Hey everyone, it's been nearly three weeks and I can't tell you how sorry I am. The next chapter should be a lot faster but don't quote me on it. Thank you for all the reviews I really love reading them!
Quick note: when I was re-reading a chapter to check something I realised I had given Jenni two different last names. At first her name was Jennifer Sage and then it was Jennifer Byrne. I edited it and now I'm saying decisively her name is Jennifer Rose Sage. Anyway on with the chapter.
Chapter 12 : Houses, Calls and Missing You.
Two days before Christmas Jennifer and Randy were in his car on their way to Randy's house to inspect the building work.
"So have you decided on colours and stuff yet?"
"Nah," Randy said, "I figure all the design rubbish you can sort for me."
"Run that one by me again."
"Picking everything out for me, you know, colors, cushions…all that other girly crap."
"Tell me Randy why would you want all that 'girly crap'?"
"I don't know; make it more home like I guess."
"Aw," Jenni said in a baby voice, "does little Randy want his house to be homely? Does he want pretty pillows?"
"Shut it."
Her reply was cut off when her phone started ringing, she glanced at the screen before smiling wickedly.
"Hello this is sluts 'r' us. Can you please give me your name, address, contact number and whether or not you would like a male or female to attend to you and I'll see if we can accommodate you."
Randy watched as she listened to someone speak all the while smiling before replying.
"Well ok Mr John Cena, I'll have a female, preferably Christina Ricci, call you to tend to your needs shortly," Jenni said trying to keep the laughter out of her voice.
"What's that you said sir?" She said after a pause.
"Oh I'm sorry Mr Cena, I give men the key to happy land but I don't show them around. That's not what I'm paid for."
Another pause, "You'll pay me? I'm sorry, you can't afford me."
Randy heard laughter on the other end of the line and figured he no longer had to keep his laughter in check. Jenni apparently thought the same thing because she started to laugh as well.
After calming down she spoke into her phone.
"Sorry John I couldn't resist. What can I do for you today?"
Turning a corner Randy indicated to his passenger that they were all most there. She nodded to show that she understood before laughing at something John had said.
"That's ridiculous. You saw me in Providence less than a week ago."
Randy turned another corner before she responded.
"You go weeks without seeing me all the time." … "I don't care if you miss me." … "No I can't be bothered with that crap. Besides it's really last minute." … "How does what I'm wearing have anything to do with this?"
He turned the ignition off, got out of the car and closed the door quickly, suddenly feeling a surge of anger.
Why did John and Jenni talk like that to each other anyway? It's hardly an appropriate way for ex's to behave, even if they are still friends.
Jenni followed him out of the car with a questioning look. He shook his head at her before walking to the front door of his still unfinished home.
"John can I call you back? Randy's suddenly decided that looking sullen works for him."… "Ok I'll talk to you tonight."
"You alright?" She said coming up behind him after hanging up the phone.
He said nothing, choosing only to nod before waltzing into his home.
"What was all that about?" Randy asked as she closed the door behind her.
"What?" She said frowning. He gestured to the phone still in her hands.
"Oh, John wants me to have a New Year's Eve get together at my flat on the 31st."
"Well of course on the 31st. When else is he gonna want it? The 27th?"
"Ok, so we had momentary silent treatment, now we have snarky comments. Hey, if you bitch slap me this could be like high school."
Forgetting the pangs of anger he felt he laughed at her before saying playfully. "What would you know about it? You told me you hardly ever showed up for school."
"No you're right I didn't. I was certainly never in the running for Head Girl."
"Out of curiosity, how bad was your attendance?"
"Worst in the whole school," Jenni replied with pride while inspecting his house. "My name was on the top of the list in Mr Bruce's office."
"Mr Bruce?"
"He was the Deputy Headmaster, Ugly old perv he was as well." She said frowning in remembrance, "he married a girl three months after she finished her final year. She was ugly as well if I remember rightly."
"You know Jen, there's more to this world than looks."
"That's why you spend an hour doing your hair is it?"
"I think that's an exaggeration," Randy said indignantly. Catching Jenni about to comment he quickly silenced her with the reason they were there. "What do you reckon of the work so far then?"
"It looks…finished."
"No that's just the downstairs. The upstairs is still a wreck and the new pool isn't getting fitted until January. The kitchen is only half done as well," he finished gesturing to a door on the opposite side of the room they were currently standing in.
"I'm quite impressed that they've down this much this quickly."
"Yeah I am as well." Randy paused before divulging, "Of course I said if they didn't stick to the schedule I was going to sue them so badly they were definitely going out of business."
"Nice," she smiled. He smiled back at her not saying anything until she started asking where he was going to put different things.
Walking around the far-from-finished upstairs they walked into what Jenni guessed will be his bedroom.
"So this is where the magic will be happening is it?"
"How did you guess?"
"It has double door coming in and a balcony. Such a bedroom cliché."
"Whatever. The bed will go here," he said before smirking devilishly, "and on top of the bed will be a naked girl waiting for me. Willing to do whatever I want."
"Randy I've told you, those blow up dolls are not as good as the real thing."
