It’s never that easy

Chapter Five

We arrived back home finally, I collected my things, as I did I quickly said goodbye to everyone, including Ben, and left before anyone could say anything more. When I got back to the house I rang Mark and we decided to go around town that night, so I got ready and phoned Gemma to see if she wanted to come out too. I rang her, and she was definitely up for a night out. Might as well since we weren’t in until Monday. I put on my little red dress which shows off my eyes and of course the valuables. There was a beep outside, meaning he was here so Gemma and I picked up our bags and we’re out quicker than you could say night out. We got in his car where he also had a friend of his and we went to the popular club in town and stayed there all night. But of course, this is me, so nothing can go right. Ended up that Jamie decided to come out too but with Steph. So, I thought I'd go say a nice hello.

"Steph...Jamie."

"Hey. Didn't know you were coming here. We just met in another club."

"Oh good. Enjoy your night then. See you on Monday."

"Yeah."

And with that I went back to Gemma and Mark. But that wasn't going to be the end of that night. Oh no. It got even worse. I was sat at the bar having a laugh and a chat with Mark when Jamie came up to me and asked for a dance. Obviously, I couldn't really say no. And miraculously the song changed to a slow song. So, we danced but I noticed Mark staring. The song finally finished and we both went back to the bar to meet up with Mark, Gemma and Mark's friend George. Gemma and I went into the girl's bathroom to have our girly chat and when we came back there was a fight going on between Mark and Jamie. I got up to them to get them a part hearing Mark shouting "well you missed your chance mate" and with that I took him away and went back to Jamie.

"What on earth is wrong with you?"

"Nothing, just leave it Keira."

"Fine by me. See you Monday and hopefully you won’t be in this shitty mood."

I left him to it and went to find Mark. I couldn't even get a straight answer out of Mark either, so I thought we'd just go. We got a taxi back. We said bye before leaving the lads and home.

"Did George say anything to you about what happened? Couldn't get a word out of Mark or Jamie."

"Only something about Jamie being jealous of you being there with Mark or something. Which lead to them both arguing. Whether that's true or not is between those two."

"Okay. I'll try and speak to them both either tomorrow or Monday."

We both went up to bed. With having enough of the night that's all we could do. But when I woke up there were ten messages on my phone. One from my mother, five from Jamie, three from Mark and one-off Steph. My mums weren’t important just wanting me to go down for Sunday dinner. Mark's was to apologise and hope to have another go of it. Jamie's was mainly to apologise of what happened. Steph's was explaining what happened and that she was worried about Jamie as he had disappeared and never heard a thing from him again. The worrying thing was hers was after all the texts off Jamie. What if something has happened to him? I'll try ringing...no answer though. Oh god. I'm going to have to try and find him.

I got into the car and went straight to his house. Nothing. Went to the shop in case he'd let himself in. Nothing again. Tried his mum’s and again nothing. Where the hell could he be?  The only other place I could think of would be his favourite place in the town and that was the lake near the football stadium. Tried there and nothing again. I really am getting worried now. Maybe if I waited outside his house he may turn up. I knocked again and nothing, so I just sat on his dusty steps waiting for him. I've never realised how nice his neighbourhood looked, he sits in a cul-de-sac with a lovely park opposite. About an hour had passed when he finally turned up and how stupid could I have been. He was with a woman. Can't be bothered with this so I just got into my car while ignoring him and drove off. Hopefully he won’t think about following.  

I'm not going to bother. If he wants something fine. I am not going to make the effort if he isn't going to. I'm just going to go home, call Mark and go out seeing as it's a lovely, sunny day without a cloud in sight. I could get him to ask George out since Gemma took to him so well when we went around town and we could all go to the golden, sandy beach near to us. I messaged all my co-workers to see if they wanted a night out and have them the information of what time and where to meet. As I thought got a reply from Nathan and Steph but nothing from Jamie.

I went home to talk to Gemma about what had happened at Jamie’s and we both decided a night out would be great again and I told her I had invited the whole cafe lot out to try and see what's up with Jamie but also to get Mark use to him. I messaged Mark to tell him we’re having a works night out instead of us going out somewhere if he and George wanted to join us a bit later in the night. In which he replied yes but he didn't want to interact with Jamie. Which I agreed to. Gemma and I just relaxed for the rest of the day until it was time to get ready.

