52 Stop
"What? You're friends with your ex?" I defend myself.
"Who Adam? Yeah and we still fuck, but if I was dating someone I wouldn't be hanging out with him without my new man around. But.. you do you girl, whatever it is." Simon raises a brow at me and asks the bartender for two shots of tequila.
The shots are placed in front of us and Simon hands one to me, "Cheers bitch."
I sigh and drink the shot, nearly gagging on the thing. Simon laughs and hands me the slice of lime for me to suck on.
We take our drinks back to our seats and Ethan raises a brow in question at me and I shrug and avoid his eyes, reaching for some of the appetizers that were on the table. We all started talking about different things, having a good time, laughing and eating. I think I was on my fifth pomegranate margarita martini when Sarina and Brian decided they needed to get home. Sarina had been having more Braxton hicks contractions and was feeling uncomfortable. When I stood to give her a hug, my head swam a bit but I was able to walk to her just fine. Brian gave Ethan a hard stare and told him to make sure I got into a Uher and on my way home.
"I'll take care of her, no worries." Ethan nodded, giving me a concerned look.
"I'm fine." I harumphed, making Sarina giggle at me.
"We know love, we just care about you. Ouch... Okay, let's go home babe." Sarina grabs Brian's arm and they head out of the restaurant.
Everyone else is leaving too and Alyssa and the twins are the last one with us as we wait on an Uher. Ethan helped her get the twins and their stroller into Alyssa's car as we waited.
"Thank you, Ethan. That was very kind of you to help. It was nice meeting you." Alyssa smiles warmly at Ethan who nods.
"Not a problem. Next time, hopefully, their daddy can help out and I can meet him too." He says cheerfully.
Alyssa's face falls and I see Ethan suck in a breath. "I'm sorry, did I say the wrong thing?"
I tug Ethan's arm, "Her husband passed away from cancer."
"Oh. I am so sorry." Ethan starts but Alyssa pulls herself together.
"Nothing for you to apologize for. You didn't know. I'll see you guys around." She waves and climbs into her car and takes off.
"Wow. I feel like such an ass right now." Ethan runs a hand through his hair and fixes his shirt cuffs.
"Don't. Like she said, you didn't know." Ethan nods as we lean against the outside railing, waiting on our Uher that's three minutes away.
"Alyssa is nice." Ethan says quietly. "Well, everyone was nice. Brian and Lance seem to have this chip on their shoulder about me for some reason though."
I sigh, "That's only because of Jackson most likely."
"Ah. Bro code. Got it." Ethan nods as he looks around as a vehicle starts to pull into the parking lot.
"If that's what you want to call it. Jackson has only met them two or three times before." I shrug, feeling the buzz of the alcohol through my system as the car stops in front of us and I climb in, Ethan hopping in on the other side.
"So is Jackson part of Lance's club?" Ethan asks as we near my home.
"No... Why are you asking... oh nevermind." I blush remembering how I let that information out prior.
"Well that's reassuring." He mutters.
"Wait, what?" I turn in the seat next to him. "Why is that reassuring?"
"Because I don't think you should be treated in such a way. Isn't it degrading and borderline abuse?"
The Uher pulls up in front of my house as I scoff and roll my eyes and get out of the vehicle, making my way and walking into my home.
"Hey! Mel, come on explain it to me, if it's not. Because I don't understand why you would let anyone hurt you that also tells you they care about you?" Ethan gently grabs my arm to stop me and I turn back to him a little heated.
"So? You don't have to understand. It's a consensual thing that is well discussed before hand between the parties involved. So don't assume anything if you don't know about it." I shrug his hand from my arm and sigh. "I'm going to check to see if there is any news about Jackson. Thanks for joining us at lunch Ethan, but I'm fine."
He nods, "As long as you'll be okay. I've never seen you drink that much alcohol before." His concern is evident as he pulls his phone out to get another Uher.
"She said she's fine, besides, I need to have a private conversation with her anyways."
I freeze, my heart, my lungs, nothing is moving. Then my breath escapes me with a name on my lips.
"Jackson." I turn towards the living room and my eyes well up with tears. "You're here. They let you go." I rush over to him and toss my arms around him, holding him close. "I was so worried about you. I couldn't get a hold of you and all I could go on was the news..." I start rambling as Jackson embraces me tightly. "I just knew you didn't kill anyone."
