What The Heart Wants (Sebastian Vettel)

9. You've Got A Friend

"Jessie, Jessie, what is it? What's wrong sweetheart? Talk to me Jessie!"

Seb felt a sense of panic bubbling up inside him.  All he could hear was Jessie sobbing like her world had ended.  What had happened? She obviously wasn't ok.  Was Joel ok?

"Jessie, try to calm down.   Take some deep breaths.  Tell me what's wrong kleine maus."

He'd never realised that hearing someone cry could hurt so much.  He just wanted to be with her so he could hold her and tell her everything would be ok.   Where was Joel?  Why wasn't he comforting her? 

He ran his fingers through his hair, stood up and began pacing up and down the lounge.  "Listen to my voice Jessie, breathe. That's it.  That's it kleine maus."  Jessie's sobs had begun to ease a little but she was still crying.  "Talk to me Jessie.  What's wrong?"

"Joel," she managed to gasp.  Seb froze.  Had something happened to Joel? 

"Joel? What happened? What's happened Jessie?"   He braced himself, preparing for the worst. Had Joel had an accident? Was Joel... dead?

"He wants a divorce."  Jessie's voice had gone so quiet Seb thought he'd misheard.  Then Jessie repeated her words louder. "He wants a divorce."

"What the fuck?"  Seb was shocked.  Joel wanted a divorce? But Joel loved Jessie, didn't he?  They'd probably just had a fight and he'd said it in the heat of the moment. "I'm sure he didn't mean it Jessie.  It will be ok, you'll be fine by the time you get to Greece."

"We're not coming," she wept.  "He's gone. I kicked him out.  He said he wasn't coming to Greece.  I can't come to Greece.  I have to start looking for somewhere to live.  We've sold the apartment.  I will need a new job too. I can't work at Racing Point with him."

"Of course you're coming to Greece.  If he doesn't want to, then that's on him, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out."

"Didn't you hear me Seb? I have to find a new job, a new home.  I can't stay with his parents now."

"Jessie, what happened? I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding."

"He wants a divorce, he left me for another woman.   He's been having an affair for six months."

"I'll fucking kill him," Seb raged.  He clenched his free hand into a fist.  How could Joel do that to Jessie?  Sweet, adorable Jessie.  She deserved so much better.  "Jessie, you get your arse on that plane in the morning and you get to Greece. Don't worry about a job yet, and you can come and stay with me and Ava while you look for somewhere to live."

"I can't Seb. That's not fair on you and Ava.   And I don't want you to feel like you have to take sides.  Joel's your best friend."

"Jessie, I know I don't have to take sides.   I'm on your side because of what he's done....he's a fucking prick. Now tell me you're coming to Greece.   You shouldn't be alone at a time like this.  You need your friends."

"I can't," she said, her sobs intensifying.  "I just can't. I'm sorry.  I don't want to ruin the holiday for you and Ava.  I'm so sorry."

"Jessie, listen to me...".  But Jessie had gone.   He immediately tried to call her back, but he was sent straight to voicemail.

"Jessie, call me back kleine maus," he said frantically.   "Please Jessie, I need to know you're ok."   He knew that sounded dumb, she obviously wasn't ok.  He ended the call.  "Fuck!"

"What's going on?" He turned and saw Ava stood in the doorway, clutching her peach satin bathrobe around her. 

"Joel's left Jessie.   He been having an affair."  Ava's mouth dropped open in shock.