Jake’s POV

“Ella, please stay?!” I looked at her, took her hand in mine and she met my eyes, finally she would really look at me.

I couldn’t believe that it felt like we were million miles apart, when we sat just opposite of each other, when I could even feel her skin beneath my fingertips, but still my heart felt like it couldn’t reach out to her anymore and that scared me.

I never felt like this with her before, we never had problems in our relationship, nothing more than the normal little fights and quick make ups, nothing that felt this big, nothing that was apparently risking our whole future together.

“Ella?” I asked again when she didn’t reply. Was she really meaning she would go to her brother or was it just a lame excuse so she could go to the guy?! I felt anger built up inside me, but I didn’t know if I was right to feel it.

“Look, babe.. what if I call a friend. I will spend a few hours away, and then when I come home, we will talk about everything? What do you say? Just don’t leave… don’t just leave, okay? Or does this mean nothing to you anymore?” I voiced what was weighing my heart down, what if she confirmed, what if she said yes, you mean nothing to me.

I swallowed thickly and closed my eyes, when I felt her soft hand on my cheek, I relaxed slightly, still not knowing if it was a good or a bad sign.

“Of course, it does. God, Jake…Yes, I will stay. We will talk... I just… I need to-” She looked around confused then down on herself and seemed to realize she had slept in her clothes, I found that adorable while she seemed to be embarrassed.

“I’ll be back in an hour, alright?” I said and kissed her forehead feeling a light weight lifted of my shoulder that she wouldn’t be leaving right away.

I took my phone and wallet and got out of the house, I gave Dan a call, he picked up only a after a few rings, we wanted to meet anyway, so why not now?!

I needed someone to talk to and he was one of my friends, he would understand, maybe know what to do or how to behave, I needed a second opinion.

“Hey Dan… I’m back… I wondered if you had some minutes to spare…” I asked and Dan chuckled “That eager to see me, are you?” I had to grin, even if I didn’t feel like it at all.

“You could say that, I happen to need a second opinion, you gonna be my man?” I asked and heard some rushed goodbyes from his part and then he was back on the phone.

“On my way, where? At yours?” He asked and I cringed “No… at the beach? Old spot?” I asked and silence greeted me, then an engine sprung to life. “Will be there.” And the call ended.

I sighed and pushed the phone back into my pocket, I would just make my way by foot, it wasn’t far and I could use some fresh air to clear my head.
When I arrived at the spot I saw Dan already waiting for me, he smiled and hugged me as greeting.

“Damn, what’s wrong, you looking pretty worse to wear… didn’t find your razor this morning?” Dan laughed and I let a hand run over my beard stubble, I had rushed off so quickly, I didn’t even think about shaving, I just hopped into the shower and made my way back home.

“Okay, what’s wrong… let’s find a spot to sit down” Dan motioned forward and we walked a couple of feet before finding an empty spot on a brick wall to sit.
“I thought you were on a job the whole week, why are you back home already?” Dan asked and I sighed.

“I got a call from Ella… and I had to… come back” I said vaguely and he lifted an eyebrow at me.
“Emergency?” Dan asked and I shook my head, then nodded.
“Well… Shit… didn’t think this would be hard to say…” I finally realized it wasn’t so easy to admit to someone else what happened.

“You know you can talk to me, what happened? Is she hurt? Or did you do something stupid?” He pressed on and I shook my head “No.. well she called and told me she kissed another man.” I finally admitted and Dan stared at me for a good minute without commenting.

“So I came back home, wanted to talk to her… she said something about moving out and… fuck, I lost it… I mean, how could this happen? I love her, I thought she loved me too, why would she do something like that?” I let my frustration out and Dan sighed.

“Fuck, I thought you were happy… how did that happen? And when?” Dan asked and I frowned “Well Thursday, she said she called me right after… it was after she closed up the gym… but I thought the same. I love her, I fucking love her for more than 6 years and I just couldn’t imagine this would happen. How should I react? What should I do?!” I cursed under my breath and leaned back against the wall, I rubbed my hands over my face in pure frustration.

