Page 10 of Out of Bounds

"But what if we don't, and it drives a rift between you two? I don't want that, Jesse."

"I'll talk to Hal. Why don’t you have a shower and I’ll go make us some breakfast. Let’s see whether I can make eggs Benedict better than you can."

"Unlikely! But I’m happy for you to give it a try, I suppose."

Olivia kisses me then goes into the bathroom for her shower. I try not to think about Hal, but I can't. I don't want to lose Hal's friendship. I can't afford to. But I can't think of losing Olivia either. I ball my fists as an overwhelming sense of possession comes. I want Olivia, and I'm not letting her go.

As Olivia showers, I head downstairs to make breakfast. I hear a few pings coming from Olivia’s phone. I glance over to see whether they are from Hal, but instead the messages are from Elizabeth, Olivia’s work colleague.

‘You are a legend, Liv! Bagging the interview of the friggin century!! You go girl. So tell me, how is he in the sack?’

What? She told her that we slept together?

‘That bonus and prestige award for journalist of the month is definitely yours. It’s in the bag! And you got to get yours too. Double whammy. I’m so jealous! Catch up soon. I want to hear all the details!’

How could she? I get it. So the only reason she slept with me was to get more details for her magazine …

"Hey … how’re those eggs coming along? Are you ok? What’s up?” Liv asks, coming into the kitchen. I try desperately to hide the hurt from my eyes and turn away from her.

"What is it, Jesse? Did you get a call from Hal?... Jesse?" Olivia tries to pull me to face her.

"Don’t!” I snap. “I can't believe you tricked me into trusting you," I whisper as I hand her the phone. "You've gotten what you wanted. A whole feature page spread of how you got to sleep with the man of the moment, right? Is that all I mean to you?”

“No, Jesse, you’ve got it all wrong …”

“I need some air.”

I can’t bear to listen to any more lies, so I grab my coat and shoes and leave the house. I’m done.

Chapter Six

Olivia

I run back up the stairs in tears, and grab the closest items of clothing I can find, a pair of tracks and a thick sweater. Once dressed, I grab my thick coat and a blanket and dash out of the house. It's freezing and I don't know where he is. His car is still here, so he must be on foot. I find his tracks leading to the woods at the back of the cabin and decide to start there. Just as I turn the corner, I see a car coming towards the cabin and wait to see if it's Jesse. Perhaps someone found him wandering in the woods and given him a ride back.

The black Mercedes pulls over and Hal steps out of the car with a smile.

"Hal?"

"Hey! You off out for a hike or some …" Hal stops when his eyes meet the blanket in my other hand. He quickly pays the driver and walks up to me. “Are you ok? Where’s Jesse?”

“I don’t know,” I whisper and start to cry. “There's something I need to tell you, Hal.”

I wonder what he’ll say when he finds out the truth.

“I promise to explain everything but right now we have to find him. His tracks lead this way,” I say, pointing to the footprints he’s made on the snow.

“What’s going on? You’re beginning to worry me.” He holds me close to comfort me.

I stop to look at Hal wondering how best to explain that I’m in love with his best friend. I’m determined to be with him, no matter the cost. I just hope Hal will understand because I don't want to lose him either.

“I'm in love with Jesse, Hal, and Jesse thinks I’ve used him just to get an exclusive interview.”

Hal looks at me like I just punched him in the face.” How long was I gone? You’re in love?”

“Yes, I know it seems sudden but I have fallen in love with Jesse. It’s all happened so fast but I was attracted to him the moment I saw him.” Hal hands me a tissue, and I blow my nose. “You were right,” I continue. “He is such a good guy. During the interview, I really got to know the real him, you know. We spoke for hours and hours. He’s unlike anyone I have ever met. The past few days I’ve spent with him have meant more to me than anything. I swear I didn't plan this but it happened and I'm glad it did. Oh, Hal, say something. Please!”

Hal’s face is enigmatic. I close one eye shut, apprehensively waiting for his response.

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