Molly
“Molly, can I ask you something?” Megan asks me sheepishly, which piques my interest.
“Of course, what’s up?” Megan is starting to look more and more embarrassed by the second. “Megan, why are you blushing?”
“Um…well. J-James has this um…f-fantasy.”
“Megan, I love both you and James, but I’m not having a threesome with you.”
“WHAT? NO! Sorry, no, that’s not it at all,” she starts to laugh once she’s calmed down from the shock.
“Okay, so whatever it is you want to ask me can’t be as embarrassing as asking that. So, out with it.”
“Okay, he wants me to pole dance for him, and it’s his birthday in a couple of months, so I looked up classes and the strip club in town have dance studios at the back where they do lessons. Would you come with me? They’re on a Monday night at seven o’clock,” She huffs out a breath, as if she’s relieved she got the words out.
“Oh my God, yes, of course I’ll come. I’ve always wanted to have a go. I’ve heard it’s hard work though.”
We continue chatting about our new hobby while Oscar wears himself out running around the soft play area.
A couple of hours later, I’m sat in the pub with Jax. He told me yesterday that Lucy was going out with mates tonight and he didn’t really want to spend the night at home on his own, so I invited him out for dinner to celebrate his new job. I presumed Ryan would be out again like every other night this week, so I didn’t worry about what he was doing.
Jax could tell right away that something was wrong. We may have only known each other a few days, but I feel like it’s much longer, and with Jax noticing my detachment, he obviously feels the same. We’ve both enjoyed the awesome steak and just finished dessert, when I notice we’d managed to drain a bottle of wine. As usual, conversation is really easy between us, and we’ve been chatting about everything and nothing for ages.
“What’s the matter, Molly? You don’t seem yourself,” he asks, looking concerned.
“It’s nothing, sorry. I don’t want to ruin your evening.”
I hadn’t realised the situation with Ryan had got to me so much it was obvious. I guess Megan would have noticed if we hadn’t spent our time together getting excited about our new class. In order to keep it a secret from James, we agreed to tell people we were just going to a dance class. I really hope Megan is good at it, because she is so excited to give James the best birthday ever.
“You won’t ruin my evening, Molly. If you need to get something off your chest, I’m here to listen. I know we haven’t actually known each other long, but it doesn’t feel like that. I’m here if you need me, is all I’m trying to say.”
And with that, I burst into tears. Apparently, someone being nice was the final straw. Jax reaches his hand across the table to hold mine while I cry.
“It’s Ryan. He’s acting really weird: going out and getting off his face every night, then coming in late. He was really horrible one night, and he’s never acted that way to me before. I’m really worried about him.”
Jax knows about me living with Ryan and his relationship with Hannah, but I haven’t mentioned to him about the chemistry that has been between us recently. I go on to explain what has been going on over the past couple of weeks.
Jax opens his mouth to speak, but is suddenly pulled out of his seat and held up against the wall of the pub.
“Why the fuck is she crying? What have you done to her?” Ryan hollers in Jax’s face while he holds him up against the wall by his throat.
“Get the fuck off me, dickhead,” Jax growls back at Ryan, making me jump to action. I get up and start pulling at the arms Ryan has around Jax’s throat.
“Ryan, what the fuck is wrong with you?” I scream in his ear. I see his hold of Jax loosen slightly.
“Wait…you’re Ryan?” Jax questions. Ryan just glares at him. “I think you should be asking yourself why Molly is crying, because it is not something I have done, I can fucking promise you that,” I watch as Jax looks Ryan up and down, “mate,” he snarls out.
At Jax’s words, Ryan snaps his head around to me and takes in my tear-stained face. He lets go of Jax, comes to stand in front of me, and gently wipes the tears from my face.
I see the manager coming towards us over Ryan’s shoulder. “You two go and wait outside whilst I settle the bill, before we have a bigger problem on our hands,” I say to them both, and watch them scurry out of the pub.
