Unforgettable

Part 13 - It's complicated

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Pulling through the gate and driving up the long winding drive, Willow could finally see how well Jeremy was doing to be able to afford the place she could see in front of her.

Tears welled up as she thought about how proud her dad would've been to see how far he had come. He always thought of him as a son and was over the moon when he thought he would become part of the family. That is why she needed answers. What had happened to them that they weren't together.... scrap that. Not even friends anymore. None of it made sense.

She shakily got out of the car, took a deep breath and knocked. The door opened within seconds and then standing before her was the man she once thought she would marry

'Hey, you found the address ok' Jeremy stated as he ushered her into the foyer and took her coat from her.

'Yeah. It wasn't too hard to find' taking a look at the high ceilings with the minimalistic walls and entryway, she couldn't hide how impressed she was 'You've really done well for yourself Jez. I half expected a butler and a housekeeper to be hovering around'

Rubbing the back of his neck as he felt himself blush at the ease in which she used his nickname, he chuckled 'No. I'm still the same old me. I have luxury. More than I can afford actually but I don't like to rely on others'

Willow smiled at him as he led her through to the sitting room where there was a roaring fire making the room seem even cosier on what was another cold wintery day

'Do you still drink red wine?'

'Yes I do. Well remembered. I probably shouldn't have more than one though as I need to drive back later'

'We'll see where the night takes us. I can always order you a cab home later' he offered whilst passing her over a glass of wine 'Please sit. Make yourself at home'

After an hour or so of light conversation and falling back into a rhythm like old times, Willow felt it was time to get some real answers

Before she could ask, Jeremy beat her to it 'You know.... I never thought I would have you sitting in front of me ever again'

'See that's what I don't understand. Why wouldn't I be sat here with you? We've been friends since we were kids, dated throughout high school and then got engaged. So what happened? Why did I marry someone else?'

'Well it's complicated. Does your husband know that you're here'

Willow looked away from him, picking at the loose fabric on her jumper sleeve 'No none of them know I'm here. Why would that matter though?'

He took a deep sigh rubbing at his beard before responding 'Things didn't go well between us towards the end. We didn't exactly end on the best of terms'

Willow nodded 'Ok.. is that why Nat and the others don't want me around you?'

'I should say I'm surprised they don't want you around me, but I'm not. The last time I saw you, your friends made it clear that if I so much as looked in your direction, they would make sure I would never see the light of day'

Placing down her wine glass on the table, Willow leaned further into him to really look into his eyes whilst he was talking 'This is what I don't get. Nat is my best friend and would never want to hurt me so there must be a reason why she doesn't want me to see you. It feels like you're all hiding something from me'

'Ok... I'll tell you my side of the events but you might want to speak to that husband of yours too' Willow nodded and waited for him to continue 'So the night we called it quits, things got a bit heated between us'

'You're going to have to give me more than that Jez. What do you mean things got heated'

Jeremy rubbed his hand over his face, bracing himself before telling her the next part 'I found out you were cheating on me.... with him. You were going to leave me for him. I tried to stop you from leaving by grabbing hold of your arm but you hit me a few times before I could let go. Your superhero friends thought that it was the other way around'

Willow could feel ringing in her ears and her heart rate picking up in speed as she tried to comprehend what he was saying 'So I cheated on you. I despise cheaters. You know that. My mum cheated on my dad so I don't understand why I would do that.. and to attack you. None of this makes any sense'

'I know, I have to say I never thought you would do those things to me either. You already looked so broken and I didn't want to make things any worse so I took the blame for everything'

'So they all think you abused me?'

'Yeah. Pretty much. Six months later I heard that you'd got married to him. The guy that ruined my life.' he looked down at the floor before continuing 'Look Willow.... it took a really long time for me to get over you. I mean you really did a number on me. Do you think maybe we could park the rest of this story for another time?'

Willow looked down as the guilt within started to consume her 'Of course we can. No wonder the others didn't want to tell me' she stood picking up her belongings and making her way to the front door before turning back to him 'For what it's worth, I'm really sorry for hurting you'

Jeremy smiled sadly at her as he watched walk out into the dark cold night. This was going to be easier than he thought.'