AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nate is up on the DJ deck and has the place going nuts with his fast beats and hard base. I wave to get his attention, and he gives me a wide smile. I find a high table and order a rum and coke from a passing waitress. My plan is to get a few drinks in me before I look at my phone. I need liquid courage. As long as Nate is nearby, I feel strong enough to do it.
By my third drink and after several dances with three different men, I feel buzzed enough to look at my phone. I take it out of my purse and notice my hands are shaking. I don’t know what to expect. On the main screen, I see several texts from Jordan, and I swipe to the messages.
Talk to me! I won’t let you leave me. I did go to the premiere of Feral; I’ll admit that, but I never cheated on you. I wouldn’t do that. What pictures? I don’t understand. You need to talk to me. I can’t be left in the dark.
Please, Emma, don’t do this to me, to us. I love you so much. Please talk to me.
I can’t believe you won’t call me to discuss this. I can’t defend myself against something I have no clue about. What pictures?
If you’re not going to talk to me, I’m coming home. I’m not prepared to lose you no matter what you think I did. I love you, and only you. You mean so much to me.
His words shattered my heart. How could he lie? Didn’t he think I was going to find out about Natalie? It’s too loud in the club for me to listen to the voice messages that he left, so I wave to Nate and point towards the door. He nods, and I walk outside. I call my voicemail, and the minute I hear Jordan’s voice, I start to cry. He sounds so tortured, the same way I feel.
“Emma, please baby, answer the phone. I don’t know what you’re talking about. Where did you see these pictures? I never cheated on you. I wouldn’t do that to you. You’re too important to me. I love you. Please.”
“Baby, I can’t lose you. You’re so special to me. Nothing means more to me than you…”
His voice trails off, and it sounds like he’s crying as he hangs up. I almost feel some satisfaction that he sounds as miserable as I feel. Did he think that he could do what he wanted while I was tucked safely away in New York? Did he think with someone as high profile as Natalie Salas that word wouldn’t get out?
I’m digging in my purse for a tissue to wipe at my tears when Nate comes outside.
“You okay, baby girl?”
“Yes. I was just listening to the voicemails from Jordan. He left a couple and a bunch of texts trying to explain his bullshit.”
“Are you going to let him explain?”
“No, it’s over. How can he explain away pictures? I feel like a fool. I believed his crap. I just want it to be over. I don’t owe him anything.”
“No, you don’t. Come back inside. The club is closing in another half hour. We can go home after that and talk.”
“I don’t want to talk, Nate. I just want you to hold me.”
“I can do that. Let me wind down the crowd.”
At 3:45 AM, I’m snuggled in bed with Nate. This is what I needed. His arms securely around me, giving me the comfort that only he can provide. He’s always been there for me, and I sometimes take that for granted.
“Baby girl, are you going to survive this breakup?”
“I’ll be fine.”
He buries his head in my hair, “Will you? I worry about you.”
“It was like a match, our relationship. It flamed, burned brightly, and was extinguished very quickly. It’s done. Jordan wasn’t for me. Deep down inside, I knew it, and I think he did too. He just didn’t want to admit it.”
“It’s just that I won’t be there, and you’ll go through this shit on your own.”
“I have Lexi, Megan, and Angie. They all understand.”
“If you need me, I’ll drop this gig in two seconds to come back.”
“No. You can’t do that. Your career is just starting to take off. Soon you’ll be in demand and have more jobs than you can handle.”
“I wish that was true.”
“You know it is. Don’t let the shadow of your parents drag you down. You’re talented, and you deserve success.”
“Thanks, Em,” he plants a kiss on my forehead, then in the dark, his lips seek out mine, and he softly kisses them. I’m buzzed, and I don’t want to misinterpret his motives, so I let it pass.
