DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN EMMERDALE OR IT'S CHARACTERS, THEY REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF ITV1
XXX
Aaron bit his lip, he had instantly started to scan for Jackson as soon as he stepped foot into the club. Ross came to his side and nods to a nearby table, " grab that table will yah...Jennie and Luke have just gone to park the car"
Aaron nodded and went to sit down, trying to glance towards Jackson through the corner of his eye. Jackson was busy chatting to his mate, but he could 'feel' the builders eyes on him.
Ross brought a tray of drinks over, " YOU got it wrong! Free beers only for those who've been invited mate!"
Aaron shrugged his shoulders, looking up at him, " Soz...Nick didn't say about that"
Jackson stood up from his seat and headed over towards the gents. As Ross sat down oblivious to it all, Aaron took a sip of his beer and nods to the gents, " Won't be long..."
Ross smiled and watched Aaron as he crossed over to the gents. At the door he paused for a brief moment, took in a deep breath, and pushed the door open to go in.
Xxxx
Stepping into the gents, he looked around him and caught sight of Jackson pulling up his flies and glancing across to him, " It's RUDE to stare, your Mum not tell yah?"
Aaron didn't know what to say, he was glued to the spot as Jackson went to the sink and washed his hands, Jackson sniffed and turned to him, " What's with the silent treatment? You still got the hump about me having a go at yah that night I stopped over at yours...I left you a message"
Aaron finally reacted with a slight nod, " Yeah...I got it"
Jackson dried his hands, tossed the paper towel into the bin and faced up to him, " you not fancy a cheap holiday in the sun then?"
Aaron pulled a frown at him, " Was you serious then?"
"Course I was...why would I say it otherwise?"
Aaron shrugged, he couldn't think of a reason, " I dunno...I just thought..."
"Just thought what?", Jackson's brown eyes were staring right at him, waiting for his answer. Aaron shook his head backing away, " I dunno, look...just forget it, yeah?"
Aaron turned around and went to exit the toilet, but Jackson grabbed hold of Aaron's arm, "wait a minute...look...i'm..." Jackson looked at Aaron closely up and down, then pulled a smile, " I missed seeing you about..."
Aaron shrugs, " I...I missed seeing you"
Jackson grinned at him, " did yah? Is that why you giving me all them crafty glances out there"
Aaron pulled a face and nods at him, " You did the same!"
"I know...I knew you would follow me in here...so...that lad you're with, someone special is it?" asked Jackson pocketing his hands.
Aaron leaned on the wall, " He's...just a mate actually", Aaron's eyes kept looking Jackson up and down...his tan was amazing...the tight T shirt enhancing the bronze colour, the short sleeves digging into his upper arm and the wide gap upon his chest clearly showing off his pecs. The silver chain carrying the cross and St. Christopher had escaped the confines, and rested on the front of his T shirt.
The door to the toilet then opened to reveal the very lad they spoke about, as Ross peered around, eyes resting on them both "Aaron? Sorry, I just wanted to see if you're alright, you've been gone a while"
Aaron smiled and nods to him, " Yeah, and I'll be out...give me a sec, yeah?"
Ross nods back, shoots a parting glare at Jackson and was gone. Jackson smiled to himself and looked at Aaron, " Wow...if looks could kill!"
Aaron pulled a face, " Nahhh...he's alright...he just got a thing about me, that's all"
Jackson smiled again, " Sure it's not the other way round?" he teased.
Aaron shot an 'as if' glare at him, " What, you joking aren't yah!"
Jackson decided to call time on their chat, " Well, I better get back to me mates...they'll be wondering where i've got too"
Aaron bit his bottom lip and stopped him from leaving through the door, " Are you back long! I mean...are you...you know" his words were all tongue tied.
Jackson glanced back at him as he pulled open the door, the loud music evaded their ears, "I fly back Tuesday...give us a bell if you wanna meet up..." and then he was gone.
Xxxx
On the way out of the club, Jennie was laughing like mad, " I've REALLY had a great night! It's sure made up for that crappy band we went to see" she told clutching Luke's arm.
