My Temptation

12

J A N E

It's been a week since Miles left and everything has been so difficult, he hasn't even tried reaching out to my father. Everyday I wake up to an empty house and walk into an empty kitchen, and I miss seeing Miles sitting in the kitchen typing away on his computer everyday. Each day that passes, it gets harder - not easier, but Hayley has been trying to comfort me anyway she knows how and I wish I could say she's helping. 

Today is the day that Hayley's cousin Jackson and his college roommate are coming into town, which means it's the day where I have to meet him. I can't believe I let her talk me into meeting this guy, Mason is his name and I'm absolutely dreading meeting him. I don't want to meet anyone new, I don't want to try and move on from Miles but Hayley says I have to... so here I am. 

"Hayley I think I made a mistake agreeing to this." I say sitting down on the edge of her bed and she rolls her eyes 

"Jane, we already talked about this - more than once, might I add. It's been a week and you have been moping around nonstop. It's time to stop that and get back up on your feet." She says spraying perfume on her wrists then rubbing them together 

"I know we've talked about this but it's like you don't even care how I'm feeling about this. You immediately brought up the idea of me meeting this guy that you yourself don't even know!" I say annoyed and she sighs deeply before sitting across from me on her bed

"You're acting as if you and Miles were in a relationship Jane. He didn't even have the balls to truly confess his feelings for you! He kissed you then left right after that without even saying goodbye to you. I'm just trying to help you get over him." She says

"You are the one that told me to go for it Hayley! You are the one who told me to confront him about his feelings for me! " I yell abruptly getting up off her bed 

"I know and I've already apologized for that! You cannot keep bringing that up and trying to blame me for this happening! I'm your  best friend and I have been there for you more times than I can count!" She yells 

Before I could say anything back we hear the doorbell ring. I give her an annoyed look then rush out of her room and down the stairs with her following behind me. She gets to the front door but doesn't open it yet

"Please just try Jane." She says but I don't respond. She sighs then swings the door open revealing Jackson and Mason I'm assuming. My eyes widen slightly, he's definitely good looking - but not like Miles.

"Jackson!" Hayley says happily and he steps inside the house giving her a big hug. I stand there silently watching them when suddenly my eye catches Mason looking at me. He gives me a sly smile and I give him my best fake smile.

"Come in guys! Jackson, you remember Jane." Hayley says assuring for both of them to come inside. She shuts the door behind them. Jackson nods smiling and puts his bags down coming over to me then pulling me into a hug.

"Who could ever forget beautiful Jane?" He says and I let out a small laugh hugging him back

"Mason, it's nice to officially meet you. I'm glad you came down with Miles." Hayley says giving Mason a side hug.

"Nice to officially meet you too Hayley, thank you for letting me stay here with Jackson and your family." He says sweetly and she smiles while walking with him closer to me and Jackson. "This is my best friend, Jane. I'm sure Jackson mentioned her to you before you two got here." She says and he nods looking at me again, but something's different about this look.

The look he gave me just now made my stomach queasy, I don't know why but there was something about the look in his eyes that made me feel off. But I said I'd give it a chance, so I can't back out now. 

"Hi Jane, it's really nice to meet you." Mason says holding out his hand for me to shake. I hesitate for a split second before taking his hand in mine and shaking it. "It's nice to meet you Mason. I hope you enjoy Chicago." I say then pull my hand away

"Alright now that introductions are out of the way! Are you guys too tired to go out now?"  Hayley says clapping her hands together in excitement. 

"We're good to go out now, what do you ya'll want to do?" Jackson asks, Mason and I both shrug our shoulders in unison 

"It's still pretty early in the day and there's this new restaurant that just opened, it's about 15 minutes away from here and I heard it's really good." Hayley says 

"Sounds good to me, I could eat." I say and the guys agree. 

"Great! I'll drive there." Hayley says grabbing her bag and keys then opening the door for us. Jackson signals for me to walk out first and they all follow behind me.

Hayley locks the door before using her car key to unlock the car doors. We all get in the car, Jackson in the passenger seat and Hayley in the driver's side with Mason and I in the back. She starts the car and drives off. 

The car ride is filled with Hayley and Jackson talking and catching up while it's awkward and quiet between Mason and I. I stare out the window silently when he finally speaks up breaking our silence.

"Do you go to college?" He asks pulling me out of my thoughts. I turn to him and shake my head, "I hated school since I was a child so I always knew I never wanted to go to college. My parents were okay with that, they just wanted me to be happy." I say and he nods

"What do your parents do?" He ask and I feel the lump in my throat form. I look down at my lap trying to keep my emotions at bay.

"My father is a businessman, he is the CEO of this big company. I don't even know what they do but my mom was a Chemistry professor at the University here." I say feeling a pain in my heart when I mention my mom.

"Was?" He asks and I nod slowly without saying anything. After a moment he realizes what I mean and he sighs deeply. "I'm really sorry for your loss Jane. My father passed away 4 years ago, so I unfortunately understand." He says 

"I'm sorry for you loss too, my mom died 3 years ago... it's one of the most terrible things ever." I say and he nods in agreement

"Let's change the subject." He says letting out a small chuckle and I laugh quietly.

