Chapter 30 Jonathan
Jonathan
Who would’ve thought I’d be this nervous to have a conversation? Especially one I know needs to happen. But here I am, shirt clinging to my chest, palms slightly sweaty, hands cramping from how many times I’ve fidgeted; standing in front of a door, about to knock.
It might get slammed in my face. Honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked. If it does, I’ll just turn around, head home and finish packing I guess.
The second I walked out of Victoria’s office earlier, I called my new manager in Boston.
They asked if I could fly out tomorrow to finalize paperwork and meet the team I’ll be overseeing.
I said yes. No sense dragging things out.
I already forwarded all my outstanding work to Stan and he texted back: Got it.
I’ll handle everything. Thankfully, there wasn’t much to send over to him.
I wrapped two major projects last week and the third one in the pipeline?
Practically finished. I’ll keep my apartment in Manhattan for now, maybe sublet it eventually.
Real estate’s always a good asset to have in your portfolio.
I’ve decided to rent in Boston for the next six months, explore the city, figure out where I actually want to live, then make a move on buying something.
Look at me, investments in both New York and Boston.
Really out here turning over a new leaf and making a clean exit with zero drama.
Well, except for this part. The part I’m currently standing in front of.
I take in a deep breath that I may pass out from, then let it go as I knock on the door in front of me.
It takes a minute, but then the door swings open and there he is.
Manny. Arms crossed and a no-bullshit look on his face.
“Hey, man,” I say. “Can I come in?”
He rolls his eyes and then steps aside so I can walk in.
“Thanks,” I say with my head down like a puppy who was just scolded for chewing on shoes.
Manny stands there and huffs. “What do you want?” he asks, his lip set in a serious, stern line.
“I want to let you know how sorry I am for hiding the truth about Abby,” I admit, not losing eye contact so he knows I’m sincere.
Manny looks dumbfounded. Maybe even a little disappointed.
“Abby? No more AJ?” he asks, referring to the fact I’m not calling her AJ anymore.
I shake my head. “Nope. She’s just Abby now to me. Well, she’s nothing more to me anymore, I guess,” I add.
Manny shakes his head. “Damn, man. You’re either an asshole or just stupid,” he says with a chuckle.
“What do you mean?” I ask. “I mean, I know I’m an asshole for how I treated you…” I start to say.
“No, bro. You’re a stupid asshole for letting go of Abby,” he says as he walks toward his kitchen.
I let his words sink in as he picks up a bottle of bourbon and gestures to me. I shake my head yes. He pours two glasses, one for me and one for him, then slides mine over. I take a sip, letting the burn drag me back to a time when things made more sense.
“It’s nice to have a drink with you,” I say.
He nods his glass toward me. I nod mine back.
“So why am I a stupid asshole?” I ask, taking another sip.
Manny walks toward the edge of the counter and sits on one of the bar stools.
“Abby is an amazing girl and you guys had something real,” he says. “Plus, you admitted you liked her, man.” He hits my arm. “I can’t remember the last time I ever heard you say you like someone,” he adds with a smirk.
I take the seat next to him and rest the glass against my temple.
“I know. But I gave her a chance. I asked her what she wanted and she didn’t say me,” I reply, dragging out a sigh.
“But she didn’t say that tool Marcus either,” Manny adds and raises his glass.
“Why are you saying this to me?” I question with a lifted eyebrow. “You should be happy I’m not going after her.”
Manny takes a sip, then downs the rest of the amber liquid. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.
“I should be,” he says and pauses. “But I want to see you happy. And if Abby’s the girl who does that, then my little crush doesn’t mean anything.” He pats me on the back.
“Well, thanks, man,” I say.
“Plus, I think Tanya has a thing for me.” He laughs. “She’s wild but in a fun way. I may ask her out,” he says with a wide smile.
“Wow,” I say back. “Look at you.”
“And look at you. Sitting here like a beat-up dog and not running back to Abby,” he says as he pushes me.
I stand up from the seat. “She doesn’t want me,” I snap. “Trust me.” I shake my head and look around his freshly organized apartment. “Even if she did… how could I trust she wouldn’t run back to Marcus?” I say rhetorically.
Manny shrugs. “I guess you can never know anything for sure,” he says. “That’s love though, bro. You’ve got to take chances, or you sit back and let others have what you want.” He turns to face me directly. “You’re just going to let Marcus take what you want?”
I stare at him and don’t say a word.
“The Jonathan Slack I know never walks away from a challenge,” he jokes, yet truth-bombing me at the same time.
I chuckle. “Yeah. Maybe love changed me.”
“Into being a pussy?” he says with a hard laugh.
“Haha. Funny,” I laugh back. I gesture my glass toward him. “Just get me another drink, will you?” I demand with a grin.
Manny takes the glass from my hand and heads back to the counter, where the open bourbon bottle glints under the white kitchen light. The apartment smells of citrus cleaner and whatever candle he has burning on the windowsill, woodsy I’m guessing.
He pours more bourbon into my glass. “So, are you going to tell her about Boston?” he asks with a smirk.
“How did you know?” I raise my head, surprised.
He laughs.
“Tanya?” I ask, already knowing the answer. “Man, nothing gets past that woman,” I add with a laugh.
“Yeah, she overheard your conversation with Victoria,” Manny admits.
“You mean eavesdropped,” I quip.
Manny chuckles and takes a sip of his drink. “True.”
“I was coming here to apologize and to tell you about the job,” I say quickly.
“I know,” Manny says. “I’m happy for you, bro, but…” He shrugs, tossing his shoulders upward. “I think you’re running away from your feelings.”
I run a hand through my hair, letting my fingers stay there for a second. “It’s a great career move,” I say back.
Manny nods like he gets it, even if he doesn’t agree. “Well, cheers to you,” he says, lifting his glass toward mine.
I smile and raise mine to meet it. “Thanks, man,” I say with a wink.
After I leave Manny’s apartment, I can’t help but think about what he said.
Running away from my feelings. I’m not running away.
I gave AJ the chance to tell me she wanted me and she didn’t say a word.
And if I’m being honest with myself, I was already waiting for something to push me to take this job in Boston.
The whole debacle with our fake relationship just set it in motion. It was inevitable, me taking this job.
At least, that’s what I’m telling myself as I pack the rest of my suitcase for my flight tomorrow. I wonder if AJ will even reach out to say goodbye. I hate to admit this, but part of me hopes she will.