While I Was Away(50)

“No, and I know what I did was wrong, I already spoke with everyone at the hospital. You won't get fired, I promise. I explained my mistake, I was just ... confused. Disoriented,” she said.

He stared at her for a moment longer, and she knew he didn't believe her. Of course he didn't. Jones could always see right through her, no matter what kind of reality they were in, it seemed. He glared for a second longer, then knelt down to look under his truck.

“Fuck, the radiator is busted,” he hissed.

“Oh, no, is that bad?” she asked, wringing her hands. He let out a dry laugh and climbed back to his feet.

“Uh, yeah. It's bad.

An idea flashed through her brain. The radiator was broken, which meant he wouldn't be able to drive his truck home. Wouldn't be able to drive anywhere. She glanced back at her little sedan.

“I have a car,” she said. “I can take you home.”

“Ms. Reins, I think that would be a bad idea of epic proportions,” he chuckled. “You need to stay away from me, okay? I'll just ... I'll figure something out.”

No, no, no! Jones was standing in front of her, yet he was getting further and further away. She couldn't allow it. This wasn't a chance run in – she'd known where to find him, because she knew him. Or at least some version of him. And she owed it to that version, and herself, to try and make things work with this version of him.

“Look, I know what I did was wrong. I wasn't thinking. You're right, I was confused – I am confused, still. Maybe coming up here was a bad idea, but I had to talk to you, because I think you're the only person who can help me,” she spoke softly. He frowned at her words and refused to make eye contact.

“I think the hospital's legal department would say that's a very bad idea.”

“But that won't stop you,” she countered. “Because that's what you do – you help people. You have to, it's your job. And I need your help, Jones.”

It could all go very wrong. She knew it sounded like she was telling him what to do, but really, she was just telling the truth. Jones would always help someone in need. He had to because it was in his nature. In his DNA. The foundation of his being. And if this Johannes Lund really was her Jones, then he would understand what she was trying to say.

He stayed silent for so long, she started to get nervous. Her chin wobbled as she held back tears. If he said no, if he sent her away, what choice would she have but to go? She didn't think she'd handle it very well, and wondered if one of her brothers would drive all the way up here to get her.

But then Jones pulled off his ball cap and raked his fingers through his hair, and suddenly she was sinking into that emerald gaze once again.

“Alright,” he sighed. “You can give me a ride home – that's it, and that's all the time you get. Say what you have to say, and then go back to wherever you came from, alright?”

She almost did a fist pump, but then stopped herself.

“Alright,” she agreed, having complete faith that she could talk her way into his cabin, and then talk herself into anything else. “Whatever you say. Thank you, Jones.”

“And another thing,” he added, holding up his hand. “You have to answer a question for me.”

“Anything. Whatever you want, ask away. What?”

“Where did you learn that name?”

*





AFTER HE'D CALLED FOR a tow truck and had gotten whatever he'd needed from the store, she let him take the wheel of her car. While he drove them to his place, Adele sat hunched over in the passenger seat, chewing on her thumbnail while she felt like her soul was dying. He wouldn't look at her. He wouldn't speak to her. She could feel the awkward rolling off him in waves.

“I am sorry,” she repeated her apology for the millionth time.

“So you said.”

“I wasn't trying to get you in trouble.”

“I understand.”

God, she hated his voice. It wasn't the voice she knew – this one was cold and clinical. Professional. No hint of a smile or a laugh in it. She'd kill for one of his cryptic sentences right about now. Anything would be better than his feigned indifference.

“They told me you spent a lot of time with me,” she ventured, and he finally cut his gaze to her.

“Yes, but I was never inappropriate,” he assured her.

“Of course! I know that, I really do,” she held up her hands. “It's just ... I don't know how to explain it. I feel ... I feel like I know you.”

Talk about the understatement of the century.

“Understandable.”

She ground her teeth together. Maybe if she hit him over the head hard enough, he'd go into a coma, and then she could just meet him there.

Stop it. You're just making things worse. You know this man, so figure out a way to reach him.

“So ... you spend a lot of time up here?” she asked, sounding lame even to herself.

“Yes. My father used to bring me here,” he replied.

“That must've been nice. What did you two do?”

“He taught me how to fish. I wasn't very good at it,” he chuckled, finally relaxing a bit. “But it was nice, you know, just spending time together in our place.”