Once I have apologised profusely to the manager, paid the bill and left a hefty tip, I make my way out to join Ryan and Jax. They are both stood with their backs to the wall, hands in their pockets and staring out over the car park. Both of them have their jaws set, like they are both ready to jump on each other if one of them says the wrong thing. When I see them, I can’t help but think what a lucky bitch I am, having two seriously hot men fighting for me. I must have done something right in a previous life to deserve to be protected by both of them.
“Right, Ryan, this is Jax. As in, Jackson Parker, whom I employed. Jax, this is my idiot best friend, who I live with.” They both glance at each other. “I suggest you both make friends, because I’m telling you now that you are both important to me, and I will not have you at each other’s throats.”
After staring each other down for a few more seconds, Ryan slowly puts his hand out for Jax to shake.
“I’m sorry, mate. I just panicked. Molly was crying, and I jumped to conclusions. I’m sure she won’t mind me saying she hasn’t got the best reputation for picking the good guys.”
“Thanks for that, Ry,” I say, feeling (and, I hope, looking) seriously pissed off at him.
“It’s okay, I understand. I’d probably do the same if it was my girl.”
“I’m not his girl,” I snap. “Ryan, I think you’ve done enough for one night. I suggest you go home.”
“Come on, then,” he says, and starts walking away.
“No, I’m not coming with you. I am way too angry to be anywhere near you right now.”
“Where the fuck are you going to go, then?” he asks, looking seriously pissed off.
“Quite honestly, Ryan, it’s none of your fucking business. You just go home and calm yourself down, before you cause any more damage.”
He looks completely deflated by my words. His shoulders slump and he marches to his car. I watch him get in and slam his door, before he punches the steering wheel.
“Wow,” Jax says, standing next to me, watching the show and rubbing his neck. “Before I was stopped so abruptly, I was gonna say that I thought the cause of your problem was that Ryan was into you, but having experienced what I just did, I would say that he’s more than just into you, Molly. That boy’s got it bad.” He turns to look at me with sympathetic eyes.
“Shit.”
“You said earlier that he’s been acting weird since you told him about your date. I’m thinking that maybe your announcement was a bit of a reality check for him, and he really has not liked it one bit.”
“I don’t know about that, Jax. I’d just put it down the him being a dick! We both agreed nothing would happen between us, because our friendship is too important to us to lose.”
“Molly, sometimes what we say and what we want are two completely different things. You admitted earlier to wanting him but not allowing it to happen. How would you feel if he told you he had a date?”
I think about this for a few seconds, and I don’t like the pain it causes within me, but it’s not enough to ease the anger that is currently cursing though me.
“Shall we get a taxi? It can drop you off on the way to the office. I’m not going home. I’m too angry to look at him.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” I gently smack him in the arm for looking so smug. “Come on, there’s one over there. And you can think again if you think I’m getting out first. I want to make sure you’re there safe.”
Twenty minutes later, I’ve locked myself into my old flat - that
is now my office - for the night. My phone has been going off constantly for the last ten minutes with phone calls and texts from Ryan. I had to put it on silent to save me throwing it at the wall and smashing it to pieces.
I go to the living room and sit down on the edge of the sofa. I remove my heels and give my toes a wiggle, to stretch them out after being in the confines of my shoes for too long. My phone lights up against on the coffee table, displaying Ryan’s photo. I took the picture when he was sunbathing on the outside sofa at our beach hut. Thinking of that week we had together makes my heart break a little. Look at us now. I decide I need to make contact to put a stop to Ryan’s persistent calls, so I text him.
Molly: Ryan, I’m fine but won’t be home tonight. I’m too angry with you to be around you at the moment. I will be at the Morrisons’ for dinner tomorrow. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Just the thought of going to the Morrisons’ tomorrow makes me groan. Not only will I have to see Ryan, but Emma will more than likely be there. It’s the only thing Susan and Pete have managed to make her attend since the accident: their monthly family Sunday roasts. I used to love going and spending the afternoon as part of a real family, but I haven’t spoken to Emma since she kicked off last weekend in the club, and I have a feeling I may still be mad at Ryan tomorrow. I don’t think how I’m currently feeling is going to fade quickly. I mean, how dare he just barge in on my meal and threaten Jax? It was bad enough that he’s been avoiding me all week and being cruel on Monday night, but tonight was just the icing on the cake. How fucking dare he?