They laughed for a moment before Jenni asked. "So do I get a room for when I come visit?"
"I'm glad you asked that Jenni. And the answer is yes you do."
"Which room do I get?"
He came up right behind her and put his hands on her hips.
"You're standing in it."
She turned her head to him and silently raised her eyebrow.
"You're confused?" He asked but without waiting for an answer continued. "My house. My rules. Rule number one, my beautiful best friend shares a bed with me."
"Oh does she now?"
Randy noted happily that she didn't sound angry or disgusted at what he was suggesting and figured that since she thought he was joking he would see far he could push his luck.
"Yes she does. I'm a very lucky man you see, because my best friend happens to be a complete babe. Therefore I think I'm going to enjoy rule number one.
"Just out of curiosity," Jenni asked turning around so that they were face to face, "What does the best friend have to do in rule number two?"
Smirking Randy let his hand move from her hips and they rested just below the top of her low rider jeans as he leaned down and started whispering in her ear.
Her eyes widened as she listened to his rule number two and she vaguely noted that his hands were slowly moving further down.
"You pervert," she smiled when he finally moved away from her ear.
"Face it babe, you and me is destined to happen. Since I'm a man of destiny I have no plans to ignore that."
"So we're 'destined to happen' are we?" She said raising her chin to look him in the eye.
"Yeah," he said sounding quite breathless all of a sudden, he kissed her on the cheek and lingered there for a second before taking his hands off of her butt. He turned away from her and walked to the door, "Come on now, lot's more to see."
"I'm coming, I'm coming." She said following him.
He tuned back to her with a smirk, "I have a feeling that you'll be saying that a lot in this room."
He continued smirking as he saw her eyes widen and her jaw drop as she realised what he said, but he wasn't done.
"Oh and if you thought rule two was kinky then wait till you hear rule three."
"Randy?"
Looking up from his place on the bed he saw his mother standing in the doorway.
"Yeah?"
"Dinner's going to be ready in ten minutes."
"Oh ok. I'll be down in a minute."
When she just continued to stand and stare at him he looked up curiously.
"Is something up?"
She said nothing straight away choosing instead to walk in and sit beside him on the bed.
"There was a phone call for you today," Elaine said.
"Who from?" Randy asked not quite understanding why she sounded so apprehensive.
"Samantha."
"Oh, Sam called."
"Yes, she wants you to give her a call. Apparently she wants to talk to you."
"What else did she say?"
"Not much, she just wanted me to give you the message."
Randy nodded staring at the floor for a second. "I suppose I should call her."
"What?" Elaine said surprised.
"I said I suppose I should call her," he repeated slowly as if talking to a child.
"Why would you do a silly thing like that?"
"Because she called and wanted me to call her back. What's up with you?"
"Nothing," Elaine sighed, "I guess I should be happy I raised should a considerate young man."
"So what's your problem?"
"It's just," she paused but continued when Randy nudged her, "that woman made you miserable. Not intentionally but you certainly weren't happy. But now I see you and…" she paused again and looked at his smiling face, "don't let her get you down again Randy."
"I won't. I'll call her see what she wants and then that'll be it."
"Ok. But, if you ever did consider getting back together with her you know I would support you."
"Mom, if I ever considered getting back together with her I hope that you would make me see a therapist."
"I promise. We should get downstairs; dinner will be ready by now."
Randy followed her picking up his phone from the bed in the process. He would call her after dinner he promised himself. Call her, find out what she wanted and then officially close the book on their relationship.
"Come on now Mr Elvis, drink up."
Jennifer watched in disgust and Teresa lowered her cup to her dog and let him drink out of it. That wasn't the awful part. The awful part was that she then raised the cup to her lips and drank from it herself.
"I just lost my appetite," she murmured to herself.
Becky who had watched with equal disgust nodded silently beside her.
"So, you've been avoiding the subject with me since I got here. Have you done it since?" Jenni said quietly.
"No," Becky said weakly.
"Really?"
"Yeah, you were right. It was stupid, I know it was but I just..."
"I get it. You surprised me with it. I didn't think you would do that, not in a million years."
"I know, I surprised myself but I think I'm strong enough to deal with it now."
"You sure?" Jenni asked while idly fiddling with her napkin.
"Positive. And I wanted to thank you," she answered still speaking so that no one could hear them, "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't talked to me."
"Not a problem. I just don't get is why you called me in the first place. There are a lot of people who could have helped you better than me."
"Because I knew you'd understand. You cooler than anyone I know."
Jenni laughed, "Well you know, some people are just like that."
Becky laughed with her for a second before quickly covering her bases. "You didn't tell anyone right?" She asked her eyes straying to Randy who was sat at the other side of the table staring at his phone.
"I didn't, I promise."
"Good, man I'm glad you're around. I was talking to mom the other day about how cool it would be if you and Randy were together."
"What?"
"Yeah, funny really. Mom agrees with me though that you two are made for each other."
"You're off your nut," Jenni said affectionately.
"Think about it, you guys are best friends, you're on the road together, and you like the same stuff. Not to mention the fact that he's always really miserable when you're not around."
