“Yvonne, I’m really sorry, but I’m going to have to stop you there. Jaime’s been through enough today, so don’t try to make excuses for Abby. She and Isaiah are the ones in the wrong here,do not gaslight Jaime by saying that she must be mistaken. How do you mistake seeing two people you love having sex right in front of you?”
I can tell Yvonne isn’t happy with my interjection, but she knows I’m right. Roger puts a hand on his wife’s arm, “She’s right, sweetheart. We both know exactly how Abby can be when she wants something. I’m sorry Jaime, what can we do? Do you want us to have Marcus overnight?”
My phone starts ringing as they’re discussing what to do. “I’m just going to take this in the kitchen,” I squeeze Jaime’s shoulder as I stand and answer Brad’s call.
“Hey.”
“Hey, how was your date?”
“Oh, short-lived, thankfully. I’m at Jaime’s.”
“Is everything ok? Did Jake do something to upset you?” The concern in Brad’s voice never fails to warm my insides.
“No, nothing like that. I’m fine, Jaime’s having a rough time, so I came over a few hours ago.”
“Is she ok?”This man, I swear.
“No, but she will be.”
“Ok, well, I was just calling to see if you were going to come over for dinner or bedtime. Lizzie’s bedtime, I mean.”
I chuckle, “I know what you meant. I’m, um, I’m not sure what’s happening here, to be honest. I’d like to come and do bedtime at least, but I’ll have to?—”
“You should go, babe. Have dinner with them even,” Jaime’s voice surprises me from the doorway behind me. I had no idea she was standing there.
I spin around to face her, “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you alone like this. You can come with me if you want? Stay the night at mine?”
She tries for a smile, “Thanks hun, but my parents are going to take Marcus overnight and I’m going to spend the night at Elle’s. She just phoned me and I invited myself over.”
“Are you really, really sure? I’m happy to have you!” I suddenly remember Brad is still waiting on the other end of the call. “Shit, sorry Brad, give me two secs,” I say into the phone.
“No worries, take your time, Blaze.”
“I’m really, really sure, babe. You’ve been here for me all afternoon. She’ll be over soon, Brad!” she shouts into the phone.
Laughing, Brad tells me to give her a hug from him and that he’ll see me soon before he hangs up.
As I’m hugging Jaime goodbye with a promise to check on her in the morning, my phone rings in my hand. Assuming it’s Brad again, I put it on speakerphone without checking.
“Hey, I’m just leaving now, did you need me to grab something on the way?”
“On the waywhere?” Jake’s low rumble comes through the phone.
“Oh shit, Jake? Sorry, I thought you were Brad. I’m just leaving Jaime’s to go and have dinner with Lizzie and Brad. How was the rest of the exhibition?” I place the phone down on the windowsill so I can shrug my coat on.
The line is silent for a moment, and Jaime’s furrowed gaze meets my own. I check the phone, but we’re still connected. “You didn’t text or call,” Jake finally says.
“What? When?”
“You said you’d call or text when you got to Jaime’s, and you didn’t.”
“And he’s only just checking on you now?” Jaime murmurs quietly.
I grab my phone, take it off speaker, and mouthgoodbyeto her, blowing a kiss as I make my way out the door. I’ll walk to Brad’s since he’s only a fifteen-minute walk from here. The sunis only just starting to set, lending me enough light for Brad not to worry about me walking alone in the dark.
“I’m so sorry, Jake. I completely forgot! Jaime was so upset when I got here that I haven’t thought about anything other than consoling her since I arrived.”
The crisp January air fills my lungs and stings my cheeks, but the sky is clear and the birds are still chirping as the sun starts her descent over the horizon.
