by J. L. Perry
That makes me feel bad. “No, I’m fine. I’m sure it will be a great night.”
“Okay. Only if you’re sure.” I nod and smile again as we make our way towards the door.
While we’re waiting for the elevator to reach our floor, Sebastian tells me a lame joke. It’s not even funny and that makes us both laugh. I can tell he is just trying to lighten the mood.
The doors open and I turn my head in the direction of the elevator, my heart stops beating. Standing there looking all sexy and tanned is Mason. He really is dreamy. He’s looking straight at me and has the biggest smile on his face.
As soon as his eyes leave mine though, and land on Sebastian, his face drops. His body stiffens and his fists clench at his side. Oh shit!
****
Mason
Two fucking weeks. That’s all it took for her to move on. Un-fucking-believable. Here I’ve been pining over her like a lovesick puppy, and she’s off dating other men.
I can’t believe it!
“Jazzi,” Blake screams as he rushes towards her. She opens her arms out wide before wrapping them around him tight.
“Oh, I’ve missed you little man,” she says with a genuine smile as she plants tiny kisses all over his face. “Let me look at you,” she adds as she cups his little face in her hands. She is beaming. You can tell how much she loves him. Pity she doesn’t love me like that anymore. That’s if she ever did. She got over me pretty quick, so I’m thinking maybe not.
Still, I have to admit I love seeing how much she cares for my boy. If I wasn’t ready to have a brain snap any fucking minute, it would actually make me smile.
“Look what I bought you on our vacation,” he squeals with excitement. “It’s a mummy dolphin and her baby. It’s a little boy dolphin. You can call him Blake if you like,” he quickly adds. Oh, shit. It’s just a smaller version of the bigger one. Now it makes sense why he was so insistent on buying both of them. He wants it to symbolise him and Jacinta.
Fucking hell!
That’s never going to happen if she’s moving on. Fuck, my heart is hurting for him. My heart is hurting for me also. I’ve really lost her. There was a part of me that was holding out. Hoping we’d get back together. I’m now feeling crushed all over again.
Red’s eyes well with tears at what Blake just said. I can’t believe she is doing this to us. I hear that fucker she is standing with, clear his throat. My eyes move away from Jacinta and focus on him. He is holding his hand out to me.
Oh, I don’t fucking think so buddy!
“Hi. I’m Sebastian.” I don’t give a fuck what his name is. The only thing bothering me is the fact that he’s moving in on my girl. I swear if Blake wasn’t with me I’d take this fucker out.
I look down at his hand in disgust before looking back at him. I don’t say a word. I don’t need to. I’m sure the look on my face says it all. It’s a look that’s saying, “You’ve got five seconds to move that hand away from me otherwise I’m going to rip it off and shove it down you fucking throat.”
He continues to hold out his hand for a few more seconds before he finally gets the message. He suddenly looks uncomfortable. So he fucking should. I mostly blame Jacinta though. I wonder if he even knows about me…knows that only two weeks ago she was professing her love for me. What a fucking joke.
After clearing his throat again he puts his hands in his pockets. When I look over at Red her eyes are narrowed and she is glaring at me. I just shake my head in disgust. She has a nerve being angry at me.
“Come on Blake,” I say as we walk away from them. I hear Jacinta ask Blake to put the dolphins on her bed and that she’ll see him later. I doubt that. I think it’s time we both make a break from her. As it turns out the only thing she is good for is heartache.
****
Jacinta
I can tell by the look on his face that he thinks Sebastian and I are on a date. He doesn’t even give me a chance to explain. He just storms off. Arsehole!
Suddenly I feel like crying again. Sebastian kindly grabs hold of my arm. “Come on,” he says as he leads me into the elevator. “I take it that was your ex.”
“Yes,” is all I say as I put my head down in shame. I’m so embarrassed by the way Mason treated him. Sebastian puts his hand under my chin and gently raises my head. My eyes have pooled with tears.
“He loves you too, you know. Any fool can see that.”
