Moments In Between ( Book 2)

Chapter 9: Simple Mathematics

Rehearsals keep getting smoother and better with each one. Shane does not act so stiffly around me anymore. We are nowhere near what it was like before. At least we are somewhere. It is most likely the road to recovery. She has forgiven me, but she does not trust me. I do not blame her, though. It hurts, but I can fix that trust issue.

Lady Tulla has not barked at anyone, mainly Shane and me, for the last two sessions. We got an early break today. Tulla had an emergency and ran off, leaving Chris in charge. Who, in turn, just grinned and took off with Felix yelling that we should relax and they would be back soon. I will not be too surprised if she is the one behind Lady Tulla's mysterious emergency. An hour has passed, and I am not complaining. It is just like school; once the teacher leaves, we all stop doing our work. I am hanging out by the pool with Mark and Shane. My piná colada finishes, and I frown.

I dangle the glass in the air. "Mark, refill time."

He rolls his eyes at me, muttering something under his breath. I smirk in return. It is not my fault; he can not win a bet against me. Shane giggles and takes the glass. "I'll get you a Shirley Temple."

"Haha, Vodka on the rocks." If only it were possible. Tulla had all of our faces imprinted on the brains of the entire hotel staff, and they were instructed not to give us alcohol. She does not want anyone getting drunk before they should or something like that. She is a damn buzz kill. I might have to walk with my own liquor supply to the wedding.

I sigh and lie back on the chair. "This is life."

"So you and Shane, just like old times, huh?" Mark nudges me, wiggling his eyebrows.

I shake my head. "Not even close."

"You gonna tell her?"

I sigh. "She's married and happy."

"Didn't stop you from locking lips with her."

Nothing in this world could have stopped me. Not even my morals. Wrong or not, why would I give up an opportunity like that? "I was caught up in the moment."

"Bro, you can't let her go again; you'll lose her for good this time."

He is right. I hope not. I mean, how am I supposed to tell her? It's Simple mathematics, Jared, blurt it all out to her. Hey, Shane, what's up? By the way, I love you. You are my life. My inspiration to do better. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You are all I will ever want. Easy. Not! Nothing is easy with Shane. Getting her to fall for me won't be easy. Looking past the fact that she is married and the fact that she has never wanted to be with me, that is.

******

"Jared? Oh, baby, hey... I didn't see you there." Comes a loud, overexcited voice.

Angelica. It has been weeks since I heard from her. They were very peaceful, if I might add. Wait. What is she doing here?

Mark glares at her. "Do you even know what a breakup is?"

She narrows her eyes at him. "Was I speaking to you?"

"Angelica, can you just leave?"

She pouts at me. "But baby."

Mark throws an ice cube at her. "You look thirsty."

I get up and pull her away from Mark. If she made any attempt to hit him, things were gonna get ugly for her. I know Mark has gotten better, but I can not let anyone do anything to him. One wrong move could put him on a bad path, and that is not good.

"Stop with the pet names, Angelica. We're done, do you understand that?"

She pouts again and starts batting her long eyelashes at me. "I think we've had enough time apart, don't you?"