My Darling Jane (The Darlings)

Pacing back and forth in my apartment, I glance at my phone again. Still no callback from Jane. I shake my head, trying to ditch the worry gnawing at me.

I call Andrew’s number, hoping he might have some insight.

“Hey,” Andrew says, but there’s an edge to his tone.

“Hey, have you heard from Jane? She’s not answering my calls or texts.”

There’s a pause, then, “Yeah, I’ve heard from her. She’s in the hospital with Londyn.”

I start, shocked. “What happened? Is she okay?”

“They think it was peanuts. She’s doing fine, but they’re keeping her overnight.”

“Damn, I had no idea. Is Jane okay?”

“She’s shaken up, obviously, but holding strong. That’s how she is. Tomas came by.”

Tomas.

“I should be there,” I murmur, mostly to myself.

There’s a hint of warning in Andrew’s voice. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea right now. Let Jane handle this her way, Jasper, feel me?”

His words seem like a warning, reminding me of Graham’s opinion.

He tells me he has to go and gets off the phone. Afterward, I slump onto the couch. I want to be there for Jane, but I also understand that being supportive sometimes means stepping back.

I stare at my phone, the urge to call Jane still strong. Instead, I send her a simple text: Heard about Londyn. I’m here if you need anything. No pressure.

I don’t get a reply.

If she wanted to see me, she’d reply.

The evening air is humid as I step out of my apartment and pull my black hat down to shadow my face. I need to clear my head, and a walk seems like the best way to do it.

I bury my hands in the pockets of my gym shorts, my mind replaying the conversation with Andrew.

I’m lost in thought when a woman approaches me. Her pace is quick, and there’s an edge to her that puts me on alert.

“You’re Jasper Jannich, aren’t you?” Her voice cuts through the tranquility of the park like a knife.

I stop, trying to place her. She does look familiar. “Do we know each other?”

She rolls her eyes, irritation evident. “Seriously? It’s Freida. From Cupid’s Arrow. We had a date, and you stood me up.”

Recognition hits me. I didn’t stand her up. I canceled. “Freida, right. I’m sorry about that, there was a—”

But she’s already pulling out her phone, her movements quick and agitated. “Save it. You’re just another lying player.”

I frown, lifting my hands up to stop her. “Hey, let’s not do this here. We can talk about it.”

But she’s already recording me. “Oh, we’re going to talk, all right. Everyone’s going to hear about this.”

Her voice rises, attracting the attention of those passing by. I feel their eyes on us and try to step back, to give her space, but she follows, her accusations growing louder.

“You think you can just use women and toss them aside? Parade around with Jane and her kid like you’re some kind of family man?”

What?

The crowd grows, evening joggers and passersby, who sense drama and gravitate toward it. They’re pulling out their phones too.

“Is that Jasper Jannich? What’s happening?”

“Is he fighting with her?”

Freida’s voice seems to echo around the entire park. “He’s nothing but a fake!”

She steps closer, her finger pointed at me. “You think because you’re some big-shot football star, you can treat women like they’re disposable?”

I attempt to interject, to put a stop to this, but my words get lost as she barrels on. “Is this how you treat all women? Just toys for your amusement?”

Her words sting. I try to maintain my composure, but it’s slipping away.

I hold my hand back up. “Please stop recording me.”

She smirks. “I saw you, playing happy families in the park with Jane and her kid. What is that? Some sort of PR stunt? Are you really dating her?”

The crowd murmurs. Some nod along with Freida, while others look on with morbid curiosity.

“You don’t care about anyone but yourself. You use your fame, your money, to get what you want.”

I open my mouth to defend myself, but I don’t know what to say. I did cancel on her, but it was a choice I made and I have the right, but I’m not sure that’s how it will come across. So I keep my trap shut and just take it.

She ends the video and gives me a scathing look. “You’ll find this on my social media.” She turns and storms off.