Chapter 10
Walking into the house, I hang my coat and bag up as I hear talking coming from the sitting room. Jay said he wanted an Indian takeaway, and I was up for that.
Looking over at Jay, “I’m with you,” giving me a wink, we walk into the room. No one gets up from where they are sitting, I think about where to sit, next to Rhett on the couch to the floor in front of the fireplace next to Helen.
My decision is made for me when Jay sits next to Rhett, “sorry I punched you,” I hear Rhett say to Jay, I look at Rhett, Jay did get a punch in there, he wasn’t lying about that.
Sitting on the floor, I start taking out the containers and placing them on the table, “I will get some plates,” Terry gets up, I look over at Helen with a small smile and a nod, to let her know that I’m okay.
Looking at Terry placing the plates on the table, I pull my sleeves up to plate up the food, and Rhett grabs my right arm, and looks down on my wrist. Even though Jay bandaged it up, the blood is still coming through, pulling my arm out of his grip, “you don’t get to touch me,” I say, not looking at him, and I open some of the containers.
There is a moment of silence as everyone gets a plate of food, I can feel Rhett looking at me. I should be mad at him, begging him for answers, but sitting there alone I thought carefully about this. He talks when he wants to talk to me, I can’t push this anymore., why? Because I’m driving myself crazy waiting for him to tell me, with the help of Helen, Terry and Jay he will talk to me.
“I got a promotion today,” Jay says breaking the silence, and everyone looks at him.
“How can you get a promotion, you own the law practice,” Terry asks him, making my laugh.
“Not at work, in the life of Scarlett, I get to call her Star, now that is a promotion, I’ve been waiting for.” He says looking at me and gives me a wink, shaking my head at him, “and tomorrow we are going to out for the day while you guys train.”
Are we that is news to me, I wonder where we are going, but no one asks him, and I don’t want to because it sounds like we both planned it.
“I should finish training about six, you back by then?” Rhett looks over at Jay; his voice has changed I can hear the pain behind it.
“Not sure yet, depends on how much fun we have,” Jay tells him changing the channel on TV, “plus not sure I want you there ruining the day for her,” Jay says, looking over at Rhett.
“Okay, well I hope you both have a good day,” I feel Rhett staring at me. I know he wants me to say no Rhett can meet us after but I’m not going too, but the thing with this is, they are all going home, and I will be left alone with him. Then what. Talk and let a headache I already have get worse or tell him I don’t want to talk about it.
Once everyone finishes Rhett and Jay take everything into the kitchen, “Sweetheart, would you like me to have a look at your wrist? I don’t want them to get an infection,” Terry kneels down in front of me, Helen sitting just behind him.
I look down, and I have to admit there has only ever been once before my wrist looked like this, and Ed cleaned them up for me because he said that same thing that Terry has just said to me. Are my angels finally giving me some hope at a family?
I look back up at Terry, and my eyes fall behind him to Helen and a tear drops on my cheeks, my chest is tightening. Terry cups my face, bringing my eyes to him I see him shaking his head, and the tears I’ve been holding in all night escape me. No matter how hard I’ve been holding them, no matter how hard I am holding them in, they have escaped, because I have something that I’ve wanted for so long, a family.
Terry pulls me in for a hug, and I cry, wrapping my arms around him, I can’t remember the last time I wrapped my arms around someone like this, for comfort.
I feel Helen’s hand on my head as I cry, which only makes me cry even more. I think how this could have been my parents comforting me after my boyfriend hurts me, but I’m not crying they aren’t here to comfort me, I’m crying because I have them.
“It’s all going to work out I promise,” Helen whispers to me, as Terry hugs me a little tighter, “you’re strong, you can do this.” She says.
“Mom ca…” I hear Rhett say and stop, I can’t see him from where I am, but I know his there.
Terry loosens his grip and pulls me away from him, using his thumb he wipes the tears from my cheeks, I look at him, and he shed a few tears too. Helen walks away I don’t watch where she is walking to as I keep my eyes on Terry, the tears still coming down my cheeks. Helen comes back in the room and places a bag next to Terry.
“You want to show me?” Terry asks in a low tone, I look at my wrist, then up at Terry.
“The left one will heal,” I say putting my right arm in front of him, Rhett walks over to us, I know he wants to see what he done to me, my wrist looking like this is because of him and he knows it. Terry cuts the bandage and slowly lifts it off my wrist, that's one deep cut, I didn’t think it was that bad, and I didn’t even feel it until the blood started to drip, but I need to feel pain somewhere other than my heart.
