I stopped to pick up a coffee on my way to my nine am presentation and strangely, had been in a great mood all morning. Juggling my coffee, keys and phone in one hand, I opened my car door with the other. The chiming of my phone echoed as I slid behind the wheel and I smiled, knowing it was Jared. He promised to text when they arrived for their next show.
Dropping the keys in my lap, I sipped the scalding coffee before placing the cup into my newly clutter free console. I had been so proud of myself for eliminating unnecessary junk and people from my life. Ever since that day at the gym, I somehow managed to avoid Shannon and Dominique, and my relationship with Jared had improved greatly. I had my good days and bad ones, but as of lately, the good far outnumbered the bad. Nevertheless, I frowned when reading Jared’s message.
‘Just checked into the hotel, but I have no fucking idea what’s going on.. Shannon didn’t make the flight and he’s not responding to any of my texts. I’ve been on the phone for over an hour attempting to track him down. Hope your day is going better than mine. Talk soon.’
I flung the phone onto the seat next to me and shoved the key into the ignition. Sighing, I hated the obvious strain between Jared and Shannon and couldn’t help but feel it was partly my fault. They were talking, but it was business related only, and even though Jared steered clear of the subject, I knew better than to bring it up. I also knew that eventually this would probably result in a huge blow up.
It took me ten minutes to make the drive to my clients home to lay out my ideas. Sondra and I had known each other for many years and I’d done a few jobs for her in the past. She usually loved my ideas and I had been really excited for this job, but the more I thought about Jared’s text, the more distracted I became.
I parked my car and took a deep breath, grabbing what I would need, my laptop, accessory bag and coffee. I chucked my phone into the bag and stood there, tapping my foot against the asphalt, staring into the back seat and trying desperately to figure out if I was forgetting anything. When I was satisfied I wasn’t, I slammed the door shut and locked up before sauntering up to the security fence and pressing the call button.
Minutes later, I was sitting on the couch, showing Sondra images I created on my laptop. My 3D design was realistic and I was anxious to hear her thoughts.
She was especially cheerful, and loved my layout, however, there were a few minor adjustments made with the color scheme. She continued chatting long after offering me the job, but I lost interest somewhere between her telling me about her vacation villa in the Caymans, and the new hubby’s hideous ex wife.
Sondra was in her fifties, but appeared much younger than she really was. Tiny and petite, the feisty blonde inherited her fortune from husband number one, who dropped dead of a heart attack in 1990. She maintained her fantastic figure through the years and had no problem attracting husband number four, Derek. I glared at their wedding photo and knew he couldn’t be a day over thirty-five. It only took me a few minutes to realize that I’d seen his face plastered across a few billboards around town, offering his services as an injury attorney.
Giving an occasional nod, I concentrated my eyes on the massive television screen mounted to the wall just above the fireplace. Sondra was one of the nicest people I’d ever met, but her high pitched voice was starting to give me a migraine.
I took advantage of Sara’s phone call, using her as an excuse to escape Sondra, who followed me all the way out to my car. I assured her that I’d get started first thing Monday morning and wished her a good weekend as I slipped behind the wheel. As I drove away, I watched her disappear through the fence in my rear view mirror.
Arriving at the restaurant, I shot Jared a quick text before rushing inside. Sara and the girls were already there and I was thrilled to see how big her belly had grown. Between her family, and my chaotic life, it would be difficult to fit all of our catching up into a simple lunch date.
I immersed myself in the hour and a half with my bestie, savoring my Thai food, and smiling as I listened to her correcting Savannah. It was unbelievable how much the girls had changed since the last time I saw them. They looked older somehow and were beginning to look just like Sara. Somehow, observing Sara juggle them both with that belly made me realize just how differently our lives really were. She was a stay at home mom with baby number three on the way. I love my job and I’m head over heels for Jared, there’s just one problem, I also have feelings for another man, his older brother.
Since my breakup with Shannon, my brain shuffled through emotions faster than a kid flipping television channels. To think that at the start of my day, I felt comfortable and confident, but just like that day in Seattle, sitting in the back seat of a taxi and watching that family together, I watched Sara with her girls and couldn’t help but feel jealousy. I wondered if I’d ever have that. If I’d ever fully get over Shannon, or if Jared would even ever want those things with me?
Giving Sara a fake smile, I hugged her and the girls and we parted ways. I had to stop and pick up the supplies I’d need for Monday morning, but then it was back to the gym for my workout. By eight, I plopped on the couch to watch a little tv.
The next thing I knew, I was being startled by the ringing of my phone. Groaning, I pulled my face free of the leather cushion and sat all the way up. “Hey babe.” I grumbled into the phone.
“I’m sorry, did I wake you?”
I stretched my body and my lips curled into a smile, just hearing his deep voice. “It’s fine, I fell asleep on the couch. How was the show?”
The sigh came before he even spoke and I knew it wasn’t good news. “He finally responded by text, but only to tell me he wasn’t coming. Said he needed some time alone. I didn’t even find out until after the show when I spoke to mom that he broke it off with Dom.”
I pretended not to care, but deep down my heart still ached for him. Only the pain caused by a lover can wound so deep, cut you to the very core. Silently, I wondered if I’d ever be over him. “Oh, God, I’m sorry. Him bailing on you like that had to be awful for you guys. What did you tell everyone?” I got up and staggered to the kitchen, still feeling stiff from my uncomfortable night on the couch.
“I lied! Told them he was sick, but Jesus, he should have been there. I mean, what the fuck is he thinking? We have responsibilities! Some nights I don’t feel like going out there on stage, especially when I’m sick, but I have to, and he should too!” Letting out a deep breath, he took a few seconds to compose himself. “I’m sorry, I’m just frustrated.” I frowned, listening to his apology as I started my coffee.
“Jared, don’t apologize. You have every right to be angry.”
“I’m more hurt than anything else. He’s never done this before, just disappeared like this. I don’t know what’s gonna happen if he doesn’t show for the next one.”
“He’ll be there.” I don’t know who I was trying to convince, him or me. “Surely he wouldn’t leave you hanging like that. He may be a selfish jerk when it comes to women, but he loves you very much.”
He groaned, “I hope you’re right.”
I hoped I was too. “Of course I am.” Smiling, I put him on speaker, but grabbed my coffee mug from the cabinet.
“So, how was your thing, you know, your little meeting?”
I was relieved when he changed the subject. “It was great, same old Sondra. I’ve got to be at her house first thing Monday morning and it should be an easy job. I’m meeting another client this afternoon.”
“Well, aren’t you busy?” There was a genuine laugh.
Giggling, I took him off of speaker and held the phone to my ear as I carried it and the mug with me to the couch. “I’ll never be too busy for you.”
I was surprised when he continued talking long past his usual five to ten minutes.
He was more of a texting kind of guy, it was easier with his schedule I guess. I knew he was upset about Shannon, that much was obvious, and I only wished I could be there to comfort him.
When we finally hung up, I wasn’t expecting to hear from him until the next day, but just as I was climbing into bed, he called again. This time angry as hell, he explained that a photo surfaced of Shannon posing with a fan in Miami. I pulled the phone from my ear to view the photo Jared sent. What the hell was Shan thinking?
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