“Awww, you poor baby.” Kin came around and hugged him, stroking his hair gently. “I could mek ya feel better.” She whispered in his ear and he yanked away from her.
“Get away from me. What do you want, money? I’ll give you money. Just get the fuck out of my life!” He walked up to the Salvador Dali painting on his wall and took it down. A safe door was behind it, he put in the combination and opened it up. He then pulled out a huge wad of cash and threw it at her. She watched the money in disgust. “What am I ‘posed to do with dis? You worth millions… a hundred thousand is pocket change.” She threw the cash back at him. “Ah want more and ah want you. Ya were and are de love ah mi life, Jacob, and ya nah leave me again.”
“Kin, you need help, I’m calling the police.”
“And wah, tell dem ya ex-girlfriend that ya sold drugs wit’ from ’97 to ’07 want de money she mek fi you? Ya ‘ole business go down, ya ‘ear me?” Jake paused in thought, his fists clenching hard and his jaw tightening as hatred burned in his eyes.
“Fine Kin, just don’t hurt Reese, or tell anyone about my past. I’ll break up with her, and I’ll be with you if that’s what you want.”
“Ah, good boy.” She ruffled his hair and pinched his cheek. “Ah miss ya plenty.” He raised his eyebrows and shook his head, his face impassive. His phone then rang and he answered it, not taking his eyes off Kin once.
“Yeah, Granger, it’s okay. The situation is under control.”
“Coolio.” Granger replied and hung up. Jake tossed his phone onto his bed.
“Well Kin, I’m all yours.”
“Not until ya break up with that blasted trini ho.” Jake’s eyes became red and glassy.
“Whatever you say, Kin.” He made way to his bed and lay down on it.
I lay on my bed, looking up at the ceiling feeling agitated that Jake hadn’t responded to any of my texts. It was almost midnight and not a single response. He read all of my messages and nothing! I was losing it, starting to get worried, where was he? He told me he was coming back earlier to drop back the car and and he hadn’t showed. What was going on, maybe he left his WhatsApp messenger open and that’s why it seemed as though he read it, but he wasn’t online though.
I concocted all kinds of excuses in my head as to why I hadn’t heard from him as yet, then decided to put it to rest until tomorrow and find out exactly what was wrong when I see him at school. Heath began to flicker across my mind, wondering how he was doing with the whole Caroline situation. I could hear his music from my room, he never left his music on, and so I guessed he was still awake.
As I walked closer to his bedroom, I could hear Salvation by Gabrielle Aplin playing. It was such a pretty song, but sounded so sad, and one line that stood out, ‘I never meant to fall for you’ resonated with me. Was the song referring to me or Caroline? Why do I care anyway, I’m with Jake.
I knocked on his door and after a few short seconds, he opened it. His eyes bloodshot red, smelling overbearingly of alcohol and then I noticed a bottle of vodka sitting by his bedside behind him. “What are you doing?”
“Drowning my sorrows, Pieces.” He replied, darting his eyes around and walked back to his bed, leaving the door open for me. I sat beside him on the bed, trying to think of what to say. He looked up at me with raised brows, as if anticipating what I had to say.
“About Caroline… I’m sorry.” He closed his eyes as if savouring the pain and heart ache.
“To tell you the honest truth, Pieces, I could care less about Caroline. I was already planning to dump her. You know that.”
“Yeah, I do. But it doesn’t make it any less painful. She is still someone you spent a lot of time with.”
“Please, I’m happier without her. It’s just… other things on my mind. Stupid shit.” He took a gulp of vodka. Wow! So I’m guessing the song was about me. He then passed the bottle to me and raised a brow as if to ask if I wanted a shot. I took the bottle and tossed my head back, taking a huge gulp, then threw myself back onto the bed, my arm spread out and my feet dangling off the edge. I looked up at the ceiling, a million thoughts racing through my mind. Why me? Why now? What a strange twist of events. Just a little over a month ago, I was the one listening to Salvation, drinking a bottle of vodka wishing to be with Heath, and now here he is doing the same for me.