Rhett walks out the room, and I hear him punching the cupboard in the kitchen, I look over at Helen, “he deserves to feel like shit at the moment,” she says, I look back over at Terry, as he cleans my wrist.
As Terry wraps a bandage around my wrist, “I’m going to change them tomorrow, so call me when you are back.” I nod my head, “do you want one of us to stay?” He asks.
I bite my bottom lip holding my tears in, there are too many emotions running through my body right now, and I have no idea how to deal with it.
“No, you can go. I’m too tired, to even talk tonight.” I say standing up; I look over at Jay walking back into the sitting room.
“Do you want me to stay the night?” Jay asks, and I can’t help but laugh, and Jay looks at Helen and Terry.
“We just asked her the same thing,” Helen tells him.
“I will see you tomorrow, and Jay…Thank you.” I say, and before I know it, he’s pulling me in for a hug, “call me if you need me to come over.” Jay whispers in my ear. “I will pick you up at ten, be ready.” Giving me a kiss on the cheek, he walks over to Rhett, giving Helen and Terry a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll call you when I get back, heading to bed now,” I say, walking up the stairs as Jay and Rhett talk to each other, I think this is the longest we haven’t spoken to each other, but it’s nice I need to time, space.
Changing out of my clothes, I crawl into bed I need a good sleep, my head is hurting so bad, it hurts when I move.
“Scarlett,” I hear Rhett in the room.
“Rhett, I don’t want to talk tonight, I’m tried and got a headache, can we just go to sleep,” I say, not turning around to look at him. I just need to sleep and get up fresh tomorrow and talk to him without all the emotions in me.
“Can I sleep here, or would you like…”
“You can sleep here,” I answer before he finishes his question. I feel the bed dip, Rhett moves closer to me wrapping his arm around my waist. We lie there in silence.
* * *
Jay picked me up at ten on the dot, he still didn’t tell me where we were going, and I was okay with that. I woke up feeling better than when I went to bed, and ready to talk to Rhett tonight when I get home.
Jay asked me once if I was okay, and said he wouldn't ask me again which I’m very happy with, not sure how many times I can tell him that everything is fine.
Jay took me to the one place he knew would cheer me up no matter how rough my day is, he took me to Cadbury’s World. The best day ever, they give you chocolate when you walk into the place, how amazing is that? Walking around the factory reading all the information on the walls, but the best part for me was the gift shop at the end. I left with so much I don’t think I will run out of chocolate and sweets for the whole of next year.
“Do you want get some dinner before we go back?” Jay asks sitting in the car, I have had a fantastic day with him.
“I would love to have dinner,” I give him a smile.
“Want to go to Nando’s?” He asks, starting the car, up.
“I’m going to say yes, but have no idea what that is?” I smile at him, I don’t think we have one in America, and if we do, I have not been there before. Jay starts driving, “so Jay, what's the real reason you have no girlfriend?” I ask because I have to say that Jay is so nice, very good looking, and when he finds the girl of his dream, I know he will treat them so nice.
“Grant’s daughter, she is the woman I want, but there is no way Grant is going to let me date his daughter ever.” I’ve not see Grant’s daughter yet, but Whit is beautiful, and I want to know how Grant pulled her too. “Her name is Amy, and I’ve been in love with her, since the first time we went to the pub, but Grant stopped me when he saw me eyeing her up. His word, ‘touch my daughter I will kill you,’ so, I’m too scared even to ask her out.” Jay parks the car, turns to me, “So if you want to help me get Amy I’m all yours.” Jay says opening his car door.
Opening mine, I walk alongside him, “Before I leave for Vegas, I will get you a date with Amy,” interlocking my arm with him.“I mean, Grant sees the guy who sleeps with every girl that walks, but I see the man who is so caring and is now one of my closest friends.” Jay opens the door for me, “so give me some time, and I will get you a date, it might be a double date with Rhett and me if that’s okay with you?” I ask him as the waiter sits us down.
“Yes, if I can have one date, then I can show Grant that I’m the right guy for her,” Jay pulls the chair out for me.
“One rule, stop sleeping and flirting with other girls, show Grant that you are a changed man,” I tell him looking at the menu, everything looks so nice, I’m sure we don’t have this in America.
