Warning: This chapter contains elements of cheating, betrayal, manipulation, reluctance, and ("off-screen") death.
Part 6. The Freedom to Falter.
9 days later,
Jon sat on the hotel sofa with his new laptop. His hand hesitated over the keyboard and he finally let out a sigh and clicked. The e-transfer went through. His rental deposit on the furnished condo that would be his new home as of January 1st. Just a few days away. It wasn't ideal, and it certainly didn't come cheap, but he was lucky to find it so quick, and it was better than going back to Elaina.
Anything was better than that. He had to keep telling himself, because his body and instincts kept trying to convince him otherwise. He couldn't keep track of how many times she'd texted and called, either begging or demanding him to come home. Every time it took effort to say no, or to ignore her, but it seemed to be getting gradually easier.
He knew he couldn't completely avoid her forever, and unfortunately she was making an ultimatum that the only way he would get his car keys back was to meet her in person. At least he had negotiated for it being in a public place. He was almost ready to just give up the car to spare himself the confrontation. He told himself that was silly, and part of him realized it was probably therapeutic to face her at least one more time, for closure if nothing else, if that existed.
He closed his laptop, happy that he had done the deposit and taken that step before meeting her again, hopefully giving him that much more reason not to give in to her. He got up and started to change into his gym clothes. He figured a workout might help keep his mind clear. They weren't meeting up until 3:00.
He looked in the mirror and brushed his fingers delicately over his ear.
The wound was almost fully healed. Still some scabbing, but the skin was strong enough to go without a bandage now. There would definitely be some scarring and a bit of deformity but the plastic surgeon had done a really good job of salvaging what had been there. The chest wound was actually the least of his worries, having sliced deep enough to graze a rib, but no further. He had gone back to the surgeon last week to get the stitches out and she had said his ear was looking good. He had met up with Jeff anyway, a few days later, partly to check the wound, but mostly to have a chat. It had been great to have someone to vent to, and validate again that he wasn't the crazy one. Elaina's words were just so insidious he couldn't help doubting himself sometimes, and Jeff helped to put him back on level ground again, at least for a while.
His family had helped too. He had taken a small flight and his dad met him in the nearest city to make it home for Christmas. He hadn't made it last year because of the schedule of his residency rotations, and he had regretted it. It was a a strange mix of guilt and relief to see everyone again and feel the love and support completely unphased and undiluted by the passage of time. He had explained in broad strokes about his breakup with Elaina, leaving out most of the specifics and omitting the worst parts, not wanting to get into it. They were disappointed but not
too
disappointed to hear that the engagement was off, he thought, and they were happy that it had come to a head before they had gotten married at least, for his sake. The familiar faces and surroundings reminded him of who he had been before the last few years of his life, and in a way, helped him to move forward.
He smiled at the memories of the trip and slipped on his coat. He was about to head out when his phone buzzed. A text from Tabitha.
-
Hey. Just wanted to say I had a great time the other night. Call me anytime ;)
He couldn't help smiling again. 'The other night' in this case was in fact only 2 days ago. She had been surprisingly cool after that crazy night when he had left Elaina. They had exchanged numbers 'in case he needed anything', but she hadn't acted like she expected to necessarily see or hear from him again.
He had been the one to text her a week later, partly because he genuinely wanted to know how she was, and partly because he was horny as hell. He and Elaina had been getting intimate very regularly in their last few weeks together and his body felt like it was in withdrawal, which didn't help when she was texting and calling, enticing him to come back.
Tabitha seemed very excited to hear from him, so they chatted a bit and then decided to meet in the evening for coffee.
She had thanked him for 'crashing into her life and turning it upside down'. She said it had made her realize she needed to get out. Apparently Brad was a serial cheater, barely hiding the fact that he was seeing other women during his travel for his job for at least 3 years now. He had a temper when he was home, especially if she even so much as alluded to him seeing other women, and getting violent with her on more than one occasion. Tabitha fully admitted that she had confidence issues, and had kept telling herself he'd eventually settle down, stay home and be only with her, as long as she kept standing by him and being a good wife. At one time, Jon might have shaken his head a bit at the cognitive dissonance of it, but given what he'd been through, he felt like he understood a little more, and felt nothing but empathy.
Now though, she had already started putting some money aside and had a plan to leave next time he flew away on business. Jon had offered to give her some contacts for some support centers that he often gave to some of his patients, but she simply smirked and said she was way ahead of him. He talked about his conundrum with Elaina and she scoffed and reassured him he was doing the right things. Elaina had apparently vandalized their house a couple days after that night, but she didn't know there were security cameras, and was filmed in the act. There was already a case with the police and she had already been ordered not to cross property lines or face more serious consequences. Jon couldn't help but chuckle and feel impressed. Tiny, quiet little Tabitha facing down and taking care of Elaina's threat without the slightest bit of fear.
They eventually grabbed a couple drinks together and she asked to see his hotel room.
They were barely inside the door when her arms were around his neck and her lips colliding with his. They were naked and under the sheets in no time. Kissing and laughing with their bodies wrapped around each other. Excitement and validation seemed to flow through them as they made love. Her high pitched voice whimpering in satisfaction and her deceptively strong arms and legs clinging around him felt incredible as they rolled all over the bed. He couldn't believe how good she was, showing none of her usual shyness between the sheets, and using her tiny, but fit body in some incredible ways.
He texted back.
-
Me too, keep in touch :)
He smiled and headed out the door.
At 2:55 Jon walked into the cafe hoping he would beat Elaina there and get a few minutes to collect himself, but he had no such luck. He saw her sitting at a table by the window already with a drink. She made eye contact but didn't wave, just stared with her electric gaze that wasn't angry or aggressive, in fact it almost looked inviting, even innocent...
Don't fall for it!
he told himself. Ripping his eyes away and turning to the counter to order a drink and settle his breathing before walking over.
As he approached she almost made to stand up and hug him, but he quickly sat down before she could.
"Hi," he said flatly.
"Hi Jonathon. It's good to see your face again, finally." She gave the slightest of smiles and her eyes seemed to twinkle.
Fuck, she looks good. Keep it together.
He closed his eyes and let out a long breath. Then held out his hand on the table. To his surprise she held it immediately, her incredibly soft, smooth hand squeezing and sending shivers up to his shoulder.
"No, Elaina I-..." he sighed and pulled his hand away then placed it palm up on the table again.
"Car keys," he said, steeling himself.
She rolled her eyes. "You have to come home to get it anyway, why don't we chat and after coffee I can give you a ride home myself," she said, stroking the edge of his wrist.
"Maybe, but there's still no reason for me not to have them now," he said, twitching away from her hand.
"I don't want you to get up and leave as soon as I hand them to you," she frowned suspiciously.