Aaron breathed in the warm night air and glanced at his mobile, Ross watched him as he was started to talk to Luke and Jennie, " We'll get a cab back"
Luke frowned at him, " Are you sure? It's no bother dropping you guys off...we're going that way"
Ross shook his head, " No it's fine...thanks for tonight"
Jennie went and kissed him on the cheek," don't be daft...me and Luke had a swell time"
"Just a pity about the free beers" Luke joked as they came to the car.
Ross glared at Aaron, " Well...you can thank Mr. 'duff of information' over there..."
Jennie went and kissed Aaron on the cheek, " Take no notice...he's just got the hump because he had to put his hand into his pocket, that's all...you'll soon get to know what he's like"
That was the problem, thought Aaron, as she and Luke jumped into the car to go, he didn't know if he WANTED to get to know Ross any better.
They both stood on the curb and watched as the car pulled away, beeping the horn as a farewell to them twice. Ross faced Aaron and nods towards the direction of the nearby Kebab shop, "I'm hungery me...wanna share a kebab?"
Aaron shrugs at him and starts to lead the way, " nice one, if you're paying?"
Ross followed him, " Yeah I am...and then we can go sit on that wall over there, and you can tell me all about that guy you were talking to..."
Aaron stopped in his tracks and watched as Ross entered the kebab shop. Oh crap.
Xxxx
Outside Bar West, Jackson had one hand in his pocket and the other was clutching his phone at his ear, "...Come on Nate, PICK UP will yah...I know you're there...I called round earlier to see yah..." he stopped in his tracks and saw that Gary had flagged down a cab, "...look...I'll call round the flat tomorrow...I NEED TO TALK TO YAH...sort things out if nothing else...besides...I'm worried about yah, I AM your flaming husband for god sakes..."
Ending the message Jackson hurried across the road and jumped into the cab with Gary, then it pulled away from the curb taking them home.
Xxxx
Nathan sat in his pyjamas...the lights were off and he was virtually in the half light...that was only because of the light pollution around the flat.
He then put his phone to his ear, and listened to the message. Jackson's voice made his eyes water, and the lump rise up in his throat.
Tossing the phone onto the coffee table, he stood up and went into the bathroom. He pulled the cord and the bright light nearly blinded him. He stared at his reflection in the mirror. His hair was not gelled, he had stumble and their was great big fuck-off bags beneath his eyes.
But it was the object on the chain around his neck that took his attention, because the bathroom light bounced off it...Jackson's wedding ring.
How things had changed.
Why was he not still in Spain with him?
Why did he ever have to 'liven' him up at that party on Christmas Eve. Spike his drink. If he hadn't been stupid enough to fall from the belcony, they would be still out there, wouldn't they?
Regret.
That's all he felt now. The wind was totally blown out from his sails. It was all his own fault, wasn't it...well James had played a big part.
'just "do" one line' he had said.
And one line became many...everynight because it made him forget how miseable his life was becoming because he hadn't banked on missing Jackson quite so much.
It didn't take long for the drugs to do their intention. To get you hooked.
James was already hooked, had been for years on and off...but managed to control and hide it very well...especially from the hospital...being a doctor he was very well thought of.
James told him to steal some stuff...and he did...on three accasions...but then he got caught and was dismissed immediately. The hospital didn't want any bad press and just told him to go quietly and he did.
He went cold turkey, because James wouldn't supply him with anything. Infact, James was now knocking off some Jill, he didn't know he was Bisexual, he had come home early and caught James doing her in their bed.
James was a scumbag and he and told him and his tart to leave the flat and never come back...that was five weeks ago and he hadn't seen nor heard of him since.
With a tear falling down his cheek, he picked up the razor blade, and put it inbetween his lips...then, very slowly, he started to run the hot tap...
AUTHORS NOTE: THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS...I HAD SOME TIME TODAY, I THOUGHT YOU COULD DO WITH A GOOD FRIDAY CHAPTER! x