Company

Don't forget to hit that ★

The microwave beeps alerting me to my hungry man meal being finished. That's another thing that sucks living alone. Half the time there's no point to cooking when it's just for one. I place the tray on my counter and remove the cellophane, watching the steam rise. Letting it sit for a bit so I don't burn my tongue, I check my phone. Message from V, work emails that I ignore since I'm no longer at work, and of course a dozen unopened texts. I bring up Jade's name and type out a message.

We've been texting a lot and spending more time together even went out for lunch after her classes. I enjoy being around her. She has this carefree attitude that is so refreshing. Looking back, everything with Mel was about appearances and what everyone thought. The vibration of my phone pulls me out of my thoughts and as I assumed, Jade was at work.

Jade: working. Send help!

Send help? Everything okay?

Jade: Yeah, it's slow. I'm bored. Come keep me company.

On a work night!? ::shocked face::

Jade: Live a little. Plus I'll make you some wings.

I glance down at my microwavable dinner.

Deal. On my way!

I stand up and toss my dinner into the trash.

XXX

Walking into the bar and taking in the patrons, or lack thereof, Jade wasn't kidding. It was pretty dead. Two guys perched on stools at the bar then a handful of people at the back. I straight to the opposite side of the two men and when Jade sees me she claps happily. "My hero!" I feel a zing in my heart and I rub at my chest. I like hearing that way more than I care to admit. I plant myself on a stool, resting my elbows on the bar top.

"You weren't kidding, it's dead."

"I know. I sent Mike home. I already put your wing order in."

I hum my approval, "How was your day?"

"Meh. I have a paper to write this weekend, so there goes my Sunday."

"I don't have any plans, I can help you write it."

"Really? That'd be so amazing! I'll make you dinner."

"Well I definitely won't say no to that."

She does a little jig, then dances off to the other guys to check on them. I glance at the TV highlighting some baseball game. Jade returns with a basket of wings and a beer, my mouth waters but I'm not sure if it's from the wings or sight of Jade. I pull up my sleeves and dig in, groaning with approval. Jade chats about mundane things and I nod along. She's cute when she rambles.

A person approaches, their presence filling in the space beside me. I don't bother looking up. I didn't come here to chat with anyone other than Jade anyways. I continue eating my wings.

"Hi excuse me, bartender?" the feminine voice asks.

"What can I get ya?" Jade cocks her hip placing her hands upon them.

"Can you make me a gin martini, extra dirty with three olives, up."

The fuck? My chewing cease. Her request is so out of the ordinary, I can't help but look up. She's put together, clearly a businesswoman by her attire. Nice blouse, tight pencil skirt, cocky smirk. Jade doesn't falter, "Absolutely."

The woman smiles at me, it's cat like and it makes my skin crawl. She takes a seat on the stool, crossing her legs in my direction. "Hey there."

"Hey." I respond and go back to eating my wings.

"You look really familiar."

"Yeah? You don't."

She laughs. I don't know why she's laughing, what I said wasn't funny. "We've definitely met somewhere." Her demeanor rubs me the wrong way, I need her to move along. I decide to be abrasive.

"Did we sleep together?"

"No, if we did, you'd remember."

I hum. "Doubtful."

Thankfully, Jade returns with her drink, "Thanks doll, put it on our tab."

"Sure thing." Jade smiles, a smile I know to be fake. It drops as soon as the woman walks away. "I like how one moment I'm bartender and then next I'm doll. Can she be any more condescending?"

"I'm just glad she left." I toss a wing down and lick my fingers. "You wanna meet for lunch tomorrow?"

"Oh bummer, I can't. A professor had to reschedule a class, then I promised Zara I'd go to her sons little league game, I haven't seen her in a while and then I'll be here."

"That sounds fun." I say sincerely.

"It really is. Little Jack is so freakin cute and when they're in their uniforms my ovaries explode!"

I can feel my eyes widen, "That's quite the visual."

She laughs, "Do you want kids?"

Jade has become one of my closest friends, I can confide in her about a lot and we openly talk about everything. She's seen me at my worst and that one time I was naked. I lean back in my chair and ponder on that a little. Melissa wanted kids but she had her timeline which worked because we were working on setting up our life and careers. "Yeah, I do one day. You?"

"Absolutely. How many you think you want?"

I purse, "I'm not sure. I would think that's something me and the future miss will talk about."

"Would you get married again?"

A week ago I told V that I didn't want a relationship and right now I don't. I haven't been actively seeking out any woman, focusing on myself and ridding that poison. "I'm not sure. The woman would have to somewhat of a fucking unicorn."

She smiles weakly, "You'll meet her." A man approaching the bar pulls Jade away to mix some drinks, the clock above the bar claims it's nearly ten. Sadly adulting requires sleep and I need lots of it. Pulling out my wallet, I remove some bills and toss them onto the bar top. Standing up from my stool, I notice the woman from earlier watching me. Jade walks back over, "You leavin?"

"Yeah." I lean and she does the same, I kiss her cheek as she does mine.

"Thanks for keeping me company." She says as we both pull back.

"Thanks for the food."

She waves her hand dismissively, "I'll see you this weekend?"

I drum my fingers on the bar top, "Sure will."

"Text me when you get home. Drive safe."

"Yes, Mom." I laugh at her.

"I'll give you mom!" she shouts.

"Hell yeah mama!" a drunken guy hackles.

"Shut up Walter!" I hear Jade yell as I leave the bar, chuckling to myself.

Fifteen minutes later, I'm pulling into my driveway. Turning off the ignition and exiting my car, I enter my quiet house thrown back into loneliness. My butt vibrates and it reminds me to send Jade a message. Opening my phone, there's a message from an unknown number. I will call you tomorrow, you better answer. This is enough Victor. I will hunt you down. I will make a scene. I don't care. ANSWER YOUR PHONE!

Fuck. Looks like it's time to lay this to rest once and for all.

Whoop whoop!

Say what? Two chapters in one night?

Here's my gift for waiting so long. I'm going to be working on the next chapter and hopefully get as far as I can tonight.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, and opinions. They are greatly appreciated. Please don't hesitate to point out anything amiss. It happens. I'm forgetful and you're reading it with fresh eyes, so you'd be helping me out!

Shits about to go down.. any predictions?

Thank you for reading. I love you.