“I’m sorry for the way he treated you,” I whisper as a tear escapes. Sebastian gives me a kind smile as he wipes my tears away.
“Hey. You have nothing to be sorry about. If I was in his position I probably would have acted the same way. I can tell how much you both still care for each other. I hope you can work it out.”
“Thank you. I hope so too, but I doubt it.”
“True love is worth fighting for. Just remember that Jacinta.” I give him a small smile. “If it’s meant to be, it will be,” he says as he lets go of my face and smiles.
Oh, I hope he is right.
I thank him again. He really is being very kind considering how he was just treated. Thankfully, he changes the subject after that. I try hard to plaster a smile on my face. This evening has started out so shitty. Things can only improve. I hope.
****
Mason
To say I’m furious, would be an understatement. I can’t remember the last time I was this angry. I’m also hurt. Extremely fucking hurt. Crushed actually. I must’ve been fucking delusional to think I had a chance of getting her back.
I need to get out of here. I need to go and drown my sorrows somewhere. Alone. I’ve been putting on a brave front for Blake’s benefit, for the past two weeks. Right now, I just can’t fucking do it. Not for one more fucking minute.
When Connor answers the door, I think he can tell something is wrong. “Why don’t you go and find Cassie, little dude. I think she has cookies and milk,” he says. Blake runs past Connor in search of Cassandra, without another word. I’m thankful for that.
“Listen, can you watch Blake for a few hours?” I ask. I can hear the desperation in my voice as I speak.
“You saw them didn’t you?” Oh, I fucking saw them alright. I don’t want to talk about it either. My emotions are already hanging by a thread.
“Can you watch him or not?” I snap. I don’t mean to take my bad mood out on him, I just need to get out of here before I lose my shit.
“Sure,” he replies with a sigh. “It’s not…” I raise my hand to stop him from talking. I don’t want to hear what he has to say about them. “Are you going to be okay?”
“I don’t know,” I say as I turn and walk away. That’s the truth. I really don’t know if I will be okay. The desperation I felt a few weeks ago when she didn’t want to be with me anymore, doesn’t even come close to what I’m feeling right now. At least back then I could hold out and hope that she’d change her mind about us. Seeing her just now with that fucker though, crushed that dream.
After stepping out of the elevator, I make my way to the exit. I have no idea where I’m going as I shove open the door in the lobby. One thing is for sure, I need a fucking drink.
****
Jacinta
Thankfully, the night isn’t a complete disaster. I actually had a nice time and met a lot of lovely people. I’m still down about Mason, but I tried not to let it dominate my night. I noticed Sebastian watching me intently on a few occasions during the evening. He can probably tell what I’m portraying on the outside, is completely different to how I’m feeling on the inside.
I’m hoping tomorrow Mason and I can get this all sorted. I can’t wait to get a chance to explain this whole misunderstanding to him. That is after I give him a piece of my mind for the way he treated my boss, of course. Sebastian is such a nice guy and didn’t deserve that.
On the drive back to my apartment, Sebastian thanks me for coming with him tonight. “I don’t think I could have stood another night sitting in that big house all alone,” he adds with a si
gh. I feel for him. It must be hard being away from the woman you love for such long periods of time.
“I bet it would be hard for you both,” I reply. “I had a really nice time though. Thank you for inviting me.”
As we get closer to my apartment, Sebastian says, “The night is still young. I’m not ready to go home yet. Do you want to go somewhere and get a quick drink?”
****
Mason
I end up at the pub down the road from my place. I really don’t care where I go, as long they have plenty of alcohol I’ll be happy. Well, as happy as I can be considering what just happened.
I open the door and walk in, making my way to the bar. As soon as my arse hits that stool, I order two double scotches on the rocks. I’m usually a beer drinker, but tonight I need something a little stronger. I down the first drink in one gulp. Shit it burns on the way down, but I welcome it. I pick up the second glass and down that also.
