As Chris's eyes went wide, her breath caught in her throat. 'Did Molly really just say that?' Ran through her head. As she tried to take a breath and process those words, she heard Street let out a slight cough, trying to clear his throat. His shock at Molly's revelation was also evident.
Chris was not sure how to lift her eyes and respond. It took an epic internal battle for her to draw her gaze from the floor to Molly.
"I, I can't speak for Jim Molly, you know that, but." She began gesturing her hand his way, yet still not quite looking at him. "But, I promise, nothing like that, is, or was, ever going on. When I spoke with him back then, it was purely as a friend, nothing else. It was simply me talking to my best friend, to express where I was at with some struggles, and trying to work out a way to move forwards. None of what I said was ever meant to play a part in your relationship." She finally glanced at him as she finished, and the hurt in his eyes was hard to miss.
"No, Molly she is right." He said standing up slowly dragging his gaze from Chris to Molly. "I didn't break up with you because I wanted to run off with Chris. We talked about this. We just didn't work out. We didn't make each other happy in the end and I was sick of making you cry and always being a stuff up."
"Jim, Jesus, really?" Molly let out frustrated as she stood up and turned away towards the window. "Even a damned blind fool could see that you are in love with her. You need to let yourself admit it and stop with all that." She finished as she turned back angrily.
Chris held out her hands gently trying to calm her as she took a few steps to the side to try and see Molly's face. "Molly? Please, can we calm down and try to just talk?"
"Fine." She mumbled as she turned back to face them, her arms folded across her body defensively. Her eyes a little teary.
"Thank you," Chris said quietly, acknowledging her gesture, as she tried to figure out what to say next that wouldn't upset Molly.
"Molly," Jim began standing up and stepping closer too. "I never meant to hurt you. I just, I was sick of the fighting and the struggling. Even you admitted when we talked that the constant struggle made an 'us' feel forced. Love shouldn't feel like that. I wanted to just be honest with you. I was trying to do the right thing."
Molly stared at her hands for a few moments, chewing her lip, before she exhaled and nodded. "I know, I just, I'm sorry I guess it's all still a bit raw for me."
"If it helps, for you to know I mean, I am in a relationship with Jared. I really like him, and I was never trying to steal your boyfriend away from you." Chris explained. Molly nodded. As she moved back to lean on the sofa, she glanced up at Jim who gave her a sad nod.
"I know," Molly answered slowly, "but until I saw you and Jared today I… I guess." She paused and glanced away. "I guess I thought that was just a front. I'm sorry that is unfair on you."
Chris couldn't shift to eyes to Street at the mention of Jared. She knew her being in that relationship was not what he wanted. But what was she supposed to do? She inhaled and looked at Molly instead.
"It's okay. I don't blame you for thinking what you did. I just wanted this sit down or this talk with us all here, so we could all be on the same page with no false assumptions and resentments."
Molly nodded at Chris's words. "You were the bigger person." She acknowledged looking up. "I was hurt and a bit bitchy." She looked back at Chris adding. "Sorry."
Chris flicked her gaze to Street. He still stood uncomfortably, fidgeting with his hands. She knew that Molly's earlier accusation had rattled him and maybe she now needed to give him more time to explain things to Molly. She looked back to Molly and asked,
"Do you need a minute with Jim?" He shot her a shocked stare, as she held up her hand at him and continued. "I just feel like you two should talk without me now that I've said my piece."
"No, I mean," Molly glanced at Street who again looked disheartened. "I think we have said enough to hurt each other lately."
"Molly," he said with a sigh. "Please believe me I never wanted to hurt you, it just wasn't working like it should and…"
Molly slightly shook her head, but she looked more frustrated that angry this time. Before Chris could jump in and excuse herself or say anything else Molly blurted,
"Jim," she said stepping forwards. "You know in your heart who makes you happy and it's up to you now to make that work. I believe you can, but your gunna have to fight for it."
Street just looked at her with wide eyes, as he swallowed hard, "A word of advice…." She said with a soft smile turning to get her bag as she reached for the door handle "Stop denying how you really feel and make it happen."
With that she had left before either could say another word. As the door closed behind Molly, Chris tilted her head to the side before inhaling and glancing up at Street.
"Well, not a complete disaster I guess." She started to make her way to the door too.
"So, that's it?" Street asked with a frown.
"What else are you expecting?" She turned asking in a slow confused voice, while giving him a querying look with her hands out.
