It’s never that easy

Chapter Nineteen

“Oh great!”

“Be nice. She might not even notice us.”

“How can she not. The sexiest guy has just walked in.”

“Where’s Nathan?”

“Funny!”

“I know. I’ll get the drinks. You go find a seat.”

“No. I’ll come with you and help.”

We went to the bar and ordered our drinks. As I suspected, Tessa came to talk with Jamie. Of course he was being nice and talking to her but he made sure he was holding my hand, squeezing it to console me. She’s got a nerve trying it on while I’m stood with him though. He was leaning into me so I leaned my chin on his shoulder and wrapped my arms around him, placing my hands on his chest. She just gave me a dirty look and carried on with Jamie, pretending I wasn’t there. She was stroking his arm and he moved it away from her and grabbed me from behind.

“What’s so special about her? We should be together!”

“Keira is special because I love her and will die for her. We never worked Tessa. That’s why we broke up. We were better as friends.”

“That’s not true. I know we were made for each other,” she pleaded, trying to touch his face.

Jamie stood up suddenly, holding onto me and backing away.

“I’m sorry Tessa. I love Keira so please leave us alone.”

He started walking away, leading away with me, when she turned to me.

“You’ll be sorry.”

Before I could answer, Jamie had pulled me away.

“What did she mean by that?”

“I’m sure it means nothing. What can she do? Nothing will ever happen. I have all I need right here,” he said grabbing my hips and kissing me passionately.

“Good answer. Maybe you will be lucky later,” I winked.

“Tease!”

The rest of the night was amazing. Jamie was being himself again. After a couple of hours Tessa had finally given up and left. That was a relief. We were able to focus on the gathering rather than her. We were dancing and laughing together. It was great seeing Jamie laugh and smile again. It was hard at the beginning with it being Bangers funeral, but after having closure with what happened, I think he’s become a better man.

At around two in the morning, we decided to grab a taxi and head home. I walked up to the house while Jamie paid the taxi fare, but I could see something moving in the shadows.

“Hello?”

“Hello Keira!”

Out came Tessa. She looked like a mess. She had been crying and her mascara had run down her face.

“Tess? What are you doing here?”

“You’ve ruined everything! I was going to try and get him back when you showed up and ruined my chances. I saw how he looks at you,” she sobbed, moving closer to me.

That’s when I saw the knife she was holding in her hand. I couldn’t move or shout for Jamie. What’s taking him so long? I moved my head slightly to see what was keeping him. He was leaning on the passenger window chatting away to the driver. All I could think was ‘Jamie hurry up!’ This is all he needs at the minute when he’s getting better.

“Hey! Are you even paying attention?” she shouted aggressively.

“Yes. Yes Tessa I am.”

“Good. What could he want in you, when he can have everything with me? He needs to see that I am the only one for him. I am his priority. No one is to stand in my way.”

I felt unsteady by the way she was waving the knife around pointing it towards me. I finally heard footsteps approaching.

“Hey. Sorry about that. Why haven’t you let yourself in?” Jamie asked walking next to me.

He suddenly saw Tessa and looked down to her hands. He held his hands up and started walking towards her.

“Jamie don’t!”

“Shhh…” he whispered, turning towards me with his fingers on his lips. “Tessa. Give me the knife! You don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“Yes I do!” she screamed, speeding towards me but Jamie grabbed her before she got to me.

He held her tightly against himself. He got her to drop the knife onto the floor and calmed her down.

“Kiera, go inside,” he commanded.

“I’m not leaving you.”

He looked at me. His eyes telling me to do as I’m told.

“Now Keira!”

As he let his guard down talking to me, Tessa wriggled out of his hold and grabbed the knife again. She suddenly cut one of her wrists.

“Tessa!” Jamie shouted, “Keira phone an ambulance!”

I ran inside phoning for the paramedics as I headed to the kitchen to grab a towel. I ran back outside and handed Jamie the towel to press on her wrist.

“They said to put pressure on as much as possible.”

“I know Keira,” he snapped.

I can see the panic in his eyes. It’s happening to him all over again. I bent down and helped put pressure onto her wrist, throwing the knife away from her. The ambulance arrived within five minutes, but by then she had lost consciousness from the loss of blood. Jamie went to the hospital with her. I could see him holding her hand in the ambulance, stroking her hair as they shut the doors to leave, Jamie didn’t look back once.

The police had already turned up before they left. They bagged up the knife and then they took a statement from me of what had happened. They then headed to the hospital to speak to Jamie and possibly Tessa if she’s awake.

I went straight upstairs and stripped off. I was covered in blood. It was all over my dress, my arms and legs. I step into the shower and vigorously rub myself all over to get rid of the blood. It slid down onto the floor, sobbing. I held my knees to my chest and buried my face into them, letting the water fall over me.

Suddenly, I felt these strong arms surround me. I looked up to see Jamie looking at me worriedly. He was fully clothed and came straight to my aid. I leapt in his arms and he cuddled me, stroking me. It soothed me.

“I’m here. You’re okay.”

I felt bad that he was getting his clothes wet but he didn’t care. He just held me for a few more minutes. I suggested in the end that we leave the shower to dry off. He grabbed me a towel and wrapped me up. He undressed himself and dried off, putting on a new pair of boxers. I sat on the edge of the bed brushing my hair when he decided to sit behind me, taking the brush away from me to do it himself.

“It’s over with.”

“Is it though?”

“Yes. I’ve gotten her some help. The best help she needs. She won’t be anywhere near you.”

“Good. Is she okay thought?”