“I’ve not had sex with anyone since I came back from Vegas,” putting his finger up to stop me from talking, “not because I haven’t had the chance, because I have, I’ve just been busy at work, I wanted to half my workload before you came, so I can keep you company when Rhett’s training.” Jay stands up, “Going to order the food; I will pick you something.” He says walking away from me.
After yesterday I needed a day like this, something fun something I enjoy and Jay picked the best day, and he’s not talking to me like I’m about to break either which I love even more.
“So how is studying going?” Jay asks sitting back down and putting a drink in front of me.
“Ed set me an email, just not had the time to look at it yet, but I will tomorrow.” Taking a sip of my drink, “sometimes I feel like I just don’t want to do it, I mean I’m semi-happy with my life now, why have the stress of studying.” I say.
“Well, what will it take to make you go from semi-happy to full happy?” Jay asks me, and I look at him for a moment thinking about his question, what will make me fully happy?
“Honestly, I don’t know what do I want in life at the moment; my life has always been about Noah, making sure he has everything in life that our parents would have given us, never really sat back and thought about what I want in life.” I reply as our food is brought to us, “this looks nice.” I smile at Jay.
“You know something Star, if my girlfriend went through so much shit as you did, there is no way I would let her cry even once,” Jay says, taking my hand in his.
“Whatever Rhett’s past is, he just needs time to tell me; I know he will,” I tell Jay because I believe he will talk to me when he's ready.
“If he doesn’t, I will tell you, and it will be worth the ass kicking that he will give me,” Jay starts laughing, making me laugh too. The funny thing is that Jay would too, but I also get the feeling Terry would tell me before I leave.
* * *
Walking into the house, Jay called Terry to tell him we will back home; I saw their car in front of the house, so I know there here somewhere, I had a great day, just what I needed.
Walking into the sitting room, I sit next to Rhett, “how come you have never bought me one of these?” I hold the white chocolate Toblerone, “this has to be the best thing on Earth,” I break another piece, and eat it.
“Don’t worry Rhett she bought like seven of them,” Jay sits down next to Helen on the floor. “How was training?” Jay asks Rhett.
“Hard, not sure if it was training, or if it was a punishment,” Rhett looks over at Terry, “but not sure if my muscles are dying on me, or never worked so hard before, even the ice bath hasn’t helped me.” I look at Terry laughing, Rhett shakes his head, then turns to me, “do we even get a piece?” Putting his hand out for me to place a triangle in his hand.
“Why not,” I pass one to him, then look at Terry and Helen, seeing if they want some, pushing the bar on the table closer to them.
“Right let me check your wrist, so I can go home and sleep,” Terry moves over to where I’m sitting, putting my wrist in from of him. He takes the bandage off, gives it a wipe and replaces the dressing, “all good,” Terry says giving me a kiss on the cheek.
“Right we are off, Scarlett you still want to come with me tomorrow?” Helen asks as she puts her coat.
“If you don’t mind me coming,” I say walking over to her.
“I’ll pick you up at nine,” giving me a kiss on the cheek she turns to Rhett, and I walk over to Jay.
“Thank you so much for taking me out today, had so much fun,” I give him a smile, “and tomorrow night we can go to the pub, and I can say nice things about you,” I say smiling at him.
“I had fun too, let me know if you want me to pick you up from work or here,” Jay puts on his coat, “I will see you tomorrow,” giving me a kiss, they all leave.
I turn around and look at Rhett in the kitchen, this is it time to talk, walking over to the kitchen, “you want some hot chocolate?” Rhett looks up at me, giving him a nod, “did you have a nice day?” He asks.
“I did thank you, how was your day?” I ask sitting on the stool in front of him.
“Shit, but…” Rhett stops talking as my phone rings, looking at my phone.
“It’s Noah,” I say walking away from him, “Hello,” Walking over to the sitting room.
“Star, how is the holiday going?” Noah asks.
“It’s good, Jay took me to Cadbury World today, as Rhett was training, which was fantastic, how are you and Penny?” I ask, looking back over at the kitchen as Rhett makes hot chocolate for us both.
“We are good, going to her parents next week to get ready for Christmas there, call me on the day,” Noah tells me.
“I will, and you know I would have even if you didn’t tell me, I’ve been going with Helen to her workplace, and there is this girl there called Chloe. Have no idea what it is about her, but I want to help her,” I tell Noah if anyone is going to understand this it’s him.
