by Claire Ayres
Katie and Jay go to get some drinks at the interval. Jess decides to stay back in case Luka gets away for a minute. He blows her a kiss before leaving the stage which puts a distinct lump in her throat and aches in her groin. She decides to send him a text message to say how wonderful he is when a shadow falls over her.
“Jessica, I thought that was you.” Her throat tightens, her stomach clenches, and her hands start to shake. She slowly looks up, and into the eyes of the man who had torn her heart into a thousand pieces.
“Ade!” Her throat pinches and his name comes out as a squeak.
“You look fantastic, Jessica, really good.” He smiles broadly at her, squeezing between her and the row in front, leaning his ass on the back of the chair, his knees almost touching hers, and blocking her into her seat.
“I am, no thanks to you.” She finds her voice and attitude.
“Don’t be like that, it was a hard situation for us both.” He puts a hand on her knee, and she jerks away.
“What are you doing here, Ade?” Why is he in this space? she thinks. This is for me and Luka.
“We had tickets through work, I saw you and I had to say ‘Hi’. You really are stunning.”
Her thoughts are tumbling with anger but ultimately around how he is leeching her happiness about this evening away from her.
“Why are you here though, Ade? Talking to me?” Jess asks him, looking into his eyes for the first time and ignoring how much her limbs are shaking.
“I wanted to talk to you.” He seems uncertain, something behind her catching his eye, and he starts to stand.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Katie storms into the conversation.
“Hello, Katie. Should have known you would be here.” Turning to Jess, “Could we talk alone for a few minutes, please?”
She shakes her head. “No, Ade, I’ve got nothing to say to you.”
Katie, not done with being involved, says, “You need to go, Ade, you’ve done enough damage.”
He looks at Jess and she shrugs. Katie is right, he royally screwed up. He doesn’t like her negative energy, but when he sees her out smiling once and decides to try and creep his way back in? Not happening.
“Jess, please, I want to talk to you for a few minutes.”
“No.” She looks him dead in the eye, not letting him see how terrified she really is.
He nods, looking dejected. “Happy Birthday, Jessica,” and slopes off.
Jay turns to Jess. “Are you OK?”
Jess is left shaking, a lot, and struggling to breathe. She shakes her head, tears forming in her eyes, and Katie kneels and hugs her.
“Why did he have to make an appearance? Right when I was starting to feel positive about things. I was starting to like Luka, and now I’m reminded of everything Ade did again.”
Katie leans back and looks me in the eyes. “Do not let Ade ruin what you could have with Luka. Luka is a different man, a good one, as far as I can tell. I know you feel insecure between the depression and Ade, don’t let this knock you back.”
The orchestra starts coming back on stage and they switch seats so Katie and Jay sit either side of Jess, each taking a hand in support. Luka looks over to smile at Jess, but as he catches her eye his brows creased in concern; he knows something is wrong.
As the orchestra starts to play, Jess looks up to the side and she sees Ade sitting on the balcony. He isn’t watching the orchestra: he is watching Jess, and it disturbs her deeply. She feels butterflies in the pit of her stomach and not the kind she gets when Luka touches her. In a flash, a momentary decision, she stands up and starts walking to the exit. I’m sorry Luka, she thinks praying he doesn’t see her walking out. All she can think about is how she needs to be away from this building and Ade’s gaze.
As she walks down the front steps towards the road, she hears Katie behind her.
“Jess! Jess! Slow down!”
But she keeps going, walking as fast as possible, crossing the road across the centre and it’s only once she gets near the water, she starts to feel safe enough to check behind her. Relief floods her when there is nobody there and she sits on a step sloping down to the water where she lets the tears out. She cries for letting Luka down on his big night. For having another ruined birthday. For letting Ade ruin another day in her life.
“Someone said it was your birthday,” says a voice. She lifts up her head and a crepe is wafted under her nose covered in chocolate, marshmallows, and a host of other sweet goodies.
“Thanks, Katie.” She takes the crepe and Katie sits next to her.
“I know why you ran off,” she says.
“You do?” Jess looks at her.
“Jay spotted him sitting up there in the first half, but we didn’t think he’d have the balls to come speak to you which is why we never said anything. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. You didn’t make him the asshole he is, did you?”
“No, he followed you out though, when you left. Jay is dealing with him. He won’t come after you, don’t worry.” She puts her arm around Jess and again Jess is grateful for having such amazing friends.
“I’m sorry Jay has to keep dealing with him. I know he wants his hands washed of him.”
“Look, Jay and Ade have dealt with their shit by not being friends anymore. I don’t even know the ins and outs of what blew up between them, but I do think a lot of it is about how Ade treated you. Don’t apologise because Jay has to jump in when Ade decides to be a dick, he’s probably the best person to jump in because he knows Ade the best. OK?”
“Thanks, Katie, and OK, please tell Jay thank you. I really do love you guys. But, Luka, oh I’ve messed that up badly now,” Jess whines, taking a huge bite of the stickiness in her hand.
“Maybe not.” Katie winks at her best friend.
“What do you mean?”
Katie then puts forward a plan to turn this disaster of an evening around and Jess is all in.
