Were you mine?

Chapter 38 Take my chance

Jake's POV

Me going to the Rodgers Mansion was weirder than them inviting me for dinner.

I went only because I wanted to make amends and did not want to end up on their wrong foot.

That place and I had nothing in common. The food tasted like ash as they continued serving. Not because it was not tasty but because Phill sat right beside me, glaring at me constantly.

I could have never imagined I would end up having dinner at his house of all places. The world really was getting smaller day by day.

Mercy tried to do some damage control and I smiled for her sake.

The dinner dragged on with awkward small talk and forced smiles. Finally, Mercy suggested we move to their game room,much to my relief. Phill and Percy immediately started competing with each other, and Mercy joined in. I hung back, watching them from a distance.The only thought that kept crossing my mind was "What the hell was I doing in their world? "

" Mercy, take my spot. Make sure Percy doesn't cheat. Keep an eye on him, "Suddenly Phill excused himself to the washroom, leaving his phone behind.

Mercy picked it up, snapped a few selfies, and set it back down and she and Percy carried on ,giggling. My heart pounded. I couldn't believe I was about to do this.

My mind had been stuck on that singular possibility from the moment I had set my eyes on Phill again at the party.

Lea!

I couldn't let go of that gut feeling that he knew where she was. I couldn't shake of that feeling that he knew where she was.

Seizing the moment, I grabbed Phill's phone and slipped into a corner. My hands shook as I navigated to his contacts and found Lea's name. I hesitated, then hit call without thinking.

She immediately picked up, right after two rings, as if she had been waiting.

" Hello!"

I spoke afraid that it wasn't her and half expecting that it was some other Lea.n

But I could identify her simply from her heaving. She didn't say I word. I think she knew it was me. But I could hear her breathing. It filling me with hope. It made me feel whole again. I swear my heart was beating so fast it was about to jump out of my mouth.

"Lea!" Her name rolled out of my lips effortlessly.

And then fear gripped my heart that she might severe that spark of our connection.

"Lea, please dont hang up! I had no choice. It's about Aunt! ”

I had to use the victim card. Aunt was our only connection that she couldn't... she wouldn't severe. That was what I thought. Besides, she needed to know Aunt's condition. I wasn't completely lying. Was I?

" I had my doubts that you were... that Phill was... I knew I could find your number from his phone. A lot has happened Lea. Gosh! Damn! Lea, are you even listening? Hello? Lea? ”

She hadn't uttered a single word. All I could hear was her breathing but that was enough.

" Lea, Aunt is dying. She wants to see you. Please come visit her once. Lea...”

I lied just before the phone got disconnected. I am glad I could. I could tell she was still mad at me. But how mad could she be to not even want to listen to my voice?

I didn't want to think. I couldn't think. I was hyper ventilating. I needed to see her. I needed to hold her. I needed to feel her next to me. I had thrown my Trump card. Even if she hung up, I knew she would want to see aunt especially on her death bed.

Anxiety was sweeping me off the ground.

I quickly deleted the call record, slipping the phone back to it's place.

Mercy walked in just then. She glanced at me, sensing something was off. "Everything alright, Jake?"

"Yeah," I lied, trying to keep my voice steady. "Just needed some air."

Phill had just got back from the washroom.He shot me another suspicious look, but said nothing.

The evening went on, but my mind was already racing ahead to my meeting with Lea.

And then it was finally time to say our goodbyes.

I thankef everyone and was about to leave when I remembered what I had missed.

Lea was sure to get back to Phill for Aunt's location.

But Phill had no idea I had called.

I casually turned around, putting all my acting experiences to full use.

" By the way, Phill, if you talk to Lea, please let her know that our Aunt is very sick. She is basically dying. She's at St. Mark's Private Hospital," I said, handing him a small slip of paper with the address.

Phill's eyes widened, and he fumbled to pull out his phone. "What the hell, Jake? "

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant.

"It slipped my mind. But it's serious, man. She needs to know.You are the only one she might be still in touch with...I thought!"

As I turned to leave, I could feel Phill's eyes boring into my back as he went through his now deleted call records.

I got into my car and closed the door after me, and I exhaled the breath I'd been holding. My nerves were on edge, and I knew I'd have to face the consequences of my actions soon.

Inside, Phill was already dialing Lea's number. "Pick up, pick up..." he muttered under his breath.

There was no ring, her phone went straight to voicemail. And then it kept saying the phone was out of the service area.

"Damn it, Lea, where are you?" Phill's frustration was palpable as he paced the room. He shot a quick glance at Mercy, who had stopped playing and was now watching him with concern.

"What's going on, Phill?" she asked, setting down her controller."Which Lea was Jake talking about? Our Lea? How does he know her? ”

Phill grabbed his hair but said nothing.

" Damn! Is your Lea the same Lea Jake keeps talking about? ”

Phill nodded but said nothing else.

" Damn! Damn! There could only be so much coincidence in the world. What was it he was saying about their aunt? ”

Mercy frowned. "That's...odd. Do you think he might be lying?"

Phill's jaw tightened. "I don't know. But I need to find out."

He immediately called the hospital and enauired about the patient as Mercy silently watched.

He slowly put the phone down and looked at his sister.

" It's true. He wasn't lying. ”

He tried calling Lea again, but it was still off. His frustration grew. "This isn't like her."

"Phill. Maybe she's just somewhere without service."

Mercy's face was full of worry as well.

"Yeah, maybe," Phill said, but he didn't sound convinced. His mind was racing, trying to piece together what was happening.

Outside, I was already halfway down the driveway, my mind a whirl of emotions. I had done what I needed to do. Now all I could do was wait and hope that Lea would come through.