Chapter 49
Jade
L ily is seething. I can literally see steam coming off her. “Who does he think he is? His smug face smirking at me. Why question me about stupid things and bringing up stats that no one would even be bothered about? I swear I wanted to smash his face into the table.” I laugh because she’s being ridiculous. This little feud she has with Marcus Diaz has been ongoing for as long as I can remember. Just bringing up his name sends Lily into a frenzy.
“Look Lil, I’m sure he’s just trying to rile you up. Ignore him and enjoy yourself.”
“This evening is a shitshow. My arch nemesis is here, your ex-boyfriend is with your current boyfriend's ex casual fling and Beck and Trix aren’t together, when we all know they should be. What a night!”
“That’s a summary and a half.” I huff out a laugh. “We’re a bit of a mess aren’t we?” It took me a while but I’ve managed to calm myself down after my run in with Dave and Maddison.
“Well, we are. You and Loverboy aren’t. I need a man to look at me the way he looks at you.”
I blush. “He’s pretty perfect, isn’t he?”
“Babe, he’s perfect for you. You love him, right?”
“Yeah I do, but I don’t know how to tell him.” I say softly.
“Just tell him, it doesn’t need to be a big spectacle.”
My phone rings in my clutch, dragging my attention from Lily, and I take it out seeing it’s Henry I answer straight away “Henry? Is everything okay?”
“No, Olivia’s had another seizure. I’m on the way to the hospital with her now. I need you.” His voice is desperate as he quickly reels off which hospital they are being taken to.
“I’ll meet you there, Henry. I'm not far.”
“Love you, Jade.” His voice cracks, which splits my heart in two.
“Love you too, Henry.” My eyes burn with the tears I’m trying to hold back as I end the call.
“Go. I’ll sort a taxi.” Lily must see the fear in my eyes and the desperation in my tone as she grabs my shoulder affectionately. “You find Hunter and tell him where you’re going. I’ll meet you out front.”
Rushing through the ballroom I find Ted with Dexter at the bar. “Hey Jade, you look pale, everything okay?” Ted’s face contorts in worry.
“No Ted I’m not. I've just had a call from Henry. Mum has had a seizure. I need to go, do you know where Hunter is?”
“He went out back with—”
“Okay, thanks.” I rush off before he can say anything else.
My knees buckle when I see Hunter and Maddison huddled together on a bench, looking very cozy, and my heart plummets.
I haven’t got the time to fight with Hunter about how he’s making me look like a complete idiot as he has a private rendezvous with his ex. The scene before me is reminiscent of Dave and his betrayal. I really have come full circle what a shit show.
I turn on my heel, take a deep breath, and try to keep the tears threatening to fall at bay, and run towards the entrance. Right now my relationship with Hunter isn’t the most important thing in my life.
Lily is waiting with the taxi.
“Jade, wait please.” Hunter’s frantic voice comes from behind me, but I tune him out, giving Lily a grateful hug and move to climb into the taxi, but Hunter blocks my way. “It wasn’t what it looked like.” His voice shakes and his gaze darts to the taxi. “Please, Jade, let me explain.” Grabbing a fistful of his hair, his face contorts in pain as he begs, “Don’t leave.” His voice is barely a whisper. I shake my head, swiping at the tears staining my face.
“I have to go. Mum has taken a turn.” My voice cracks as he takes a step forward and I hold up my hand to stop him. “I need to get to her.”
“Please let me be there for you.” He sounds so broken I almost relent.
I take hold of the handle of the door. “I can’t do this right now. I’ll call you when I’m ready.”
He hangs his head as I slide into the taxi. “I want to be there for you Tink. I…” He stops himself as he swallows roughly.
“But you weren’t there for me,” I whisper back as my heart breaks.