Page 31 of Embracing Us

Chapter thirteen

Max

Jace lives in the same apartment he shared with his college roommates fifteen years ago. Over the years, there has been a steady stream of short-term lodgers to help cover the rent, but no one has ever hung around for longer than a year. The rent has barely increased since he signed the contract. The owner of the property died within months of Jace becoming the tenant, and her son inherited the apartment. It being mortgage free has meant he’s enjoyed the extra money each month without any need to invest. It’s been a win-win situation all round.

“You should consider decorating,” I tell him, as we sit on the floor next to the coffee table eating meat feast pizza from the cardboard boxes. Six empty bottles of beer are lined up in the centre of the table. We are washing down our dinner with our fourth drink each. “The place is identical to when I met you. Half the women in your posters have grey hair now.” He shrugs and continues to chew the mammoth bite of dough he just bit off the gigantic slice of pizza in his hand. “You still live like a student.” He swallows what he has in his mouth and focuses on me.

“Is this advice coming from a domesticated man?” he asks, raising an eyebrow. “It wasn’t that long ago you were living in a bachelor pad, not unlike this one.”

“My apartment has been painted in the last ten years,” I argue.

“Yeah, but it was quite clear a bloke lived there. I think Linda’s pots of potpourri have turned your mind to mush. You’ll be wanting me to hang pictures of cute kittens on the walls next.”

“It would be an improvement from the page-three-cut-outs that currently wallpaper your bathroom,” I say. “Seriously mate, how do you ever expect to settle down?”

“I don’t,” he replies, simply. “I have no plans to get locked down to one woman. Not that I have a line of them waiting for me.” He chuckles. “I’m happy on my own. Life is good. I’ve got my work, my friends, and now a surrogate nephew to keep me busy.” He smiles kindly. “I’m delighted you’ve found the home life you want, but for me, it’s not needed. Solo living suits me. No one demands my time, and I can do as I please. For me to change that she would need to be special, and no one has ever come close to making me consider forever since...” he trails off, leaving the explanation I’m aware of unsaid.

“Sorry,” I mutter, embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to come across as an arse.”

“You didn’t. I can see how happy you are. And I know that you only want what is best for me. But finding love isn’t the answer for everyone, and not all of us are the epitome of Prince Charming like you.” He sighs quietly, glancing at a mug sitting on the sideboard. The inscription reads World’s Best Boyfriend. “Alice is still the best girlfriend I’ve ever had.”

“That was a long time ago,” I remind him.

“I know, but losing her has never got easier. It sounds ridiculous because we were so young, but she was the one. I feel it in my bones that it was her I was meant to spend my life with. An angel recalled to heaven before she could live her life.” The atmosphere in the room cools as he drifts off, lost in the memories of his lost teenage girlfriend.

Alice and Jace were high school sweethearts. From the age of thirteen they had been inseparable, best friends who became young lovers. The stories he’s told me paint her as an angelic being, beamed down to earth to carry out good deeds. She was the kind of girl who would help you with your homework whilst saving a stray puppy from a dumpster.

By the age of seventeen, they had been together for three years. There was talk of marriage in the coming years and starting a family once Alice had completed her administration college course. Then, tragedy struck. Alice became unwell during the winter, a virus the doctors said. It attacked her lungs, and she developed difficulty breathing. Her deterioration was fast and unexpected. By April, she was gone. Jace has never truly recovered from the loss.

“What time are we meeting the rental agent tomorrow?” Jace asks, distracting me from the morbid thought. Luckily, I was able to arrange an urgent appointment with a local estate agent who will manage the flat whilst I am in Spain.

“Eleven,” I reply. “I’ll need to message Marina and tell her, plus she will need to empty any of her stuff from the apartment. It’s probably not going to go down well.” My mood darkens as I think of the conversation I need to have tomorrow. It isn’t going to be pleasant. “The agent seemed to think they will get a tenant quickly. Properties are in short supply.”

“It’s not as if Marina has nowhere to live. She can move back home,” Jace says. “You’re not making her homeless. I’m sure the rent will be useful for you and Linda.”

“To be honest, it will give us funds to live on. We won’t need as much from the hotel. The business does well, but it isn’t lucrative. And with my Aunt Susan’s situation, I’d rather she had the little profit to enjoy.”

“So, you’re saying that you’ll be running the hotel for free?” He scowls in disapproval.

“Not free, rather, in return for accommodation, food, and maybe some pocket money. Linda and I are happy to live simply. Jackson will grow up with the sand between his toes and with a relaxed mum. I couldn’t ask for any more than that.” I smile to myself. “My family being happy is all I want. Expensive material crap isn’t top of my agenda. We don’t need much to be content.”

“No, but you deserve to be recompensed for your work. This is a massive life change you’re both undertaking. All I’m saying is, don’t sell yourself short.”

“Yes, Dad,” I mutter. Jace rolls his eyes but doesn’t pick up on my argumentative tone.

“You better text the despicable daughter before you have any more to drink. You don’t want to say something you’ll regret.” He chuckles. “Not that there is anything that could make the current situation worse. Hopefully, she will be embarrassed tomorrow, and we can all pretend it never happened. Or she may not even remember.”

“Possibly, but I feel I should say something to her. Up till now, her behaviour has been difficult, nasty even, but today was so far over the line she was on a different playing field.” I take my phone from my pocket and scroll through the contact list until I land on her name. Marina. If I could cut her from our lives, at this moment, I would without a second thought. Whenever she appears, she causes issues for me, but more importantly, she hurts Linda. I can’t stand it.

Meet me at the apartment tomorrow. Twelve noon.

The message is abrupt and to the point, but it’s all I can stand to send. Immediately, a reply bounces back.

Doesn’t suit me. I have plans.

“Bitch,” I spit, the fury from the earlier shit show reappearing instantly. Jace gives me a look which tells me he knows she’s being awkward.

Change them. You need to empty your stuff from the apartment tomorrow. Consider this your notice of eviction.

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