Tragic Magic

Chapter Forty Seven

Everything happening at this very moment felt like a new blow to the stomach. This "Crissy" was the girl from Coppertone? The girl who ruined my relationship with Ronnie? Now it all makes sense to me.

But why? Why did she cower at the mention of my name? Was it because she remembered me all these years? Was it because she nailed my boyfriend in my own house and thought I wanted revenge?

What gets me is he is still with her. Not only are they together, they have a child. Ronnie Radke has a daughter? That just doesn't sound right to me. I had no idea these few days would be so complicated. Craig and Ronnie both admit to me that they still love me, yet they both have other women. It's stressful and I'm sick of it.

"Juliet, babe," TJ meets me outside the venue.

"Hey, I'm sorry I made that such a big deal. It was nothing," I put my cigarette out and make space for TJ to sit next to me.

"Talk to me about it," he sits beside me on the curb and wraps his arms around my shoulders.

"I told you what happened with Ronnie, right?" I look up at him.

"Yes, he cheated, Craig picked you up after that and, well, we all know what happened after that," he answers.

"The girl he cheated on me with," I begin to explain.

"That was her wasn't it?" TJ chimes in.

"Yeah, how'd you know?" I ask.

"I watched you two for awhile, then when she came into the picture I tried to figure out who she was."

"Well, now you know," I force a laugh.

"So is that why you're upset?" TJ asks.

"That's not all," I take a deep breath. "Ronnie and her have a daughter."

"No way," TJ becomes interested in every detail of my story.

"I don't know why it hurts all of a sudden," I shake my head and stare down at the pavement, "I guess I thought I was over it, but I'm not."

"Do you still feel something when you think about him?" TJ asks in a serious tone.

"I never thought about him until now." I lie. I knew I still had feelings for Ronnie.

"Do you wish you were that girl?"

"Never," I look back up at him. "Do you understand how lucky I am? I'm getting married in a couple of months to someone I love more than the world, I have an amazing job, I have amazing friends, and I'm living a dream. I don't want to be having to worry about a child while I'm out partying. Being able to have a night out with my fiancee is more than I've ever wished for." I feel my anger slip away.

"Good because I'm happy when you're happy," he kisses my hand. "Would you ever want to have children?"

"Not anytime soon, I can barely take care of a husband," I joke.

"Our lives are too busy," he adds, "I give major props to Ronnie for balancing those two lives."

He's got a good point. That little girl is where Ronnie has found his happiness, and I'm glad he's happy.

TJ and I spent an hour sitting there and talking. It made me feel a lot better about everything that's happened since Ronnie and I went our separate ways. I never realized how lucky I was to have TJ.

We returned to the venue to find lots of people partying and having fun. Ashley and Craig were finally celebrating with each other rather than other people and that made us feel good.

TJ and I finally had the chance to dance with each other and it was nice. I was grateful for him, and couldn't imagine life without TJ.

Things seemed perfect for once. But it wasn't real, none of it ever is. Things were about to change, for better or for worse.