by Maddie Wade
Rinsing my body, I step from the shower and wrap a towel around my waist. I go to my room and pick up my phone. Sure, enough it’s a text from Tinkerbell.
Tinkerbell: Hey Jackson, hope everything is okay. I had a great time last night. I missed you this morning. Anyway, text me later and we can decide on dinner tonight. I’m thinking Pizza?
I drop the phone on the bed and go to the wardrobe, grabbing a navy suit I dress quickly, ignoring the text. Ashley is getting a bit demanding When did we fall into a routine of seeing each other every night? We had no plans tonight. Maybe we should pull back a bit.
I grab my phone and text back.
Jackson: I won’t be able to see you tonight. Work is busy, I’ll try and catch up with you later in the week. Take care. Jackson x
I watched as dots instantly appear and bounce on my screen and then disappear. Throwing the phone into my inside jacket pocket, I decide to check later. I’m not depended on her every word or feeling. Maybe I’ll go out with the lads tonight. I’ve neglected them lately. Yeah that’s what I’d do.
*~*~*
Strolling into the office, I stop as I hear shouting coming from my office. What the fuck? I push open the door and come face to face with Lindy. She is trying to pull my personal laptop away from Alex.
“What the hell is going on in here?” I ask my anger barely contained. I walk up to them and take my laptop from them both.
“I came in and this asswipe was on your laptop,” Lindy replies indignantly. She looks fierce, like a mother bear and I try not to smile.
“This old bag is senile. I never touched the goddamn thing. I came in and she was on it,” Alex answered snidely.
I feel my hackles begin to rise. Nobody insults Lindy and if it is one thing I know she is not senile. She is one of the savviest, switched on people I know.
How dare he insult her and lie, and I know he is lying. If Lindy wanted something from my laptop she would just ask, and I would tell her. No. Alex is lying, and he is up to something.
Before I can say that though all hell breaks loose.
“Why you jumped up little shit.” Lindy launches herself at him, fists flying and before I can jump in she has caught him goodun in the nose. His nose instantly explodes, blood spraying everywhere.
“You fucking old bitch!” he screams and launches himself at Lindy.
“Oh no you don’t,” I growl and grab him in an arm and collar hold. “Time for you to leave,” I say and start escorting him towards the doors. He is screaming obscenities at me, with threats to sue and how he will finish me, and I will regret this yadda yadda.
I throw him through the door. “Whatever fella,” I shout as I shut the door and lock it, leaving him standing in the street, bloody and furious.
I walk back towards Lindy and throw an arm around her shoulders. “You okay old girl?” I ask and laugh as she digs me in the ribs.
“I’m fine, it’s that little shit that you should be worried about.”
“Yeah, well he is safe and gone now,” I tell her as I go to my desk and sit.
“Good riddance!” she states, and a smile creases her face. “Coffee Jackson?”
I look around me. “Did the world end?” I ask, and she gives me the finger as she leaves.
“Love you too, Lindy, and yes please coffee would be great.”
I sit back and feel a sense that a weight has been lifted. It was right to let him go, he was wrong somehow and I don’t know how.
My feeling lasts until I get a text from Ashley and my stomach drops at the hurt I feel coming through the electrical waves of the technology.
Tinkerbell: Okay, fine, no problem. Talk whenever. Xoxo
She used two of the words that scare men—Okay and Fine. I’m so fucked, because for the first time ever I care, and I don’t want to.
Chapter 23
Ashley
This week has been shit. Not with work, work has been brilliant really busy. Got a big order for next month which will get the name of the shop out there more. It’s for this event a magazine is holding, and they told me that one of the editors for the fashion side came in one day and loved the sweet treats that we have. When the woman left Taylor and I couldn’t stop jumping around the store. It’s the first time anything like this has happened to us and we are both planning what we want to make for the event. I called Jackson to tell him and he was happy for me, but he was still a little cold.
