Returning Hearts

Chapter 10: Forgetting Her

Jackson is sitting at his desk at work when he sees his phone begin to ring. As August's name flashes on the screen, he feels nothing and blankly stares at his phone. He had seen she sent a message last night but he never read it and deleted it instead. As the screen goes black, Jackson turns his attention back to his computer screen and begins to reply to emails.

It is just after noon when Jackson hears a knock on his closed office door breaking him from his work. As he looks up, he sees Tommy's head peeking around the large wooden door. "Hey." Tommy's compassionate tone annoys Jackson as he resumes working. He can hear Tommy moving closer to him as he speaks. "How you doing today?" Jackson remains silent as he types staying focused on his computer. "Have you had lunch? I was thinking I could take you out?"

"I'm not hungry." He briefly looks up at Tommy before resuming his typing. "Thank you though."

Tommy sits on the corner of Jackson's desk. "Let me at least take you out tonight. We will get drunk and forget everything." He pauses waiting for Jackson's reply but when he doesn't receive one he continues to speak. "Oh! I know the perfect place, that new strip club on the other side of the river."

Jackson thinks to himself for a moment as he stops typing. "Why don't we go out with Sara and Isabelle again?"

"It's Amy. Her name is Amy and Isabelle." Tommy seems slightly bothered by him forgetting Amy's name.

"Well, who can keep up with all the girls you cycle through every week." Jackson leans back in his chair sarcastically looking at Tommy.

A smile sweeps across Tommy's face. "You had me worried. I tried to call you all night." He stands up in relief from Jackson's desk. "So, you are okay?"

"I'm just ready to move on." Jackson feels hate in his heart as he thinks about August being with another man and having a baby.

"Isabelle will be excited." He pulls out his phone. "She really likes you."

"I didn't really give her a chance last time and I owe her that at least."

Tommy types on his phone excitedly. "Where should we take them?"

Jackson tries to think of somewhere his pain can be hidden. "I don't think they would like the strip club so how about the movies?" He thinks for a moment watching as Tommy types in silence. "So, you are dating Amy but you still mess around with Sydney?"

"Oh yeah." Tommy talks as if it is not a big deal. "I have a few different women I am trying to keep straight right now. I thought about adding a couple of more but I might start to get them confused."

Jackson scratches his chin judgmentally looking at Tommy. "So, when are you going to tell Sydney you love her?"

Tommy is caught off guard by Jackson's words as he quickly looks up from his phone catching sight of the smirk on Jackson's face. "What? I'm. No." Tommy quickly looks back down at his phone. "I don't fall in love."

"You have been in love with her since junior year of college." Jackson is enjoying Tommy's discomfort as he scrutinizes him. "She was such a player though you haven't ever been man enough to tell her."

"So, the movies tonight?" Tommy seems to ignore Jackson as he types on his phone. "You should change so you don't look like such a stiff. Come pick me up at six."

"Oh. I have to drive again?"

"Of course. You make more money than I do and have a nicer car." Tommy leaves the office while continuing to type.

Talking to Tommy had taken Jackson's mind off of August for a few moments and actually made him feel better. He smiles for a moment as he sits thinking at his desk about how much fun he and Tommy use to have in high school and college chasing girls. He remembers back to college when he and Tommy where having a party the night he met August. He was actually there with another girl.