“That’s great Star; I think you would be great helping other girls if anyone knows how they feel it’s you.” I look at Rhett placing the mugs on the table, I lean over then turn to him and mouth, ‘no marshmallows,’ smiling and shaking his head he walks away. “I think you should stay until you help her, so how is Rhett?” Noah finally asks me the question I know he wanted to ask at the start of the conversation.
Watching Rhett dropping some marshmallows in my mug, “he’s good, training started so don’t really get to see him much, but I have Jay to keep me company.” I tell him, I don’t want to tell him about what happened, he can’t do anything from Vegas, and he will just worry about me. “I took some pictures today; I will email them over tomorrow,” I say.
“Good, I was wondering when you were going to send some,” I hear him laughing, “well it must be late there, just wanted to hear your voice, make sure you’re okay,” he says.
I look at Rhett watching TV, “I’m okay, miss you, though.” I say looking at my wrist, “but I will be back in no time.” I smile.
“Can’t wait. Goodnight Star.” Noah says and ends the call.
Putting my phone on the table, I move closer to Rhett pulling his arm over my shoulder and cuddle in close to him, his body flinches, as my body touches him, Terry did make him work today. I know we should talk, but right now I just want to cuddle.
Kissing the top of my head, “sweetheart, I’m sorry. Sorry doesn’t even come close to what I should be, I fucked up on so many levels,” pulling me away from him, “Scarlett, I should have told you I know that, I should tell you everything I know I should...But when I try to the words get stuck in my throat, and nothing comes out.” Taking my hands in his, “I don’t know how to beg you, to forgive me,” his thumb stroking my wrists, “I can’t lose you, you are so much more than my world, you’re my life,” leaning his forehead on mine. “I love you.” He whispers.
Placing my hands on his legs, “Rhett, I’ve had time to think about this, and you talk when you're ready to talk to me, but if there’s something you haven’t told me and there is a chance I can find out from someone else, you need to tell me.I can’t find out from someone else.” I tell him, because I know if I hear something from someone else, it will finish me.
“No, only mom, Terry and Jay know, and one other family but I know they won’t say anything to you as they don’t live here anymore.” Rhett pulls away from me, “I should have told you about the boy, his name is Danny, and I know you’ve worked it out that he is not mine, it was after what my dad it.” Rhett stops and takes a moment to himself, my hands still on his legs, “I didn’t want people talking shit about her, so I told my mom to tell everyone that he’s mine. I pay her money every month to support him, and now with everything she is doing, I’ve told her to sign the papers, or I won’t be there to help her in any way.” Rhett says, the last part comes out more hateful, looking at him now though it is all hate for her now.
“Does Danny know the truth?” I ask.
“Yeah, I told him about a year ago. He fought with me about why I wouldn’t marry CeCe, how his mum and dad should be together, and I had to tell him. I couldn’t let him hate me for not marrying her, I tried everything with him we don’t love each other, we fight all the time, but nothing was working so I made the choose to tell him.” Rhett stops and takes a moment, “he didn’t take it well at first, but now he understands, and we’re good. I didn’t tell you because… I don’t know; I was scared, you’d leave, because you hate her, Rhett says shaking his head.
“Rhett, that’s so stupid. I would not have thought any less of you, and if I were going to leave you, it would have been the first time you hit me, or when you didn’t talk, or when I found out you married CeCe, I’m here until you talk to me. You’re stuck with me,” I smile at him.
The way that he has felt for the last two days is enough punishment for him, and I think Terry beat him today, the way his body flinched when cuddled up to him.
Rhett stays quiet his eyes on my wrist, “I have no idea what I did right for you to come into my life,” finally looking up at me, “will you say it again?” He asks.
I know what his talking about, I finally told him that I love him, maybe it wasn’t in the way I wanted it to come out, but it finally did come out.
Turning around, I pick up my hot chocolate, “have no idea what you’re talking about,” I say leaning into him, with a smile on my face.
Pulling me closer to him, “I’m going to have to work for you to say it again, won’t I?” Rhett asks, kissing the top of my head.
Taking a sip of my chocolate, “so how much is your body hurting?” I ask him.
“Enough to feel the pain when I move, but not enough for me to care,” He says flicking through the music channels.
Finishing my drink I put my mug on the table, then climb on top of him, bringing my lips down to his, I softly brush them along his, “Rhett,” his hands are on my hips, “I love you.” I say against his lips.
Rhett grabs the back of my neck, and kisses me, kisses me hard enough for me to lose my breath, moving his hand to my back he stands up, my legs wrap around his waist. “I love you.” He says.