Chapter eighty-five:

Taylor wandered into the kitchen to find Becky and Christy standing at the patio door looking out over the back yard.

He got himself a can of dr. pepper from the fridge, but was slightly curious when neither girl turned to look at him, or even acknowledge his presence.

He walked over to the door and tried to look out. “What’s going on?”

“It’s Jen.” Christy replied. “She’s been out there for nearly an hour, just staring into space.”

“I’m worried about her.” Becky replied.

“Have you tried talking to her?” Taylor suggested.

“That doesn’t work. She just denies that there’s something wrong.” Becky replied.

“I’ll talk to her.” Taylor said confidently, and squeezed between the two girls, pushing open the door.

He sauntered down the small slope of grass and down to the dock which extended out into the small lake behind the house.

Jenna was sitting at the very end of the dock, with her knees folded up to her chest.

He could tell before he even reached her that she was upset. He slowed his walking so she would know he was coming towards her, and noticed the stack of photos next to her, the very top one being a photo of Luke and her together.

He sighed heavily, not sure if he was prepared for this, but she had already known he was there.

“Jen?” He asked, easing himself into a sitting position next to her at the end of the dock. “Everything okay?”

She looked up in alarm and quickly wiped her tears away. “I’m fine. Nothing’s wrong.”

“Jen…” He reached out and touched her shoulder. She was freezing cold. “What’s wrong? I know there’s something. You wouldn’t be crying if it was nothing.”

Jenna sighed. “I miss Luke. Am I pathetic or what?”

Taylor’s throat tightened. As much as he had feelings for Jen, he hated to see her upset.

“I mean, I really, really miss him.” Tears began to slowly slide down her cheeks again. “He’s all the way on the other side of the country and I’ve only seen him once in the past two years. I miss him so much it hurts sometimes...”

“You’ll see him in another two months. He’ll be visiting us on the American leg of the tour…” He tested.

“It’s not good enough.” She shook her head. “How could I have possibly thought this would work? I mean, we don’t even live in the same country and we’re trying to keep a relationship going?”

“You like each other. You told me that the other night. I know he likes you too.”

“I know that. But it hurts too much to sit here and miss him like this.”

“So what are you saying?”

She sighed heavily. “I think… I’m going to break up with him.”

“You’re going to break up with him because you miss him so much? That doesn’t make any sense!” Taylor demanded.

“I know, but I have to do something to stop missing him. And this is it.” She got up and walked towards the house to hide her tears.

Taylor sighed heavily. He hated himself for having to do it, but removed his cell phone from his pocket and dialed Luke’s number.

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