AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Cole
I woke up sore on our last day. No surprise there with the marathon fuck-fests we’d had every night on that train. But it wasn’t just my body that felt the lingering evidence of Jared Parks. He’d settled into our lives somehow, and knowing we had to say goodbye in a few hours was just as discomforting.
J.P. spent our last nights sleeping with us in our private suite. Even after we crossed through Philadelphia and knew Grand Central Station in NYC was less than two hours away, we hunkered down in bed, refusing to get up and pack. But soon, it approached ten in the morning and our little adventure was over. It was back to the real world for all of us; our own separate worlds on either side of the country.
I glanced in Kara’s direction, finding her staring at the sweater in her hand. When I took it from her, she smiled, shaking her head as she met my gaze, but there was no joy in her eyes. Instead, they mirrored the conflict in my own heart. There was a big question in the air, and I was determined not to repeat my old mistakes. I asked the question hanging heavy between us. “Do you think he’ll want to hook-up again?”
Kara shrugged. “I guess that really was all we were doing.”
“It doesn’t feel like that.”
“He never said it was anything else.” She picked up another top and folded it. “I mean, he’s a swinger. He’s experienced with these things. We’ll probably be just a fond memory soon.”
I shook my head. “No. I’m not leaving this up to interpretation.” I took her hand and led her to J.P.’s suite.
The door was open and we found him sitting on the bed, looking over something on his tablet. He put it down the moment we walked in. “This is it, huh? You two all set to head to the airport?”
I stepped closer. “Do you want it to be it? I mean, like, will we see you again?”
J.P. looked as if he’d suddenly seen a ghost. “You know, I...”
My heart sank. “We get it. Just wanted to say goodbye and—”
“Cole,” Kara interrupted. “Let him finish.”
J.P. took a deep breath. “The number one rule in swinging is don’t get attached. I just got divorced...you two just got your shit together. I don’t think it’s a good idea to confuse things.”
I felt Kara tense next to me and I grabbed her hand. “Oh,” she said, but the tone of it fit more with the word ow. I could relate.
“Yeah, okay,” I said with a sniff. “You’re probably right. You know more about how this stuff works than we do.”
“It was fun,” J.P. said, standing up, casually opening his arms to us.
Neither Kara nor I refused the hug. Probably the last time we’d ever touch him. He held on tight for longer than it seemed he initially intended. Then he placed a kiss on each of our cheeks. “You two be good.”
“Take care of yourself,” I said to him, because there was something so sad in his eyes I thought he needed to hear it.
J.P.’s phone rang. We broke apart and he answered it. “Kyle, good morning. Yes, we’re only about ten minutes away. I’ll be in bright and early Monday morning. Everything looks good for our presentation to the board.”
We stepped out of his suite, giving him the space he needed for his conversation with the boss, but he followed us back into the common area not long after. A glimmer of hope sparked as I thought he might want to reconsider closing the book on us.
“I told Kyle the trip was a success,” he said, glancing between Kara and me. He looked cheerful, but his voice was strained. “The rest of your pay should be transferred today and will be in your account no later than Wednesday.”
“Great,” Kara said, although everything in her tone suggested she didn’t care.
Two black SUVs waited for us outside the station. J.P. gestured to one, and the driver held the door open for us. “The car is provided by Hunter Railways to get you to the airport. The campaign’s going to be great. Thank you, and we hope to work with you again in the future.”
Kara and I nodded, our heads bobbing automatically but we didn’t budge. J.P.’s smile dissipated, and I swear I saw a flicker of sorrow push past the professional front he’d erected. It was faint. I could have imagined it because the next second, his hand was outstretched with another smile plastered on his face.
“Well, I guess this is goodbye.” He took Kara’s hand first and then mine next, his firm grip reminding me of how much I would miss his touch. “Safe travels.”
“Good luck at your meeting,” I said with a curt nod and then reclaimed his hand as he started to pull away. “And thank you.” I meant it.
Kara wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close. “Yes, J.P. Thank you for everything.”
Kara and I shared a look, and I started to say something more. I was going to suggest we postpone our trip home so we could talk some more with him. Convince him this didn’t have to be a one-time thing, but J.P. pulled away abruptly with a tight smile and strode toward his own car without a second glance.
We took our seats and the door slammed shut behind us. I watched J.P.’s car pull away from the curb and out of our lives, forever. Our flight was headed home, our marriage renewed, and though I was more optimistic about our future than ever before, the victory was bittersweet. For all that we’d gained, it was hard to ignore what we’d lost that morning too.