After a few moments, my phone lights up again with a reply.
Ryan: I’m so sorry, please forgive me. I was an idiot x
I put my phone back on the coffee table and lie down on the sofa. One day soon, I’ll get a good night’s sleep. I lie there going through everything that has happened this week. Is Jax right? Is Ryan really that into me? At some ungodly hour in the morning, I eventually fall asleep.
I wake up with the sun shining right on my face. Apparently, I forgot to shut the curtains last night. I roll over and grab my phone.
“Argh, eleven o’clock already,” I moan to myself.
We usually all get to the Morrisons’ for midday but don’t eat until about two o’clock. I decide that I’ll get a taxi home after twelve in the hope Ryan will have already left, have a shower and get dressed, then head over there late. The less opportunity I have to get into an argument the better - whether it’s with Ryan or Emma.
Chapter Thirteen
Molly
I walk into Susan and Pete’s just after one to find everyone already sat around the table. My plan so far has worked: when I got home, Ryan had already left. I didn’t know whether it was to come here but I didn’t care, as long as he wasn’t there.
Susan looks up from passing the potatoes around. “Ah, angel, we didn’t think you were coming.”
“I’m so sorry I’m late. I’ve had a bit of a bad morning but I’m here now.” I smile sweetly at her. I notice Ryan is looking right at me and that there is an empty chair next to him. I also notice that Emma hasn’t taken her eyes off her plate since I walked through the door.
I reluctantly take the seat next to Ryan and try to relax, so it’s not obvious to everyone that there is an issue between us. As soon as I settle in, I feel Ryan’s hand come to rest on my thigh and he leans over to whisper in my ear.
“I was worried you weren’t going to come because of me. I’m so sorry, Molly. Please, I hate fighting with you,” his voice is almost begging.
I turn towards him and whisper back. “I came so no one knows there is a problem. Keep your hands off me,” I say, removing it from my leg. “Don’t piss me off further and we might just pull it off.” I pull back from him to see Emma glaring at us, shaking her head and tutting. Fucking brilliant, this should be fun!
“Emma, what are you doing?” Susan chides. Emma just continues shaking her head.
“So, Molly, I hear you have employed a designer already. I hear he’s quite a handsome chap,” Pete says, trying the break the tension that has settled over the table.
“Oh yeah, he’s a catch alright,” Ryan mutters.
“He is lovely and amazing at what he does. I think we are going to work really well together.”
I hear Ryan snort next to me and I turn my head and glare at him.
“Don’t forget how sexy those tattoos are,” Lilly adds dreamily from the other side of the table.
“No daughter of mine is going be going out with a tattooed thug, Lilly,” Pete chips in.
“Pete, Jax is most definitely not a thug. He comes from a really nice family. They own that chain of steak and grill restaurants you love. But he didn’t want to go into the family business.”
“How unlucky for us,” Ryan whispers beside me.
“And just because he has tattoos, doesn’t mean he’s a thug. It’s art. He designed them himself and they are stunning close up.”
“I’ve bet you’ve had a real close-up view,” comes quietly from next to me again.
“Ryan, would you like to share your thoughts with the table?” I ask him politely.
“No, I’m good thanks,” he smirks at me as he says it.
“Then shut the fuck up,” I bark back at him, which makes everyone at the table stop eating and look at us. “Sorry,” I mumble, and return my focus back to my plate.
“Oh, lovers’ tiff?” Emma says sarcastically.
“Children, if you can’t be nice to each other, please don’t say anything at all,” Susan says in a motherly tone.