I turned my head to the side and he looked down at me, I could see it in his eyes. That look I knew all too well. The look of longing with a hint of sadness, and the awful realisation that you’d never get what you truly want. Why couldn’t he have chosen to see me before Jake? It’s not like I could leave Jake now, I was truly in love with him. Buzz! I felt my phone vibrate. Heath pursed his lips and turned away, knowing that it was Jake. I read the message on my phone and sat up. I turned to Heath and whispered, “Jake’s outside.” He didn’t respond so I got up and went downstairs.
Jake was in the porch dressed in a long, black Burberry London raglan double breasted trench coat; black shirt, skinny jeans and dress shoes.
“Jake, hey.” I smiled when I saw him. He looked nice, too nice to just be dropping off my car. “What happened to you? You’ve been M.I.A. for hours.”
“Reese, listen. We need to talk.” And the tone of voice he used, made my smile fade. He looked nervous, his eyes apologetic and now I was scared.
“What’s wrong, Jake?” I asked alarmingly. He handed me the keys to my car.
“Take this first, before I tell you what I have to. Put it inside.”
“No, wait. What?” I stood there with my arms folded.
“My ex is back.” He began and my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“And?”
“And… we’re getting back together.” And that was it, the words hit like an oncoming train – hard and fast. My heart felt like it fell to my gut, my chest tightening and my stomach twisting. I couldn’t breathe, those words literally knocked the wind out of me and I felt like I was about to faint. Tears slowly pooling in my eyes and a lump forming in my throat, I felt like I was going to die. It felt like someone had died.
“Wh… wha… what? Jake?” I finally blinked and began to pant heavily as the tears flowed. “Jake, what? Lena cheated and left you, how could you go back with her?”
“It’s Kin, not Lena.” He grimaced.
“You told me you loved me, yesterday… a couple hours ago…” I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and even more tears spilled down my cheeks. I reopened my eyes. “How the fuck could you do this to me? Why’d you get me this stupid car then, why’d you do any of this? It doesn’t make any sense. Jake? Please don’t do this to me.” I began to cry, the keys fell out of my hand and I dropped to my knees and held onto my stomach unable to contain the pain. My head was bent and eyes glued to his feet as I cried, wanting him to comfort me and tell me this is just a joke, but instead I saw his feet turn and walk away. I heard him get into the parked Escalade and when I looked up, he was gone. My chest felt like it literally hurt; it’s been so long since I felt this. I just curled up into a foetal position right on the porch and cried uncontrollably.
“Pieces?” I heard Heath’s calm deep voice whisper. I couldn’t move. I was paralyzed by pain and heartache. He then scooped me up and carried me to my room, laid me on my bed and curled up into a foetal position behind me, as if he was my shield. His arms wrapped tightly around my body, nuzzling his face into my neck and I just cried. “Shhh… Pieces. It’ll be alright.” His words did nothing for me, just falling on deaf ears.
“Why?” Is all I could say repeatedly between sobs. I couldn’t make sense of anything. “He told me he loved me for the first time last night, why would he do that? He had nothing to gain.”
“Sometimes, Reese, some guys just like to prove to themselves that they could make a woman fall for them – like an ego trip, and it’s really messed up.
“Boys, Heath. Boys do that. He is not a boy, he’s a man with a lot going for him. It just doesn’t make sense.” I cried even more as I ran the entire re
lationship through my head, wondering where I went wrong, and the worst part is, I still have to see him every day for almost two years.
“I’m here if you need me, Pieces.” He whispered and held me even closer. He looked ahead of me, his mind drifting and eyes sweltering with rage. “This is exactly what I was afraid of. I didn’t want you to get hurt.” He then closed his eyes and I did the same, tears still flowing. I just wanted to bury myself. I felt hurt, embarrassed, betrayed – every possible negative emotion.
The next morning Heath woke up, me still in his arms. “Reesie.” He called out repeatedly until I woke up. “We’ve got school.” He said and got up off the bed. “Are you going?” I just stared at the wall, wondering if to go to school or not. “Reesie?” I turned to him, still silent. “Reesie, talk to me, baby.” I managed a small smile when he called me baby.