The girls walk back to the apartment and start putting things together. Jay is filled in on his part of the plan and dispatched to give Luka a message.
Now, all they can do is hope that this works.
Chapter Nine
Ade
Eighteen Months Ago
“Are you ready?” Ade opens the front door and picks up the suitcases. Jessica comes running behind him flustered and waving their tickets and passports.
“Got them, and Katie has text to say they will meet us outside in ten minutes.” She leans in to kiss Ade on the cheek and he embraces her around the waist, lowering his lips to hers in a possessive kiss. When he pulls away, Jess, with her arms wrapped around his neck, takes a few seconds to stare into his eyes and smile before pulling her suitcase down the corridor while Ade locks up. He watches her walk on, her pert ass swinging from side to side, and smiles, feeling like the luckiest man on earth to have this girl on his arm.
Meeting Katie and Jay outside they squeeze themselves and their cases in the already packed car, and Jay drives them to the airport while the girls babble in the back. Ade turns to Jay in the front of the car. “So, park the car, check in, then hit the bar, mate?”
“That sounds like a plan. We’re not going to shut these two up for the next week, so I think a few pints are definitely going to be needed.” Jay takes one hand off the wheel and they fist bump.
“Did you sort out that problem at work you were telling me about?” Jay asks.
“Not really, I’m wondering if it might be time to move on, I’ve been there six years, that’s a lot of time to walk away from.”
“Sometimes a fresh start is good though, you’ve got a lot of experience now, you could probably go straight into a promotion somewhere else.”
“That’s true and worth considering.”
“Did you hear that they are going to build a new rink out of
town? Maybe the hockey team will be reformed?” Jay says looking excited at the prospect
“Well, that would be awesome, going to the gym doesn’t have the same appeal as skating did.” They had to quit hockey after the ice rink was closed, a new one opening could mean new life for the team.
“OK gang, we’re here, let’s go get a beer and start our holiday,” says Jay.
--!--
The couples have adjoining rooms at the hotel in Rhodes. The sun is shining, they are next to the beach, there are food and drink on tap, and the four of them are having a great time.
Going to dinner there is a photographer who takes a shot of the group, and they ask if they can have four copies of the image when it’s printed, each wanting to take a memento away. Then they go to eat some Greek fare.
Ade thinks that Jessica is looking stunning--a tan slowly building on her skin-- in the white maxi dress she is wearing to dinner this evening.
“You look amazing,” he says taking in her long dark hair down around her shoulders looking like a goddess. He leans over and kisses her shoulder, and she turns to him, lifting his head and kissing him on the lips - a promise of what is to come later.
“Thank you, sweetheart.” She responds placing a kiss on his cheek.
“Do you think we should head into town tomorrow, do some shopping?” asks Katie.
“Great idea,” replies Jessica.
Ade and Jay look at each other and roll their eyes.
“Why don’t you guys shop, and we’ll wait for you in a bar?” asks Jay.
“Don’t you want to explore? There are historical sites around the town as well,” Jessica asks, taking Ade’s hand and squeezing.
“I’m good with hitting the bar,” Ade replies, and Jessica narrows her eyes and tightens her lips.
“I guess I can’t force you, I would rather you came with me.”
“No, I really don’t want to shop,” Ade replies and Jay laughs.
“I’m with Ade, sorry ladies.”
“Just us then, Jess,” says Katie, leaning in to kiss Jay. It crosses Ade’s mind how those two never seem to be annoyed with each other no matter what the circumstances. He has no idea how they do it.
--!--
“Ade, come on, it’s our last night” Jessica complains, wanting him to do something that she and Katie have cooked up.
Ade has his own plans for the evening. “Sorry Jessica, I want you to myself tonight.” He takes her into his arms and kisses her neck before whispering, “You are all mine, OK?”
“How do I argue with that?” Her breathy response tells him all he needs to know, and he pushes her back onto the bed before climbing on top of her, staking his claim.
Later that evening, after arriving in Lindos - a village tucked into the mountain in the shadow of an acropolis overlooking the sea - the two of them have settled into a restaurant with a rooftop terrace where they look out and see the whole stunning village and the sea. Everything is shimmering in the evening light and the ring burns a hole in Ade’s pocket.
“I can’t get over how enchanting it is here. You could get lost in the view,” Jessica says, starlight glistening in her eye as she gazes out to sea.
“I’m definitely getting lost in the view,” Ade replies, staring longingly at Jessica.
She switches her gaze and looks back at him, a soft smile forming as she reaches across the table to hold his hand.
“Thank you for bringing me here, Ade. It’s the perfect place to spend our last night on holiday.”
He lifts her fingers to his lips and kisses the tips of her fingers.
The waitress comes to the table and asks if they would like some Retsina, a dessert wine, which they both eagerly say yes to. Ade still needs to ask Jess the big question, but he keeps losing his nerve and he doesn’t know why. She looks stunning, she is happy, and they are in the perfect location.