“She looked so normal at the party I met her… We talked about you, I told her I would meet you when you are back… I mean…” Dan said and I sat up straight “What party?” I didn’t know she had been at any party, another thing that added to this… what else had she kept from me?!

“Oh, you didn’t know? It was nothing major… just couple of friends, she was there, but I think left early, I don’t know exactly. We talked while she was eating, but she sat there alone when I arrived with the Mrs.” Dan said and I frowned, this didn’t sound like it was worse, and I don’t think Ella would have done anything knowing one of my friends was around.

“So what did she say exactly, and… what do you want Jake? I mean… if she says she still wants you, and it wasn’t bad.. maybe it was just a mistake, or it wasn’t even her fault and some guy took advantage, do you know the whole story?” Dan asked and I shook my head.

“I just came home and she was about to leave, but fell asleep on the couch… I wanted to talk to her, but she just woke up so I said I’ll give her some time… She agreed.” I inhaled deeply “I don’t know any details, but she seemed upset… and she called me right away to tell me… I don’t know what to think… I just know I love her… and I don’t wanna lose her… I’m just… hurt. I mean what if she decides she needs someone else… fuck…” I wanted to punch something… bad!

“It seems like there a quiet a few questions open in this. I would demand answers, ask her who he is, and if she still sees him… how it happened, what she wants to do! If she really wants someone else, Jake, do you wanna run after her? You are worth more than that, if she really betrayed you?!” Dan asked and my heart squeezed painfully in my chest, fuck I had no idea. I just wanted her, but I didn’t want to think any further than that!

“If you talked to her, why don’t you call me afterwards and if you feel like it, or even if not, we will meet up again… in a bar… you know, drown the sorrow in alcohol, that’s a good way to let lose a little. I’ll have an eye on you and we can talk it through, I can invite some friends, and we party that will bring you to other thoughts…” Dan trailed off and I shook my head.

“I don’t think I will feel anytime soon like party again, man…” But Dan wouldn’t have any of it. “Call me after you talked, or send me a text. I’m ready, when you are, and if not today, then tomorrow, I told you I’m here, I have a friend who can organize a party out of nothing, I promise.” He laughed and I nodded “Okay, I’ll write you, but don’t be mad if I rather not, okay?!” I asked and we both got up from our sitting position.

“Yeah yeah, whatever, a night out might help you, believe me” Dan clapped my back while we slowly made our way back to his car and I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to find out what Ella had to say or if I should dread it, either way, it wouldn’t take long to know.

Matt’s POV

I slept off most of my drunken haze and finally had my full brain working again the next morning. I called early into the gym and thank fuck had the blonde women whose name I forgot on the phone.

I asked if Ella was there, but she told me she hadn’t seen or her heard from her today, so I decided to take matters into my own hand and make a quick visit.

Even though I knew Ella wasn’t at work, I might get the information that I needed and with Ashley, as I read on her nametag I might get them quicker than I thought, even though Gates had to suffer for it, but good friend that he was, he would forgive me… at some point.

I walked in and saw some of the personal trainers around, I walked closer to the reception and tabbed the table to get Blondie’s attention.

“Didn’t we talk on the phone?” She smiled brightly at me and I nodded “Yes, that was me.” I nodded and she chuckled “She is still not here, should I tell her to call you, when she arrives?” She asked and was probably hoping to get my phone number through her little trick but I would refuse.

“No, thank you… but would you be able to give me her number. I have a matter to discuss with her, it’s urgent, and I have somehow lost her number…” I tried to look guilty and she looked at me with a lifted eyebrow apparently not believing me.

“I’m sorry, I cannot give away private numbers…” She shook her head with a sad look and I sighed, sorry, Haner. Take one for the team.
“How about you get a number from me, while I get a number from you?” I asked with a smirk and Ashley sat up a little straighter.

She licked her pink lips and leaned forward “I am not allowed to give you a private number…” She trailed off. She clicked on the screen a couple of times and then when the phone beside her rang, she got up and left me alone with the open site on the computer, I leaned over the desk and read Ella’s name and number.

I quickly pulled my phone out and typed in all the numbers, I double checked, then looked around, there also was her address, if no one was watching I could also-

I wrote the name of the street down and was almost at the number when Blondie came walking back and closed the page, just before another of her co-worker arrived as well.

