Two
Jason arrived at the new office meeting Stanley, his new boss. Stanley extended his hand, "Jason, welcome to Hamilton and Dunn. We're looking forward to working with you. Let me show you around."
"Nice to meet you, too." As they toured the building he met several Lawyers who he'd be working closely with.
The building was small with two major hallways of offices, each had a case load that passed from hand to hand.
When he arrived at the end of the hallway he saw Nick leaning against the doorway of an office.
"Man, it's been too long." They embraced feeling that familiar bond they once shared as kids. It was oddly comforting to have Nick back in his life, despite the circumstances."
"I missed you. Look how scrawny you got." Nick laughed at his teasing, "Always teasing, how've you been?"
"You know, living. Good." Stanley interrupted, "Well I let you two catch up. Jason that office down the hall will be yours. I trust Nick will get you settled."
"Thank you and you can call me Jay." Stanley shook his hand, "It's Stan. Nick, I need that case file by the end of the week."
"You got it."
When Stan turned the corner, Jay walked into Nick's office, "Seems like a hard ass."
Nick sat as did Jay, "He grows on you. I've known him for years. He's actually a really cool guy. His daughter's friends with my girls."
"That's right, you have those girls of yours. How old are they again?" The comfort of chatting was nice.
"Shelly just turned 12 and my Bailey is 8." "Man, I can't imagine that. Rita didn't want kids and I wasn't really too sure I did either."
Nick smiled, "Man, it's good to have you back. So, how's the situation between you two. You mentioned having some tension."
Jay sat back and allowed himself to settle into the conversation, enjoying having someone to talk to.
Turning he shut the door so he wasn't overheard, "It sucks man, to be honest. I screwed up awhile back."
"What does that mean?" Jay was embarrassed to admit it, "I fucked up. I started seeing another lawyer in my firm. Rita was distant and we weren't' really getting along."
"Man. That sucks. So, what's up now?" "Well, it's the reason we moved here. I promised to start over. New place, new start."
Nick hesitated, "Doesn't sound like it's working out." Jay scoffed, "Well, she took a job two hours away just to stay away from me. Ever since we made up, she just isn't the same. I think she's done with me."
Nick shook his head, "I don't know what to say. I mean that's rough." Jay agreed, "You're telling me. How are things at home?"
Nick noticed his aversion to Olivia's name, but he didn't show any discomfort so he shrugged.
"Things are pretty great. I mean work has me spending most of my time here, but I spend my lunch with Liv and the kids. They sit right out there."
Jay turned to the window that overlooked a playground that was now empty. "That bench is our place."
Envious, she smiled, "I'm glad. Sounds like things are really great for you." Nick added, "They will be for you too. Now that you're back, I'm sure everyone is thrilled to see you."
Jay hoped, "Yeah, I've been hiding out a bit, but I'll venture out and visit everyone. Does old Lady Greta still live over on Appleton?"
Bursting in laughter, Nick obliged, "Sure does. Still angry as a hornet's nest." "Nice. So, let's get down to business and you can fill me in on what I'll be doing."
They got down to business and Nick laid out the client cases that would be transferred to his old friend.
.~.
Rita took advantage of Jay's absence and wondered through the house unpacking boxes. It was nice to feel comfortable without him around.
Unabashedly, she went through his things as she unpacked them, knowing that she'd find something that would make things worse.
The seven years they'd been together was crumbling around them and she had a right to know why.
Rita knew that there was always something missing for Jay, but she hoped that she'd be able to change that.
Jay had issues confronting his feelings and he had an even harder time expressing them. Not only to her but to himself.
It was something that drove her nuts from the beginning, but her love for him blinded her to it.
Now that she knew he'd strayed, it was becoming apparent that she had let a lot of things slide.
A sense of betrayal was present, but underneath it all it was annoyance with herself. Knowing the truth and choosing to ignore it, had been the realization that slapped her in the face.
Her heart was open and kind and when she'd found out about Jay's affair, it snapped shut.
Should she have been surprised? Not really, but it didn't dull the pain and anger. Finding a way to live with it was what she was faced with now.
Moving to Texas was her idea, but she had a method to her madness. Texas had been his hometown. Rita knew that he had many people here that he could connect with.
His friend Nick could be there for him, while she figured out what she wanted to do.
As she sifted through the boxes, she became flustered at not finding anything out of the ordinary. It infuriated her that she knew he was hiding things, but was unable to find it.
