Page 45 of Poles Apart
“We’ll order in, then there’s no pressure.” Jordan looked happy, and Dom was pleased to at least see a smile on his face.
Selfishly, he realised this could work to his advantage. It could relieve the pressure he felt at the moment to start looking to teach at the studio, and maybe he could spend more time with Jacob.
“I’d best start cleaning then. Need to have this place spick and span if she’s a nurse.” Dom ruffled Jordan’s hair as he usually did, hopefully conveying that there were no hard feelings. His brother needed to be happy as much as he did, especially after the accident and his then girlfriend leaving him. He was determined to be happy for him.
Later on, Charlie turned up with a bottle of wine, and as Dom watched them together, he felt like the odd one out. They were clearly smitten with each other, and Charlie insisted on looking after Jordan. She helped him move around, from the sofa to the table and back again. Honestly? Dom felt a bit like a spare dick at a wedding. After a couple of hours of eating, drinking and talking, Dom made his excuses, cleaned up in the kitchen and headed off to bed.
He’d leave the lovebirds to it.
He had another lesson tomorrow with Abby, and he was conscious that he hadn’t been in touch with Jacob even though he’d said he would see him on Sunday. There was a little something niggling in his brain about the telephone call they’d shared on Friday, but he was struggling to remember what it was.
Deciding he needed to reassure Jacob that he’d be there, he sent him a message.
Hi, it’s me. I’m sorry about Friday night. The more I thought about it, the more I realised that I do want to try with you. I have so many regrets about how we parted eight years ago but know now that it was neither of our faults. And as much as I want to protect my heart, I think you’ve always had a place there. I want to give us another chance. I hope I’m not too late and you can forgive me, Dxx
He put his phone on his pillow, his mind wandering to last night and how he’d fallen asleep, still connected to Jacob, and that’s when he remembered. Those whispered words, those beautiful words of love.
I still love you.
He remembered them as if Jacob had spoken them directly in his ear. He smiled at the thought. Jacob still loved him, and with as much as he said he’d try to protect his heart, that he’d always have a place there, he knew it was true. He’d had ‘relationships’ in the past, but none of them had ever compared to Jacob.
Maybe that’s why he’d never managed anything longer than a couple of months.
Maybe he, too, had been waiting for him, waiting for his Jacob.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jacob
He’d taken Abby out for breakfast on Saturday morning, and then they’d carried on, doing the grocery shopping for the week. It was a chore they both hated, but it needed to be done. Usually, he’d have a list, a list of meals for the week, and buy what he needed, but today they splurged.
Chocolate, popcorn, tortilla chips, soft drinks and beer.
They’d decided to spend the night watching their favourite movies and eating their favourite snacks until they couldn’t eat any more. Abby was a sucker for a disaster movie. It promised to be a long night as there were always three she liked to watch. Jacob wasn’t sure they’d have time to watch them all, but Abby was determined to try. Halfway through the second movie, he looked across to see she was fast asleep.
“Hey, sleepyhead. Let’s get you up to bed. You have your lesson with Dom tomorrow.” He shook her gently, and she moaned, knocking his hand away. He shook her a little harder, finally waking her.
“What time is it? Why did you let me sleep through the good bit?” Jacob laughed quietly. She always got grouchy when she was tired, but she pulled herself up to standing, kissed his head and went upstairs. He wasn’t sure she’d even opened her eyes, but when he didn’t hear any bumps or bangs, he assumed she’d got to bed all right.
He tidied up and made his own way to bed. Tomorrow he had some lesson planning to do and of course there was Abby’s lesson with Dom. He was wondering if he should do something for him, let him know he was thinking about him.
As he lay there, his phone vibrated, and he just knew it would be Dom. He hoped it wasn’t to tell him he didn’t want him, but he was pleased when he opened up the message and read it.
Hi, it’s me. I’m sorry about Friday night. The more I thought about it, the more I realised that I do want to try with you. I have so many regrets about how we parted eight years ago but know now that it was neither of our faults. And as much as I want to protect my heart, I think you’ve always had a place there. I want to give us another chance. I hope I’m not too late and you can forgive me, Dxx
He fist pumped the air, settling into his bed with the biggest grin on his face. He was unsure what had happened to bring about this declaration, but he’d take it. Fuck yes, he’d take it.
Hi, there’s nothing for me to forgive. I can’t tell you how happy I am right now. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. Jxx
For the first time since meeting up with Dom again, he felt content. Happy that they might be making some headway in their relationship. Already, his head was filled with things they could do together, which brought him back to Lindsay’s infamous list. He jumped out of bed and ran downstairs to find it.
There was so much written on there, but he decided to start small and build his way up to the big stuff. He’d already covered the coffee, but what else could he do to prove to Dom that he wanted this, that he cared?
He scoured the list, finally settling on his choice. He’d have to leave a little earlier to get what he needed, but it would be worth it. He went back up to bed, a ridiculous grin on his face. He couldn’t wait for tomorrow.
He woke the next morning and practically jogged down the stairs to the kitchen. Operation ‘Get Dom Back’ was a go, and he was very excited. He quickly brewed his tea and popped some bread in to toast. He found Abby sitting at the table, doing some homework.
“What’s put you in such a good mood?” Abby smirked. Did she know? All he knew was that he was happier than he’d been in a while.