I’ve only been seated at the bar less than a minute when I’m approached by the first girl. Burying myself in some random pussy is probably exactly what I need right now. But, I can’t do that. It’s too soon. I politely tell her to leave me alone. The thought of being with someone other than my Red, makes me feel sick. I guess she’s not my Red anymore though so that’s something I’m going to need to work on in the future.
“Hey. Give me another double,” I call to the bartender as I lift my empty glass up in the air.
A few minutes later another bimbo sits down beside me. “Hey handsome. Do you want some company?” she says in a voice she thinks is sexy. I find it annoying. I just ignore her. I want to tell her to fuck off, but I don’t. It’s best to keep my mouth shut. I don’t want any trouble. Hopefully she’ll get the message soon and leave me alone. All I want is to get so fucking drunk that I’m numb.
Never again will I give my heart to another chick. It’s not fucking worth the heartache. Stupid fucking bitches.
****
Jacinta
We end up stopping at the pub down the road from my apartment building. It’s not a big establishment and doesn’t get very crowded. I’m grateful for that. I hate big crowds. I agreed to this because I felt sorry for Sebastian. He seems lonely without his wife. It’s not like I have anything better to do. I know I’m not going to sleep well tonight after my run- in with Mason.
Once inside, I put my head down as I follow Sebastian towards the bar. I’m trying to be as inconspicuous as I can. I hate attracting attention to myself. The fact that I’m dressed up and Sebastian is in a tux, kind of ruins that plan though.
He pulls out a stool for me to sit down. I give him a small smile and thank him as I take a seat. As soon as I sit I feel him. He’s here. Don’t ask me how I know, but I get this tingling feeling whenever he is near me.
I immediately put my head up and scan the room. It only takes me a few seconds to spot him. He is sitting on the other side of the bar and he is staring straight at me. He doesn’t look very happy to see me either. He looks pissed.
CHAPTER TW
ENTY-FIVE
Mason
Fuck! I can’t even drown my sorrows without her showing up to ruin it. Great. Just fucking great. Does she have to rub it in? Well fuck her. Two can play at that game.
Thankfully, bimbo number two is still sitting beside me. I grab her and pull her onto my lap. “I knew if I stuck around long enough you’d eventually notice me,” she says in that annoying fucking voice of hers. I want to tell her to shut the fuck up, but instead I grab the back of her head and pull her lips down to mine.
The first thing I notice is that her lips feel and taste nothing like my Red’s. I want to push her away, but I don’t. I want Jacinta to know what it feels like to have your heart ripped out of your fucking chest and stomped on. Because that is exactly what she did to me earlier tonight.
Shit, this bitch is practically sucking my face off. I’m surprised I’m not choking on her fucking tongue it’s shoved so far down my throat. When I eventually pull this leech off me, the first thing I do is look over to where Jacinta’s sitting. She’s gone. As I look over towards the door, I catch a glimpse of her as she runs outside. Her fucking pansy arse boyfriend is chasing after her of course.
My heart drops into the pit of my stomach as I push the bimbo off me. I only did it to get back at Jacinta. To make her suffer for what she has done to me. Why do I feel like such an arsehole?
****
Jacinta
Oh, god. I can’t breathe. I run out into the street, I’m gasping for air. “Jesus Jacinta,” I hear Sebastian say as he puts his hand on my shoulder to stop me. I turn and look up at him. I know the tears are already falling. How could he do that to me?
“I saw it too,” he whispers as he folds me in his arms.
A small sobs escapes me when he does this. “Can you take me home?” I cry.
“Sure.” He keeps his arm draped around my shoulders as he leads me towards his car.
He doesn’t say a word on the short drive to my apartment. I’m hanging by a thread here. I don’t want to break down in front of my boss. God only knows what he is already thinking of me. I’m so embarrassed by my actions, but they couldn’t be helped. Seeing Mason with his tongue down that bitch’s throat was a hard thing to witness. I guess things between us really are over. I feel like I’m dying inside.
When we pull up outside my building, Sebastian shuts off the car. “I’ll walk you up to your apartment,” he says kindly.
