Page 84 of Breaking
Jenna often met him for coffee, a meeting that had Troy seething long before he had even laid eyes on the man. It had settled into a friendship, their conversations easy, their carpooling for Dani and Rhiann's football matches routine. But Troy, despite his attempts at indifference, was visibly unhappy about it.
The morning air was crisp with the buzz of victory as Dani and Rhiann laughed with their teammates, the elation of winning against Chester nomads still fresh. The sunlight cast a golden glow over the field as the girls huddled together, replaying the best moments of the match, their voices a mix of excitement and exhausted relief.
Jenna sat on the side-lines, her hands curled around a steaming cup of tea. Adam walked over, placing his coffee next to her with a quiet familiarity before settling into the seat next to her. For a while, they sat in silence, watching the girls bask in their win.
"He's been confusing lately," Jenna finally admitted, her fingers tracing the rim of the cup. "One moment, he's this-this man I barely recognize, and the next, he's the Troy I used to love. It's like he'sfinally seeing me again, like I'm the centre of his world for the first time in years." She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "But it took me leaving to make him realize that. And that just makes me so damn angry."
Adam was quiet for a long moment, watching her carefully. Then, with a sigh, he leaned forward, clasping his hands together. "I think you're an attractive woman, Jenna," he said, voice measured. "And this is probably going to ruin my chances with you."
Jenna blinked, startled. "Adam-"
"Let me finish." He gave a humourless smile, his gaze distant. "I wasn't a good man or a good husband. I cheated on Rhiann's mother with a colleague. I thought I was in love, thought what we had wasn't enough anymore. But it wasn't love, just a stupid, fleeting crush. And by the time I realized it, it was too late. She filed for divorce."
Jenna's fingers tightened around her cup as she processed his words. She had never imagined Adam as the type to betray someone like that.
"I spent years trying to fix it, trying to prove to her that I regretted everything. But then she got sick. Breast cancer." His voice wavered slightly, his expression tight with agony as he looked away. "Three years ago, she was gone. And all I have left were regrets. You think you have infinite time with someone, infinite chances to make things right. But you don't. One day, you look up, and the chance is gone."
Jenna swallowed, unable to find the right words. The ride back home was quiet, her mind turning over everything he had just told her.
When Adam pulled up in front of her house, he hesitated before turning to her. "Are we still friends?"
Jenna met his gaze, searching for any insincerity, but there was none. Despite everything, Adam had been honest with her in a way few people ever were.
She nodded. "Yes. We're still friends."
He exhaled, relief flickering across his features before giving her a small smile. "Good."
Jenna stepped out of the car, her thoughts still tangled in knots, unsure of what to make of the weight of the morning's revelations. Troy was outside, sweating after his morning run. As Adam stepped out, the air was suddenly thick with the kind of tension that made even pleasantries feel like a battlefield.
"Adam, this is Troy," Jenna said carefully.
Adam extended a hand. "Nice to finally meet you. Jenna speaks highly of you."
Troy clasped Adam's hand, his grip just a fraction too firm. "Does she?"
Adam didn't flinch, meeting Troy's gaze with an easy confidence. "Yeah. Said you were good with computers."
Jenna cleared her throat. "And other things."
Troy arched a brow, his expression unreadable. "Right."
Adam, seemingly unfazed, gave a nod. "Well, I should get going. Jenna, Dani-see you at the next match. And are we still on for coffee next Thursday?"
"Yeah" replied Jenna, uncomfortably aware of Troy's glare drilling holes into the back of her head.
As Adam walked to his car, Troy's hands curled into fists before he unclenched them with deliberate control.
Dani, never one to miss a moment, smirked and leaned in with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You know, Jenna, wolves mark their territory by peeing on things. Just saying. You might want to keep an eye on Troy."
Jenna sighed and was about to follow Dani in when Troy said, "I don't trust him."
Jenna huffed, pushing her hair back. "For God's sake, Troy, he's just a friend. We have coffee and talk about football matches. That's it."
Troy scoffed, crossing his arms. "Oh sure, just a friend who happens to conveniently drop you off, who happens to be at every match, and who happens to think he can just slide into your new life."
Jenna folded her arms tightly, her stance stiffening as she glared at him. "I don't need your approval for who I spend time with."
"Oh really?" Troy shot back, stepping closer. "Then why does he need to see you for coffee next Thursday? Why is he always around?"
