Page 57 of The Tape Job
As soon as I pant, trying to catch my breath, he’s standing in front of me, smirking. He quickly washes his face and hands at the sink before exiting the washroom.
Again, I’m left wanting more than he’s given me. I could scream. I get it—hardly an ideal setting with my brother waiting at the table too. But I’m frustrated. There’s an ache deep inside me I know Liam could remediate. A kiss would have been nice too.
I freshen up and fix my dress before leaving the washroom. I stop at the bar to order a fresh drink, a gin this time.
My dad is sitting at the table laughing and joking with Liam and Johnny as I steer myself towards my seat. He’s next to a short woman with dyed blonde hair, dark roots about an inch long. Next to her, a boy about fourteen or fifteen sits in a stiff suit that was clearly bought for the occasion.
“There you are, Victoria. I’d like to introduce you to Jayne. And Cody, Jayne’s son.”
I greet them before slipping back into my seat, ignoring Johnny who asks where I’ve been.
“I was just telling Liam about Cody’s skills on the ice,” Dad says.
Unsure of how to respond, I distract myself by perusing the menu, only half paying attention to the conversation. It’sall Liam-hockey this, and Liam-hockey that—poor Johnny doesn’t get mentioned once.
“Cody intends to follow your footsteps, Liam. Minus the distraction, of course,” he chuckles to himself as he cocks his head in my direction.
“Distraction?” Liam says. “Vicky was anything but a distraction. She kept me in line. Made sure I was eating right, keeping on top of my fitness, not to mention her help with my schoolwork.”
Dad scoffs. “Cody will be fine with all that. Hey, do you think you could introduce him to Ryan tomorrow?” Ah, there it is. This is a meet and greet for Cody. No genuine desire for Dad to have a meal with his children.
Jayne says nothing. She casually glances at the menu. I’m thankful for the server’s arrival to give us a new focus.
“I’ve already eaten, so I’ll just go for the steak. No potato, just the side salad,” Liam grins, causing me to almost choke on my gin. “The appetisers were delicious.”
The server gets to me. I order the chicken salad then Johnny orders the salmon.
“How did you two meet?” Johnny asks Dad after everyone has ordered.
“I bumped into Jayne at the store. She recognised me from an old photo at the barn with you boys. She said it surprised her I hadn’t aged,” he laughs, reaching to put his hand on Jayne’s arm. She shifts in her seat so that Dad is slightly out of reach.
I’m just grateful she’s not trying to put in a load of false effort like some of Dad’s ex’s have—attempting to win our favour or something.
Dad fidgets with a napkin and tries the conversation again. “Cody would love to get some ice time with you before we go home,” Dad says to Liam.
“I guess Icould—”
This gets Jayne’s attention, and she breaks into a smile. “With Ryan too?”
Liam tilts his head, looking between Johnny and me. “I’m not—”
“Did you come here just to schmooze Liam, Dad?” I interrupt.
“No, Vicky, I came to see my children and my daughter’s boyfriend since he’s in the city, too.”
“Boyfriend? Do you not listen to me?” I say.
But Liam jumps in with a response. A statement that puts a fresh wound in my heart. “She’s not my girlfriend, Stuart. We haven’t been together for over a year. That ship has well and truly sailed.”
The table goes quieter than before, though I’m not sure how it’s possible. I take a large gulp of gin, pretending that I wasn’t elated half an hour ago with his head between my legs. I try and push away the urge to speak my mind, and I surprise myself for lasting a whole minute. I take another gulp of gin and then I take a breath.
I turn to face Liam. “Has it sailed? Has it sailed for good?” I pause. “Is that it?”
“Well, we’ve spoken about this, Vic—”
“Sure. I guess I just assumed that recent events would have—” I cut off. “Unless it’s just been a bit of a temporary satisfaction and something to keep you occupied.”
“What recent events?” Johnny asks, but we ignore him.
