Hold Me Close: A Jemi Story

Chapter 8

Days went by, slowly adding up to weeks that things grew strange. Joe became distanced, claiming it was a lot of family issues that were preoccupying his busy mind. I had plenty of time to think about everything, seeing as Joe was rarely home and the only company I had was Selena, occasionally, but mostly it was Gary. His grey, hefty self loved to curl up to my side and purr until I eventually let my hand caress his soft fur. He was warm and friendly, and I was grateful for his company. 

I questioned Joe's motives everyday. When I did see him, I noticed that his eyes lost their shine, his smile has disappeared and his honesty seemed to have vanished. I couldn't stand the hurt, my faith was breaking. I knew it wasn't supposed to end like this; he wasn't supposed to destroy our destiny. Guilt washed over me as I took in how selfish I was being, but if Joe had been at least attempting to make an effort, I would feel a little more relaxed and reassured that this wasn't the end for us. Pain soared through my body as I thought about how hopeless our relationship was turning out to be. Just a couple of months ago we were madly in love, could barely keep our hands off of each other. Now, things were different, and I had a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. 

My cell ringed, and I reached over Gary to retrieve it, seeing Joe's name on the caller ID. 

"Hey Baby," I said, trying to sound cheerful. 

I heared shuffling in the background, but I couldn't make out what the small noises were. "Hey," He breathed. "I won't make it home tonight." 

"Again?" I could feel my heart instantly drop at his words.

"I'm having dinner at the San Del Marina tonight with my mother," He sighed. "Sorry, I'll see you tomorrow afternoon." 

"Well okay, but at least call me later," I frowned into the phone. "Love you, Baby." 

Joe uttered a single word before hanging up the phone. "Bye." 

Although the distance that was growing between us, Joe never forgot to tell me that he loved me. I felt worry soar through me as I looked down at Gary.

"This isn't good Garry," I said to the grey tabby beside me. He meowed in response. I furrowed my brow before deciding to do something that Joe might appreciate. Maybe all of this distance was tearing him apart like it was doing to me. I got up and got showered, dressed, and pampered up. The San Del Marina was a very nice restaurant, and with Joe's parents being quite wealthy, it made sense why they would choose to eat there. I entered my car and drove off, putting the address of the restaurant into my GPS system. 

"Jonas," I said to the man at the front desk. He was wearing a nice suit and tie, with his blonde hair swiped to the right. 

"Oh, it says here that it's a table for two." He went on to say, "And both guests have already arrived." 

I nodded, trying to explain myself. "I know, but it's my boyfriend and his mother, I came to surprise them. How else would I know where they were eating?" 

The man plastered on a smile as he led me to the table. The man pulled up an extra chair and gestured for me to sit. "I'll call over the waitress for you." 

Joe's expression was completely and utterly shocked as he stared at me with wide eyes. "D-Demi?"

"Hey babe," I gave his cheek a small kiss, careful not to leave any remains of my red lipstick. "Where's your mother? In the little girl's room?" 

Joe seemed too surprised to say anything as he sat there looking from me to the girl's washroom a few times. "What are you doing here? This is a private dinner." 

"I'm sick of these private dinners. I'm sick of you being away from home and being too busy to send more than a few texts to me at a time. I'm also sick of this growing distance between us Baby, I miss you so much and I just want to be with you." I poured out my heart to the gaping Joe that was just sitting there, unable to speak. 

Suddenly, a word escaped his mouth. "Sarah..." He stood up, his eyes fixated on a tall blond woman standing behind me.

"Who's this?" Sarah said, her tone harsh. 

I stood from my chair, looking at her. "I'm Demi, Joe's girlfriend," I said, noticing that this woman seemed way too young to be Joe's mother.

"Excuse me?" She said, looking from me to Joe. "I don't know who you are or what you're doing here, but Joe is my boyfriend, and we're on a date. See this?" She stuck her hand out that had a beautiful little band with four diamonds placed elegantly on it. "He gave me this promise ring tonight."

My throat became suddenly dry. My eyes gathered tears that flowed down my cheeks steadily. I couldn't breathe, there wasn't enough air around me. I began to feel light headed as my heart pounded loudly in my ears. 

"Demi..." Joe started, reaching to grab my hand.

"Don't you dare touch me!" I yelled, capturing the attention of some of the other bodies around us. "How could you? I loved you Joe, I really did. I thought we had something special. I thought you were different but clearly all I was to you was a little game that you just loved to play. Selena was right when she said she saw you buying a ring. How could I have been so stupid to think it was for me?" My voice cracked at the end as I felt my whole world fall apart. "You're a monster..." I whispered before I turned away to leave.

That night, I walked away from the man I thought I would be spending the rest of my life with. I left my heart in the restaurant; shattered, all of the tiny pieces laying around Joe's feet. He had broken me, and I could never forgive him for that, because the hurt I felt inside was cutting me like a knife.

He cheated on me.