“I’m afraid to face him.” I whispered, barely audible. “I’m afraid.”
“Pieces, you won’t face him alone. I’ll be by your side – one hundred percent.” He looked at me helplessly. He truly cared about me, that much I know.
“What about the movie? You think I could function like this, with him there?”
“Reese, I’d be with you, I promise.”
“Okay.” I nodded and as Heath reached for the door, I continued, “You know what hurts the most?” He paused and craned his neck back at me, awaiting my answer. “The fact that I knew him so well, met his mother, knew his heartache with Lena… and his father – everything, and yet he did this to me. It’s so unlike him. Am I crazy for being in such disbelief?” He paused for a minute, kneeled in front of me and held onto my face.
“Reesie, sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes, people aren’t what they seem. That’s why I was afraid of you being with him. He’s a grown man that all these school girls fawn over, it was bound to happen.” He then hugged me and kissed my cheek. “Get ready for school.”
After getting ready, I met Heath downstairs and he didn’t move a muscle, just stared at me apprehensively. “What’s wrong?” I asked. He then put up his hand, the keys to the car Jake bought for me dangling from it. “What are you gonna do about this?” He asked.
“What do you think I should do?” My eyebrows furrowed.
“Keep it! It’s a beautiful car. If you can’t stand to look at it, sell it and buy another.” “That’s a really good idea. I’ll think about it for a while. But for now, I think I rather rely on you to take me to school.”
“And I’d be more than happy to.” He smiled and put out his arm and I linked my arm in his.
While we were on our way to school, I kept staring out into the open road, oblivious to everything. My mind blank. Some moments I’d think of Jake, next moment, nothing at all. Just numb. I didn’t know how to feel anymore. It was all too much for me. I gave my heart to this man and he broke it. I should have broken his before he got the chance. I felt so stupid and embarrassed because now Heath had to pick up the pieces of my heart, after I shut him down when he confessed his true feelings to me. Now, was the moment I believed that maybe Heath and I were meant for each other, and this was just destiny’s way of putting us in place for our future together? Life was complicated and I knew everything happened for a reason, but sometimes I wished life would save me the heartache. I faintly heard the words to It’s Not Over by Daughtry playing over Heath’s car radio. How appropriate!
We walked into Tang to get our breakfast as we usually do. As I walked further down, I stopped in my tracks, my chest felt like it fell to the floor. There he was, reading his stupid book and eating his stupid bagel looking ever so beautiful with that stupid face. Ugh! I hate him! I wanted to go over there and pour his cup of hot coffee over his head. How could he do this to me? Heath took notice of my apprehension and he consoled me. “Come on, Pieces.” He led me to our seat. I waited for him as he ordered our breakfast, occasionally glancing over at Jake. That’s it! I’m going over there!
I marched up to him and sat in the chair opposite him and he looked up from his book. “How dare you?” I spat.
“Excuse me, Ms. Singh?” He raised a brow at me. Ms. Singh? Did he really just call me that with that tone? Now he’s acting as if I’m just his student?
“So, this is the game you play? How many students have you done this to before?” He looked at me with a hint of remorse, but it was gone in a flash. He removed his glasses, placing them on top of his book and watched me impassively.
“I’ve never messed around with a student before, Reese.” He replied in a stern whisper. “Kin is back into my life now and that’s all that matters. We’re over.”
“Just like that, huh?” A lump formed in my throat as I tried to fight back the tears. “Why would you tell me you love me if you didn’t mean it?” I watched him anticipating an answer but he just placed his glasses over his eyes and continued reading his book, ignoring me in the process. “Alright.” I mouthed, nodding my head in utter disbelief. I pulled out the keys to the BMW and placed it in front of him. “Get your car when you’re ready. I don’t want it.” I got up and walked back to Heath, taking my seat opposite him. He ogled me and shook his head.
“You okay?” He mouthed.
“No. I. Am. Not.” His eyes remained on me as I tried to eat my sandwich, but I barely had an appetite.
“Oh boy.” He whispered and pointed his chin to the back of me. When I turned around, I saw Jake was approaching us.
“Reese, can I speak to you for a moment please?” Jake asked, when he reached up to our table and glanced over at Heath.
