“No text message from Jimmy,” Ronnie stated.
I shrugged. “He obviously doesn’t care that much.” I opened the voicemails and when I heard that I had nine I wondered who they were from. Listening to them, it was clear that Jimmy preferred a rant rather than a text. I played them to Ronnie.
Message 1: Amber, where the hell are you? If this is about last night, stop being stupid.
Message 2: Amber, I’m sick of this. Pick up this fucking phone.
Message 3: Will you just answer your phone. We need to talk about last night and you being such a baby about it.
Message 4: Please, Amber, baby. Please just come home or call me. I miss you.
Message 5: I’m sorry, okay? Stop sulking and come home.
Message 6: Fuck this, you stupid bitch. Don’t come back. I don’t fucking care. But don’t for one minute think you’re getting anything out of me.
Message 7: You can fuck right off, and I should have fucking slapped you before. Slapped some fucking life into you because shagging you is like shagging a plank of wood. You’re a boring bitch and I’m glad you’ve gone.
Message 8: You wouldn’t be anything without me. I gave you everything and you’re so ungrateful it’s unbelievable. You’ll be sorry, you know you will.
Message 9: Don’t ever come back here. Do you hear me? Never come near me again… that’s it, baby, suck it hard like that. That’s it.
The last two were slurred and Jimmy clearly had company, but I didn’t have one ounce of jealousy within me. All I could feel was relief that he was obviously unaffected by my leaving him. Other than his ego of course.
“Such a charmer,” Ronnie said with a raised eyebrow. “And slapped? Does he not remember he fucking punched you as well?”
I shrugged. “Probably not, who knows with Jimmy. At least I can say I don’t regret my decision to leave.”
Ronnie frowned. “You sure? Because he’s a real dreamboat.”
I laughed loud, the first real one I’d had in days, and it helped to ease some of the pressure on my shoulders. There was so much change coming, so much that needed to be done, yet I felt like it was going to be easy. That my life was going to be an absolute breeze despite all the stuff that was coming my way.
“What now?” Ronnie asked. “I’m not rushing you into anything. You can stay here as long as you like. Even when I’m on tour.”
“I don’t know, I don’t think—”
“Seriously, Amber, I want you to feel like you have a home for as long as you need it. Until you find somewhere.”
“I don’t know, are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”
He shook his head vigorously. “You won’t be. This place is yours to come and go as you please. Now did you say you wanted a car? I know a guy who can sort you out with something. What is it you want?”
“I can’t ask you to do that. Letting me stay here is enough. Honestly, Ronnie, I can go and look for a car.”
“At least let me come with you.”
“I won’t get ripped off if that’s what you’re worried about. I did a mechanics course when I was seventeen.”
“Why would you need that when you’re buying a brand new car?” he asked.
I let out a laugh. “I’m not buying a brand new car. Maybe three or four years old.”
“No way, I’m not having you running around in a second hand car. I’ll lend you the flipping money, Amber. Please.”
“No, Ronnie! I’m not doing that. No way.”
“Well, you’re not buying a second-hand piece of crap.”
“You can’t stop me.” I blinked slowly, wondering if I was hearing him right. “Ronnie, it’s not happening.”