Chapter 18
Jade
I ’m exhausted. I barely slept after that text exchange with Hunter. My mind was racing. And then I had my mum on my mind, too. The long recovery process has taken its toll on her and she’s still trying to come to terms with her new life. I'm so unbelievably relieved that they were able to remove the tumor, but it has left its footprint. Trixie joins me on the sofa, tucking her feet underneath her she gives me a coy smile. “What’s that look for?” I frown at her.
“Oh, nothing. Just I served someone very interesting last night at the bar.”
“Yeah?”
“Mmm Hmm.” She shifts to pick up a cushion and place it on her lap. “He was talking about this girl he’s caught up on. His friends were giving him some sound advice.”
“Trix, no offense, but this doesn’t sound all that interesting, sweetie.”
“Oh, but it is because I thought I’d seen this man before, but I just couldn’t place him, you know? But I overheard the woman’s name and everything clicked into place.”
I’m staring at her with a blank expression. I’m far too tired to get where she’s going with this.
“Oh for goodness sake, Jade. It was Hunter. He was talking about you.” She hits me with the cushion, exasperated.
“Shut up. There are lots of people called Jade. How do you know it was Hunter?” I grab the cushion from her hugging it to my chest as my messages with Hunter roll around my head.
“He was talking about how this girl had always wanted to work for his company, it was her first week, he avoided her all week, speaking with her PA, Ted , instead. Sound familiar?"
“What else did he say?” I lean in as my stomach flips.
“Now she’s interested.”
“Come on, tell me.”
“He was saying how he has never wanted to start anything up with anyone before, especially in the office, but that you’ve got in his head and he doesn’t know if he would be able to not ruin things. But his friends were telling him to stop being a wimp and just to go for it. And I have to say I agree with them. If that man makes a move on you, for God’s sake, just take your chance. You’ve been moping around here since Halloween and you deserve a bit of fun, and who knows? Maybe Hunter could be it for you?”
My fingers drum out a pattern on the cushion as hope blooms in my chest. “He texted me last night,” I whisper.
“What? When?” Her voice rises as she grasps my thigh.
“About midnight. It was all lighthearted stuff. Then he said he’d been avoiding me because he couldn’t trust himself around me. And I kind of told him I felt the same.”
“Then what?”
“Nothing. He hasn’t texted me back.”
She takes her hand off my thigh to tap her index finger on her lips. “It’s still early and he did down quite a lot of scotch last night. I can’t imagine he’ll be an early riser today. Just give him some time.”
“I will.” I sigh. “I’m not chasing him, I think I’ve got a lot more to lose than he does.”
“Good plan. Never chase a man. A real gentleman would never let you run in heels. And yours are too beautiful to ruin. But from what I heard, your man has been hurt before, so give him time.”
“Really?” I blink in surprise.
“These playboys usually have a past, you know that. They’re all a little broken. It just takes the right one to help them heal. Someone made him vulnerable and he put up barriers, but the way he was talking, he’ll let you in. Just give him a little time. Maybe drop some of your barriers too. You deserve to be happy and to get that we need to be brave.”
I nod taking in her words. Hunter doesn’t strike me as someone vulnerable, but then maybe he’s learned to hide it better than the rest of us.
“So, what are you doing today?” Trixie changes the subject.
“I’m about to go and see Mum and Henry and take them for Sunday Lunch.” My voice shakes a little as I try to suppress the tears. I’ve so many emotions right now I’m struggling to control them all.
“Hey, what’s up, sweetie?” She wraps her arm around my shoulder and I lean my head on hers. Instant relief and calm rush through me.
“I think it’s all getting to me this week, Trix. Mum, she’s getting on so well. She is home and recovering and her prognosis is good, but it still breaks my heart, you know? I’m out here doing normal things while she’s still trying to rebuild and I can’t help her. I feel so helpless.”
Kissing my head, she softly says, “Oh, babe. I really don’t know how I can make this better for you.”
“There’s nothing you can do. Just keep doing what you’re doing and be there for me”
“Always.”