And that brings me to why my week has been shit. It’s been shit because I think my boyfriend wants to break up with me. Since the event with his ex showing up, he’s been so funny with me. When I called him to let him know about the event and to celebrate we were going to the bar, his answer was short. ‘That’s amazing, see you there.’ That was it, no well done, this is your big break, nothing, which only means one thing to me, he wants to break up. Even Jackson’s texts have been short.
Taylor thinks that I’m being stupid and that he's probably been really busy with work, and there was a part of me that wanted to believe that, but the more time went by this week without him calling me, or without him coming over, it’s made me think the worst. Maybe he doesn’t feel the same way I do. Maybe he’s taking the time away from me to think about how to break up with me or he thinks that I’ll get fed up and break up with him.
But tonight, I’m not going to let that bother me, tonight is about Taylor and me and how far we have come. If he wants to be funny with me, fine but he’s not ruining my night.
“Have you heard from Jackson?” Taylor asks, putting the last of the treats in the cooler.
“He sent a text saying that he would be meeting us there,” I reply trying to keep my tone normal, but she’s going to pick up that I’m upset about it.
“Ash, I really don’t think he is going to break up with you, and if he does I’ll cut his balls off for you.” Taylor walks to me and wraps her arms around me. “Even I can see that Jackson is different to all your other boyfriends,” she says keeping her arms around me.
I’m not going to cry, no man deserves my tears, but I am so close to crying that this is going to end.
“Well, today is about us, and we are going to party,” I say giving her a smile.
“Yes, it is. And you watch, he will be all over you tonight. Right, the front of the shop is all clean and locked up. I’ll meet you outside the bar.” Taylor gives me a kiss on the cheek. “It’s about us tonight,” she shouts at me as she walks out the door.
Laughing at her, I finish up cleaning the back of the shop, and get my mood right to celebrate.
*~*~*
Finishing getting ready, I spray some of my Marc Jacobs perfume, grab my purse and head to the door. I smile as I open the door.
“Hello, stranger.” I give Jackson a smile, he’s looking all sexy in his suit.
“These are for you.” He gives me the bouquet of roses, walking over to the kitchen to put them in a vase. “I have been the worst boyfriend this week, and I’m so sorry,” Jackson says wrapping his arms around my waist. “You deserve better, and I promise to make it up to you.” He kisses my neck and I can’t help but smile, maybe Taylor was right and he was stressed with work. “Please forgive me,” he says as I turn around to look at him.
“Please just let me know next time if work gets too much, I don’t want to be the girlfriend that you can’t talk to, I really thought we got to a place that we…” I trail off not really knowing what words I want to use here.
“We can talk about anything, and I agree. I’m sorry.” Jackson leans in to give me a kiss.
Am I still a little pissed off with him? Yes, but I don’t want anything to ruin tonight, so I’m going to move past this and hope that everything with him is fine now and we can go back to the way we were.
“Taylor is going to meet us outside the bar,” I say grabbing my clutch off the counter and walk over to the door. Jackson walks with me, with his hand on my lower back.
“I’m so proud of you, I can’t wait to see what you make
.” Closing the door behind us he continues, “I love the popping candy stuff, I think that stuff is amazing.”
I can’t help but start laughing at him, this is the first week I have had the popping candy bark in store and Jackson hasn’t eaten it all.
“Working on it next week,” I tell him as we make our way down the stairs. As we walk towards the bar, Jackson takes my hand in his and pulls me closer to him. “Work good again?” I ask. He’s not going to tell me why I’ve been given the silent treatment this week, so I might as well as ask him myself.
“It’s been okay, had to let go of Alex, he was just not working out well for me.” He looks over the street at the line for the bar. “I put our names at the door, so we won’t have to wait,” Jackson tells me, and I give him a smile, it saves us waiting.
I look around for Taylor as the crowd grows. “Thanks,” I tell Jackson as I look behind him, I know there is still something up with him, but I’ll leave that for tomorrows conversation.
