Page 8 of Poles Apart
Dom nodded, surprised at how emotional he felt remembering what happened in the past.
“I can’t let myself get involved with him again. We’ve both grown and moved on. I can’t look back anymore.” Tears threatened to fall, and he whispered his next words, “Please don’t try and tell me I should try again. If he’d have still wanted to be with me, he would have contacted me, but he didn’t, did he?”
Jordan’s face fell. “That’s a shame, Dom. I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah. It is what it is.” He wiped his eyes. “He’s going to be at her lessons, so I could at least be nice to him, but that’s it. I have a lot on my plate at the moment anyway. No time to date.” He laughed, but there was no humour there. He felt sad at this revelation, but he wouldn’t let himself get involved again.
He stood swiftly before Jordan could say anymore. As far as he was concerned, the conversation was over, so he busied himself in the kitchen, preparing their meal for the evening.
Later, as they ate, they chatted about Jordan’s upcoming hospital appointment with the consultant and whether he felt able to return to work yet. Jordan was definitely getting stronger but was he ready? That was the question.
They finished, and Dom cleaned the kitchen, joining his brother on the sofa afterwards. Little was said between them as he contemplated the day. He dozed next to his brother until the ping of his phone woke him.
Hi, this is Jacob. Now you have my number to arrange Abby’s next lesson. I know you don’t think so, but it was great to see you again today. I’d like for you to give me a chance to let you know what happened that night and why I went away. Anyway, you have my number now.
Dom struggled to read the message, his eyes bleary. What had happened that night? He knew what they’d done, what they’d been caught doing. Was that why Jacob had gone away? Should he give him the chance to explain? Would it make a difference now?
He looked at his watch, realising it was after midnight. He stood and stretched, and it was then he noticed his brother had gone already. He checked whether the doors were locked and moved silently to his room, tossing his phone on his bedside table and stripping until he was naked. He climbed into bed, debating whether or not he should respond to Jacob. He’d have to see.
His brain ran riot as he tried to sleep, thoughts of Jacob and what this would mean for them continually running through his mind. Sleep claimed him at some point, but he woke the following morning, unrefreshed and bone-tired. He groaned as he rolled out of bed, throwing on his sweats before stumbling into the kitchen to get some coffee.
“Morning, sunshine!”
Dom groaned. God, he hated his brother sometimes. A morning person Dom was not!
Chapter Four
Jacob
After apologising for his miserable mood on Sunday afternoon, he cooked dinner and he and Abby sat at the table to eat. He refused to answer any more of her questions about what had happened with Dom, though. He told her it was in the past and, as much as he wanted to discuss it with Dom, she didn’t need to know more than that.
After he’d planned his lessons and marked his Year 2 class’s homework, he decided to call it a night and went to bed. He lay for a while, his mind spinning over the events of the day. He couldn’t believe he’d seen Dominic again. He’d looked fucking amazing, and Jacob wanted to catch up with him if he’d let him.
He knew Dom wouldn’t reach out to him. His attitude today had been surprising, but also to be expected. Hehaddisappeared off the face of the earth as far as Dom was concerned.
He decided to send Dom a text.
Hi, this is Jacob. Now you have my number to arrange Abby’s next lesson. I know you don’t think so, but it was great to see you again today. I’d really appreciate it if you’d give me a chance to explain what happened that night and why I went away.
He lay in bed, staring at his phone, waiting for a reply. Nothing. He placed the phone next to him on the bed, willing it to light up. Frustrated, he put the phone on his bedside table, face down. He wouldn’t check it until the morning.
An hour passed, though, and he was still waiting.
Fuck this. He had work the next day and needed to get to sleep if he was going to have to deal with twenty-five six and seven-year-olds. They’d rip him apart if he went in not firing on all cylinders.
* * *
Monday came around far too quickly for Jacob’s liking after such a shit night’s sleep. He dropped his sister at school and made the ten-minute journey to the primary school he worked at with five minutes to spare.
He hurried into the teacher’s lounge and poured himself a coffee in his mug.
“Woah, cutting it fine today, Jacob.” He turned to look at his friend and colleague, Colin. He was older than Jacob, approaching forty, and they were good friends. Colin was married to Lindsay, and their eldest son, Tom, was in Jacob’s class.
“I know. Crap night’s sleep. I could hardly get up this morning.” Jacob drank his coffee, scalding his mouth on the hot brew.
“Me neither.” Colin winked. “Kids in the bed, you know. Doesn’t leave time for anything else, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh my God, Col. It’s too early for your innuendos. At least let me drink my coffee.” He turned away from his friend to open the door. “I need to go, or else I’ll be late. See you at break. We’re on playground duty this morning, don’t forget.”