The rest of the meal goes by in pretty much silence. Everyone around the table looks very uncomfortable after our little outburst.
As soon as dessert has been eaten, I make the excuse of having loads of work to do and leave as quickly as I can, because I know if I hang around I’ll get interrogated by Susan and the whole mess will just come spilling out my mouth. I feel bad about not helping clean up, especially as somehow Emma managed to run away even faster than I did, but I’ll make sure to do more than my fair share next month.
I head back to the office and drag out the case I packed earlier to tide me over for a few days if I don’t want to go home. I hate not going home; I love that house and my room, but I know it’s just going to end in an argument with Ryan. After lunch today, it was obvious we both need time to calm down.
I get stuck into work to pass the time and before I know it, it’s evening, but I continue because, quite frankly, there isn’t much else to do.
I left my phone in my bag, knowing it would be going off, so I go and check to see if I’m right. And I am: I have twenty-eight missed calls from Ryan and six texts. I open the first text.
Ryan: Thanks for leaving me to the wrath of Susan, you coward.
Wow, thanks for that one!
Ryan: I’m sorry that was mean, it’s just that I got questioned about everything for over an hour.
Oh no, poor Ryan. Boo fucking hoo!
Ryan: I should say, I didn’t tell her anything about what is going on, just fobbed her off.
Well there’s something, I guess, but I know she’ll try me next.
Ryan: Molly, please come home so we can talk. I know I’ve been a huge dick. I’m sorry.
Yes Ryan, yes you have, but no, I’m not coming back yet.
Ryan: Molly, please stop ignoring me. It’s killing me not hearing from you. I hate you being mad at me.
Well, he really should have thought about that before pissing me off, then.
Ryan: Molly, I’m so, so sorry. Please talk to me. I was just trying to protect you last night. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions, and I was stupidly childish today. I’m sorry. Please come home, I hate it here without you. Love ya Molls x
Molly: Ry, it’s obvious we both need time to cool off. I’ll be home when I don’t think the first thing I want to do is shout at you. And yes, you were stupidly childish today, you arse.
I send my reply, put my phone back in my b
ag, and get back to work. I just sit down when the doorbell rings. I ignore it, presuming it’s Ryan trying to talk to me, but it rings again and again. I’m surprised when I hear a woman’s voice shouting my name. As I get closer to the door, I realise it’s Susan. Yep, I was right - I am next in the firing line for interrogation. Fan-fucking-tastic; just what I need!
“Molly…Angel, I know you’re there, your car is here. Open the door.”
“Coming, hang on.”
“Hi Susan, what are you doing here?” I ask innocently.
“I think we need a chat, don’t you?” I groan loudly.
“Come on in, do you want tea?”
“Yes please, angel.”
I make the tea, then go join Susan in the living room.
“I tried talking to Ryan after both you and Emma ran away, but he just kept fobbing me off with rubbish. Emma has been even more distant than usual over the last week and she won’t talk either. What the hell is going on with you three?” Wow, Susan must mean business. Hell's a swear word in her book.
“Er, I don’t know where to start.”
“How about the beginning? That usually works best.”
So I tell her everything about Ryan and me (leaving out the more X-rated bits), Emma and her opinion about us, Ryan and his binge drinking, and the saga with Jax from last night. She sits and listens throughout the whole thing but doesn’t say anything. She grabs her cup of tea and drinks it whilst deep in though. I start to think she isn’t going to say anything, when she puts it down on the coffee table and turns to face me.
“Exactly as I thought,” she says
“Excuse me?”
“Molly, all you kids think we don’t see what is happening under our noses, but we do. Most of the time we just ignore it, so you can all figure it out yourselves. It is obvious how you and Ryan feel about each other; it is there in your eyes when you look at each other or just talk about each other. I’m not going to lie, at first I wasn’t too keen on the idea, but the more I see you both together, the more I see how happy you make each other, and that is all I want for both of you. We have all been through a terrible time, and if out of that you two find each other, then I cannot complain.
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