Walking into Mum’s townhouse, Henry greets me with a loving embrace, which I sink into. “Jade, so lovely to see you.” This man may not be my real father, but he’s sure shown up for me. I love him like a dad. Wearing his usual white t-shirt and jeans, he doesn’t look like your typical English teacher. I’m sure many of his students past and present have crushed on him, with his sharp jawline, deep black hair, and piercing green eyes, but those green eyes have only ever seen my mum. The way he cares for her is how I judge every relationship and is partly why I think I withdrew from Dave towards the end. “Hi, Henry. How are you?”
“Oh, you know, same story, different day. Olivia’s just in the sitting room.”
“Thanks.”
“Today’s a bit of a bad day, she’s struggling this morning,” he practically whispers. “She won’t want you to know, but she’s getting frustrated. But don’t say I mentioned anything. She won’t thank me.”
I nod, giving him a small smile as I walk into the living room. “Hi, Mum.” I take in her appearance, and I rub my chest as it hits me again how lucky we are that she is still here with us, and how close we were to losing her.
“Hhhhhh.” She closes her eyes as she takes a moment to compose herself. “Hi… J-ade.” She lost her speech when they operated to remove the tumor and she has spent the past six months trying to learn to speak again. She’s getting better every day, but it still frustrates her. For a woman who used to speak in front of hundreds of children daily, or in front of adults at conferences, the struggle to hold a conversation with her daughter kills her. “L-ook at my baby, you’re so b-eautiful I’m so proud of you.” Taking her hand in mine, I squeeze it tightly.
“Thanks, Mum. You look beautiful today. Henry’s getting good at doing your hair.” She releases my hand and affectionately runs her hands through her curls. Since her operation, Henry had to help to do most of her daily routine. Along with her speech, her movement was impaired, too, but she’s improving every day. Her face brightens at the mention of Henry as always. “T-ell me all about this new job.”
I’m at the bar ordering another round of drinks to go with lunch when my phone beeps with a message.
Hunter - I’ve just woken up with a smile on my face for the first time in six months, Tink.
Picturing him in his huge bed, sheets wrapped around his trim hips, hair messed up perfectly, and a lazy smile on his beautiful face, heat rushes me.
Jade - Just woken up? It’s one o’clock in the afternoon.
Hunter - I may have had one too many last night and as I now have an extremely competent new associate I don’t have to work on Sundays.
Jade - Sounds like you’re living the dream.
Hunter - Not quite, Tink.
Jade - What could be missing from your perfect life?
Hunter - A certain Tinkerbell. Meet me today for coffee?
He needs me to make his life perfect? He can’t mean that?
Jade - I can’t today, sorry. Having lunch with my mum.
Hunter - You wound me, Tink. Will I have to pencil in time in your calendar tomorrow to speak with you?
Jade - About work?
Hunter - Of course about work. What do you take me for?
I can almost feel him smiling through the phone. My phone pings with a notification from my work emails.
Hunter Stone has asked you to join a meeting, Monday at 9 am.
Cheeky fucker.
I click ‘tentative’ to keep him on his toes.
As I sit back at the table, my phone goes off again and I ignore it, not wanting to have my attention taken away from Mum, but it keeps going off and she raises her eyebrow at me, giving me a knowing look. “S-omething you w-ant to s-hare, sweetie?”
“No, it’s just a friend.”
My phone goes off again.
“A very persistent friend?” Henry smirks.
“Sorry.” Looking at my phone I see that Hunter is indeed persistent.
Hunter - Tentative?
Hunter - What?
Hunter - Tink?
He then has sent numerous gifs and emojis and I roll my eyes. This man won't give up.
Jade - Whoops, did I click tentative?
Hunter - Very funny. I’ll see you in the morning?
Jade – Yeah, you’ll see me in the morning.
Hunter - I’m looking forward to it.
I put my phone away, and am confused to find Mum and Henry staring at me with goofy grins. “What?”
“You looked very happy typing those messages. They aren’t to a friend, are they?” Henry questions as he pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
“Yes, he’s a friend.” I sigh.
“A friend you want more with?”’ Henry probes.
“You could say that. Oh, I don’t know. It's complicated and I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
“Okay, but remember, you deserve to be happy and if this ‘friend’ makes you happy then go with it.” Henry squeezes my hand before he continues. “But as soon as something doesn’t make you happy, let it go.”