Jersey

fourteen

A month of progress had been made. Grayson was now working on a full album in Jersey, in a nearby recording studio with the help of Cyrus. Ellie's book was a huge success. It sold out in stores after the second day. She had three book signings so far, and loves all the positive feedback she's been getting. Her writing classes help her improve even more. She was even planning on starting a new book soon. Things have definitely changed. Grayson and Ellie don't spend every second of every day with each other due to their individual careers, but they definitely still make time.
"Hey baby, what are you doing today?" Ellie asked through the phone, as she folded her clothes up.
"I've gotta finish up a few songs in the studio, then a business meeting. How about you?" He answered.
She sighed, "I don't feel like doing anything."
He laughed, "Then just take a personal day, babe."
"Will do." She said, "Can you sleep over tonight?"
"For sure." He said, "I'll see you later."
"Okay, love you."
He loved when she said that. It was like music to his ears.
"I love you, too." He smiled.
Ellie ended the call, replaying 'I love you' in her head. You'd think she got used to it, but every time it makes her happy.
Another second passed, an incoming message popped through.
Should I just forget your coffee order?
She heavily sighed.

Walking into the coffee shop, Ellie became tense. Jackson didn't notice her, which made things even more awkward when she was standing right in front of him.
"Ellie." He said in shock.
"Coffee?" She asked, subtly.
He was at a loss for words, "Uh, yeah. Sure."
"And maybe a little of your time, too." She asked nervously, "Whenever you get a break."
He looked around, then to his coworker, "Five minutes, please."
His coworker nodded and took over as he handed her the coffee.
They walked to a table in the back and Ellie sat down letting out a deep sigh, "How are you?"
"Well, okay, I guess. You?"
"Fine." She answered.
"The pictures from paparazzi say you're more than fine." He commented. She looked up, then remembering she was now known as 'Grayson's girlfriend'.
"Is he why you did it? Why you broke up with me?" He asked.
Ellie looked down, "I didn't break up with you for him. I did it because of him, and out of respect for you. The way I felt about him just- it kept coming back and it wasn't fair of me to continue something my whole heart wasn't in."
"I guess I can understand that." He said.
"Really?" Ellie asked hopefully.
"I hated you." He then said, catching her off guard.
"What?" She questioned.
"You dumped me with no explanation, and then I see pictures of you and Grayson whenever I open my phone. I see your interviews, your success, you talking about your book which- I actually bought by the way, and you completely blocked me out. I never heard from you- ever, and it sucked. I was in the dark and it hurt like hell. I thought you and I were going to be something, and then you leave just like that. No calls, no texts, no nothing. Like none of it ever happened. I know you probably didn't feel the way I did about you, but I can tell you it was a pretty good damn feeling that I got used to. We might've only dated a month or so, but it didn't matter because with you I felt- timeless, I guess. And then time just stopped and- you weren't there anymore."
Ellie's heart broke. How could she be so insensitive?
"Jackson." She said apologetically, "I'm so sorry. I didn't even think about that."
"I know." He said, "And if I hadn't texted you today, you would've never thought of it. About me."
Ellie couldn't even make out words. She felt like a jerk.
He then sighed standing up, "I thought if you explained yourself I'd stop. But, just looking at you right now-" he stopped, meeting her eyes, "Makes me sick."
Ellies jaw dropped as he walked away. She felt tears well up in her eyes. Not from being hurt, but from hurting someone. Jackson truly was an amazing guy, and that fact that she made him feel that way gutted her.
The rest of the day she couldn't stop thinking of how to make things right. How to make him forgive her, but she'd settle for having him not hate her.
Forgetting that Grayson was even coming over, she smiled, "Hey. Get a lot of work done today?"
He nodded kissing her cheek, "It completely tired me out."
She smiled, "Well, now we can just sit around and do nothing."
"My favorite." He said plopping onto the couch. Ellie sat beside him, bringing her knees to her chest as she grabbed the remote flicking through channels.
"What did you do all day?" He asked.
She tensed up, "Um, I went for coffee."
"Oh, that's-" he then remembered Jackson worked there, "Wait."
"I talked to Jackson and- he hates me." She sighed, "And anyone could tell. Just the way he looked at me screamed, 'you broke my heart' 'screw you'."
"Well the way you ended things can be hardening. And it's been months since you've talked or seen him. It can make a guy feel worthless- or used."
"Thanks." She said, laying her head back, "I feel like such shit. How could I do that to him? And now he has to sit back and watch paparazzi take countless photos of us. I wish I could just find a way to make him understand how sorry I am and that I never intended to hurt him. I hope he finds someone- a lot better than me."
He placed his hand on her thigh, "You're not a bad person."
"I sure do feel like one."
He pulled her closer letting out a small sigh, "Well, you're not. You broke a heart, big deal. It's impossible to go through life without them."
"I don't want to hurt people, G. Especially Jackson, okay, he's a good guy."
He nodded, "Don't beat yourself up about it."
"What do I do?" She asked.
"Nothing. It'll all blow over soon."
She started to play with his fingers, "I can't just sit and do nothing. I know if someone hurt me and didn't at least try and fix it, it'd hurt even more. I don't want him to think I don't care."
"Hey, if he really hates you, he doesn't wanna see you."
Ellie sighed. Grayson knew she was going to be hung up on the topic for a while, but as far as he knew, she was in love with someone else. And that's him. So she did was better for her. If Jackson hates her for it, then that's his problem.
She sighed, lightly closing her eyes, "I know. But it still sucks."
He then kissed her forehead, "I know, baby."

The next morning Ellie woke up, Grayson wasn't beside her. She stretched out, going to the bathroom. She then stopped at the mirror seeing red sharpie on her forehead.
'Got called into the studio. Be back in a few hours'
She rolled her eyes with a small laugh, wiping it off.
On Grayson's end, he and Cyrus were going to the coffee shop. It was never Grayson's plan, but when Cyrus suggested they get coffee, he found it as an opportunity to talk to Jackson.
As soon as the door opened, Jackson's eyes darted open. Seeing Grayson, he groaned.
Grayson then walked up and he started to make his usual order.
"Hey, so, I heard about you and Ellie- everything okay?" He asked.
"I'm fine, if that's what your asking." He answered not making eye contact.
"Well, she's not so." Grayson said, now staring intensively at him.
Jackson stopped making the coffee and looked up, "I get that what I said probably hurt her- and I'm sorry for that but she hurt me."
He nodded, "I know you probably hate us, but we are really sorry."
"I don't hate you." He clarified, "I mean, I've been serving you guys for years. I dated Ellie and sucks to say, she just ruined my image of her. I used to see her as this well put, funny, overall good hearted girl. Then she just comes in one day, suddenly interested in me. I blame myself for being so blind, but she only used me to get over you. Which clearly- didn't work. And with no explanation, no apology, she left. I can't be mad at you guys for being together but I can be mad for being treated like dirt."
Grayson now understood.
"I'm sorry, man."
He just handed him his coffee, "I know."

Although coming to the coffee shop would now be awkward, Grayson and Ellie knew he'd be fine. Jackson was a great guy, and he'd find someone who feels the way Ellie feels about Grayson- about him.