Page 2 of It Never Happened
It’s fine, Jack. Just a few extra days. Get a deal done with the Nilssons, spend Christmas with Joey. Oh, and get Courtney to agree to tear up the divorce papers,I think to myself as I shut and lock the door behind me.
I drop my bags and sit on the bed, looking around at the terrible floral wallpaper.Courtney would hate this.I laugh as her face comes to the forefront of my mind, then I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.
“She’s going to kill me when I tell her we’re still married.” Hearing myself say it loud makesmecringe, so I can only imagine what she’s going to do when she finds out. Our love grew stronger over every year we were together, and I thought nothing would break it. So I took that safety for granted. I worked so much, thinking I was doing everything I could for her, only to realize a few months ago that I failed her in all the ways that matter. Time, intimacy, and learning the difference between being a man and being a father were her top three needs from me.
And I disappointed her at every turn. Until she turned around and left. I found myself thinking about all the time I'd lost out on with her and my son, and I couldn't do it another day. I don’t regret not filing those divorce papers, but I do regret not telling her. I regret not coming backhome sooner, and I regret not loving her the right way from the start.
I just hope we’re not so lost that she can’t give me another chance. I need her to know I never stopped loving her even if I didn’t know how to. And I need to show her before Christmas. Before my time here in Bluemoon comes to an end and I can’t save our family.
Chapter 2
Courtney
As a schoolteacher, the days leading up to Christmas break are always hard. The kids are excited and the parents are exhausted. Between parties and shopping and all the extras that come with being a mom at Christmas, there is never enough time to take a break. Especially if you have to be mom and dad all at once.
I’m in my classroom packing up for the afternoon and running through the never-ending list of errands I have to complete in the next week, when there is a knock on the door.
“Courtney.”
I know that voice instantly, and I turn to him, my body automatically pulling toward the only man I’ve ever loved until I force it to stop, reminding myself it’s not my place anymore. I notice he responds the same way until he also halts in his tracks, shoving his hands in his pockets. His shoulders are bunched and his posture is rigid. Gone is the relaxed, confident man I've always known him to be.
“What are you doing here, Jack?”
“I’m here to see my son.”
My eyes flip to the calendar on the wall. “You're early.”
“It’s Christmas,” he answers with a shrug.
“When has that ever mattered to you?” I bite out the words, crossing my arms in front of me, needing to put a wall between us.
He exhales at my words, running his hand through his dark hair, which is longer than I remember it being. I also remember how soft it always felt and how he’d sigh in pleasure every time I ran my hands through it.
Stop remembering.
As he steps in the room, I step away from him.
“Why are you here, Jack?”
“I just told you.”
“No. You’re early, and that’s only because you need something else. Let me guess, you’re here on business?”
“Yes, actually, I am here on business. I was going to send my assistant to handle it but figured since I’m coming to visit Joey anyway, I’d come myself.”
“Oh, how nice of you. Hope you didn’t put yourself out.”
“Nope. Two birds with one stone, you know.” His tone is sharp and clipped. The businessman he’s become showing through to the forefront. He’s not the boy I used to know, the boy I used to crave. Where his eyes were always on fire for the world around him, and especially for me, now they seem uneasy and a bit insecure. It’s like he’s afraid to look at me again.
Jack and I met in grade school. We were as different as they come, but even as kids, our attraction was undeniable. We grew up together, forming a tight friendship before we ever thought about dating, or ever dreamt about leaving this small town together.
His stoic stance turns into a swagger as he walks closerto me. I step back with each of his steps forward, doing my best to ignore the overwhelming sense of being his prey.
He clears his throat. “What I mean is, no, it wasn’t a big deal to come early, it just gives me more time with Joey.” His tone is a bit apologetic. “And it is business but friendly business. Your best friend's brother called me. Seems the Nilsson’s need a little help.”
“Don’t eventhinkabout buying them out. They are all that’s good in this town. We don’t need another chain coffee shop or restaurant going in.”
“No one said anything about buying them out. I'm an investor,” he replies with an even tone, while mine keeps rising.
