Returning Hearts

Chapter 5: Becoming Friends

Sitting in the back seat of the car, Tommy notices Jackson's phone light up with a new message as it lays in the cup holder next to the driver's seat. He realizes Jackson hasn't noticed so he leans up in hopes to hide his phone, suspecting the message would be from August. "Hey is that the new restaurant, I keep hearing about?" Tommy points off towards the left causing everyone to look in that direction before he slides his hand down to Jackson's cup holder removing his phone. He drops it into the floor as he leans back in his seat.

"Oh yeah, I heard it is good. You should take me there sometime." Amy says joyfully to Tommy.

"For sure babe." Tommy wraps his arm around her as he beams with satisfaction at his deception. "Will you drop us off at Amy's house and then you can take Isabelle home if you don't mind Jax?"

"Sure." Jackson begins to feel nervous again remembering he is on a date. The feelings he has for August are so confusing right now and seeing her upset at the restaurant was overwhelming.

Isabelle smiles back at Amy, who winks at her as she and Tommy exit the vehicle. "You two have fun." Amy says as she closes the door.

Jackson nervously sits in the driver's seat a moment as he tries to forget August. He recalls Tommy's words he has heard over and over for the past few months. You have to get her out of your system. Find a beautiful woman and move on. Jackson finds the nerve to turn to Isabelle, who is patiently waiting in the passenger seat next to him. "Would you like to come back to my place for a little bit?"

Isabelle smiles sexily at Jackson before she answers. "That sounds fun but I was thinking my place was closer." She points two doors down. "I live right there."

"Oh." Jackson is unsure if that was an invite to her place or if he was being turned down.

Isabelle seems to realize his confusion so she clarifies, "I would love if you came in for a bit." Jackson smiles politely but nervously at her as he exits the vehicle and runs over to open her door for her to exit his car. They walk to the door quietly as Jackson's nerves increase. He hasn't been with another woman since August and they had been together for over ten years. As Isabelle opens the door, she looks back at Jackson. "It's small, but I like it."

Entering her apartment, he helps her take her coat off. He can tell she is a strong woman that knows what she wants. She seems so confident as she turns to face him and he would normally find it attractive if he were not so distracted by the pain of his ex-wife. Isabelle takes his hand and guides him through her small apartment to her bedroom where she removes her shoes as she smiles at him. "You seem shy."

"I have to be honest, I have been out of the game awhile and I am not sure I can do this."

Isabelle smiles at his cute tone as she moves up close against him and kisses his lips. Jackson succeeds in kissing her back only thinking of August as he eventually intensifies the kiss. He is reminded she isn't August as her large breasts push up against his chest and he pulls his lips from hers. "I haven't been with anyone since my wife."

Isabelle whispers in his ear as she unbuttons her dress exposing some of her cleavage, "You can pretend I am anyone you want, I won't mind." Her words strengthen Jackson as he begins kissing her fiercely thinking only of her being August. She guides them to the bed and begins to unfasten Jackson's shirt.

Suddenly, August's voice comes to his mind from earlier when she said his name, Jax. Her sweet loving tone and the way she said his name was the same way she always talked to him before the accident. Maybe she still loves me. His thought causes him to open his eyes grabbing Isabelle's hands to stop her unbuttoning his shirt. "I am sorry. I can't do this." He buttons his shirt back up as he moves away from her. "I had a really great time with you but...it wouldn't be fair for you if I pretended you were someone else."