Chapter 5-

Jay was in the back room when Erika entered the surf shop. "Erika, what are you doing here?" Bradin asked.

"I need a favor from Jay." she replied quietly.

"Okay Bradin, I need you to clean off the shelves in the back." Jay said as he came out to the front. "Erika..." he became aware of her prescence.

"Bradin..." she gestured for him to leave.

"I'm... gonna go get a smoothie." Bradin stated as he left the surf shop.

"Look, Jay, before you say anything, I need to ask you a huge favor."

"Okay..." he replied uncomfortably.

"Look... I need a job. I really need the money. The rent went up at my apartment." she pleaded.

"Erika..." he knew that she needed it, but what would Isabelle say.

"Jay... I really need this. I wouldn't be asking you if I didn't. No other places are hiring. I'll stay out of your way and as soon as I find somewhere else to work I'll leave."

"Ok."

"Really?"

"Yeah." he knew he shouldn't, but forget Isabelle. Erika really needed him. It would be hard seeing her everyday and not being able to talk to her, but he wanted to help. "You start tomorrow."

"Thank you Jay." she said as she left.

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Ding Dong. Isabelle went to the door. "Hey." she said as she opened the door.

"Hey baby." Jay replied.

"What're you doing here?"

"Just stopping by to say hi." he said, fake happiness in his voice. She eyed him suspiciously. "Okay... I gave Erika a job." he looked down at his feet as he said it.

"What? Why was she asking you for a job?"

"Because she really needed it." Jay tried to explain.

"... so you guys will be working together." Isabelle's worries started to come back.

"Yeah I guess, but she only has a part-time job. She's still working at Mona's Sandbar." Jay replied, looking at his feet. Isabelle had to get something off her chest.

"Jay, look at me." he looked up at her. "I just have to know the truth. If you had to choose between me and Erika... who would you pick."

"Baby..." she looked him in the eye.

"Jay... tell the truth." she said, fighting back tears.

"Erika and I are done. She'd never take me back anyways." Jay knew who he would choose, but he couldn't hurt Isabelle.

"But if you weren't... who?" Jay stayed silent this time. "I had a feeling that's who you would choose. Listen Jay, I know how much you're hurting since you stopped seeing her. I can see it."

"Isabelle..."

"Jay, I can't be with you anymore, seeing your hurt, knowing you'd rather be with her." She looked out her window as she said this.

"Idon't..."

"Jay... just go... we're over." she said quietly. As he headed towards the door, she added,"Oh, and just so you know... Erika might not be that much of a lost cause." He looked at her and she smiled.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "Bye." he turned back towards the door, and left.

A/N - hey, I hope you liked it. I'll try to update again soon. REVIEW!