Trace of Innocence | Sweet and Sour (Book 4)

Chapter 66

(No Control | Holding Me Ransom - 66 - Anyone In Between Is The Enemy)

I'm so full of elation about this holiday that for a second or two it doesn't register that she hasn't said a word.

"We're flying out of Manchester so I was wondering if maybe you wanted to spend Christmas together, at my mum's?" I suggest. "It's fine if you'd rather be with your family, though, I understand. But the invitation is there. Just let me know." I'm talking fast - not like me, I know. "I'm sorry to spring it on you like this; I know it's a bit sudden," I add in a rush. "It sort of only just came about in the last twenty four hours or so."

OK, she's been quiet for a really long time. Was I too pushy? Too excited? Was the invitation for Christmas too much? It can't have been, surely - after the declaration of love at LAX the other day she can't be thinking this is too much too soon. Can she?

"Jess? Are you still there?"

She clears her throat. "Yes, I'm here."

She offers nothing further, and my stomach clenches uncomfortably. Something is wrong, I can tell.

"Baby, don't worry about Christmas at my mum's if you want to be with your family," I assure her. "We'll have the whole week afterwards to be together. Mum and Robin are coming on holiday too."

"And you've already booked it?" she asks flatly. "You can't change the date?"

"Not now, no. Why?" I ask suspiciously, a sinking feeling coming over me.

There's another moment of silence, and then, "I'm so sorry Harry. I can't come."

Is she joking? I wait for the laugh, but it doesn't come.

"Is this a joke?" I ask.

"No," she says softly. "I've just booked to go skiing over New Year with some friends. We've paid the deposit and everything."

Oh jeez... is that all? I was actually worried there for a second. I laugh out loud.

"Oh! Well can't you push it back a couple of weeks? I'm sure your friends will understand."

"I can't - there are too many of us to start changing dates. It's already booked; the flights, the chalet, the lift passes..."

She trails off, her voice wobbling.

Is she actually serious? She's not coming?

"Harry, I'm so sorry," she apologises. "If there was anything I could do to change it, I would. But I can't."

I can't believe this. "You're seriously saying you can't come?" 

"I'm so sorry." 

This has blindsided me. I can't believe she's saying this. There has to be a way around it.

"Jess...," I begin, not even knowing how to articulate the enormity of this week away. "Jess, this is really important to me. I need you there with me. This holiday... it isn't just about spending a week on a boat. Jeff and his family are coming... We're going to be discussing my future management while we're there... Both Irving and Jeff are interested in signing me up... This is a huge step for me and I need you by my side."

I sound like I'm rambling, jumping around trying to explain the full story in a condensed format. 

"Can't you... can't you do that another time?" she mutters, and I feel annoyed that she would even ask this, knowing how big a name Irving Azoff is in the industry. You don't ask Irving Azoff to rearrange his schedule, not even when he's your best mate's dad and especially not when he wants to discuss offering you a management contract worth millions of pounds.