Page 8 of Jay

I don’t live far from Dex and Addy, so the drive over there takes no time at all. I park up and jump out of my car before heading into the house. I’m fucking praying that Rachel hasn’t been invited. I have no fucking clue how I would react. I haven’t spoken to my brother at all about the shit that went down. I needed to wrap my head around it first. But I will tell them. The Chainsmokers ‘Paris’ plays through the house and into the garden as I make my way out back. I spot my brother, Liam, and Luke over by the grill. Liam’s holding a sleeping Isla. She’s four months old and is getting so big, just like Pheebs. I look around the garden and see the girls sitting around the picnic table Dex had designed when him and Fiona first moved into the house. It’s awesome, it folds open into two benches when the table isn’t needed. Addy is sitting with Phoebe on her lap. Phoebe’s in the pink summer dress I bought her last week, with the matching baby sandals I got her to match. Addy has put Phoebe’s thick hair up in a little ponytail with a small glitter bow in front of it. She reminds me of Bam Bam from theFlintstones.

I smile and step out into the decking area, heading over to the girls first. Addy looks up at me and a beautiful smile crossesherface.

“Hey, handsome. I thought you’d never get here” she says, smiling at me. I step closer and kiss her forehead, before quickly snatching my niece up from her lap. I blow raspberries on her little chubby cheeks, and her squeals of laughter bounce around the garden. When Phoebe laughs, it sounds like she has the hiccups, it’s so fucking funny. I laugh along with her but don’t stop, making her giggle harder. Making Phoebe laugh is one of my favourite things to do these days, it kinda makes me want kids of my own. One day I’ll have them. I just need to find the right girl to settle down with. Fuck, I thought that was Rachel, but we know how thatturnedout.

“Jay.” I hear my Knox call my name. I stop blowing raspberries on Phoebe’s cheek and look up to see Knox standing next to me. He’s looking as cool as ever, with his denim board shorts and blue checked shirt. His sunglasses perched on his face. I set Phoebe on my hip, one hand under her bum and one hand on her back to support her because she has a habit of throwing herselfbackwards.

“What’s up, little dude?” I say, looking downathim.

“Will you be coming to beach with us for my birthday? Mum and Dad said that I can have a beach party. Dad said that he’ll do a BBQ and stuff. We can play games and play in thewater.”

“Yeah, little dude, I’ll be there with bells on. How could I miss a beach party? Beach babes everywhere, we can go trolling for girls, yeah?” I wink at him. My gaze moves over to Penny, who’s sitting on the other side of the table. My back straightens when I see her face. She’s scowling at me, and her lips are set into a hard line. Well, fucking shit, she knows about Rachel. “Hey, Knox, can you go over and grab me a burger from Dex for me, please?” I need this kid away before I ask Penny what herproblemis.

“Will do.” He jogs off in the direction of Dex and Liam. I look up to see Dex eyeing me. I nod my head and he returns it, he knows to keep Knox by him for a bit. I hand Phoebe back to Addy, her eyes asking a silent question. I shake my head, bracing myself and taking a defensive stand. I cross my arms beforeconfrontingher.

“You want to say something, Pen?” I keep my voice casual. I know she knows what’s gone down between Rachel and me, and I wait for her to berate me. Penny is the mother-hen in our group, but Rachel is also one of her bestfriends.

“Whathappened?”

“With what?” I askinnocently.

“Youknowwhat.”

“Nope, you need to be more specific with me here, Pen.” I know I’m being an arsehole, but fuck it. This has nothing to dowithher.

“With Rachel. Don’t be a muppet, Jay. You are way smarter than that. Now, whathappened?”

“Listen, Pen, I know that she’s your best friend, but what happens between us is just that. Between Rachel and me. But since I have respect for you, I’ll tell you my version, because I have no doubt that she’s given you her side, and judging by the daggers you’re shooting at me through your eyes, itisn’tgood.”

“She did tell me some of it, of course. But I want to hear it from you.” She leans back in her seat and crosses her arms under herbreasts.

“You want to do this now, in front of everyone?” I ask, just to make sure. She nods her head. Finebyme.

“Rachel only wanted to get off. I was being used for sex and that’s it. Rachel and I are at different places in our lives. I wanted more, she didn't, simple. You know how hard it is for Rachel to open up, Pen. She wouldn’t let me in, and I’m sorry, but fuck, I deserve a woman that wants more than fucking amazing orgasmsfromme.”

“Cocky much,” Addy mutters, but winks at me. I smile at her and turn to face Penny again. I can see the hurt on her face, but she needs to understand that her friend isn’t so fucking perfectafterall.

“I’m sorry if this hurts to hear, Pen, but it’s the truth. I would never disrespect a woman and you know that.” She nods her head, and I see tears filling her eyes. “Fuck,” I mutter. I walk around the table and kneel in front of her. I pull her in for a hug, trying to soothe her by rubbingherback.

“Please, don’t cry, Miss Moneypenny.” She giggles into my chest at my nickname for her. “Plus, Liam will kick my arse if he sees you crying.” She laughs again but it suddenly stops. She pulls back and looks me in the eye. I know she’s about to say something I’m going to hate. My stomachdrops.

“She’s gone, Jay.” I pull back even more and blink a few times, the news stewing in my head until it settles and I can speakagain.

What the ever-loving-fuck?

“Gone? What do you mean, Pen? What do you mean she’s gone?” She sniffles and wipes thetearsaway.

“She left two days ago. She went to Africa with the Nurses Aid. She’ll be gone for eight months - eight months! She came over to tell us that she was leaving. She looked so upset, Jay. I asked her what made her leave…” She leaves the sentence hanging wide fucking open. I get what she’s thinking. I bet Rachel made me out to be thebadguy.

“And what did she say?” I prompt. Penny takes a deep breath, looking behind her towards Liam. I lift my head in his direction, too. As if he senses her, he turns his head and looks at her. His smile drops when he sees her face, and he makes his way overtous.

“What did she tell you, Penny?” I’m acting like a prick, but there is no way I’m having Rachel paint me thebadguy.

“What’s going on?” Liam asks when he reachesPenny.

“I just told Jay about Rach. He wants to know why she left. I don’t know who to believe, Li.” Who to believe? Whatthefuck?

“What the fuck did she tell you, Penny?” I growl out, my anger building. How fucking dare she! Fuck me, I knew she was trouble the second I laid eyesonher.

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