“Sure.” I looked at Heath, as if asking for approval. He nodded his head and Jake led me to the outside of Tang. He pulled out the keys to the BMW from his jacket pocket and placed it in my palms.
“This is yours, Reese. I bought it for you, please don’t give it back.”
“Why do you care if I have the stupid car or not? You broke up with me the day after you gave it to me! The day after my birthday!” I gritted my teeth trying to keep my composure and not create a scene. He stuck his hands deep in the pockets of his pants with his head bent.
“Reese, look, I never meant to hurt…”
“Oh my God, the typical cliché line. Puh-lease save it!” Is this dude like for real?
“Reese, just listen, please keep the car. I have had issues with Kin and I’m trying to resolve them, okay. Just try to underst…”
“So, because she decided to come back into your life, you throw me to the side? That’s how we do things now? Hmm… should have gotten the memo, things would have gone down differently.”
“What’s that supposed to mean.” His head tilted slightly upward.
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it. Am I still the lead in Genesis or not, because I could honestly care less about all of this right now.”
“You still want the part?” He asked impassively.
“What do you think? It’s good for my reel and my credit.”
“Then it’s yours.” He shrugged and I paused, just staring at him trying to figure out what the hell was going on.
“What’s going on with you?” I breathed and he turned away.
“Nothing. You’re free to be with Andrews now.” He gave me a once over before walking off. What? Heath?
And that’s it! I am free to be with Heath now, and for the first time in almost a year, he was free to be with me. But as much as I loved him, my heart still ached over this fucked up breakup that I was going through. It was so sudden, no problems, never had a fight – minor disagreements, yes, but nothing serious. We talked a lot, played, and had fun – what the fuck!
I just coasted through school; my body was there but my mind was so far, and even in Jake’s class I could barely pay attention. Being around him now disgusted me. I felt so numb about everything, and at the same time I hated him, and even more, I hated myself for ever entertaining his stupid ass!
Days had passed by and I just sat on my sofa, wearing sweats staring endlessly at the TV; no appetite,
feeling sad, hurt, lost, angry, and depressed. Heath would try his best to comfort me, spending every waking hour coaxing me into a happier mood, but it was worthless. Jake broke me. He hurt me in the worst way and the most painful part was seeing him every day as he acted as if nothing ever happened. I was nothing! Nothing! That kept replaying in my mind. Those words echoing and torturing me even more, making me feel worthless.
I sat on the three-seater sofa in the living room, my legs extended out onto the coffee table, staring at the TV, more like the TV staring back at me. “Reese?” Heath interrupted my dazed state of self-pity. I looked up at him as he sat on the armrest of the loveseat that was adjacent to me, my hair dishevelled and eyes puffy from the tears I had shed.
“Cavanaugh called and said we have to complete the rest of the scenes, should I tell him bugger off?”
I paused for a moment, instantly deciding to stop feeling sorry for myself. I was where I wanted to be in a physical sense. All I ever wanted to do was film, all I had ever dreamed about was getting into a good film school in California and pursuing my dreams. And here I was moping over some dude while I have the opportunity to follow my dreams. Who was I to let this stop me? A damn fool, that’s what! Life goes on!
“No.” I answered boldly. “Of course not. Let’s do it.” I jumped off of the sofa and Heath watched me with a smirk.
“Now that’s the Pieces I know. Let’s get ready then.” He winked.
We spent a couple more days filming around Dillcaster before we had to meet with the cast and crew at Cave Ink. We had to use the props and sets for the last few scenes we had to complete, one of which being the epic kiss. Heath and I never got around to rehearsing it, so we’d just have to go with the flow when we were shooting.
Today was the first time in a long while I felt like me again. Finally looking my usual well-kept self. Although I had decided to put the whole Jake thing behind me, it was easier said than done, so it was quite liberating to feel the weight of it lifted off. Some days I felt free, other days I felt trapped in my own thoughts of despair. But today, wasn’t one of those days and I was grateful because today was the day Heath and I finally have our epic kiss.
In The Spur of Heath (The Spur Series Book 1) Page 14