Taking her car keys, she left the house to clear her head. As the car pulled out of the drive, she decided to just drive to her new neighborhood where she'd be working.
The two hours to drive there and another two to drive back would allow her to be gone all day. Then she'd have to put on a face at Nick's house for dinner.
.~.
Olivia was having a stressful day due to the girls fighting all morning. Every time she turned around she was having to break up an argument.
She spent the day cleaning and doing the laundry that had been piling up. With having visitors over, she didn't want her house to look like a sty.
As she took he clothes upstairs, she heard Shelly yelling, "Get out of my room!" The door slammed and Bailey burst into tears.
"Mom, Shelly is being mean." Olivia was drained after a day like this. "Bailey, why don't you go to your room and play. I am not going to keep telling you to stop fighting. I have a lot to do. Your dad's friend is coming over for dinner."
"Fine." Rolling her eyes, she folded and put away the clothes in the girl's rooms. Avoiding the looks she got when she entered, she hurried with her task.
If she didn't start dinner now, it wouldn't be ready by the time they walked in the door. Olivia was already stressed about the dinner.
Seeing Jay again after so many years was nerve wrecking. They were just kids and although, she understood his decision, it still hurt.
That dull ache never seemed to go out, despite her trying hard to push it away.
The kitchen was her place to relax by preparing her dinners. The spices she added and attention to detail allowed her to relax.
A couple hours later, dinner was in the oven and she was getting dressed for company. Not wanting to look like she'd tired hard, she kept it simple.
Wearing a crisp pair of jeans and a blouse, she looked at herself in the mirror. Olivia wondered how different she looked in 15 years.
She'd aged obviously, but had her features become more pronounced, or had she gotten old?
Scoffing at herself, she applied a light layer of make-up and doused her perfume she wore every evening when her husband returned home.
After being comfortable with her appearance she brushed her short hair from her face and walked down the steps.
Shelly and Bailey were on the couch watching something and Olivia stopped in to give them a stern warning.
"Girls." They both turned their heads to their mother. "We have company coming for dinner. I want you to be on your best behavior. Do you understand?"
Knowing her tone of voice would scare them straight, she waited for a reply. "Yes, mommy."
Shelly shrugged, "Got it." Olivia wasn't ready for her daughter to enter teenage years. She'd just turned 12 but was already gaining an attitude.
Olivia took the food out of the oven and placed it on the island. The dinner table was set and she was arranging the serving plates when she heard the front door open.
The nerves penetrated her gut and panic rung in her ears for a moment stunning her. Taking a few breaths, she heard Nick introducing the girls to Jay and his wife.
Olivia couldn't help but wonder who he'd married, but she tried to focus on her task. Turning to the counter, her back was to them when she heard them walk into the kitchen.
Taking the empty plates from the counter she turned to Nick leading Jay and his wife towards her.
Putting the pile of plates down on the table, she clutched the back of the chair when she met his gaze.
Not letting it linger, she quickly turned her attention to his wife, who looked like she didn't want to be there.
"Liv, this is Rita." Olivia extended her hand, "It's nice to meet you." Pleasantly smiling at her guest, she tried to look genuine.
Olivia was quite shy so she wanted to make a good impression. After shaking her hand, she turned to Jay.
"It's been a long time." He smiled at her after uttering those words. "It has." Wrapping her in an unexpected hug, her eyes locked with Nick's.
He had a goofy grin on his face, seeing them all back together as friends again. Only Olivia was holding her breath and pulled away quickly.
Not wanting to dwell on awkward introductions she spoke, "Have a seat, dinner is almost ready."
Olivia walked back in the kitchen and finished preparing the food for them to eat.
.~.
Jay sat at the end of the table and Rita sat in the middle next to Shelly the older daughter. Bailey sat across from him and Nick sat at the head of the table.
The empty chair next to him, was undoubtedly for Olivia, who was busy putting food on plates.
As she passed them around the table, he noted that she was oddly quiet. The conversation was light and they settled in.
After serving everyone he noted Olivia standing in the kitchen sipping on a glass of wine. Wondering when she was going to sit down.
He was about to mention it, when the oven timer went off. He watched her pull out a fresh loaf of bread out of the oven.
It smelled heavenly and she cut slices and placed them on a small serving plate. Rita nudged him when she saw that he was staring at her.
"So Nick, do you still coach baseball at the Melbourne's?" Nick smiled, "I wish. I stopped that around three years ago. Work got too busy."
