Page 44 of Molly: Part One
“So, I don’t want to intrude on your plans but I’m free for the rest of the day. Do you want company while you kit this place out. I’ve got a mate that works in one of the computer stores, he owes me a favour, hopefully he can do us a good deal.”
“Brilliant. I’ve got a list,” I pull my notebook out of my bag and pass it to him as we head out of the office, “see if you think I’ve missed anything.”
We have a great afternoon picking everything we need and getting it all set up in the office ready for us to start working. I went down to cocoa’s to grab us some lunch that we ate in our new living room. It was weird to think this was my bedroom for so many years. I have great memories in the flat and I am really glad to be making new ones here.
During lunch Jax tells me all about his girlfriend, Lucy. They’ve only been together a couple of months but as far as he’s concerned it was love at first sight. She moved in with him last month, she was living in a flat her parents paid for but they have had a huge falling out and kicked her out. Jax looked angry just talking about it, although when I asked why they have fallen out he wasn’t able to tell me. Apparently she doesn’t want to talk about it. He explains how much he is loving living with her. It makes me smile thinking how at odds his appearance is to his romantic heart.
The more we get to know each other the more I am confident we will get on really well working together. I was pleased when he started talking about his family to find out that although they own a chain of restaurants across the country Jax had no intention of working with them, he wanted to do his own thing like I did. Luckily for him, his family supported his decision wholeheartedly and have been behind him all the way. I got the impression he couldn’t wait to ring them and tell them about this job.
Jax has to give two weeks notice at the bar he works at but he has agreed to come in during the afternoons before he starts at the bar to help me get started here and pick up some of the briefs I’ve currently got. I’m really grateful he offered to do that because I’ve got loads on at the moment and it will make my life much less stressful.
Once we said our goodbyes I head home. I can’t wait to tell Ryan about it all. He’s been so supportive of me expanding the business, I know he will be really excited for me. But to my disappointment he isn’t at home when I get there. So instead I ring Susan and tell her all about it. I can’t say I was surprised that by the time I rang she had already heard all about Jax from Lilly.
“I hear he’s quite the hottie,” she says to me when I tell her about hiring another designer.
“Lilly has already gotten to you then I take it? But no, he’s not bad to look at and his artwork is stunning, I think we are going to make a really good team. We’ve been out and got everything we need for the office and set it all up. It looks fantastic, you should pop up and see when you’re next at Cocoa’s.”
“Yes I will. I’m so glad you found someone so fast that you like so much. It could have been a nightmare.”
“I know tell me about it. Thank you so much for what you have done for me. I still can’t quite believe it. But I couldn’t think of anywhere I’d rather run the business from, I couldn’t stop smiling when we were setting everything up earlier and you were right it does feel like Hannah is part of it.”
“You’re more than welcome angel.” I can hear her start to well up as I start talking about Hannah. We chat for a few more minutes, until she has to go and tend to dinner.
I feel a bit lost for what to do, I was hoping to spend the evening with Ryan but it doesn’t look like that is going to be happening. So I grab my sketchpad, settle on the sofa with the TV on and start coming up with some concepts for my next project.
I awake with a start at three am from banging on the front door. I scramble out of bed to see what is going on just as Ryan manages to get his key in the door and comes stumbling through into the hallway. When he sees me he stops and stares at me. The look he gives me makes a shiver run down my spine. I’ve only ever once seen such a cold look in his eyes and that was Saturday night, right before he punched the guy that pulled me off down the street.
After staring at me for what feels like ten minutes he starts to sway on his feet and steps back so he is leaning against the wall for support.
“Come on Ry, let’s get you up to bed.” I go to grab him around the waist to help him up the stairs but he pushes me away.
“I don’t need you Molly,” he growls at me. I am taken back by his tone, he’s never been anything but nice so to hear him snap at me is a real shock.
He turns to face the stairs and starts towards them slowly, “I don’t need you,” he repeats but quieter this time. He looks totally defeated with his head down and shoulders slumped.
I just stand there shocked and watch him climb his way up the stairs. Just as he disappears out of my sight I feel a single tear run down my cheek. I am so confused and hurt by his actions that I can’t help it. I stand there until I hear him reach his room safely, then I hear a thud like he just flopped on his bed.
I eventually make my way back to my room and lie back on my bed staring at the ceiling wondering what the hell just happened. Needless to say I have another restless nights sleep.
This pattern with Ryan continues for the next three days. I get up every morning hoping to see him before I go to the office but he is still in bed, then when I get home in the evenings he has already gone out.
I’ve texted him a few times but got no response and when I ring his phone it goes straight to voicemail.
By the time I get in from work on Friday night to get ready for my date I am surprised to find Ryan sat on the sofa. Granted, he is surrounded by empty beer cans and looks a little worse for wear. I really wish I knew what was going on with him and I also wish I had time right now to ask but I’ve got an hour before I need to head out to meet Adam. So I say hello then head back to my room to get ready.