But we didn’t realise what time it was which meant Gemma and I had to rush upstairs to get ready. I took a shower first with me running around like a headless chicken all day. Afterwards, Gemma and I helped each other with our hair and make-up. I thought I would go with some nice curls and smoky eyes. Now for the hardest part, what to wear? I’m torn between either my long red dress that nearly touches the floor or my small black dress that shows off more than I should. Black dress I think. Got to show mark what he can have and what other people cannot touch.

“Gem! Gem!”

“What?”

“Taxis here!”

“Okay. Just doing my finishing touches!”

“Alright. You can lock up then!”

I walked out of the house and into the taxi.

“My friend won’t be long.”

“Hey sis!”

“Oh, Nick. Didn’t realise you was back at work.”

“I know. Got to get back sometime. Besides sickness seems to have gone now anyway so I thought I best come back. I don’t feel so bad anymore.”

“That’s good then. When do you finish?”

“It’s an all-nighter for me unfortunately.”

“That’s crap. You could have come out with us tonight.”

“Well instead, give me a bell when you’re finished, and I’ll come and pick you up from wherever you end up.”

“You sure?”

“You’re my little sis. I want you home safe. That’s what us big brothers are about you know. To protect their younger sisters. Besides if I’m on I’d prefer to come and get you than a stranger taxi man.”

“Fine. Don’t you go all soppy on me though!”

“Deal. What’s taking Gemma so long?”

“You know what she’s like! Beep for her! Never mind here she comes.”

“Sorry! Oh, hey Nick. Didn’t know you was back.”

“Yeah first night back. Right where to?”

“Erm…Fish Bowl first I believe.”

“Sure thing. Buckle up.”

The way Nick drives we were at the club in no time. When we got out of the car I reassured Nick that I would ring him when I was ready and headed towards the other guys. Steph was there and Nathan with his girlfriend Zoe.

“No Jamie?”

“Well he messaged me earlier saying he might come but he was unsure. That was around four this afternoon,” Steph explained.

“Oh. So, he can message you but not let me know when I’m the one who has organised it. I have no idea what is up with him lately. Oh well. Let’s have fun without him then!”

“Let’s!” everyone shouted.

Nathan got the first round in while we all found somewhere to sit. Got to have a few drinks down me before I start dancing. It somehow brings it out of me more than me being sober. After a few, I realise one of my favourite songs has come on, so I got hold of Gemma and headed towards the dancefloor (I wouldn’t be able to do this sober, but four vodka and lemonades later I can). We were dancing away when I noticed Jamie walk in. So, he is coming then! He walked towards Steph and the gang when he gave Steph a kiss and Nathan a hand shake. I could see he was paying attention to me and Gemma though by the position he was in. I’ll go over in a bit to see what the hell happened the other night with Mark. For now, I just want some fun before the drama begins. I was dancing away when I got a tap on my shoulder. It was Jamie. I did wonder how long it would take him.

“Can we talk?”

“Sure.”

We walked outside where it was a lot quieter, so we could talk better. It was stupidly cold though, I was shivering quite badly.

“Can we make it quick. I’m bloody freezing!”

“Sure. Here, have my jacket.”

“Thanks. What’s up?”

“I just wanted to apologise for what happened the other night with Mark. I shouldn’t have acted the way I did. I also need to apologise for not texting you too. I was being childish and to be honest with you, I was embarrassed and was surprised you messaged me really. Forgive me?”

“Sure, I will. We can’t have it again though! We need to be civil with each other with us working together. I don’t want bad blood between us. You also need to apologise to Mark in front of me.”

“I promise. Come here!”

He gave me a hug! It felt so warm. But I know nothing will ever happen. For one thing, he is way out of my league, plus he is my manager so that would be awkward more than anything. To be honest, I don’t think he would ever think about settling down. He’s mister popular. A master when it comes to pulling girls. He loves all the attention. Just like now for example. He’s talking to a group of girls as soon as we walked back in. It doesn’t take him very long. Take last Christmas, we all went out for a Christmas meal for our works night out and within half an hour he had a group of girls to sit at our table. We weren’t bothered at the time but now thinking about it, it was annoying. It was supposed to be about his staff. He could have done that after we at least finished the meal off. That’s in the past now, and besides we all now know what he’s like. A player.

I wonder where Mark is? I got my phone out to message him when I saw he’d rang me twice and messaged me.

I’m so sorry Keira. I’m not going to make it. I’ve been vomiting all afternoon. Rain check? X

That doesn’t sound good. I better message him back. I hope he’s okay.

Don’t worry about it. Maybe next weekend?

He messaged me back within thirty seconds.

It’s a date!

