*Pt. 16*

Jesse woke Ashley up later that morning- He touched her shoulder, in a low voice, he said,
"Ash-wake up darlin' " her eyes fluttered, "Ash-" she opened her eyes & looked at him,
"You shouldn't be in here-" he had a look in his eyes she didn't remember ever seeing before,
"I have to tell you somethin' before I leave-" she sat up,
"What is it ?" he was squatting next to her bed, he looked up at her now,
"Jeff says he really loves you-" she nodded, "And you love him ?" she stared at him,
"Yes." he nodded slowly,
"And what do you feel forMe darlin' ?" she touched his face, tears in her eyes, "I love you Jesse-" he stared,
"But you want Jeff ?" she had a lump in her throat,
"Jesse-"
"It's ok sweetheart, I just need to hear it." she swallowed,
"It's different with Jeff-" he waited, "I love you Jesse- and until recently, I didn't know which one of you I cared for more." he looked sadder than she'd ever seen him,
"TIL recently....so I blew it like Jada said I would-" Ashley put her hand on his,
"Jesse, I just......I'm 'in' love with Jeff. It's not you blowing it-" he nodded,
"I told Jeff I'd back off- If you two really got somethin', that's all cool." he stared at her, "But if he ever hurts you, or makes you unhappy- I'll kick his skinny little ass all the way to Kentucky !" she smiled,
"So we're all still friends ?"
"You'll never get rid of me darlin'- And Jeff, Me & him been friends too long." she nodded, reaching to hug him, he moved up so she could- he hugged her back, holding onto her, she said,
"You're special Jess-" he kissed her forehead,
"So are you darlin'-" he stood to go-
"We're you going ? You don't have the truck-"
"I need to walk- I'll find Chris & Jimmy later-" he forced a smile, "Be good-" she nodded & he left-
She sat there for several minutes, hugging her knees, tears falling down her face - she knew Jesse was hurting, but she couldn't help how she felt about Jeff- And she really did love Jeff, she had no doubts-

*CONTINUED*

*Pt. 17*
*HOME*