Shattered

•Fourteen•

NOW

Friday took its sweet time arriving. I held off on seeing Tom and I stayed away from Jack as much as I could, even though we shared a bed. If Jack still snuck in phone calls to Grace, I didn't notice. He either hid those moments very well, or only did so at work. There were a few occasions where he tried to talk me into letting him join me in Lake Geneva. The pressure to cave in sat heavily on my shoulders the whole week. But I knew I needed to get away or nothing would change.

Tom was much more understanding about me needing a break from everyone. I had called him after Jack returned to work Monday afternoon.

"I think it's necessary. Clear your head, collect your thoughts. I'm only one call away, if you need me."

Now, Friday evening, I agreed to still accompany Jack to Rob's party. Trish, being the party planner that she was, reserved the reception hall above the upscale pizza parlor on Main Street. It was a lot fancier than I'd been expecting. There was a full bar and while there was a dance floor and a spot for a DJ, Trish simply hooked up her Spotify playlist to the speakers.

"Laid back" was what Trish had first described the party when I called to ask her how I should dress. Jack still wore slacks and a sports coat and I opted for a flowing maxi dress and strappy heels since it was warm.

We showed up half an hour early, as did everyone else, in order to surprise Rob when he arrived with Trish. Rob was expecting a birthday dinner at his favorite restaurant with his wife but since he was turning 40, Trish wanted to make it a more special occasion. Jack ordered me a cocktail and left me at the bar to go mingle with a group of men I'd never seen before. I didn't care that I knew no one and I didn't care to make small talk with people who pretended to be friends.

Servers were walking around with trays of finger food and other appetizers. I grabbed a few and had the bartender make me another Cosmopolitan before I casually walked around the room out of sheer boredom. Ending up at a lone cocktail table off to the side of the room, I rested my drink and placed down my clutch. I stifled a yawn and wondered how long I'd been waiting for so far.

I sighed, noticing that Trish and Rob were running late when I glanced at my phone for the time. I was anxious to get on the road in the morning. Jack was taking care of my transportation and I already had my bag packed. One more sleep and then I would be away from everyone and be able to breathe without being told how to.

Just as I was about to place my phone back into my clutch, a text appeared on the screen. I entered the passcode to unlock it.

Tom: You look beautiful.

I blushed and looked up. Of course Tom would be here for his cousin's surprise birthday party. I skimmed my eyes over the crowed of people laughing and chatting, not finding him.

Tom: Frustrated?

I held back a smile and looked again. Spotting Jack I gave him a curt smile and took a sip of my drink. He waved me over to where he stood, in the middle of a conversation with another couple. According to Tom, Jack had no clue about the two of us and for the time being, I was determined to keep it that way. I quickly shook my head and pointed to the door.

"Bathroom," I mouthed and shrugged. I left my drink and appetizers on the table, pushing the heavy doors open and leaving the hall with my clutch and phone in hand.

Looking down at my phone I began to text Tom back when a hand went to the small of my back, walking with me. Looking up, it was Tom. Eyes straight ahead, he guided me to the ladies' restroom. He looked incredible. He apparently knew how Trish worked and had worn a suit and tie. He was freshly shaved and I could smell his cologne, the woodsy musk exciting me.