Jackson holds me close, slightly trembling, but staying silent. I lift my head up to meet his eyes, that are a mixture of emotions.
Ethan clears his throat, "Jackson. I'm Ethan. I'll let you guys talk and get in touch with you later, Mel." He leaves the house and I pull Jackson tighter against me.
Jackson holds me as sniffle and begin to collect myself again. When he feels me calming down he presses back away from me, creating space between us.
"Melita. We need to talk." Jackson says taking a seat.
I stay standing, sobering up just a little bit, "Yes. You're right. What the hell happened? How did you get framed for murder?! What was this evidence they found of you having an affair with the councilwoman?!" Remembering that bit of information has my anger flaring.
Jackson sighs, rubbing his face in exasperation. "She picked me up from the hotel and took me to where we were having lunch with the others that were working on the deal with. She gave me a ride back afterwards. I had left my phone in her car, not realizing it. When I was arrested later that evening was when I was informed that the police were using that as 'evidence'."
I crossed my arms in front of me and nodded, listening. "So how are you free?"
Jackson growls, "Because they found her husbands body with a suicide note! Plus they finally got the video from the hotels security cameras that proves she was still alive when she dropped me off."
"Why didn't you have anyone call me? Do you know how worried I was?" I start pacing in front of him.
Jackson let out a controlled deep breath, "When was the last time you checked your personal email?"
I pause, "It's been a few days..." I pull out my phone and sure enough my inbox has about ten emails from people trying to contact me for Jackson. The last email was from Jackson himself, telling me he's coming back and he's sorry for not being able to talk to me. To not believe all the lies and that we'll talk when he lands.
"As you see I did have people trying but as my phone was 'evidence' until they finished looking through it, I couldn't retrieve your number and calling DD Corporation was a dead end, because HR isn't allowed to give out that type of information."
DD Corporation...
"Now, you want to tell me why you and Ethan were out together after I read the message that you would hold off on hanging out until I got to meet him?" Jacksons tone is firm, he's angry, but he's keeping himself in check.
Too bad alcohol doesn't give me that same type of control.
"Oh here we go! See I knew you didn't trust me. When every single one of your trips did I ever say anything to you about meeting up with businesswoman and men? Huh? NO. However, now that it's me in question, you can't give me that?" I stamp my foot and Jackson stands up.
"That was business, he's your ex! One that I know you still fucking care for!" Jackson pulls on his hair and growls in frustration.
"SO WHAT?! I can still care about him! He's been nothing but a perfect gentleman this whole time! Shit! Go ask Brian and Lance if you fucking want to!"
"They know each other?" He scowls at me.
"They were there at the lunch today! JEEZ-US-MUTHA-FUCKIN.." I cover my mouth and growl myself, "I knew it. You don't fucking trust me. You know what, that's fine."
I step towards him, pointing a finger into his chest, "BECAUSE I DON'T TRUST YOU EITHER!" I screech. "Have fun," I push him, "with your fucking whore!" I walk away and start to head up stairs.
Jackson grabs my arm, "What the fuck are you talking about?!"
"LET GO OF ME!"
"NO! NOT UNTIL...."
The next second Ethan comes through the front door and grabs Jacksons arm, "She said let go of her." He's firm and I know he's ready to defend me.
"Get your fucking hand off of me." Jackson growls through gritted teeth.
"I will when you let her go."
"Do you always listen in on private conversations between couples?" Jackson sneers at Ethan.
"When you're both screaming at each other loud enough your neighbors are looking out the windows, it can't be helped." Ethan sneers right back.
Jackson lets go of my arm, so Ethan lets go of his. Ethan turns his sights up to me, "Mel, are you alright?"
I nod, "I'm fine, you don't need to worry, he won't hit me."
"Are you sure?" Ethan asks, not caring that Jackson is glaring fucking daggers at him right now.
"Yes."
"LEAVE." Jackson fumes.
"Mel?" Ethan checks with me one more time.
I nod, "I'll be fine Ethan. Because Jackson you can leave too. Go spend time with your syphilis whore. I'm sure you two will have a great laugh together later about that."
Jackson has a look of confusion on his face as I turn and head upstairs, slamming my door shut. I hear a frustrated growl and yell before a "FUCK YOU!"
I open my door back up and shout at the scene at the bottom of the stairs. Jackson and Ethan are rolling around, swinging fists at each other while the other hand grips each others collars.
"STOP! FUCKING STOP THIS SHIT NOW!"