Racing For Love

Chapter Seventy

Jono stands, running his hand through his hair before ringing both hands together before he begins to talk.

"I'm sorry, Ace - I didn't know you were coming here. I came to speak to Kate, but I did wonder if you might... If you're not ready to talk, I get it. I just...you left, again." His face is etched in sadness, reliving the moment from the garage earlier. "Ace, I need you to know that I'll always try and find you. I'll always try and help you if you let me. The last thing I want is to see you struggle because of this lifestyle that's been forced on you. I want to support you....because, well, because I love you."

I take a seat, once again putting my head into my hands, trying to make sense of everything. When I look up, I see Jono nervously stood waiting for my response.

"I can go if you-"

"No, please. Sit." I say, gesturing to the sofa next to me. As he sits, I grasp his hands and looking at him closely. I can see pain on his face, and hate myself for causing it, once again. "JC...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have walked away earlier. I just needed time to process it all, and I'm so used to doing that alone. I've always had to do it alone. I understand why you didn't tell me about Charlotte's messages, I understand you were trying to protect me, but it hurt - I thought we'd got through that, I thought that we were a team and we would deal with things together. Not just my problems, but yours too."

"I know, but with the contracts, you didn't seem to give me any opinion, I thought maybe it was already too much for you, dealing with all my work shit - I didn't want to add crazy ex-girlfriends to the mix too."

"Of course not! I just didn't want you to make a decision that was so life changing, based on my opinion."

"Who says I'd do what you say anyway, Ace?" Jono smiles, the mood between us lifting slightly. "I'm sorry that it's all been so tough lately. I'm used to the press attention, but even I know this week has been crazier than normal. It's fucking tough being chucked into that - I should have checked in on you more, I just forgot that you aren't used to it all, well, that level of 'it all' anyway."

"I should have coped with it better, not let so much bother me. I knew things would be intense, I just didn't expect so much of it. I'll learn to get over it though. This isn't going to go away if we're together - I just need to work out a way of dealing with it," I tell him warmly, seeing confusion cross his face.

"You're not breaking up with me?" Jono says, his eyes focussed on mine.

"Of course not - I thought you wouldn't want to be with me after today. Oh God, I've messed this up again, haven't I?" I say, a sadness sinking into the pit of my stomach as I try to cling onto something that maybe I haven't lost just yet.

"It's not messed up, Ace. As long as you want me, I'll be here. I want to be part of this team, our team...I'm all in, Ace." Jono replies, squeezing my hands a little tighter as he waits for my response.

"I'm all in too, JC." I say pulling him close and kissing him firmly. "It's a good job really, because I kind of love you too." I laugh, seeing his face transform as his mouth turns into a broad grin.

"You love me, then?" Jono says playfully, and I nod as he wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me closely into him, before kissing my cheek. I hear footsteps behind us and we both turn to see Kate.

"Thank-fucking-Christ. I would have knocked your heads together if you hadn't have sorted this shit out." she says, exhaling loudly before sitting down on the armchair across from us. "Now, are you staying or fucking off?"

I look at Jono, noticing a glint in his eye. "I think we're going to go, sorry Kate. I'll see you early tomorrow morning though to go through the plan?"