"What're you majoring in?" I ask turning my body to him slightly 

"Computer engineering." He says and my eyes widen, "Wow that's really awesome. You must be pretty damn smart then." I say and he laughs

"I don't want to brag or anything but-" He begins saying but Jackson cuts him off "Oh please! This guy will brag about himself at any given chance. He's been top of all his classes since high school." He says causing all four of us to laugh 

"Well that is something you should be proud of Mason. I mean, shit - if I was always top of my class and majoring in something like that then I would definitely be bragging too." Hayley says and I nod in agreement.

"What're you majoring in again Jackson?" I ask leaning closer and putting my hand on his shoulder causing him to turn his head to me, "Architecture." He says and I nod sitting back in my seat 

"That means you can build me my dream house in the future." Hayley says finally pulling up to the restaurant, parking close to the door and he lets out a sarcastic laugh, "We'll see about that." He says and she rolls her eyes jokingly.

We all get out of the car and walk inside, Jackson talks to the hostess and we have to wait a few minutes so we sit on the benches in the lobby, continuing to talk.

Once we get escorted to our booth table, Mason sits next to me and Jackson sits next to Hayley. As I'm looking at the menu, Mason leans in closer to me and whispers so only I can hear.

"You're really beautiful Jane." He whispers and I feel my cheeks heat up. I look at Hayley and Jackson to see if they heard but they are bickering at one another about who's going to pay.

I turn to Mason and give him a small smile, "You aren't too bad yourself Mason." I say and he smiles. He isn't Miles...at all, but he's nice so I could definitely try to give this a chance.

My heart is calling for Miles but he's not here. He left and he's not coming back so maybe I should move on, he probably already moved on anyway.

•••

I thought being away from Jane would make things easier but it's only made things harder. I can't stop thinking about her and I've dreamt about her every night since I left. I'm going crazy without being next to her and I don't know what to do. I can't go back but everything inside me is screaming at me to. It's like this sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach that's telling me that something's going to happen.

The night I went out with my friend Brian when I got back in my town, I could've sworn I thought I saw her at outside of that bar but then I realized my mind was just playing with me. 

|1 week ago|

I walk into the bar and immediately hear my name being called. I look and see Brian sitting at a table signaling for me, I smile and walk over to the table sitting down. 

"It's been a minute since we've been at this bar together." He says and I nod then notice a waitress coming up to our table smiling. 

"Hey Brian! I see you brought a friend with you this time..." She says looking at me and smiling flirtatiously. I just give her a fake smile and look away. 

"This is Miles, he just back it town from a work assignment and he's not feeling too great." He says and I roll my eyes at him

"What would you like to drink then good lookin'?" She asks 

"I'll just have a jack and coke please." I say and she nods 

"Make it a double for him and I'll have a whiskey on the rocks. Double also." He says and she smiles then walk away. Once she's completely gone, Brian leans against the table putting his arms crossed on the table. "She was eyeing you." He says 

"I could not care less right now Brian." I say and he sighs 

"Okay, start explaining." He says and I close my eyes for a moment trying to gather all my thoughts. I open my eyes and let out a deep breath before speaking

"Her name is Jane and she's absolutely perfect. She isn't like any other beautiful girl I've seen or worked for, and trust me, there have been plenty of beautiful women." I say and the waitress comes back with our drinks, setting them down in front of us.

"Thanks Allison." Brian says giving her a wink and she walks away laughing.

"So she's beautiful and perfect, what else? What actually happened?" He says sipping his drink

I start explaining everything that's happened with Jane and I since the day I got there. Once I finished explaining everything, I was already on my third drink and the room was starting to spin. I sit back on my chair drinking and Brian is staring at me with wide eyes and he nods his head slowly letting out a deep breath. 

"Damn..." He says and I nod finishing my drink and wiping my mouth, I grab a French fry from the basket we ordered and pop the whole thing in my mouth.

"Now you know why I'm feeling the way I am." I say 

"Even though I don't know her like you do, from everything you just told me , she really does sound different." He says 

"She is, she is nothing like Melanie." I say as we eat more fries 

"This is a fucked situation Miles, she sounds great and it seems like she really likes you and you clearly have very strong feelings for her. It just sucks that you can't really do anything about it because of your job." He says 

"I know and if I didn't care about this job then I would've gave in so quick but, I love my job and I want to keep doing this. I've only ever done this job since my twenties." I say sighing running my hands through my hair

"Here, let me pay the bill and we'll get out of here." He says and gets up walking to the bar top 

I sit there in silence staring around the room when suddenly my eyes catch a glimpse of Jane outside and my head whips to the side so quickly and roughly that my neck cracks and I wince. I grab the side of my neck and focus my eyes on her outside but then I realize it's not her at all, she just looks very similar to Jane. I smack my lips and curse to myself quietly. Brian walks back over to the table and looks at me confused but I just shake my head not wanting to talk about it. I get up from the chair and we walk out of the bar.

I damn near broke my neck just now because I thought I saw Jane... I need to get my shit together.