Never Again

Part Nineteen

A/N - You guys!! All these comments and questions! I hate leaving you in suspense! So here's another chapter! MZ

                “Forgive me!” He’d bombarded her with text messages since the morning after abandoning her, but now it seemed he was coming at Erin in person. “Talk to me!”

Jack was stood at the top of the stairs that led down to her flat, when she’d emerged with Barney in tow for his first proper walk. And she was stunned that he even thought he deserved that opportunity.

Several deep breaths still didn’t diffuse the anger she felt at seeing him, “You abandoned me! No explanation then up and left. Left me at the table...I had to put up with the sniggers, the interest from the rest of the restaurant, bloody hell Jack, I didn’t even know where I was! Have you any idea how humiliating that was?” Erin glared at him then shook her head, no he had no clue. No woman had ever left him standing; he’d never been turned down by anyone. He wasn’t someone who’d have their pride and confidence shot to pieces by having a wife who’d sleep around on him, because NO one upset the mighty Jack Reilly. No life was perfect for him. “An apology doesn’t come close! Not that one has been forthcoming! It was five days ago!”

                “I sent you some texts...” his forlorn look wasn’t working.

She laughed, “you LEFT me at nine o’clock in the evening, without as much as a word, then you text me the next day! Twelve hours later! You had no care how I got home, or even how I managed to pay the bill! Reilly, we had a bit of fun, great sex...” She squared up to him, “but I deserve more. I don’t know who you think you are treating people like that...oh wait! You’re the famous Jack Reilly!”

She stormed past him, not trusting herself to say anything else, she was furious with the way he’d treated her, but his nonchalant ‘poor boy’ attitude was like the light to her fuse.  He was stunned by her anger, her single mindedness, that was obvious, and Erin knew he had no counter to her argument and he watched her help Barney into the back of her car then drive away. And Jack being Jack just let her go. He’d never fought for anything in his life before, and he quite obviously wasn’t about to start now. Another reason why she was right to be so firm over this.

At some point over the following weekend Erin wondered if she’d forgive him, or at least let him explain, after all everyone made mistakes. Something had quite obviously spooked him that night, and he deserved the chance to explain. Almost a week after his attempt at an apology, she was viewing the whole thing in a different light. A calmer more understanding light.

On Sunday morning she woke and went for a run, she was starting to get a social life in Manchester, creating new friendships, but there was still a lot of time spent alone. So she had plenty of time to think. As she pounded the roads and parklands of her locality, she decided that yes, she’d call him once she got back. That was the most logical thing to do, at least give him the chance he’d requested. She’d not forgive herself if she didn’t.

Winding down her run, she called at the local corner shop and bought two fresh cheese and ham filled croissants, a meaty treat for Barney and a selection of Sunday papers. Decisions weren’t best made on an empty stomach.

Barney was ecstatic to see the treat, not so much her, and took it to his bed to devour. Erin filled the coffee machine, then showered; eventually she sat down with her breakfast and opened the papers. She liked a broadsheet, but as always picked up a tabloid for the gossip, knowing that she’d curse its lack of quality for the rest of the day, and today was no exception. Some soap star had got drunk and flashed her knickers to a camera...headline news apparently; she quickly flicked inside to read about X-factor as she’d missed the show the night before...it was her guilty pleasure.  But as she passed the topless woman on page three, and he TV guide, she froze...and she felt sick all over again.