This Cruel Love

She went to walk away then hesitated. She turned back and took two steps towards me and wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me down towards her.

“I love you,” she whispered as she kissed me.

“I love you too,” I replied quietly, but loud enough for her family around us to hear.

Nina grinned like the fucking Cheshire Cat, and Travis tutted in disgust.

“You too, Travis,” Harry ordered. “Go and spend some time with your brother and sister. Your mother and I need to talk to Jackson. Alone.”

Travis wasn’t impressed. “Fuck that shit.”

“Language, Travis!” Nina snapped, a deep frown marring her forehead.

“Sorry, Mum, but this is bullshit.”

Nina clucked her tongue at his choice of words.

“He tried to ruin my life. Why don’t I get a say in what happens next?”

Nina shot a questioning look at Harry. She had no fucking clue what Travis was on about. Harry had obviously kept her well and truly out of the loop.

“This isn’t about you, son. We need to speak to Jackson alone. None of which concerns you.” Harry was crystal clear that Travis wasn’t going to be in on our meeting, no matter how much he argued.

Travis glared at me with his nostrils flaring then stomped off down the corridor, muttering to himself about things not being over. That was typical of Travis, always thinking about himself and his own problems. He had a short memory. Only yesterday we’d almost lost Ryley. Yet there he was, still bitching about the fact that he’d fucked another girl behind his fiancée’s back, and it was all my fault. Hey, I just led the horse to the water, I didn’t force it to drink.

We walked the short distance to Harry’s office, all brown leather and mahogany décor, like some old school headmaster’s office.

“Drink?”

Harry lifted the decanter of whiskey, but I raised my eyebrow at him.

“It’s ten thirty in the morning. I think I’ll pass.”

Nina tutted. “For God’s sake, Harry, really? Whiskey at this time of the morning? What’s wrong with you?” She turned to face me, plastering on her smile. “Would you like a tea or coffee, Jackson? Or a juice maybe?” She was playing the part of the elegant host, but I wasn’t here to socialise.

“No, thank you. Like I said, I’m fine. Can we just get this over with?”

Harry pointed to a chair opposite his at his desk and we both sat down, eyeing each other warily like two lions ready to pounce. Nina crossed her arms and perched herself on a sofa next to us.

“Can I start by saying I’m so glad you’re here. We’ve missed you, Jackson.” Nina was so far off the mark with the purpose for this visit it was embarrassing.

I glanced to my side to see her grinning down at me. I didn’t smile back, why would I?

“I’m not here for a social visit, Nina. I’m here for answers.”

I turned towards Harry, hoping to find remorse or guilt, anything that’d show some kind of emotion hidden behind his cold-hearted, cunning mask. His face remained stoic, but the pulse in his neck and the way his hand twitched gave him away. He was nervous. I smiled, knowing I’d got him right where I wanted him.

Sensing the icy atmosphere, Nina pushed herself up off the sofa.

“Well, I’m getting some coffee. I think I’m gonna need it.”

We didn’t talk as we watched her saunter out of the room. Then Harry cleared his throat and in a low, hushed tone, he said, “She doesn’t know about the video.” He nodded to the door, indicating that he meant Nina, but I wasn’t stupid, I knew what he was getting at. “I’d appreciate it if we could keep that little episode between ourselves.”

I agreed. The last thing I wanted was to cause any more hurt or embarrassment for Ryley, especially where her mother was concerned. It was an incident she didn’t need to know about.

“Thank you.” Harry bent his head down in a way that made him look guilty. I guess he was. He’d brought this all on himself, and his family.

We didn’t speak again until Nina came clattering back in with a tray full of coffee, cups, and cookies. She really was the perfect housewife and mother. Or so she liked people to think. I, of course, knew better.