Free Dangerous Confessions of the Heart (Dangerous Secrets of the Heart) by Michele Johnson Page B

began to ring in my purse. I grabbed it. “It’s James.” I said.
                  “Don’t answer…” Austin said as I pressed the talk button.
                  “Hello?” I said.
                  “Jamie…? Where have you been? I’ve been calling.” He said.
                  “I’m with Austin. I left my purse in the car” I admitted.
                  “I’m at your house.” He said.
                  “Oh, Okay. I’m on my way.” I unenthusiastically said.
                  I hung up the phone.
                  “He’s at the house.” I admitted.
                  “Alright, so, I guess I have to take you to him?” Austin asked.
                  “Yes.” I said. In a way I was thankful.
                  He drove in direction to my house. We sat in silence. When we reached my house I kissed his cheek and climbed out of the car. He didn’t say anything. I could tell he was brokenhearted.  I shut the door and turned toward the house. James was sitting on the porch. I heard the mustang drive off.
                  “Sorry to ruin your date.” James said sarcastically.
                  “No you’re not.” I said bitterly.
                  He laughed as I walked to the door and unlocked it. We walked in together. I put my keys and my purse down on the table beside the door and followed James into the kitchen.
                  “You’re early.” I stated.
                  “Yeah, I have a lot of things to do.” He said.
                  “Cool, Austin will be graduating soon.  And he has a job now.” I said trying to small talk him.
                  “Well, I am here to give you this.” He placed a blue gift bag on the table.
                  “What’s this?” I inquired.
                  “We’re paying you up.” He announced.
                  “What do you mean?” I questioned.
                  “This is your last three payments of $1000. There is $3000 in this bag.” He declared.
                  “Paying me up?” I asked confused. “I thought this deal was supposed to last until I die?” I asked.
                  “Well, dad said that he sees no reason to take care of you anymore. Jesse has moved on and evidently you have too. You are no longer a risk to him.”
                  “This is bull shit James. I was supposed to be paid $1,000 every month until I died.” I was starting to get mad.
                  “I don’t make the rules Jamie, I just enforce them.” James admitted.
                  I rolled my eyes. “Fine” I said.
                  “I do have one more gift for you.” He laid an envelope on the table.
                  “Okay. I’ll open it later. I have to go look for a job.” I said sarcastically.
                  “I guess this is goodbye Jamie.” He said. He came over to me and kissed my cheek. “It’s been a pleasure.”
                  “Goodbye James.” I whispered. “Although I hate your guts, we’ve became close.” I admitted. “I’m going to miss you…a little.”  I confessed.
                  “Me too… Take care of yourself Jamie.” He said.
                  He turned around and caressed Cody’s head. “Bye Mutt.” He said.
                  Cody licked his hand. I smiled at them. This was a bittersweet moment. James had kind of grown on me. He had become the only one who knew my secret and really knew “me”. I was going to miss him slightly. Undoubtedly because he reminded me of the face I so desperately desired to see again. James shook his head in a nod and walked out the back door, closing it behind him. He disappeared. My heart sank as I