to marry me.”
Dewey started laughing. “Is that right?”
I shot my head up and looked at him as I reached into my pocket and pulled out the ring. I opened it up. “I’ve been carrying it around with me the last few days. I was going to ask her at my parents’ anniversary party.” I started shaking my head. “I don’t understand. Why would she think I’m cheating?” I glanced up at Gunner with tears in my eyes. “Gunner, I swear to God, I’ve never been unfaithful to her. I would never hurt her. I love her more than anyone. She’s my whole goddamn life.”
Gunner hit my back as he guided me into his house. “I know, Scott, I know.”
We all sat down at the kitchen table.
All I could do was put my head in my hands and cry. She left me? Why would she leave me?
I reached for my phone to call her. “Where in the hell is my phone?”
“Don’t bother. We’ve been trying all morning. It just keeps ringing,” Aaron said as he looked over at Jenny, who had just walked into the kitchen.
I threw my hands in my hair and then dragged them down my face. Maybe she’s hurt? Fuck! What if she’s been trying to call me? Where in the fuck is my phone?
“I gotta get home.” I got up and started making my way out to my truck.
Gunner called out to me, “Scott! Your brother took your truck home last night. When he couldn’t find you, he thought you’d left with Jessie. I guess he didn’t think you would be passed out in the barn.”
“Can I use your phone, Gunner?” I let out a long sigh.
I made my way to the phone and dialed my home number.
When Bryce answered, he sounded panicked. “Hello?”
“Bryce, it’s me. Hey, do you have—”
“Holy fucking shit. Where have you been? Oh my god, Scott, I’m so sorry. Jesus, I’ve been trying to call her all morning.”
My head was already spinning, and now, my brother was talking so fast that I had no idea what in the hell he was saying.
I tried to get him to calm down. “Bryce. Bryce! Jesus H. Christ, what in the hell are you talking about? Have you talked to Jessie?”
“Wait—you haven’t talked to her? Where are you?”
“I’m at Gunner’s. Somehow, I managed to pass out in the barn last night. After I woke up, Drake knocked the shit out of me, and Aaron showed me a note that Jessie had left for him. She said that I’m a cheating bastard, and she was leaving town.”