When I looked up from my phone, I looked towards Jamie who was pulling with one of the girls from the group he was talking to earlier. I can’t be dealing with this, he’s having it off with another girl and I have no Mark. I’m going home. I walked over towards the gang and made an excuse to them that I wasn’t feeling too good and Gemma came with me outside while I phoned Nick to pick me up.

“So, what’s the real reason? Could it be a tall, handsome man going by the name of Jamie?”

“Well there is that. I can’t be dealing with him. But there’s also Mark. He’s not coming. So, he wouldn’t distract me from the annoyance of Jamie.”

“Is that all Mark is at the minute?”

“We have only just started dating, so it’s just a wait and see what happens. If it becomes more, then good. Mark will hopefully help me get Jamie out of my head.”

“Well, whatever you want honey. You know I’m always here for you.”

“Thanks Gem. You go back inside with everyone. I’ll be fine. Nick’s almost here anyway.”

“You Sure?”

“Yeah. Don’t let me stop you from having fun.”

“Okay babes. See you when I get in?”

“Yeah I’ll wait for you.”

I got in the taxi and Nick got me home not asking me any questions. He knows me best. Therefore, he knows when I don’t want to talk about things. I gave him a kiss on the cheek and went inside. I just walked into the house when my phone beeped. Not who I was expecting. Jamie of all people. Thought he wouldn’t notice that I was missing.

Where are you? Gemma told me you’re not feeling very well. But I don’t believe that. You seemed fine when we were talking.

I can’t be dealing with Jamie at the moment. He can stew for a little bit longer. I just sat on the settee in my pyjamas watching television with the dog while I waited for Gemma to come home. To be fair it wasn’t too long until she did arrive home.

“You’re home earlier than I thought?”

“Yeah Jamie was with that girl all night and we all had enough of being ignored. So, we all decided to leave after a while as the place was starting to die down anyway.”

“Fair enough.”

"Settled then!"

“What’s up?”

“Nothing. I just got a text off Jamie earlier asking where I was. I’ll message him in the morning. All I want to do now is go to bed.”

“Definitely message him please. He kept asking me if I had heard anything from you. That’s the only time any of us saw him. He came and asked then went back to his lady friend.”

“If he was that bothered he’d find another way of contacting me.”

“Well he did try to nick my phone, but I wouldn’t let him.”

“Ah right.”

“You do know you’ll get the third degree at work tomorrow?”

“Only if he turns up!”

“Good point. Depends on how hungover he’s going to be.”

“Yep. Right I’ll see you in the morning. Night.”

“Night honey.”

BEEP…BEEP…BEEP.

Nooo. I don’t want to get out of bed. The covers have taken me hostage. Why did I have to agree to do the early shift? Best get up then. I slowly brought my left leg out from underneath the covers, waited a bit, then decided to move my right leg. Took me a while to move. It is so warm in my bed, I didn’t want to leave it. But I am due into work in an hour, so I best get going. I rushed my shower and got my uniform on. I had no time to do my hair or makeup, so I just put my hair up in a messy bun and decided to do my makeup on the way to work. I made sure I got out of the house quickly before I changed my mind and decide to stay at home, pulling a sickie. But when I got to work, the doors were already unlocked. I could have sworn I had locked them last night after I went and picked up my purse and I was supposed to be opening as no one was expected until around ten.

“Hello?” I cautiously called out.

“Oh, hey there ditcher.”

“Jamie! What are you doing here?”

“I let Steph have the day off, so I could find out what was up with you last night.”

“Like I said…I was ill. Much better now before you ask. All I needed was a bit of rest.”

“Yeah! Is that really what you’re going with? I don’t believe that story one bit!”

“You believe what you want to believe Jamie. Now I am going to get the café ready if that’s okay with you?”

“Go right ahead!” he said with a smirk on his face, gesturing towards the main area.

It was the most awkward shift I had ever done. We hardly spoke to each other all shift. I was actually happy when Nathan walked in at dinner time.

“Right, I’m off. See you tomorrow guys.”

“Wait Keira! Let me make it up to you for being an arse. Me and some mates are going out at the weekend if you and the gang want to come. But only if you’ll come with me during the week to get some new clothes?”

“I don’t know,” I said unsure.

“Come on. I’ll even buy you dinner. You’re off Saturday, aren’t you?”

“Yeah I am.”

“Well then sorted then as you wouldn’t have to miss work for it.”

“Fine, I’ll go otherwise you’ll be nagging me all week.”