priorities-2

22

Some things never change, and the Clogged Artery is one of them. I hug Carrie and we take our old table. It's the first time we've been back here in a long time, so I order my favourite dishes: Quad bypass, with Septal Defect on the side. She of course gets the same. I'm literally excited to eat here, because I haven't had a meal this good in months! She starts biting into her onion ring, "Where did you and Slasher go last night? You could have stayed in the apartment." "No thanks, totally uncomfortable." I tell her. "How was last night with you and Hunter." She rolls her eyes in delight, "Unbelievable. He said he knew all along I wasn't dead." "That's surprising," I bite into my hamburger. "So what's happening with your relationship?" I ask her, "Is he still pushing you to commit?" "Beyond that, he's just assuming he's my final choice. He hasn't mentioned marriage yet, but I'm sure he will before you know it." "He's not your final choice?" I'm dumbfounded. "I don't know," she says indecisively. Jackpot, John and Jake stroll in and his jaw drops and hits the floor. He elbows Jake in the side and points to Carrie. They both head in our direction. Carrie quietly says, "Look what the cat dragged in!" I glance at them, "Hi!" Their eyes are huge, "You're alive!" John says to Carrie. "Get out!" she smiles. "We thought," Jake starts. "I know, it was stupid, I never should have let people believe I was dead," Carrie says apologetically. "Does Leonardo know?" John asks. "No! Don't tell him," she says to John. "Just give me some time, I promise I'll come out

He gives her a funny look, "Why do you want him to think your dead, he's really upset," he advocates for his friend. "I wanted to gage who would be more distraught between Hunter and Leonardo because I'm having a hard time deciding who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with," Carrie explains. "So you faked your own death," Jake gives her a dirty look, shaking his head, "Despicable." "Yes," she admits. "That's ignorant," Jake complains. "You shouldn't be playing with peoples emotions like that, what if the tables were turned and some guy did that to you, tell me you wouldn't be mad at him," he gives a very valid point. I'm sure she didn't consider that when she was coming up with this ingenious idea. "Speaking of ignorant, John, you know I'm one of your biggest supporters and when you got called up to Florida, you couldn't even be bothered telling me when you saw me at Carrie's funeral." "It wasn't the time or the place," John says. "You're right," I tell him. Jake is quiet, "Carrie, you never struck me as someone who would play around with peoples emotions to benefit yourself, you've acted very selfishly." John's staring at her, disillusioned, "Jake is right, what were you thinking." He pulls his phone out and you know what he's doing without asking. He's texting Leonardo. "He filed for custody of Holly," he tells Carrie, "and I hope he gets it because you don't deserve her." He literally slapped her in the face with his words. "Congratulations on getting called up," I try changing the subject, "I hope it keeps you warm at night," I say spitefully. Carrie and I get up together, pay the bill and start leaving. "Wait," John calls out. I turn, and he nods in my direction. I freeze waiting to hear what he has to say for himself, "Can I have a minute alone with you," he asks. "I'll meet up with you at the apartment," I tell Carrie, and she leaves. "You're mad, I get it," I tell John. Jake starts to leave us, "I'll wait for you in the car." "Why did you help her, I thought you changed," John' asks disappointed "She persuaded me that this was the only way she was going to be able to decide which guy loved her most. Carrie said that the one who fights for her child is the one she wants to be with," I explain. "Leonardo thought Holly was in the best place, with her grandfather. Leonardo watched first hand as Carry accepted Will into her life. He would have been her obvious choice to raise Holly while Leonardo's travelling. He couldn't give Holly that stable life she needed. It doesn't mean he loves Carrie or Holly any less, it means he put their needs and wants before his own. In my book, that makes him a stand up guy." "I'll talk to Carrie," I offer. "Leonardo, will talk to her," John corrects. "Is that all you wanted to say?" I ask. "No, I want you to visit me in Florida, send me your schedule so I can plan it." "Why," I ask defensively. His eyes lock onto mine, "Just come, you owe me at least that," he says. "Okay," I don't argue with him. It won't hurt me to spend time with John in Florida. It will also give me some much needed distance from Slasher. I pull my phone out and bring up my schedule, to show him. "You're on a break right now until the end of the week?" "Yes," I tell him, "I was going to get some rest and relaxation between concerts which doesn't seem to be working out." "Fly back with me tonight," he suggests impetuously. "Sure, why not," I say sarcastically but then seriously consider it. "I'll make all the arrangements, just meet me at the airport for ten tomorrow morning." He escorts me out of the Clogged Artery with his arm around me, "Presumptuous." I comment. "Pearson, ten o'clock, departures," he reminds me. ~~ Ten o'clock, Pearson airport, he stands out in a crowd. 6'3 in stature, gorgeous blond hair and those dreamy blue eyes. He's dressed in a suit, signing some little boy's Jersey as he spots me walking towards him. He grins at me before standing erect. Theboy shakes his hand and is escorted away from John by his father.I approach John embracing him, "Hi," I say into his shoulder. "Where's Alex.""I thought you knew, he's moved back to Toronto after injuring himself. He'scoaching the minor leagues. He married Melissa.""Oh, that's nice, not that he's been injured but that he married her," I comment. "Dothey have any kids together?""She's pregnant with their first.""Good for them," I tell John sincerely. I pick up my bag but he takes it from me,leading me to the booking desk. He hands his ticket to the chubby lady with glasseshalfway down her nose and purchases mine. She manages to place us together andexpects us to be over the moon by it, like she's performed a miracle. I give her a quicksmile and ignore the pause as she waits for us to tip her.We board the plane and put our overhead bags up before taking our seats. I'mwindow, just over the wing. I admire John sitting in his seat, almost too big for the areaprovided to him, "What have you been doing since you left me," he asks."I've been touring with Slasher singing. Apparently my shower voice is goodenough for duets. I'm popular in Europe and the United States but still manage to nothave fans chase after me the way he does, so I guess I'm experiencing the best of bothworlds.""You enjoy it?" He asks."It's been fun," I admit."I'm asking if you can see yourself giving it up," he has a very serious tone to him.I'm suddenly excited to see where he's going with this line of questioning."I haven't had to consider making that sacrifice, and it would have to be somethinghuge to draw me away from making 102K per concert. I haven't had to rely on anyonefor anything," I boast."Does THAT keep you warm at night?" He asks. I don't hear sarcasm in his voice so I'm not sure where he's going with this line ofquestioning,"Of course it is," I answer without hesitation."I'm not referring to the money," he tells me. "I trying to determine if you are trulyhappy."