I scribbled down Gates number and held my hand out to her, she smiled, took my hand and I turned “Thanks again…” She nodded “Pleasure”

I left without another word and headed towards the parking lot. I sat down in my car and pulled my phone out staring at her number for a little while, thinking of calling her right away, or rather waiting… but I wanted to talk to her, wanted to tell her that I didn’t regret kissing her, that I wanted to see her again and that she wasn’t to blame.

I had to find out what this boyfriend was about, if I had a chance, I must have a chance there wasn’t really an option if you asked me.

I pressed the call button and waited, it rang… and rang, “Jake?” My heart stopped and I frowned, shit. “No, Ella.. is that you?” I asked and only silence greeted me.
“I-I… yes… Matt?” Now I was sure she was it anyway, her voice gave her away.

“Where do you have my number from?” She sounded confused and I had to smile, she thought I gave up, didn’t she?”

“I have my ways… I saw your note… I’m sorry, I wasn’t home… I… kinda escalated a little after the way we parted and had to calm down… It’s not your fault, really.” I said quickly and heard a sigh.

“Matt, I’m sorry. I should have told you, I mean… I thought I had mentioned it, but I guess I didn’t, it’s just… We cannot see each other again, we are happy you know…” She said and I didn’t want to believe a word she said.

“How about we meet and we will talk about everything? I mean… as friends” For now… I didn’t say that, but I had to get her to meet me, so I could look in her eyes, see how she reacted, not over the phone, she could hang up and never talk to me again, when I saw her, I knew I could convince her to give it a try.

“Sorry, Matt… I can’t” I knew she was on the verge of hanging up on me “Wait, Ella… please. If not today, tomorrow? The day after? Just talking, I swear…” I promised and Ella stayed silent, silent for so long, that I was afraid she had hung up on me already.
“I can’t. I have to make this right with Jake, I have to talk to him… I need some time to think all this through and to talk to him about everything. I will… call you… eventually.” And with that she hung up.

My finger hovered over the call button, I knew she wouldn’t pick up again, but I felt the need to try again, but could convince myself to let it be for now.
If she really wouldn’t call again, I would try again.

I started the engine and drove of the parking lot when my phone rang and my heart sped up. I took the call “Ella?”
“You fucking asshole! What were you thinking!?” Gates screamed at me and I cringed.

“She called already, huh?” I asked and heard more curses “Of course, she did… and I had no fucking clue, who she was… now I’m meeting her again tomorrow, you owe me, Sanders! You fucking owe me!” He snapped and I had to smile.

“You said I should go after the things I want… I did, but I needed some help, and I thought you were willing to-” I was cut off by him hissing “Don’t you fucking dare say take one for the team, because I don’t have anything good coming out of you fucking that girl, man!”

I rolled my eyes “Don’t be a dick, if you wouldn’t wanted to meet her, you could have told her no. You are a big boy, you can do that” I didn’t even register where I was driving until I was at the street that I had noted down where Ella was living.

I didn’t know which number and I didn’t even know what I wanted here but I drove slowly, and what was even weirder was that, I knew the car that was driving by and the person waving at me was one of my friends – Dan.
I had to chuckle, small world, wasn’t it?!

“You even listening to me, Sanders? Hellooo?” I shook my head “Yeah, what was it?” I asked and he groaned. “Did you at least succeed? God damn…” He cursed some more and I grinned “I got her number and spoke to her, but she didn’t wanna meet… at least not yet. I’m still on it…” I gave him the update and shortly after we ended our call.

When I came back home I started my Xbox and played for a while, that always took my mind off things, I looked over to my phone and thought about calling her again, but decided against it. I would shoot her a quick message, to remind her, I was indeed waiting, and she wouldn’t get rid of me that easily.

Don’t forget to tell me a time and date. I’m waiting… ;) Matt

Notes

So… Matt got her number and is in contact…

While Jake could get something off his chest with his friend Dan!
Will that lead to trouble? What you think?!

And a Voting for you:
Should Ella plan a meeting with Matt?

A)Yes
B)No