Just In Time

Just In Time Part 13

Jay got in from training exhausted. He sat on the sofa, he felt a twinge of sadness knowing he wouldn't be seeing Racquel tonight. His phone buzzed in his pocket. It was Tom.

T: hey mate. Are you free tonight? Fancy a pint. Haven't seen you in a while.

Jay smiled, he was right he hadn't seen Tom in a while, as he had been so consumed wanting to spend his time with Racquel before they couldn't. He texted back that he'd meet him at the usual, around 7.

He put his phone on the table and walked to the bedroom to get changed out of his dirty training gear to a more appropriate clothing to going to the pub.

-

Racquel was on set of Selena's beauty launch in NYC. She was running around trying to get everything set up. She hadn't really spoken to Selena a lot since she arrived, as it had been manic since Selena had landed. They were behind already with interviews and meetings they then had to finalise all the make up and make sure everything was ready for the day of release. She checked her phone when she had a moment free. She had a message from Jay.

Jay: Just on the way back from training. Hope everything is ok. Missing you already. If I haven't told you today you are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen x

She smiled at her phone. "Girl who you smiling at?!!" Courtney asked. "It's uh nothing" she said as she quickly put her phone away. Courtney raised an eyebrow and dropped the conversation, knowing something was up but not wanting to take it any further at this point.
Racquel changed the subject quickly back to the schedule they had planned out.

-

Jay walked into his regular pub and saw Tom at a table in the corner, engrossed in his phone whilst taking a swig of his beer. Jay made his way over and Tom looked up. They both smiled, the shorter man stood up and greeted Jay. They embraced and then did a fist bump "do you want another?" Jay asked "yeah go on then mate" he said. Jay nodded and went to get two drinks. "Hi Tony, two peronis please" he said. The barman nodded and served him. Jay paid on his card and then took them over to the table.

Apart from the odd Harry Potter fan who gets lost and finds themselves in the pub, his best friend doesn't ever really get bothered and well unless there's a rugby fanatic or a Brit around which were both equally unlikely neither did Jay.
It was a quaint little pub that they had found on the outskirts of Manhattan, no one really knew about it unless it was stumbled across. It was a little too far for the tourists to venture and a bit low key for the locals.

Tom smiled as Jay sat down "how've you been mate?" Jay asked. Tom smiled "not bad thanks I was getting worried about you though. Hadn't heard from you in a few days" Toms said. Jay shrugged. He didn't know if he should tell Tom the real reason why he had been MIA. They were a secret. But Tom didn't have anything to do with Selena and he was his ride or die best friend. Jay smirked a little "Let's say I've been pre occupied" he said "I know that face! You met a girl?!" Tom said. Jay couldn't help but smile when thinking about Racquel. "I knew it! Whats her name?" Tom asked getting excited.

Jay shook his head and laughed a bit, he looked at Tom. "Her name is Racquel. She's 30 and honestly mate she is the most beautiful, incredible, kind girl I've ever met" he said. Tom smiled and patted his friend on the shoulder "ah mate I'm chuffed for you. This is what you needed especially after the whole Selena thing" he said. Jay squirmed a little "well the thing is..." he said "don't tell me she's married or has some psycho ex who's going to be coming after you like John Wick or something" Tom said flatly. "No nothing like that..I don't think. But she's Selena's best friend and assistant" he said. Tom looked at him deadpan "really?!" he said "Yeah and we've got to be a secret to Selena until Racq tells her..." Jay said before taking a swig of beer "shit mate. No wonder you've been MIA"  he said. Jay nodded "yup" he said. "So you gonna show me a picture of this Racquel?" Tom asked "oh yeah" he said. He went on his phone and onto Racquels Instagram "holy shit mate. How are you pulling all these stunning girls?!" Tom joked. Jay shrugged "I honestly don't know. But no other girls in the past matter. She's just phenomenal" he said smiled. Tom just looked at him. He was worried. He didn't want anyone to hurt his friend and this girl keeping their relationship a secret, didn't sound good.

Tom looked at him seriously as Jay took a sip of his drink. "She's going to tell Selena right?! Then you too can actually have a relationship" he asked "yeah that's the plan" he said. "when is she going to tell her?!" Tom asked "I don't know whenever she's ready to tell her" Jay said. Tom raised an eyebrow "so what your just waiting on her? That doesn't sound fair..." Tom said "I know but it's their friendship and her career on the line so I need to be understanding of that" Jay said "just be careful mate. And don't go in too quickly. I know you rush shit like that" he said. Jay looked away guilty "what did you do?!" Tom asked "I gave her a key" Jay said. Tom stared at him blankly. "Please tell me you didn't give a girl you've known for a few days the key to your apartment?" Tom asked gruffly.

Jay looked at him. "Tom she's different mate. She's everything I ever wanted. When I'm with her I feel like I'm floating. I'm the happiest I've ever been and she feels the same. She's in an awkward position..I gave her the key so we can actually fucking see each other. We're falling for each other and I'm so fucking happy everyday that she came into my life...I don't want you to not like her or judge her because of stuff thats beyond hwr control. I believe her wholeheartedly that she will tell Selena and get everything in the open when the time is right. But for now we just want to see each other whenever we can" he said. Tom nodded, he believed him. "I know mate. I'm sorry. I'm sure I will like her. Who am I to judge, I've been in love with the same girl for 15 years and not had the nerve to tell her. I'm happy for you buddy I really am. I'm just looking out for you, I don't want her to hurt you" he said. Jay nodded, he appreciated Tom looking out for his best interests. "Thanks mate I appreciate it" he smiled as they fist bumped.