Chapter52
Jack turned his key in the apartment door to be greeted by blaring house music and the squeals and shouts of what sounded like a home full of very drunk young women. Since returning from Hartmouth, he had found himself staying at work longer and longer, and when he and Riley did infrequently dine together, more often than not they would then head off to separate rooms to watch preferred stuff on TV or head out with their different sets of friends. It was as if since his return, a mutual barrier had been put up between them. He was, however, quite relieved and surprised that Riley’s incessant whining whenever he was late home had ceased; even her jealousy seemed to have subsided slightly.
New York was great at Christmas time; shop window displays were dazzlingly festive and the smart bars and clubs were buzzing with after-work drinks and parties. Great, if you were in the mood to party that was, but Jack felt like he’d had a bereavement. Nothing seemed to bring him joy of any kind. Seeing Star pregnant with another man’s child had spelled the end of something that could have been so great. He kept trying to pull himself together, thinking he was being ridiculous, but every thought led him back to the funny and smart, blue-eyed blonde that was Steren Bligh: the only woman for whom he had felt what he assumed must be love. Why, oh why, had he been such a limp dick!And how could he fight this feeling? For as hard as he tried it just wasn’t going away.
Tired from working late on reports, he decided not to even make conversation with his girlfriend’s drunken crew. Instead he sneaked into the kitchen, grabbed himself a cold beer and a pack of pastrami from the fridge and headed to their bedroom to enjoy both. No one had seen him. Sitting propped up on a couple of pillows, he thought about his next step. He had seen Human Resources the other week and they’d informed him that his managers were delighted with his performance in his new role. So delighted, in fact, that now that his initial short contract was coming to a close, would he be happy to sign for another year, commencing just after New Year?
The question was, could he bear another year in New York? Moreover, could he bear another year with Riley? The twelve-year age gap had never proved a problem before, but now that he was approaching thirty-seven, and hearing the boom-boom-boom of the bass beat of whatever song had been cranked up, and her incessant nagging about them not going out clubbing enough, he was beginning to wonder. Living with Riley meant he had a home. But if he were to stay solely for a cheap roof over his head, what kind of person would that make him? It wouldn’t be fair at all. And meeting Star had confirmed that, although he did care for Riley, he clearly wasn’t in love with the girl.
Maybe it was time to go home? Stay with his parents in Bristol for a while, then find another job and a place of his own back in Blighty. He sighed deeply. At the moment none of the above excited him, especially the thought of living with his parents again, albeit briefly. And the defeated way he was feeling, it all seemed too difficult to contemplate. IfStar was in the mix, then it would be easy. He would pack a bag, book a flight and head to Hartmouth. He would live in a tent in the dunes of Penrigan Beach if he had to. Whisk her off her tiny little feet and tell her again that he was sorry and that she was the only woman for him. That conversation, even if she was still with Conor, he would now be brave enough to have. However, a boyfriend was manageable, but a boyfriendanda new baby on the way? No. It was not even an option.
He was just flicking through the TV channels to try and find some British football, when the bedroom door flew open and in came Riley. Lifting up her top to reveal a sexy lace bra, she then popped a nipple out and, after pushing it right in his face, she began gyrating sensually around the bed. ‘My sexy little Jack.’ She then fell on to the bed and whispered, ‘You just wait until they are all gone, I am going to ruin you.’
Before he had time to answer, there was a huge smash from the living room, then an even bigger scream. Pushing Riley to the side, Jack ran out to find Riley’s friend Brooke in a heap, sobbing. She had been dancing on the glass coffee table and it had given way. Helping her gently to her feet, he checked her for any big cuts or broken limbs and was both amazed and relieved to find none. Jack then turned the music off. He was feeling furious. ‘Your father will want that replaced,’ he said grimly and told his girlfriend, who had waltzed back into the room, ‘I’ve had a hard fucking day, Riley, and I want some bloody peace. So, can I suggest you all fuck off out of here!’
‘“I need some peace”,’ Brooke mimicked, the alcohol obviously acting as an anaesthetic to her pain. This made Jack see red. He went to the coat rack and threw every singlecoat he could see down in front of them. ‘Now take whichever is yours and please leave.’
‘Jack, don’t be so embarrassing,’ Riley flounced. ‘This is my daddy’s place, not yours, and I can do what I want, when I want.’
‘We’re going, it’s all right.’ The more sober of the group began herding everyone out like sheep.
‘You staying here?’ Jack addressed Riley, who was now staggering in front of him. The front door slammed, and the giggling entourage made their way to the lift.
‘You’re an ugly, boring pig, Jack Murray. That’s what you are.’ Riley pointed right into his face.
‘That’s nice. The spare room’s made up; I’m going in there tonight.’ He knew not to rise to her taunts when she was in this kind of state.
‘Good.’ A shower of spit came flying out of her mouth towards him.
Wiping his face disgustedly, Jack said, ‘You need to take a long hard look at yourself, Riley Roberts.’
‘Look at myself? How about you look atyourself,Jack, with your crooked teeth and that bushy beard. My friends think you’re lucky to have me. You’re punching above your weight, honey. I could have anyone I wanted.’
A vision of a smiling, beautiful and calm Star kissing him goodbye at the door to her flat the day he had first met her suddenly came into his mind. Anger would be futile at this moment. Just four simple words would suffice. ‘I am leaving you.’
‘Ha ha. Leaving me? What, for that slut in England, you mean?’
‘No, Riley. I am leaving you because I deserve better than to be treated like this. I have tried so hard with you. I deletedall Star’s numbers and we vowed to try and make it work. But you’re impossible.’
‘Do you know what? I don’t care any more. And do you want to know why I don’t care, Jack? Because I’ve met someone else too, that’s why,’ she smirked, revealing teeth stained with red wine.
‘You’re lying.’ Jack felt angry rather than hurt.
‘I’ll show you a photo if you like.’ Riley fell back on to the sofa and reached for her phone. ‘I met him in the Hamptons, he’s called Eric,’ she slurred. ‘Where’s my wine?’
Jack ignored her, but she was not letting up.
‘He is far richer and more handsome than you and his screenplay is in the hands of a top film producer. He knows, see. He knows how to do it.’ She began to laugh wildly.
Jack bit his lip and sighed resignedly. Maybe the outcome oftheirrelationship had always been written in the stars. Riley Roberts’ currency was based on looks and wealth, and despite his indiscretion with Star, he much preferred to trade in kindness and integrity.
