Jesse's Girl (COMPLETE)

Chapter 32

* Catherine Continued *

Having left Jesse to take a shower I found my way into the lounge room, it was small but it was neat and tidy and it was furnished with just the basics.

A well worn couch sat facing an old tv, a small chipped coffee table sat in the middle of the room and a few single mismatched chairs sat off to the side.

The walls were filled with family photos, some showed images of Jesse with his mum and a dark haired man. Judging by the older mans deep green eyes I assumed he was Jesse's dad, but most of the more recent looking photos were just of Jesse and his mum.

Although the room was tiny and sparse, it felt more homely then my own house. I continued to gaze at the various photos, smiling at how cute Jesse was as a little boy.

My smile quickly faded when I stopped in front of a small photo of Jesse and his mum. They were with another lady, who appeared to be the same age as his mum. There was also a strikingly beautiful blonde that Jesse had his arms wrapped tightly around and the smile plastered across his face was one of pure unadulterated happiness.

A pang of longing hit my chest at the sight of that smile, longing to be the one who made Jesse smile like that, longing to be the one to make all the stress and drama fall from his shoulders so that he could once again look as free and uninhibited as he did in that photo.

As I studied the photo longer the longing was replaced by something entirely more bitter as I realised the blonde staring back at me from the photo was same blonde I had seen at school earlier.

Looking at the picture my stomach instantly dropped, he just looked so damn happy holding her and much to my disappointment the photo didn't look that old.

'Did my rude son leave you out here all alone?' I heard Jesse's mum ask, I was so caught up in the stupid photo that I jumped at the sudden sound of her voice.

'Uhh.. yeah.. sorry I wasn't snooping, just admiring' I mumbled sheepishly.

'No need to apologise Cate, people display their photos for that very reason, so people can admire them' she smiled warmly.

'Cate?' I frowned.

'Sorry, I have a bad habit of shortening people's names' she laughed as she glanced over at the photo that had captured my attention.

'Oh it's ok, really' I replied with a smile of my own as I stole another glance at the photo of Jesse and the blonde.

Who was she? I just had to know but I didn't dare ask.

As if reading my thoughts Jesse's mum spoke.

'It was taken well over eighteen months ago' she said simply as she studied my reaction carefully.

'Oh... well you all seem very happy' I replied with a fake smile.

She studied my face for a moment longer before she made her way to the well worn couch and took a seat, not saying another word about the photo.

'You can have a seat Cate' she said nodding her head at a small chair opposite her.

'Thanks' I said softly.

God Catherine, grow a set. Act like an adult for Christ's sake.

'You must be pretty special' Jesse's mum continued as she eyed me intently.

'Special?' I asked cautiously 'I wouldn't say that' I added with a soft laugh.

'I beg to differ sweet girl. You see my son hasn't bought a friend around for a very long time' she said with that knowing smile of hers as she emphasised the word friend.