“Yeah, she’s talking again. She really needs help and I want to help her.”

I turned around to face him.

“No. I don’t want you anywhere near her.”

“But it’s my fault Keira. I feel responsible.”

“Baby, this isn’t Bangers.”

“I know that, but I can help this time. I don’t want to do nothing at all. I don’t want to feel useless like I did back then.”

“I get it. If that will make you feel better then help her. But baby, please don’t let this get you down. It’s not your fault. There is something wrong with her that made her do this.”

“Thank you. Are you okay? She didn’t hurt you?”

“No. Luckily you arrived just in time. Thank you for being my hero again.”

“But you’re fine?”

“Yes baby, I am fine.”

I leaned to him and kissed him passionately. I quickly dried my hair and got ready for bed. We laid in bed, Jamie resting his head on my chest as I hugged him as tight as I possibly could. I can’t believe what is happening. We never seem to get a break.

***

A week has passed since Tessa was admitted and Jamie has been to see her every day. I get where he’s coming from but he’s taken over him. I’ve hardly seen him with me being at work and then he’s been visiting her on the night. It’s taking over our relationship and I hate it. Take Friday for instance. We were out for a meal, which was our time on our own in days because every time he comes home we’ve both been too tired to do anything and I end up going to bed before him, he ends up getting a call from the place Tessa is, saying there’s something wrong and she won’t come out of a cupboard unless Jamie goes to her. I know it’s to lure him there for her own benefit, why else would she do it? Of course I had to stand up and dispute him going to see her. It can’t be like this any longer.

“Jamie! This is our only time together in a week. She is not your problem anymore. Let the professionals handle her! You have other priorities. If you don’t sort those out maybe they will be lost forever.”

“Don’t! Don’t act like this. They obviously can’t if they are ringing me Keira. She must have put herself in a bad situation if they’re having to phone me.”

“You know what? Whatever Jamie. Go! You’re obviously not listening to me, so do whatever you want.”

“Keira! Don’t be like that please. I’ll go calm her down and then we can start where we left off.”

“Don’t bother hurrying. Moods gone. So much for a romantic night.”

“Whatever. Here. Here’s my card. Pay the bill and grab a bottle on your way home.”

“I’ll do more than that,” I said under my breath.

He tried to kiss me but I moved away so he only caught my cheek and left. At least he’s left me the car.

I drove to the store and headed for the most expensive bottle of wine, some ice-cream and a big bar of chocolate. I may have also drove past a clothes store and bought myself a new outfit and new underwear. I think I’ve earned it. I plan on sitting on the couch with the dog watching a good film. I’m going to change into my new underwear and put on my silk dressing gown, show him what he could have had if the night went smoothly.

About half way through the film and me nearly eating the full tub of ice-cream, Jamie walked in. I just ignored him and carried on with the film.

“Budge up,” he said pushing my legs up.

I lifted my legs and rested them on him. I may be in a mood with him but I like to have my man close to me.

“Well at least someone was happy to see me, aye Bruno?”

Bruno stood with his head on his knee, wagging his tail. I on the other hand couldn’t help but give him daggers. How can he come in and expect it all to be normal?

“You still in a mood with me?”

I stay silent and concentrate on my movie. He’s not ruining this for me too.

“Seriously Keira? The silent treatment? If that’s how you’re acting, I’m off out.”

He started to stand up when he turned to me. He suddenly bent down and picked me up over his shoulder.

“Jamie put me down!” I shouted trying to wiggle out of his hold.

“Ah, she does speak.”

“I’m not joking Jamie. Put me down or else!”

“Or else what?”

“I’ll...I’ll sleep in the spare room for a month.”

“Yeah? Never going to happen!”

He headed towards the kitchen and placed me on one of the work tops, widening my legs and standing between so we were at the same height. I turned my head to the left so I didn’t have to look at him but he just took one of his fingers and thumb at my chin and made me look at him.

“Talk to me please?”

“Fine if it’ll get me down.”

“It will once you’ve spoken to me.”

“I don’t know what you want Jamie? Do you get why I’m angry?”

“Yeah, because I went to see Tessa.”

“Not just that. It’s because she ruined date night. Our time. I’ve hardly seen you all week and you hurt me by leaving me at the restaurant all alone. Choosing her over me.”

“I would never choose her over you.”

“But you did.”

“I’m sorry baby. I didn’t want it to seem that way. It won’t happen again. I promise.”

“How can you promise me that?”

“Because I’m done with her. I’ve told her she can never come between you and I and I said I wouldn’t be going back anymore. The doctor believe it would be better for her if I didn’t go back as I’m giving her false hope.”

“That’s the reason why? Because the doctor said so?”

“No, he agreed after I had already told her.”

“Oh.”

“So am I forgiven?”

“A little bit.”

“I’ll take that,” he said smiling at me.

I suddenly realised these scratch marks on his eyebrow.

“How did you get these?” I asked rubbing my finger over the marks.

“Oh. She attacked me when I told her I wasn’t coming back.”

“Crazy bitch.”

He laughed at me and gave me a little kiss on my lips.

“I love you, you know?”

“I know. But no more women coming in between us okay? I’ve had enough drama. Plus, we’ve hardly had any time together since we’ve become a couple.”

“I can change that. I rang Gemma earlier. I’ve organised a double date at the beach tomorrow.”

“You have, have you?”

“Yep, good boyfriend?”

“Great boyfriend,” I declared leaning for a kiss.

He picked me up and laid me on the couch, still kissing each other hungrily. We couldn’t help ourselves and we did it there and then on the couch.