"Um, I dunno, maybe I was hoping for some…" He paused as his phone rang. Chris raised an eyebrow at him slightly and wondered what he was going to say.
"I'll see you tomorrow." She finished nodding at his ringing phone.
"Chris, I, I." He stuttered slightly, but she was gone. As she entered the hallway, she sighed relieved. Chris needed to get out of there. Part of her was terrified that if she hung about Street would try to explain what Molly kept implying and she didn't want to deal with that from him right now. She wanted to see Jared. She wanted to feel his arms holding her and just forget all of this crap. So, she drew out her phone and dialled him, as she walked towards the locker room to get her bag.
"Hey, how'd it go?" He asked.
"Hey," she said slowly. "God, I needed to hear your voice."
"That bad huh?" He chuckled.
"No, not that bad, but I just need you." She said quietly.
"Well, I am waiting outside for you, in the visitor's carpark, so …..." That put a huge smile on her face as she grabbed her bag.
"I'll be right there." She beamed hanging up. She walked briskly towards the doors and out onto the quad. That's when she saw him, leaning on her truck in his blue jeans, red T-shirt, and ball cap. 'God damn,' she whispered to herself. 'He is so fucking hot.' She began to jog the last 10 yards to him and leapt into his arms.
"Hey there you." He laughed wrapping his strong arms around her and picking her up to twirl her around a bit. As he placed her back down, he smiled down at her as he brushed her hair back. "You okay?"
"Yeah." She smiled back. "I am now." Hugging him tightly, taking in the scent of him and his body against hers.
"So, did things turn sour?" He grimaced and asked as she laid her head on his chest.
"No, not exactly, just strained and awkward I think." She answered.
As Chris eventually dropped her arms from around him, she flung her bag into the back and nodded her head towards the truck.
"Come on, let's get out of here. I've had enough of this day." She grinned as she turned and made her way to the passenger seat.
"Oh wait, you want me to drive?" He laughed pointing at the empty driver's side.
"Uh huh," she answered nonchalantly as she swung herself up and in. He opened the driver's door and peered across at her.
"Why?" He asked looking suspiciously at her, as he kind of nervously, jingled the keys in his hand.
"Just get in and drive me outta here," she laughed. "There is no secret plan or agenda, I am just tired and ..."
"So, you trust me to drive her now huh?" He laughed patting the steering wheel and grinning at her. She giggled and rolled her eyes,
"Okay, okay, yes, I do. It's nice." She bit at her lip. He furrowed his brows and eyed her as he climbed in.
"What's nice? Me driving YOUR truck?" He asked confused as he started the engine.
"Uh huh." She nodded as she felt herself blush.
"Okay explain this to me. This must be some girl code thing I don't understand."
"It's nothing." Chris said looking away out the window trying to hide her slight embarrassment.
"Hold up," he said as he began to reverse, looking at her and noticing her blush.
"Why are you blushing?" He chuckled.
As Chris laughed and looked back at him, she thumped his arm lightly. "I hate you right now, you know, for this. For making me like this." He laughed and signalled with his hand for her to explain. "It's just that, I just, well, I have never let a guy, beside my teammates when they have to drop it home because I'm injured," she interjected her own thoughts holding up a finger, "drive me around in my own truck."
He nodded as he processed that, and then said "Hang on, NEVER? A guy has never driven your truck besides like Hondo and that?"
"Correct," she nodded. Leaning forwards and patting the dash. "She is my baby and I have never felt like I wanted any of the guys I dated to drive her. But," she paused and felt the blush again. "But you, I, you I just …. I can't help but trust you completely and want you to be in every facet of my life."
Jared shifted the truck into park and pulled her across the console to kiss her slow and hard. As her lips crashed into his she let out a small sigh. God, she needed that. She let her hand hold the back of his neck as she returned his kiss. A sudden burst of the sirens of a team leaving in a Gurkha drew them apart. Jared smirked and sat back looking at her.
"What?" She chuckled self-consciously, looking down.
"Nothing, I just love how dazed you …" His words faded into the background as she drew her gaze up noticing Street walking by to his bike. He gave her an almost awkward wave, before looking away like he was trying not to see anything.
'Shit! Did he see that?' She wondered.
Jared saw her looking at him. "Do you, um, need another minute? To talk to him more? or?" He asked motioning to Street.
"No," She shook her head slowly turning back to Jared. "I think we just need some space." He nodded and patted her knee as he continued to reverse out.