“Taylor!” I see her looking all sexy a in red dress, ready to paint the town with me.
“Oh, look who it is, Mr. I’m too busy.” She looks over at Jackson for a second then back to me. “You look hot.”
“Well, so do you. Jackson put our names on the list, so we can go straight in,” I tell her, as she looks back at him. I know that she isn’t too happy with him.
“What are we waiting for then?” She links her arm with mine. “He looks stressed,” Taylor whispers to me. I give her a nod as that’s all I can really do. I don’t want to say anything to her, because I don’t know what is happening to him yet.
*~*~*
The night is so good, dancing, laughing with friends, and even Jackson looks happier now. I head over to the bar to get the table some more drinks.
“Congratulations on the amazing news.” I look over and see Ethan.
“You made it,” I give him a hug. “I wondered you got my message.” I look back at the bartender as he places some of my drinks in front of me.
“I wasn’t sure if I was coming at first, so how you been?” He moves in closer to me, so he can hear me better.
“Busy. The shop is busy and now we have this big event too. You seen Taylor?” I shout at him, trying to get my voice over the loud music.
“Yeah, went over to her first, as I spotted her she pointed you out for me. I saw your boyfriend too.” He looks over at Jackson talking to some of his mates.
It’s nice seeing him out with them, they are a loud group and surprising that they are all very good looking too. Only one of them has a girlfriend and the others told me that they are waiting for the girl that makes them lose their words. I thought that was so sweet, but that has not stopped them dancing with every girl in here. With how good looking they are they could easily get a girl to leave with them tonight.
“Not bad, is he?” I ask with a small laugh.
“What has he told you his job is?” Ethan asks.
“He is a Communications Specialist,” I reply looking at him, wondering if he knows Jackson.
“Ashley, I’m sorry but that’s not his job.” Ethan takes out his wallet and hands me a card. “You might what to call this number,” he says as he walks away from me.
Staring down at the card, the words on the top shout at me.
The Heartbreaker.
I take a closer look at the tagline. Calling the number on the card, my heart beats so hard against my chest. I look over at Jackson as he takes his phone out of his pocket. I watch him look around the bar, then stop when his locks eyes with me. Lifting up my hand with his card in there, I end the call and rush out of the bar before he can get to me.
Running out the bar I hear my name being called. “Ashley.” I pick up my speed. “Ashley, I can explain.” I hear him behind me, but don’t turn to face him. I’m so angry right now that I just want to be left alone. “Please.” Jackson grabs my arm, to stop me from walking any further.
“Please what?” I shout. “I have nothing to say to you, Jackson. You lied to me. This job…What you do…Fuck you.” Pushing him away from me I turn back around to walk home, wiping the tears from my cheeks as I do.
“I couldn’t tell you the truth,” Jackson power walks alongside me. “I was scared that you wouldn’t want to date me, or even…”
“Leave me alone,” I shout stopping in my tracks so that he will put some space between us. I’m so angry at the moment I just can’t talk to him. “I don’t know who the stupid one is, you for lying to me, or me because I love you!” I shout at him as I push him away from me, start running back home.
I didn’t want to say I love you, but I’m so angry it just came out. I think it even surprised Jackson because he’s hasn’t run after me. How fucking stupid am I? How did I not see that he has been lying to me? I should have been asking about his job more, was I that blind?
Closing the door to my apartment I lean on it, and drop to the floor, letting the tears run down my face, as I slowly feel my heart breaking on me.
“Ashley, please let me explain,” Jackson shouts through the door. “I don’t want to talk through the door, please open the door.”
Getting up I walk over to the kitchen and connect my phone to the Bluetooth and hit play. I don’t want to hear anything he has to say to me. I don’t even want to look at his face at the moment.
Walking to the kitchen I grab the bottle of wine and pour myself a glass. I look at my phone as Jackson’s name appears, and send it straight to voicemail. I sit on the couch and let the music drain out Jackson’s voice from the other side of the door.