"No he's not," she replied dismissively.
"Yes he is," Becky insisted, "you should have seen him after you guys had that fight. He was miserable the whole time he was here. Really put a downer on things," she added as an afterthought.
"That's just because he was stressed over Sam."
"No it isn't. Me and Nathan were listening to the parental units talking about it. Dad said that Randy was really cold towards Sam and telling her to leave him alone. Apparently he said about how she wasn't even a priority for him or something."
"Really?" Jenni asked softly.
"Yeah, then mom was explaining something to dad about how jealousy makes you do stupid things. Doesn't make sense really."
Jenni frowned before shaking her head, "You know what Randy's like, he has more mood swings than a pregnant woman."
"True," Becky agreed, "still doesn't change the fact that you two would be good together."
Randy stood at the foot of his bed holding onto his phone in his right hand. He knew he had to call Sam but at the same time he could think of much better things to be doing.
Finally selecting her number he went to press the green call button but was interrupted by Jenni appearing at his door.
"There you are," she said standing at the entrance, "you should come downstairs. Your mum is getting more annoyed at your Aunt by the minute. I think tonight might be the night she finally snaps."
"Well there's something I really don't wanna miss."
"Well that's what I'm here for." She considered him for a second and frowned, "You ok Sailor?"
"'Course I am babe."
"You sure? You look like you were forced to talk to your Aunt for an hour."
Lying back on the bed he looked up at the ceiling and changed the subject.
"Did you call John?"
"Yeah," Jenni said walking into the room and standing right in front of him their knees almost touching, "he's still pushing for this New Years party."
"It's a bit short notice isn't it?"
"That's what I said but he said it'd be ok. He reckons me, you, and him. Mel and Johnny, Joey and some others. Not a big blow-out just us lot."
"Might be a good idea."
"You think?" Jenni asked.
"Yeah sure," Randy replied dispassionately.
"Come on, what's going on in that handsome head of yours?"
"I'm just a bit distracted that's all."
"Anything I can help you with?"
He looked up at her for a second and looked about to say something but instead shook his head and said something else.
"What did you really think of Sam?"
He noticed the surprise in her eyes at the question but instead of answering his question she asked one of her own.
"Why does it matter what I thought of her?"
"I'm just curious. I mean, I know you didn't like her but what did you actually think about her?"
"Well, she was…erm…bitchy. She was…clingy and possessive. She didn't…uh…ok I just didn't like her."
"No I know you didn't but what was your main reason for not liking her?" Randy said looking back up at the ceiling,
"Why all these questions about Sam?"
Still not looking at her he answered, "She called me today."
"She called you?"
"Left a message, wants me to call her."
"Are you going to?" she asked hesitantly.
Shrugging from his place on the bed he looked at Jenni who seemed to be mentally wrestling with herself over something.
They were quiet for a bit before Jenni broke the silence in a weak voice.
"She didn't deserve you."
Randy frowned at her a second, trying to work out if he had heard her right.
"Didn't deserve me?" He asked quietly.
She didn't answer and was no longer looking at him. She didn't even seem to realise that he had spoken.
"You were too good for her," she said still not looking at him but instead staring ahead.
He sat up and reached forward to take hold of her left hand. Now that he had her attention again he looked her full in the face.
"I love you."
"I know," she said, "I love you too."
Shaking his head and laughing mirthlessly he lay back. Due to the fact that he was still holding her hand she fell next to him.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Me, you, us, everything."
Scrunching her nose in confusion, something that made his heart ache, she continued to look puzzled.
"Doesn't matter," he sighed. "We should probably go check that mom hasn't killed her charming sister."
"She could be killing her right now,"
"In that case maybe we should wait a while."
Jenni laughed at him before standing up, "you coming?"
Casting a look at the phone lying next to him on the bed he nodded, "Just give me a sec."
She smiled at him and walked out while he picked up the phone; he looked at it for a moment, contemplating his options before making a decision. He clicked the cancel button and put the phone in his pocket.
"Bye Sam," he murmured to himself before striding after his best friend pushing the light switch off as he went. As far as he was concerned Sam was the past and he had to concentrate on the future.
Little did he know that in a car parked down the street from the house a woman in her mid-twenties took a long drink from a bottle of Vodka and watched as the light went out. Squirming slightly as the alcohol burned down her throat she almost laughed, with the amount she had drank recently you would think she would be immune to the potent drink.
Looking down at the phone in her lap she sighed at the empty screen before taking some pictures out of the glove compartment, pictures of her and her fiancé in happier times. She cast another glance at the house before turning her attention her to her, now ringless, finger.
He'd realise that he loved her – she was positive of that much. But she wasn't sure how much more of this she could stand. She missed him so much. Of course she was furious with him for ending things but that didn't change the fact that they were meant to be together. All he had to do was say sorry and she'd forgive him. Because that's what good fiancés do.
Alright then. Allow me to apologise for a fairly bad chapter. I'm sure many of you have suffered writers block and the only way to get rid of it is to write through it. So that I'm afraid is what this chapter is about. Let me know what you think.
Love Ya! DollFace!
