Page 83 of The Winning Ticket

“Jake?” Morgan opens the door slowly, and I can see the annoyance on her face.

Good, I’m pretty fucking annoyed with her too.

She still has traces of her makeup from last night on her face, and I suspect she hasn’t long gotten up. She looks a little pale, and I can see how hungover she is.

“Hey, can we talk?” I ask, moving past her when she steps aside to let me in.

“Sure… I’ll get Chris.” She disappears into the kitchen.

Chris follows her out a moment later. “Hey… Is everything okay?” he asks, wiping his hands on a tea towel.

“Not really. I’m heading back to Stanthorpe, but I wanted to talk to you guys first.”

“Okay,” Morgan says, stretching the word out and staring at me.

“What happened? I thought you were going back to Bri?” Chris asks warily.

I honestly don’t know why I’d even come, but I’m pissed and so over it all. “I need you to back off on Bri.”

Morgan’s eyebrows shoot up again. “What?” Her eyes narrow dangerously.

I guess Chris hadn’t had a chance to speak to her about our little chat earlier.

Chris opens his mouth to say something, but I don’t allow him to say anything. “I know you guys think you’ve been looking out for her since she got back, but she’s been smothered. She went from one controlling relationship to a different kind once she got back. I know you guys are doing it out of love, but with all due respect, you need to back the fuck off her and let her breathe.”

“Whoa, mate. What happened?” Chris asks again, stepping slightly in front of Morgan.

“Bri freaked out, that’s what. I’m going back to Stanthorpe, and she’s saying she’s moving back to her parents. I don’t think she should do that. I think she should stay at the apartment, but it's her choice, and I won't force her to stay or be with me. I’ll leave her be, but the reason this all happened is because you both made her feel like she doesn’t deserve me, which is complete bullshit.” I am so angry I’m almost shaking.

They both stare at me, speechless.

“What… how… What do you mean we made her feel like she doesn’t deserve you?” Morgan finally finds her voice, her lower lip quivering slightly when she looks at me.

“Ever since she got back, you’ve been on her about one thing or another, but you both acted like her being with me was going to lead to her hurting me. While I know that wasn’t your intention, by constantly questioning every interaction she and I had together and going on about how she shouldn’t use me as a rebound, she has questioned everything we have together. Our relationship, which, let me be clear, is a fucking relationship, is between her and I, and having both of you constantly giving us your opinions, you’ve potentially ruined everything between us.” I look from one to the other, watching their faces while they process what I just said.

“What did she actually say, Jake?” Chris asks.

I deflate a little, not wanting to relive the conversation.

“She didn’t need to say much, but her anxiety has spiralled today. She’s worried that she put herself in a situation where she was reliant on a guy again and that, at any moment, I could kick her out, which we all know I would never do. So, the pair of you need to get out of her head and let her be herself. She needs to sort through everything that shithead did to her. But I’m not going anywhere, and once she finally realises that she deserves so much more than she thinks, you can bet I’ll be waiting for her.”

A tear escapes and runs down Morgan’s cheek. I don’t love making my best friend cry, but I’m so frustrated with her meddling.

“Look, I love you guys, but you need to give her space to make her own choices without sticking your noses in, okay?”

Chris nods and pulls Morgan into his side, squeezing her shoulder. “So you’re heading back to Stanthorpe?”

“I’m going to give her space. I think I need some distance from everyone, too. I got too comfortable back here, but it’s not my life anymore, and I was so wrapped up in the life I thought I was missing out on in Brisbane.” I run a hand through my hair, suddenly feeling exhausted.

The frustration and hurt are starting to take their toll.

“Wait… Are we in a fight? You’ll still be at the wedding, won’t you?” Morgan asks, looking like she’s about to have a full-blown breakdown now.

“No, we’re not in a fight, but I just need some time to deal with all of this. Of course, I’ll be at the wedding. “ I reach out and pull her to me, and she sobs into my chest while Chris looks like he is fighting some internal war.

“I’m sorry, man. We’ll talk to her. I’m sorry for my part in all of this. You know we only ever wanted you both to be happy.”

“And I appreciate that. But we’re adults. We don’t need our friends and family interfering in our relationship. So, just give her some space, please?”

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