When I met them...again

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

A week later

Jamie's POV

I don't understand. Did we do something wrong? We drove past her house recently, it's up for sale. It's Friday. I stayed late at school even though Katie left maybe an hour ago. Maybe she'd come to the tutoring...who am I kidding she's gone. I don't know what happened I want to know but what if I never see her again. I sat in the empty classroom. It was dull, the blinds drawn as I stared into my computer. I hear the door open and jolt.

"Miss Victoria, this is your sub plan for tomorrow."

Oh, just one of the office staff. I take the papers from her and read them over. As my mind wanders I pick up my phone.

"What if..."

I say to myself opening my phone and looking at the pictures Katie sent me from the night we took her out. I hesitate but I open my settings and change my phone number. I texted her, just a simple hey Bridget...it sent...she didn't change her number she blocked us. I stare blankly at the screen in utter shock. My finger hovers over the call button and I press it. It rings once...twice...three times...answer.

"Hello who's this?"

I hear her sweet voice on the other end, a smile crossing my face.

"Bridget...is that you..."

"Yes...who is this..."

"Darling it's me Jamie...Where are you? What's going on?"

And the line went dead...I tried to text her, blocked... I change my number back before Katie texts me and notices before I pack up and head home for the evening.

Bridget's POV

It's been a whole week since I moved in with Jessie. There admittedly has been some ups and downs but we'll work through them. Luckily he has a high enough salary and he's able to support both of us. It's nice having him around all the time though. Being able to see him makes a difference really. I come back from a small walk around the city and see it's nearly 1pm so I start to prepare lunch for Jess when he comes home for it.

His lunch hour came and went and I stood in the kitchen alone still. 2:30 and I heard the door open. I smile as I see him walk in.

"Hey darling, how's work so far?"

I ask as I finish making his wraps for lunch and set them on the table. Jessie looks tired, his shirt slightly wrinkled, and he runs a hand through his hair, letting out a heavy sigh.

"Hey, it's been... you know, the usual," he says, plopping down in a chair. "Just trying to keep everything together. Good you made lunch."

"Of course. I'm sorry we ran out of bread so I made a wrap for you, try something new I suppose." I try to keep my tone light, but there's a knot in my stomach. Ever since I moved in, I've felt a mix of relief and anxiety. Jessie is kind, but I can't shake the guilt of leaving Katie and Jamie...This will be worth it.

"This looks great, thanks." He digs in, and I watch him eat, trying to find comfort in the normalcy of it all. "So, how was your day?"

"Pretty uneventful. Just unpacking and exploring a bit. I think I found a cute coffee shop a few blocks away," I say, forcing a smile. "I might check it out later."

"Good idea. You should get out, meet people." He glances up, his blue eyes serious. "You know, it's important to make friends here."

I nod, but inside, I feel the weight of what I left behind. Jamie and Katie. The thought of hearing their voices made my heart ache. They were part of my life, and now they felt like distant memories.

"Hey, are you okay?" Jessie's voice pulls me from my thoughts.

"Yeah, just thinking," I reply, not wanting to burden him. He's been supportive, but I can tell he's trying to gauge how I'm adjusting.

"Thinking about home?" he asks, his voice gentle.

"Kind of. Just... everything's different now."

He sets his wrap down and looks at me with a look I can't read. He stands up looking down at me. "You don't need to worry it's better here, it's not like you left that much behind, don't be dramatic."

"Thanks, Jess." I try to focus on the positives, the little moments of laughter, the comfort of having someone around. But I had left a lot behind.

After lunch, Jessie heads back to work, and I'm left alone in the apartment. I tidy up, but my mind drifts back to Jamie. Did she try to reach out? Did she think I'd ghosted them? I pull out my phone and scroll through my contacts, landing on Jamie's name. Still blocked. I want to message her, but I stop myself. I know Jessie doesn't want me talking to them.

The hours drag on, and I find myself staring out the window, watching the clouds roll by. The city is bustling, people rushing to and fro, while I feel stuck. When suddenly my phone buzzes. Unknown number?

"Hey Bridget"

I ignore it, probably some scammer is not interested. Suddenly the same number calls me. I planned to let it ring out but I couldn't find something inside of me. I answered.

"Hello who's this?"

"Bridget...is that you..."

I shuddered, the voice was so familiar...

"Yes...who is this..."

"Darling it's me Jamie...Where are you? What's going on?"

I take a deep breath, the flood of emotions overwhelming. I start my mouth agape trying to put together words but I fail. I hang up and quickly block this new number as well. I wanted to say more. I wanted to speak with her but I couldn't.

As I set my phone down, a mix of relief and fear washes over me. I glance around the apartment, feeling the weight of the decision I just made. Hours pass and Jessie comes home. He had clearly had a rough afternoon.

"Hey Jess, how was the rest of your day?"

"Mhm good yea..."

He looks me up and down and my stomach sinks. I felt sick.

"Darling did you...call anyone today?"

"N-no why would you ask that?"

My eyes shift between the floor and the window nervously.

"Sure. You know you shouldn't talk to the people from that old place. It's better here, you'll be better here."

He walks behind me and grabs my shoulders. I nod. He's right...I think.

"Well if you're being honest with me I need something from you."

"Yea what's that?"

"I need your phone. I'm getting you a new one. A new number, a new sim, a new everything."

He puts his hand out for my phone. I hesitate but hand it over anyways he takes it and puts it aside in another drawer. He then grabs my wrist and pulls me into our bedroom pushing me on our bed.

"You know I've had a rough day...You can help with that."

I got nervous as he cornered me but...it was all going to be worth it this will get better. So I endure it the next 5 or so hours I getting fucked by him. I really don't know if I'm enjoying this but at least I had birth control. I was not looking for kids yet. He finishes rolling over and going to sleep. I roll away and fall asleep.