Jake's POV
I would have preferred to be left alone but Laura wouldn't let me. If I didn't know better I would say she was scared. I could see it in her face and body. It was as if she was fleeing from something. She wouldn't say but I think that was why she kept flaring up.
Whatever she was scared off, probably is in her room. It's almost as if she never wants to be alone in there.
The silence between us started to fade slowly as she continued talking to me. I couldn't shut her off. I had given her that audacity to do so. When I allowed her hold my hands, lean on my shoulder, and then playing cards with her. She probably thinks we are now friends.
I was enjoying the conversation though, so I engaged her too. The tension that had been simmering between us seemed to have shifted, replaced by something I couldn't quite put my finger on.
I don't know what came over me, but when she asked about my past relationships, I didn't dodge the question like I usually did. Maybe it was the vulnerability of the situation, or maybe it was just Laura, sitting there with her eyes wide and curious. I sighed, leaning back in my seat, feeling the weight of the memory.
"So tell me, have you ever been in a relationship?" She asked, giggling and obviously eager to know.
"I haven't been in a relationship in a long time," I started, my voice low. I stared out the window at the rain pounding against the glass, gathering my thoughts. "The last one… It was bad. Real bad."
Laura didn't interrupt, just watched me with an intensity that made it easier to talk. I hadn't thought about her, my ex, in a while, at least not like this. But the memories were still sharp.
"I was in love with her," I admitted, the words sounding strange even to me. "More than I've ever been with anyone. We were together for almost three years, and I thought it was going somewhere. I was ready to settle down, you know? I wanted to make things work, and I did everything I could."
I glanced at Laura, who was listening intently, her hand still lightly resting in mine. It felt good to talk about it, though it stirred something uncomfortable in me.
"But then, I guess I was too good for her, she cheated on me," I continued, my voice hardening. "I found out about it, and it crushed me. I wasn't just angry, I was heartbroken. I'd invested everything into that relationship, but she… she didn't care. When I confronted her, she didn't even try to deny it. She rubbed it on my face and it made the hurt more terrible. I was consumed with anger, I tried to find out who she cheated with but I couldn't get him. After everything died down, I was happy I didn't find him. I would have killed him and that would have probably been my end."
Laura's eyes widened in shock, but she didn't speak. She just listened, and somehow, that made it easier to keep going.
"I had to break up with her, obviously," I added, shrugging like it was nothing. But it hadn't been nothing. "It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I was a wreck for months. Barely functioning. My mom… she had to step in and take over a lot of my responsibilities. I couldn't focus on anything except the fact that I'd lost someone I thought I'd spend my life with."
I paused, shaking my head. "It's funny. I thought I was so strong, but it broke me. After that, I just… threw myself into work. I built up my business and never looked back. Haven't dated anyone seriously since and I don't plan too. Love is a weakness and that's not me."
I hadn't meant to share so much, but it was out there now. I glanced at Laura again, wondering what she'd make of it. Would she think less of me? Probably. Most people did when they found out how vulnerable I'd been. But her expression didn't change. She didn't look at me with pity or judgment.
Instead, she just smiled softly. "That's… brave, Jake. You did the right thing by walking away, even though it hurt."
I nodded, not really knowing what else to say. I didn't feel brave. I'd felt like a failure for a long time but once I was over it, that was it. No girl has gotten to me ever since then. I never allow it. I use them, and dispose them.
"What about you?" I asked, turning the tables. "Why do I get the feeling you've got your own story?"
She hesitated, her eyes flickering down for a moment. I could see the uncertainty in her expression, like she wasn't sure if she should tell me. But after a long pause, she sighed and looked up at me again.
Laura
My heart was pounding in my chest. I didn't expect Jake to share something so personal, so raw. Seeing him open up like that made me feel… closer to him in a way I hadn't before. But now it was my turn, and I wasn't sure if I could.
I hadn't talked about Jackson in so long. And this was Jake, my boss. This was supposed to be strictly professional, right? But something about the way he listened, the way he didn't judge me or push me, made me feel like maybe I could tell him. Maybe I should.
"I don't know if I'm as brave as you think," I began, my voice quieter than I intended. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, glancing at the cards still scattered on the table between us. "I stayed in a relationship I should have left a long time ago."
Jake's eyes were on me, but he didn't interrupt, just like I hadn't with him. That made it easier to continue, even though my throat felt tight.
"I was in love with a man I thought was the love of my life," I said, finally letting the words out. "His name was Jackson, and… he wasn't a good man. He wasn't always like that. In the beginning, he was charming, loving. At the time, he was the best part about my life, the man of my dreams and reality. But over time, things got worse. He was controlling, possessive… and then it turned into something more."
I didn't give Jake the full details. I wasn't ready to tell him that I was married. I wasn't ready to tell him about the abuse, about the nights I'd spent terrified of what might happen if I said the wrong thing. But I told him enough. Enough for him to understand why California felt like a cage.
"I stayed for years," I whispered, my hands trembling a little. "Even though I knew it was wrong, even though I knew I should leave… I stayed. I guess I was too scared to be alone. Too scared of what he might do if I left."
Jake's expression softened, and when he spoke, his voice was gentle. "That doesn't make you weak, Laura. It's not easy to walk away from someone who manipulates and controls you. You were trying to survive."
His words hit me hard, and I felt a lump rise in my throat. I'd never heard anyone put it that way before. Most people just said I should've left, should've been stronger. But Jake didn't see it like that. He saw me as someone who had survived. And that… that made me feel something I hadn't expected to feel around him.
"I wish I'd been brave enough to leave sooner," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "Like you were."
Jake shook his head, his hand still resting lightly on mine. "Don't compare your situation to mine. You did what you had to do to get through it. You're out of it now, and that's what matters."
"You were in love and there's nothing bad in that. I was like that once before, though it can't ever happen again anyway." He let out firmly, his countenance soft and gentle.
I smiled at him, a small, sheepish smile that I couldn't quite hide. It felt good to hear him say that. To know that he didn't judge me for staying as long as I did.
I stood up, suddenly feeling lighter. "I think I'll take a nap, I didn't get much sleep during the night." I said, giving him a small, nervous laugh. "Thanks… for listening."
Jake just nodded, watching me as I turned and walked toward my room. I couldn't stop smiling as I shut the door behind me, my mind racing with everything we'd just talked about. Maybe… just maybe, Jake liked me… too. The thought made my heart race even faster.
I climbed into bed, pulling the covers over me as I let my thoughts drift. Maybe this trip wasn't going to be so bad after all…