“That’s okay. If you can just stay here until I make it into the building I’ll be fine,” I whisper. I’m trying so hard not to break down.
He reaches over and places his hand on my knee. “Are you going to be okay?” I nod. If I talk I know I’ll start crying again. “You know that was all for your benefit,” he says. I turn my head and look at him. I’m not sure what he means by that.
“What happened back there,” he adds. “You know your ex only did that to make you jealous, right? I noticed him as soon as we reached the bar. He wasn’t giving her the time of day until he laid eyes on us.”
I’m not sure if that was the case. Either way, I’ll never be able to get that image out of my mind. How could he do something like that right in front of me?
I shrug my shoulders before thanking Sebastian, again, for taking me with him tonight. “I’ll see you next week at work,” I add.
“Call me if you need to talk,” he says as I step out of the car.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “I’m sorry about what just happened.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about,” he replies as he leans over towards the passenger door so he can make eye contact with me. He smiles at me kindly before saying, “I’ll see you on Wednesday, okay?” I nod.
As soon as my back is to him, the tears start to fall. I’m absolutely devastated by what Mason just did. It’s my fault I guess, for taking too long to make up my mind. Now I’ve lost him forever.
****
Mason
I hang around for a little longer. I don’t want to chance running into Red and lover- boy. I’m feeling bad for what I did. I wasn’t sure if it would even worry her. It killed me to see her with him again, so I reacted. Maybe not the smartest move but love makes you do crazy things, I’ve noticed.
Stupid fucking love.
As much as I want to stay as far away from her apartment as possible, I can’t. I need to pick up Blake from Connor. I pray that fucker isn’t spending the night with her. I’m really going to lose my shit if he is.
I only knock on the door once, it flies open. Connor is standing there and doesn’t look happy. He puts his hand out and pushes me further back into the corridor before taking a step towards me.
“What did you fucking do to her this time?” he snaps as he closes the door behind him.
“What!” Is he for real? What did I do to her?
“She was crying her eyes out when she got home. When I asked her what was wrong, all she said was, ‘Mason is an arsehole�
��, so tell me fucker, what did you do?”
“Oh, you’re angry at me? She’s the one who ran off and got herself a new fucking boyfriend after two weeks. Two fucking weeks!” I scream.
“He’s not her boyfriend you dick. He is her boss. She went to a work function with him tonight you dumb fuck.”
“What?” Shit! Did I hear him right? Have I again gone and fucked up my chances of getting her back? My hand goes up to the back of my neck in frustration as I try and comprehend what Connor just told me.
“Move,” I say as I try to push him to get inside his apartment. He grabs hold of my arm.
“Oh no you don’t. I think you’ve done enough damage for one night,” he snaps.
“Just let me see her.”
“No fucking way. Wait here and I’ll go and get Blake. He’s asleep on the lounge. If she wants to see you tomorrow, I’ll let you see her then.”
I want to tell him to fuck off, but I don’t. I know he cares about her as much as I do and just wants to protect her. I’m feeling desperate though. I need to make things right with her. Or, at the very least apologise for my actions tonight. More than likely after what I did, she probably wouldn’t want to see me anyway.
I’m such an idiot sometimes.
****
Jacinta
Heart broken. Absolutely shattered. They would be the best words to describe how I’m feeling. I’ve locked myself in my bedroom. Connor and Cass have both tried to get me to open the door, I won’t. I want to be alone.
I’m lying on my bed sobbing my heart out when I hear another knock at my door. “Please let me in Jaz,” Cass begs.
“Go away,” I scream. I’m not mad at her. I just want them to leave me alone. I’ll come out of my bedroom eventually. I don’t really have a choice.
“Right, I’m going up there to kick that arsehole in the nuts…” I hear Cassie say to
Connor. Even though I am crying, her comment brings a smile to my face. She’d do it too, given half the chance.
I know they’re worried about me, so I relent and get up and go to the door. I don’t unlock it though. “I’m fine, okay. Just give me some space… I just need to be alone for a while.”