Chapter Three

Jack

Remington Bay is back in town. I thought I had moved on with my life; I thought she had moved on and was living life back east. Watching her introduce herself made me realize I missed her and watching Micah flirt with her at lunch made me angry.

I didn't want her to know I was engaged; I didn't want her to feel like I was taken, even though I am, which is pretty shitty of me, I know, but I want there to be a chance that we could be together.

I had promised Lauren a coffee and donuts when I came home, and I wasn't expecting to see Remi sitting there in the cafe with my brother and some random guy. I always hated that she preferred Tyson over me. I still hate how close they are.

When I first saw her when we were six years old, I was smitten for the lack of a better word. I’ve always had a pull toward her and I’ve always wanted to be with her. As we got old my anger towards her relationship with my brother got unbearable and snapped at her a lot.

“Hey man, come join us,” Tyson said as he approached me.

“I’m just here to pick up some things for Lauren.”

I couldn't take my eyes off Remi, she was beautiful, especially when she laughed, but I hated that she wasn't laughing because of me.

“You need to grow some balls and tell her how you feel. You do not need to settle for Lauren.”

“I’m not settling,” I gritted out.

“Look, a few of us are going to Emi’s tomorrow for food and a movie. You should stop by.”

Of course, she would have a movie night with Tyson. I used to come home and find them cuddled together, asleep either on the couch or in his bed. I love my brother, but a part of me hated him the day he got to claim Remi.

“Seriously, she's missed you; you should at least stop by.”

“I’ll think about it; right now, I need to pick up some coffee and donuts. I'll talk to you later.”

Since I ordered online before leaving the school, I just needed to pick it up and go. I'm always thankful for online orders, but today, I was even more grateful.

I was dreading seeing Lauren; our conversation would end in a fight. She wants us to move in together, and I'm not ready for that. I gave her the engagement ring hoping to hold her off for a while, but she keeps insisting.

“Hey, babe.” Lauren greeted me as soon as I came through the door.

I leaned in and kissed her.

“How was in-service?”

“Same shit, different year.”

“Any new teachers this year?”

“A few, and you won't guess who one of them is.” I sat her coffee and donuts on the kitchen island and turned to talk to her.

“Are you going to tell me or make me guess?”

“Remi Bay. She moved back to be closer to her father.”

“That's good; at least Tyson will have his little play toy back. I don't see what he sees in her; she is small, shy, and isn't even that pretty.”

I had to keep my cool; I couldn't lose my shit on Lauren; she doesn't deserve that. I did choose to be with her.

“Tyson never had a type, so it makes sense. They invited me to her housewarming get-together.”

I hated playing it off like that, because Remi is gorgeous, and she may be small but that’s one of the things I like about her.

“Are you going to go?”

“I told Tyson I might stop by.”

“We both should; I haven't seen her in years. It'll be nice to catch up. I also think we need to decide when we are moving in together.”

“I told you; I don’t think we should, not until it’s closer to the wedding. We won’t be able to afford two canceled leases and the wedding. My lease ends in six months, and yours ends in eight. So, when mine ends, I’ll find a place big enough for the two of us.”

“You promise?” she asked, as she wrapped her arms around my waist.

“Yes, now, can we move on from this?”

“I know what you need; it’s been a long day back to work.”

She moves her hands to the button of my pants and works them down my legs with my boxers as she gets on her knees.

She gives me a few strokes before she takes me into her mouth, trying to get me hard, and I hate to admit it, but I’m just not in the mood, and my dick is feeling the same way. It’s embarrassing.

I help Lauren up and pull up my pants. “I appreciate this, but my head isn’t in it. I’m sorry. I kiss her on the cheek and leave her apartment before she can say anything about this.

This is so fucking frustrating. When she was gone, I was fine; I could move on. I was over her, and now that she’s back, my life feels like it’s chaotic on day one. Only one person knows how I truly feel, and I need to talk to her.

***

I pulled up to my parent's house, hoping to have some time to talk to my mother. My mother always knew how I felt about Remi.

“Hey sweetie, I didn’t know you were coming over.”

“I just needed to talk to you.”

I didn’t care if people thought I was a mama’s boy. My mother always listened to me, and I felt like she always gave the best advice.

“Remi’s back”

“I saw her next door visiting her father.”

“She’s back for good, she has a teaching job at the high school, and it just pisses me off that she’s back.”

“You know how I feel about the situation, Jackson. You need to tell Emi how you feel and if you can’t commit to Lauren you need to end it. I like Lauren and I think you guys would have a beautiful family but if she isn’t the girl for you, you shouldn’t be with her.”

“Remi doesn’t want me, she always preferred Tyson.”

“That’s not true, you pushed her away as soon as Tyson came into the picture. In the beginning, she did everything to try and get you to be her friend. I hate to say this, but you were mean to that little girl.”

My mother was right, I was mean to her, and it was easier to push her away than to be rejected by her. It’s still easier to push her away.