All Chapters of This Time, I Jumped Ship: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Gideon's POVWhen I opened my eyes again, I was back two weeks before the cruise.Marissa was several months pregnant, and I was taking her to a prenatal appointment.Elliot Carver had come too.He said he had nothing else to do that day and wanted to keep us company.A nurse stepped into the waiting area with a clipboard."Who's here with Marissa Langford? I need a signature."Elliot stood immediately."That's me."The first time I lived through this day, I thought nothing of it.Elliot and I had been best friends for more than twenty years. I'd long ago stopped thinking of him as just a friend. He was family.We'd even agreed that once Marissa gave birth, he'd be the baby's godfather.So when he went to sign something, it made sense.But now, watching him jump up to sign without a second thought, I understood everything.The nurse looked at him."You're Ms. Langford's husband?"Elliot didn't hesitate."Yes.""Sign here. Congratulations, you're going to be a dad. The

Then I smelled cigarette smoke drifting through the air.Marissa had lit a cigarette. Pregnant or not, she was smoking.She let out an amused little laugh."Your best friend's wife is supposed to be off-limits. Is the guilt what turns you on?"Elliot's voice was husky."Your body's already changing for the baby. I like it."Marissa laughed low, with a nasty edge."Gideon is a true gentleman, and you're the lowest kind of trash. Keeping you around like a pet dog is fun enough. Just one rule: this never reaches Gideon. Understand?"Elliot scoffed."I won't let him find out about us."Then Marissa sighed softly, and there was something sincere in her voice."If it were any other man, I'd know how to deal with him. But you're the friend Gideon cares about most. If I got rid of you, he'd be heartbroken..."Maybe it was Marissa's so-called heartfelt confession, or maybe the smoke in the stairwell was too thick, but I turned my head and threw up.For a moment, I honestly couldn't

Marissa didn't come home that night.I'd seen it coming.I started methodically planning the rest of my life.My clothes and shoes went to a charity.Everyday household items I simply threw out.A while back, I'd come across a post about an island—beautiful scenery, a mild climate, quiet stretches of coastline far from the busy tourist districts.Getting there the way I planned meant several connecting flights, which suited me fine. The fewer obvious trails I left, the better.I chose it as the place where I'd live from now on.I even went online and bought a few brightly colored shirts and shorts to match the island vibe.They were the complete opposite of the low-key, plain clothes I usually wore.When I was done, I sat on the edge of the bed and zoned out for a while.I looked around the bedroom.Everywhere I looked, there was proof that Marissa and I had loved each other.Even the comforter on our bed was the one from our wedding.When I looked up, I saw our wedding p

Elliot sounded anything but natural."M-mooch? Tonight's kind of a bad time."I pushed on purpose."You made all that food. You can't possibly eat it alone. Open up, I'm starving. If you don't, I'm letting myself in with my fingerprint."Elliot had no way out."...Give me a second."Then came a flurry of footsteps from inside, a closet door opening and closing, curtains being drawn.It was a good while before Elliot finally opened the door.There were scratch marks on his back. His shirt was half on and buttoned wrong.I smiled and asked on purpose, "Did someone break in? Why do you look like such a mess?"Elliot smoothed his tousled hair and gave a dry laugh."No, no. I just got flustered cooking, that's all.""Why are your lips swollen?""...I burned them tasting the soup. They swelled right up. It really hurts."I knew he was covering, because I could smell a familiar women's perfume on him—the one I'd bought for Marissa.I stepped around him to go inside."I'm starv

If Gideon saw this, there'd be no explaining her way out of it!Marissa hurried over, dragged Elliot to a quiet spot with no one around, and lowered her voice."Didn't I tell you we can't see each other right now? Gideon's going to be here any minute. Leave, now. He can't find out!"As she spoke, she kept glancing around, terrified Gideon would show up at just the wrong moment and overhear them.Elliot rolled his eyes, unbothered, and tugged at the hem of her jacket."Why are you so mad? In bed you can't stop calling me 'baby,' and the second we're out of it, you act like you don't know me?"Marissa looked away, unsure of herself."This isn't the time for that. Just go home today, and I'll figure something else out later...""If you're waiting for Gideon, I'd give up if I were you."Elliot cut her off with a smile.Marissa eyed him suspiciously."What's that supposed to mean?""Gideon's a lot smarter than you think. He's known about us for a long time. He just never called