Hey Jude (Lennox Valley Chronicles #1)

David continues, apparently picking up on the pregnant pause. “What? It’s true! There was always something a bit off about him. So I’m glad he’s out of your life now. Onto better times, I say.” He pries open a bread roll to butter it.

“David.” Lynn gives him a serious look. He misses it.

“Best to cut those ties, I think. Start fresh.” David smiles, oblivious to the reaction of his daughter and, increasingly, everyone else. He looks at Olena, finally noticing her unease at what he’s said. “What, you’re not still in touch with him, are you?”

“No, Dad, of course not!” Olena looks bewildered at being put on the spot.

Nat makes a face at Olena that I can’t discern. I frown slightly, not sure what’s happening.

“These rolls are amazing. Have you tried them?” Wyatt’s sudden change of topic is jarring, but we all turn our gaze to him. He chews, wide-eyed, and holds out the basket of buns.

I pull my hand away from Olena’s leg and nod politely at Wyatt, taking one.

37

OLENA

My phone rings late Tuesday afternoon as Teddy waves goodbye from his truck on his way home. I wave back distractedly and peer down at my phone screen. It’s hard to see in the bright daylight, but I have a sinking feeling I know who’s calling. I finally manage to shade the screen to see the call display. My stomach sinks.

Not again. Not now.

Jude is packing up his truck so, before I answer, I quickly motion to him that I’m going inside the house to take the call.

He nods.

Closing the door behind me, I accept the call, taking a deep breath. “Hello?”

“Who the fuck do you think you are, anyway?” Sean’s voice is rough and unsteady.

Shit.

“Sean, I need you to leave me alone.”

“Oh, you need me to leave you alone? Like you’re the only person in this relationship? The one who gets to call the shots?” His voice cracks, his words stumbling out unnaturally. He sounds unstable.

Worry prickles across the back of my neck. “I’ve told you a million times, there is no relationship! It’s over! Get it through your head!” I’m losing my patience. He can’t keep calling me like this. He can’t keep intruding on my life. I look over my shoulder, making sure the door is closed.

“Fuck that, Olena. Fuck that. This isn’t over. If you won’t listen to me, I’ll…” He trails off.

“You’ll what, Sean? You’ll what?” I’m fuming with anger. I just want to move on. I’m trying to be happy here. With my friends. With Jude. “Look… I’m seeing someone now. Just leave me alone.”

The silence is heavy on the line. My heart races with instant regret. Shit. I shouldn’t have said that.

His voice is scarily quiet when he speaks. “What did you just say?”

I falter a moment, but there’s no turning back now. I take a deep breath. “I said… I’m seeing someone.”

“Fuck you. No, you’re not.”

“Yes, I am. You need to understand I’m not coming back, Sean. Stop calling me.”

“Who is he?” He sounds worryingly calm.

“That’s none of your—”

“Who is he, Olena?” He’s shouting at me now.

My hands are shaking. “Look, I’m not—” My voice shakes now too.