I shower quickly, so I don’t get too cold, get out and dry off. Once I’ve brushed my teeth, I gather my earlier discarded clothes and carry them to the hamper. I head back to the kitchen, flick the jug on and make myself another coffee, deciding to do some work to distract me from thoughts of Jake.
Through the noise of the jug, I hear a loud knock on my front door. I head down the hall, open it only to be confronted by Ben. His eyes are red and puffy. His heart is clearly shattered if the look on his face is anything to go by. I knew I’d have to see him at some stage but seeing him like this actually breaks my heart.
“Hi,” I say, hearing my voice break.
“Hi. I tried to text you, but you didn’t answer.”
“Sorry, my phone has been in the bedroom. I didn’t hear it. Come in.” I push the front door open wider and let him enter.
“Can I get an explanation? I poured my heart out to you, and I got told no. I have to know why.”
“I need you to know it’s not you. You’re a great guy, but I don’t feel the same way about you as you do about me. Our first few dates were great. I’m just not the woman for you, Ben. You deserve much better than me.”
“This is what you wanted to talk about, wasn’t it? Breaking up with me?”
“Yes. I’m sorry it happened so publicly. I didn’t want it to happen that way. I certainly wasn’t expecting you to propose.”
His shoulders slump, and he lowers his head.
“Did you spend last night with that guy you were with? No wait don’t answer that. I’m not really sure I want to know.”
“He’s an old friend who drove me home.” He looks at me like he doesn’t believe me, but he accepts my answer. “I’ll go grab your things.”
I fetch the box from just inside my bedroom door.
“You’ve clearly wanted to do this for some time. You couldn’t even let me pack my stuff. I shouldn’t have humiliated myself last night.” He approaches me to grab onto the box, and I pause his withdrawal.
“You didn’t humiliate yourself. I did that.”
He gives me a slight nod. “I guess this is goodbye then. For what it’s worth, I loved you, and I still do. I wanted to give you the world. I only wish you felt the same way about me.”
Leaving me where I stand, he exits, closing my front door behind him. I sink down the doorframe of my bedroom and let the tears flow free. I’m not upset because I let him go—it’s more in the way I did it.
I’m such a bitch.
Chapter Five
Jake
I’ve had a long day at work, knee-deep in fake patients while training new recruits to become medical officers. I’m looking forward to getting home and having a nice cold beer.
I pull the car up our street and immediately notice Simon and Aria’s Jaguar, James and Riley’s Audi. Both Toby and Sasha’s cars are up the drive too. The only car I don’t see is Stephanie’s.
Disappointment washes over me. It’s unusual that she’s not here, especially as it looks like we are having a family dinner. I wouldn’t blame her for avoiding me or all men for that matter. Aria told me earlier in the week that she’s taken some time out for herself after this breakup. I figure she’ll just want to keep her distance. Not that I want her to. I want to be the shoulder she cries on. I want to be her rock. I want to be the guy she sees was perfect for her all along. I don’t know if I want to walk in there and not see Stephanie’s beautiful face.
I park my car behind James and Riley’s, shut off the engine and sit there for a bit. I rub my hand over my face, scratching the light stubble upon my chin. The front door to our house opens, and I cast my eyes towards it. Toby is standing on the porch, motioning me to come inside with a wave of his hand. Clearly, something important is going on, so I best get my butt in there and find out what it is.
I open the door and head inside. Moments after I walk in, a glass of whiskey is placed into my hand, and I close the door. To my surprise, I see Stephanie sitting on the couch, sipping a glass of wine.
So, she’s not entirely ignoring people. Maybe I have a chance after all.
I smile at her, and she softly smiles back.
“Are we celebrating something?” I ask as I step into the lounge and take a seat next to Stephanie.
“Our engagement,” Toby announces.
I laugh. “And you proposed to me when?” Stephanie snorts next to me, and I cast a glance towards her. She’s covering her mouth with her hand.
“Shut up asshole,” Toby bites out.
“Uncle Toby you said a bad word,” Charlotte says. His face reddens, and he utters a quick apology to Simon.
“Anyway, I didn’t propose to you. I asked Sasha to become my wife.”
“And she said yes? Run now Sasha.” I laugh.
Toby flips me the bird over Simon’s back.
Sasha laughs. “I did say yes, and now we are here discussing our engagement party which is happening in two weeks, and Jake, I expect you to have a suit.”
I glance over at Stephanie. “I’m pretty sure Steph here can wave her magic wand and whip me up a suit in no time.”
“Umm, I would Jake, but unlike you who works with fake people for a living. I have other clients to attend to this week. And did you just call me a fairy or a witch?” she quips.
“I was wondering where you parked your broom since it wasn’t outside.”
“You’re a jerk, and I was about to tell you that I’ll get started on your suit over the weekend, but after that comment, I think I’m going to make you a clown costume instead.”
“He doesn’t need a costume,” Toby chimes in.
“For the record Steph, I take a large in the crotch.”
She waves her hand over my crotch. “You think this is large? I think you might be dreaming.”
“Let’s go upstairs, and you can find out how large I really am.”
Stephanie’s mouth drops open as she stares at me. She clearly wasn’t expecting me to be so forward with my flirting after what happened a few weeks ago, but I can’t help it, and I mean it. I need to have her in my arms again. I didn’t want to stop that night, and every night since, my cock has been begging me to give him release while thinking about her.
“Touché,” she says. I look around the room to find everyone in the room, watching mine and Stephanie’s conversation.
“Don’t you all have things to be discussing like Toby’s and Sasha’s wedding?” I take a sip of my drink.
“Why would we discuss that when watching you and Steph playing footsie is so much better?” Aria says.
“Shut up,” I snap at her as I drain the remainder of my glass and head into the kitchen to pour myself another one.
Stephanie steps into the kitchen beside me and picks up the wine bottle to pour herself another glass as well.
I grab it, stopping her. “Are your flying monkeys taking you home?”
“I doubt the police will be able to catch me on my broom.”
“I was teasing.”
“I wasn’t. Your crotch isn’t large.” She snatches the bottle from my grasp, then pours her wine. “And I’d rather ride it instead of my broom.” She then purposefully swings her ass side to side as she walks away towards the lounge. No words fall from my lips as I watch her, completely mesmerised.