"Who's coaching it now?" Nick turned to Olivia, "Who's the new coach, babe?" Olivia placed the bread in the center of the table and sat down.
"I believe it's Randy." Jay noted her low speaking voice and her shyness. That was uncharacteristic of her.
The Olivia he remembered was outspoken and bold, things change apparently. "Randy? Randy Shivers?"
Olivia glanced his direction but not for long, "That would be the one."
Rita asked, "Who is Randy Shivers?" Olivia spoke looking at her, "Randy was a friend of Jayson's when they were in high school. If I remember correctly, he got Jason suspended for a game or two. Cheating on a test I think."
Jay noticed how she referred to him, formal and impersonal. A little weird to him. "He accused me of cheating, but really he stole my paper and tried to pass it off as his own."
Nick laughed, "I remember that. It was that wombat report, right?" Jason shrugged, "How could you remember that? I couldn't remember. The point is we both got in trouble. I got kicked out of a couple games. I was pissed. Didn't speak to him again."
Nick put in, "That's because you left." The table grew silent after that statement and Jay kept his eyes on Olivia, who he noted hadn't changed her face much at all.
That statement didn't even seem to faze her as she took bites of her food. "I went away to school. Lost touch with most people and met this beautiful creature."
He looked at Rita with a genuine smile, and noted that she smiled back at him. Her cheeks turning pink. He took that as a good sign.
Conversation carried on and he enjoyed catching up with Nick and Rita seemed to be having a good time.
At the end of the meal when the girls had been excused, they all sat around sipping on wine.
Olivia seemed to be enjoying herself but she didn't talk much. To Jay he wondered if his presence had anything to do with it.
"You're quiet over there, Liv. We boring you." Shocked she looked at him and stuttered, "No, I…"
Nick covered his hand over hers, "Liv isn't a woman of many words. When she has something to say, she does."
Jay met her gaze and saw her smile, turn to Nick and lean in to kiss his lips lightly. Blushing she patted his hand and stood, "I'm gonna go check on the girls."
Nick turned and said, "So Rita, I hear you got a new job." Rita smiled, "I did. I was hired to do some realty in Galveston."
Nick was intrigued, "Really? That's great. Congratulations. Long drive huh?" Rita shrugged, "I don't mind."
As he heard them conversing over Rita's plans his head was turned towards them, but he couldn't keep his eyes off Olivia as she disappeared up the stairs.
Olivia was very different from the young woman he'd known her as. This woman was reserved, sexy as hell, but underneath there seemed to be something hiding.
When she walked back down the steps she locked eyes with him as she returned to her chair.
The attraction he had for her all those years ago sprung to life, but he saw nothing in her eyes. As she sat down, her hand seemed to magnetically link to Nick's.
The evening ended and he hugged Nick after Rita did. Rita even turned and gave Olivia a side hug. "It was nice meeting you, Olivia. We should get together just us girls."
Olivia genuinely smiled, "That would be great." Rita walked out with Nick and Jay turned to her.
Standing just inside the door he asked, "This isn't awkward, is it?" Olivia looked confused, "Why would it be?"
Jay shrugged, "We didn't leave on good terms. I don't want to step on your toes." Surprising him she smiled, "Jason, that was 15 years ago. We aren't the same people. Don't worry about it."
Wondering if she meant it, he hugged her and then said, "Goodnight Livy." For an instant, then gone he saw pain rip into her eyes.
It was so quick he could've imagined it. "Good night." Crossing her arms, she leaned in the doorway. When he glanced towards the house from the car, Nick ushered her inside and the door shut.
Jay looked at Rita, "Did you have a good time?" Rita shrugged, "It was fun." Before starting the car, he asked, "Are you just saying that? I want to make sure that you are enjoying yourself and I'm not making you come if you don't want to."
Rita turned to him, "Jay. It was fun. I enjoyed myself. I really like Oliva. I think we could be friends. Although, she seems a bit shy."
Not really. He nodded, "I guess so. I haven't seen or talked to her in 15 years. I don't know her anymore."
Rita nodded, "Well there'll be time to catch up. Now let's go. I have a long day tomorrow. It's my first day."
Jay leaned over and kissed her softly, "I'm happy that you got the job. I love you." Rita stared at him and then said, "I love you too."
As he laid in bed that night, he felt guilty that the woman he saw when he closed his eyes was not his wife.