Their Retsina arrives and they both take a sip; Jessica’s face is hilarious, the sweet wine hasn’t gone down well and she’s trying to be polite while rejecting the flavour, looking at Ade in abject horror. Ade has to agree this isn’t the nicest wine he has ever drunk, but it isn’t awful and when the waitress isn’t looking he switches his empty glass for Jessica’s full one and, winking, finishes hers as well.
“Wow, that’s awful,” she says still stifling a cough or two
“It’s certainly got a kick to it!” Ade laughs in reply
Their bougatsa arrives; sharing a plate they dig into the divine creamy pastry and when Jess gets some cream on her cheek Ade moves over to kiss it off. When he does, he drops to one knee.
“Jessica, I’m so happy with you and I love every moment we spend together. More importantly, I love you.” He pulls the ring out of his pocket. “Will you marry me?”
Jessica looks stunned and puts her hands out to clutch his forearms. “Stand up, Ade.”
Ade looks at her, confused, and starts to move to the chair next to him, embarrassment gripping him.
“Are you saying no, Jessica?”
“I’m saying not yet. I’m not ready for this,” she says, her voice low, refusing to make eye contact.
“What do you mean you’re not ready, we’ve been together almost three years, when do you think you will be ready?” Ade is raising his voice, he leans forward and roughly shakes Jessica’s arm “Look at me, damn it.”
She looks up, tears glistening in her eyes. “I don’t know when I will be ready, I only know marriage seems like too big a step right now.”
He leaves money on the table for the meal and stands up to leave. She slowly walks behind him, their perfect evening ruined.
--!--
A Year Ago
“Jessica, seriously, are you crying again?” Ade, infuriated, storms from the room. This is all that happens lately. She either cries all the time, or she doesn’t speak and skulks around the apartment. Ade doesn’t have the headspace to deal with it anymore. After she turned his proposal down a chasm appeared in their relationship; something invisible that has torn through them and started to pull them away from each other. Now Jessica is permanently miserable, as though she has checked out of the relationship already.
“For fuck’s sake Jessica, will you talk to me?”
“What do you want me to say?” she asks meekly. She doesn’t even look up, sitting on the couch, hugging that bloody cushion that she is always attached to.
There is a knock at the door, and there is no prize for guessing who that will be. Ade opens the door and Katie and Jay sweep in, cooing and fussing over Jessica as though she’s an invalid. It makes Ade’s blood boil to know everybody is pandering to her: he is the damaged party, she rejected him and he’s now having to put up with all her fucking baby bullshit.
“I’ll let you lot have your fucking pity party then,” he says, leaving the apartment.
He is about to get in the elevator when Jay stops him. “Ade!”
He turns and faces his friend - his pissed off friend. All he thinks is, what the fuck has he done now?
“What now, Jay?”
“You’re really out of order, you know that Ade?”
“Are you fucking kidding me, mate? You don’t have a fucking clue what’s going on.” Ade turns to leave, and Jay grabs his arm and pulls him back.
“You’re not leaving this time. We’re going to have this conversation.”
“What conversation is that, Jay? The one where you pander to my girlfriend like she’s dying? The one where ever since she turned down my proposal she’s been a prize bitch? You have no fucking idea what it’s like living with her anymore. No. Fucking. Idea. So, don’t go telling me I’m out of order. Last time I checked you were my friend, I haven’t exactly felt much of that friendship lately.”
Jay visibly flinches at Ade’s words and takes a moment before responding. “Are you so fucki
ng consumed by your own self-pity you can’t see that there is something wrong with her? You need to get her to a doctor, find out what is going on. Stop throwing abuse at her and making her feel like shit because she didn’t want to marry you.”
Letting out a malicious laugh, Ade starts to nod; “Of course, why didn’t I see it before. You’re in love with her, aren’t you? That’s why you always take her side, why you can’t support your best friend.”
“Holy fucking Christ. You’ve lost the plot. You’re seeing things that aren’t there.”
“You’re not denying it though. I need my fucking friend, I need someone to tell me I’m not losing my mind. That my girlfriend who I love more than anything hasn’t completely checked out on me.” Ade turns and leans against the wall, defeated his head in his hands.
“I haven’t gone anywhere Ade. I’m here for both of you, you’re being such a dick to her and I’m not going to sugar coat that.”
“I’m not being a dick. Everything was fucking wonderful between us and as soon as I asked her to marry me she turned. She got miserable, moody, she won’t let me talk to her or touch her. What the fuck am I supposed to do? How does proposing to the woman you love ruin everything?”
“It wasn’t proposing that ruined everything, she’s not well. I don’t know how you aren’t seeing that, Ade.”
“Bollocks, she’s gone full out psycho on me, punishing me for doing what she didn’t want. I need your support here mate, not you ogling her and bowing down to her every whim leaving me out in the fucking cold.”
“What is it with you and your bullshit? How many times do I have to tell you I don’t have a thing for Jess.”
Ade swings round and pins Jay against the wall, his whole body is vibrating with anger and pent up emotion.
“Just fucking admit it, Jay, you’ve fuelled her feelings about this, made sure that she is ready to throw me to the curb at a moment’s notice. You couldn’t stand seeing me happy for once in our fucking lives.”
