This Cruel Love

I didn’t need to knock on the front doors, they flew open before I’d even made it halfway up the driveway, and Chloe bounced out of the house, brown curls tumbling all over the place and her face a picture of excitement.

“I’m so pleased you came. I love having people over. Most of them don’t take me up on the offer though. I think my grumpy man scares them off.”

She pulled me into a warm embrace, then linked her arms through mine and led me inside. I was used to a large home and all the opulence money can buy growing up, but this place had more gadgets than Jackson’s apartment, and that was saying something.

Chloe pressed some numbers on a keypad as the door clicked shut behind us, then she activated their home entertainment system that sent mellow R&B music pumping throughout the house.

“Come through to the kitchen and I’ll make us a coffee.”

We made our way through to her state-of-the-art kitchen and she got busy setting up the coffee machine and putting muffins out onto plates.

“So, what’s up? I’m guessing you need to offload about a certain male, seeing as you called me and not one of your other girlfriends.”

We sat up at the island and I filled her in on everything that had happened since I’d left Justin, including the shameful video premiere I’d walked in on this very morning.

“Oh my God, Ryley. That’s awful. I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through all that. It shows how tough you really are though, that you’re still smiling through it all. It’s

hard to destroy someone who refuses to give up, and we can’t ever give up. Not when there’s so many people out there ready to pull us down.”

For a little woman, she had a big heart, and when she spoke it really hit home.

“I’m no stranger to heartbreak myself, but you know, each time you face those demons that set out to hurt you, it’ll help you develop your own inner strength. You might not realise it now, but you’re kickass, Ryley. You’ve had shit thrown your way, but you haven’t let it beat you down. I’d expect nothing less from the woman who tamed Jackson Caine though.”

“I feel awful. I blamed him for the video this morning. I shouldn’t have done that, I know, but I couldn’t help it.”

“He wouldn’t do that to you. If there’s one thing I know about Jackson; and none of us know that much about him he’s so private, but if there’s one thing I do know it’s that he’s honest and he stands by those he loves, regardless. Look at how much shit Cill’s brought his way over the years. He stands by him every damn time.”

“I know. I love him and I trust him one hundred percent.”

Chloe’s eyes glistened as I said that. “Aww, babe, that’s so sweet. Remember, these tough times, they don’t last forever. Look at Luca and me. We’ve been through shit you wouldn’t believe. But at the end of the day, tough times will end, but tough people? They never give up.”

I loved her outlook on life. If I’d have told Lisa or Maddie, even Daisy for that matter, they’d have told me to dump Jackson. They’d say he wasn’t worth it. I knew he was, and so did Chloe. She got it.

“Luca always tells me that my smile is more beautiful because of all the tears it had to fight through.” She closed her eyes and shook her head as if shaking off any negative thoughts that might try to invade her subconscious. “Our men are more alike than we realise. Maybe we are too.”

I nodded in agreement, surprised I felt such kinship towards this woman I’d only met weeks before.

“I don’t know how I’m gonna face my dad after today. He’s seen his daughter in a way no father would ever want to.”

It hurt my heart to say the words. Thinking of the look of disappointment mingled with disgust on his face when we walked into that boardroom, it tore my insides to pieces.

“Ryley, if your dad is anything like mine, all he’ll care about is that you’re okay. That’s what parents do when they love their kids unconditionally. My mum was another matter entirely, but my dad, he thought the sun shined out of me. I’m guessing your dad is the same.”

I nodded, thinking back over the years when Dad had taken time out of his day just to be with me. Put aside his worries and any pressing engagements he had and just held me if I was upset, or made me laugh when I needed cheering up. He really was the best dad a girl could ask for.

“From the look on your face, I’d guess you’re close to your dad, and as much as he likes to still see you as his little girl, he’s no fool. Dads are quite good at cutting all that bullshit out of their brains and only seeing the perfect little girl they raised, trust me. Nothing you can do will make him love you any less.”

“Thanks, Chloe. You’re a really good friend.”

She was right. My dad would always be there for me no matter what. Okay, so I wouldn’t be reconciling the two most important men in my life any time soon. I doubted Jackson would ever be allowed through my parents’ front door. But I had to move on, hold my head up high and not let it bring me down.

“Tomorrow is another day, Ryley. Keep smiling, stay strong, and you will both get through this.”

“Roll on tomorrow,” I answered, spewing forth all the details about my afternoon meeting with Justin. “I’ll be glad when I’ve jumped that hurdle and can leave his sorry ass in the dust behind me.”

“You’re going to meet him alone?” Chloe’s face went from friendly and jovial to hard as stone in a nanosecond. Clenching her petite little jaw, she shook her curly head obstinately. “No, not happening. Not on my watch. There’s not a chance in hell I’m letting you walk out of this house and go to meet an ex-asshole who could do God knows what to you. No way.”

“He wouldn’t hurt me, Chloe. Yes, he’s an asshole, but he’s never laid a finger on me.”