Eversea A Love Story

must have been huge.
    Jack and Audrey had clearly been back together for real. That Devon had said ‘ their house’ wasn’t lost on me. I was glad I was sitting down, because my body was having trouble dealing with all of the reactions I was having to Devon’s words. I felt nauseous, weak, and again that feeling of dread was spreading through me like an oil slick.
    “What did you mean, Jack’s been acting a little off? ” While Devon was here, I felt like I needed to get as much information as I could. It was idiotic, I knew. I had avoided any news about Jack for so long as a way to try and get past him, and now I was doing the exact opposite. It didn’t make sense. And why was Devon here? “And why are you here?”
    Devon looked up at me long and appraisingly. “I really shouldn’t be having this conversation with you. I haven’t told you anything you couldn’t have read about, though. To be honest, I’m not sure why I came. I was curious, that’s all.”
    “Curious? About what?” I twisted my fingers, nervously.
    Devon’s eyes dropped to my hands, then came back up to mine. I had the feeling he had just edited what he was about to say. “I was curious about whether Jack would come back here.”
    My breath left me, involuntarily. “Why ... why would you think he would come back here?” I tried really hard to take any kind of emotion out of that question, and it only left a whisper.
    Devon was looking at me hard, as if trying to answer that for himself. It made me uncomfortable, and it made me feel like ... less. He took a deep breath as if reaching a decision.
    “Jack left right after he fired Andy. He could have been here by now.” He looked at me straight in the eyes. “This is where I heard him tell Katie he needed to go.” My heart hammered harder. “And this is, based on some of the things he’s shared with me, where I expected him to go.”
    I hadn’t realized how tightly I was wound until Devon said those words, and a small sob tore out of me. I took a deep, unsteady lungful of air and tried to blink back the tears pooling in my eyes.
    Devon immediately grabbed my hand and hung on, squeezing tight, as I breathed through it and brought myself under control. “Shit,” I blew out another breath. “I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t be. I needed to know it wasn’t one-sided. That it was real for you. And I think you’ve just set my mind at ease.”
    I could feel the elation, the confirmation I had meant something to Jack, trying to spread its rays through me, but the scared and terrified dark part of me I had been fighting with since Jazz’s text this morning wouldn’t let go.
    What if it wasn’t enough? What if I wasn’t enough? It was one thing to fixate on a girl you thought embodied all you felt like you were missing in your life. Especially when you were trapped there. But when all the bars had gone, and all the steel doors had been unlocked, did you really need the girl? What if she was just a symbol of hope and not a destination?
    “But he didn’t come here, did he?” I asked Devon.
    He looked at me, sadly, and my heart plummeted. “No, he didn’t. Not yet, anyway. But, Keri Ann—” he seemed to struggle with what to say or maybe how to say it. “I feel pretty sure he will.”
    I swiped at my eye. “How?” How on earth could Devon be sure? Or was he just trying to spare my feelings? If Jack was coming right away, why wasn’t he here yet?
    He let out a deep chuckle. “Well, now I’ve met you, I guess. I don’t know how I know. I just do. And the fact that, when I told you about the shit that went down, your first reaction was compassion for Jack and not happiness he was free, means you have definitely earned my trust. I ... ” He stood up and I followed suit. “I hope you two manage to work it out somehow. I can’t imagine it’s going to be easy.”
    Well, it wasn’t a ringing endorsement, but it was more than I’d had when I woke up this morning. I held out my hand. “We’ve never formally been introduced. Keri Ann Butler. Waitress slash soon-to-be art student. I hope. And friend of Jack’s.”
    Devon gave a half smile and took my outstretched hand and shook it. “Devon Brown. Producing, for now, while I figure out what I want to be when I grow up. And friend of Jack’s.”
    “Nice to meet you, Devon.”
    “Likewise, Keri Ann.” He gave a small nod.
    “Okay, well, I better go and get Colt. I’m late for my own birthday party.” I grinned