Chapter 24
Jackson
Walking back towards the bar, my mind is in a fog. What the fuck just happened? One minute I was talking to the guys, the next my work phone rang, and my life turned to shit. The look on her face tore at my guts, betrayal and pain etched over her pretty features.
I reach the club and blindly look around wondering what to do next. My question is answered for me when Taylor comes flying out of the club, looking like a fierce avenging angel. I almost smirk but her anger is aimed at me. I really don't need this shit.
“Where the fuck is Ashley?” She grabs at my sleeve as I turn to walk away. “Hey fucker, don’t walk away from me, what did you say to her?” she practically snarls.
Shrugging her off my arm a twist back to face her. “I didn't do a fucking thing to her.”
“Well she didn't run for nothing. Ash is strong and has put up with your shit all week, she wouldn't run, especially tonight, unless someone had really upset her.” I feel the prickle of regret at my neck. I didn't mean for this to happen, and for God’s sake, it’s just a job. Why did she react like that?
“Some asshole told her about my job and apparently Ashley doesn't approve.” I can hear the sneer in my voice and deep down I know it’s the result of guilt, but booze and anger are making me lash out.
“What the fuck is your job?” Taylor questions, her face up to mine. If I was feeling myself right now I would totally dig this side of Taylor sticking up for the woman I care about. The woman who said she loves me. I feel a punch to the gut at the thought that she loves me. I'm half terrified and half euphoric.
“I own and run The Heartbreaker,” I say and Taylor steps back slightly in shock. Her face quickly goes from shock to fury. The next thing I know is pain spreading through my jaw as she punches me—hard.
“What the fuck, you crazy bitch?”
“Me crazy? You run a fucking break-up business that lets you date women to break their hearts,” she hisses as I rub my jaw.
From the peripheral vision I see Jake come running over.
“What the hell is going on?” he asks confusion evident on his face, but the confusion instantly turns from confusion to a knowing look.
“She found out, didn't she?” he asks, and I nod. Jake shakes his head sadly. “Bro when will you learn?”
“You guys disgust me,” Taylor spits and turns on her heel walking the way I’d just come.<
br />
“Come on bro, let's go drown your sorrows and I’ll tell you how to fix this shit,” Jake says slinging an arm around my shoulder and pulling me back into the club.
“That is quite the shiner you're going to have in the morning,” he says with amusement in his voice.
God, when did my life get so complicated?
*~*~*
Two hours later, I walk up to the bar, knowing in the back of my mind that the straight line I walked to the bar was actually more of a zig-zag stumble. My mind is still too busy, trying to replay how it all went so wrong so quickly. One minute I had the perfect girlfriend and the perfect life the next it all turned to shit.
Holding up two fingers I shout two Jaeger Bombs to the barman. He zips up and down the bar so quickly my head spins a little. Grabbing the drinks, I turn to leave and a perky blonde brushes up against me suggestively.
“Hey, handsome,” she purrs. I peruse her head to toe. Her breasts are straining to get out of her tiny top and her denim shorts are riding up her arse cheeks. She is my type to a tee and she leaves me cold.
All I can see is beautiful rainbow blonde hair, with sexy as fuck tattoos and a smile that makes me hard. Fuck, what did I do? I push past the blonde rudely in my attempt to get to Jake and tell him I'm leaving. I need to make her understand, I need to fix this.
Jake is sitting talking with Simon, whose wife had just had their first baby. The image of Tinkerbell round with my baby pops into my drunken head and my heart starts to race.
“Jake, I need to go,” I say and even I notice the slight slur in my voice. He nods and stands, walking beside me to the door.
The fresh air hits me in the face and I instantly feel more pissed. I stumble and do everything in my power to walk straight and make Jake think I'm sober.
“You going home?” he asks suspiciously. My brother knows me too well, it's fucking annoying.
“Yep,” I smile, and a grin starts to cover my face at his frown.