She was about to disagree, but he put his finger to her lips. “No, don’t say anything. Listen.” He put his hand down and continued, “I have loved you longer than Dan. I have loved you through good times and bad. You will never find someone as loyal as I am. I forgave your transgression with Dan. I misspoke out of anger earlier, I will forgive you now. However, this has to stop. You are not allowed to see that asshole again. Ever.”
She shook her head. “You aren’t listening to me. I’m marrying Dan. I already said yes and nothing you say will change that.”
Ryan growled under his breath. “You are an idiot. He will leave you high and dry like he left Kelly. He doesn’t love you. He is incapable of love, or friendship for that matter.”
“Dan loves me, Ryan, and I love him. I wish it was different. I wish the three of us could have made it work. But you pushed us away.”
“I didn’t change. You did.”
Jenny looked down at her lap and fiddled with the hem of her skirt. “Maybe we both did.”
“We’ll go back to the way it was. I am willing to start over, just the two of us.”
Silence dragged on for an uncomfortably long time before she finally braved an answer. “Well, I’m not.”
Ryan shot off the couch. “Damn you to hell, Jenny! I have given you everything. Everything! How can you treat me so callously when all I have ever been is kind? Are you a fucking whore? Is Kelly right about you?”
Jenny narrowed her eyes. “Kelly. It always comes back to Kelly. She is playing you like a puppet and you don’t even see it.”
“No!” he screamed. “You played me, Dan played me.” Ryan paced around the room in a state of rage Jenny had never thought he was capable of. “God, I hate you! But fuck it all…” His face crumpled. “I still love you.”
Jenny’s heart broke for Ryan. He loved her, he always had. He’d proven it at the cabin when he took her back, then later when he brought Dan into their relationship, but if she had to make a choice it would always be Dan.
“Rye…” She saw the hope rise in his eyes and realized she had to release him now. It would hurt both of them, but it was necessary to move forward. “I care about you. I always will, but I am marrying Dan.”
He fell to his knees. It shocked Jenny. She moved to comfort him and had to stop herself.
Ryan looked at her in desperation. “Don’t.”
Her lips trembled as she turned towards the door. There was nothing more to say. She needed to get out of there.
“Boo.”
Jenny looked back at him with tears in her eyes.
He held his hand out to her. “Don’t leave me.”
She opened the door and rushed out, her heart breaking into a million pieces. She ran to her car and took off, but she pulled over a block away and cried. She howled in pain—hating herself, hating what she had done.
It wasn’t until she heard her cell phone that she came back to reality. She sobbed several times before answering Dan’s call.
“Jenny, are you all right?”
She could barely gasp out the words. “No, Dan. I am not.”
“Did anything happen? Are you hurt?” he asked in concern.
“Yes, something happened. I broke Ryan’s heart. He didn’t see it coming. I feel awful.”
“I’m sorry, Jenny. I’m sorry he took it so hard, but it had to be done. He deserved to hear it first from you.”
Jenny remained silent as tears cascaded down her cheeks.
“Do you need me to come get you? Where are you?”
“No, I’ll be fine. I’m just a block away from my pl… Ryan’s apartment,” she answered listlessly.
“Do you want to meet somewhere?”
“I think I need some time alone. I’ll call when I’m ready.”
“Whatever you need, Jenny, just know I’ll be waiting for your call.”
She was glad Dan wasn’t pushing himself on her or treating her like a breakable doll. She sat in her car replaying the last six months. The innocent trip up to the cabin, the blizzard… Dan’s seduction of her. The realization she loved him. Ryan’s eventual acceptance and the threesome that formed from that mutual love. Why couldn’t it last?
Kelly.
Why did Kelly have to ruin it all? What did she gain by driving them apart? Revenge, sure… but what benefit was that to her? Was there comfort in knowing that Ryan was hurting as much as she’d been hurt? How shallow and cruel of the bitch. Ryan hadn’t done anything wrong. It seemed odd that Jenny had been friends with her for years and not been aware of the heartless creature underneath that energetic personality.
Jenny wiped away the tears and drove to a cheap hotel near her work. Until she knew what she was doing, she needed a place to stay—where didn’t matter. She lay down on the hard bed and stared up at the ceiling. She was getting married to Dan. The reality of it was slowly sinking in and helped to soften the blow. She dug out her phone and called him. “If you want to meet me over at the Continental, I’m in room 142.”
“Excellent. I’ll be there soon.”
She waited impatiently for his arrival, needing to feel Dan’s arms around her. She rushed to the door when he knocked, swinging the door wide open.
Her relief was short-lived. “What are you doing here?”
“I just heard, but I had to hear it from the whore’s mouth.”
Jenny tried to slam the door shut, but Kelly pushed her way inside. “Oh no, you are not getting rid of me that easy, ho. You are going to have to face me.”
Jenny backed away from her, grabbing her cell phone.
“Are you really such a coward? Are you calling Dan to come to the rescue?” she asked in a patronizing tone. “That would be perfect.”
Jenny put the phone down. “I am not a coward.”
“You are a lot of things, Jen. Cunt, backstabber, bitch, cheater, whore… the list goes on. Fucking two men at the same time? My God! But no, that wasn’t enough for you, was it? You have to stab Ryan and me in the heart by marrying my man.”
“You lost Dan all on your own, Kelly. He pursued me, it wasn’t the other way around.”
“I know what happened up in the cabin. You fucking spread your legs and begged him. I can just imagine it. You couldn’t keep your hands off my boy toy when the opportunity presented itself. All this time I thought we were friends. I was so wrong!”
Jenny’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve got that right.”
Kelly delivered a hard slap to her cheek. “Don’t turn this on me, whore. I didn’t make moves on your boyfriend.”
Jenny rubbed her stinging skin. “Yeah, but you twisted Ryan’s mind to your way of thinking. We were happy together but you just couldn’t let that happen.”
“Of course! What you were doing was an abomination. You think I was going to sit by and let that continue under my nose?”
“It was none of your business. You broke it off with Dan. You gave up your rights to him.”
“I dropped him because I didn’t want what you defiled. He was dead to me the moment he touched you. Just as you are dead to me.”
“Is that why you tried to drive me off the road? You’re fucking insane, Kelly!”
Kelly rushed her, grabbing a fist of Jenny’s long hair. “Don’t ever call me crazy, you cunt!” Jenny struggled out from under Kelly’s grasp, kneeing her soundly in the gut.
“Stay away from me. From all of us!” Jenny screamed.
Kelly cradled her stomach, hissing, “I will make you pay.” She started backing towards the door. “You are not marrying Dan, you fucking whore. I promise you that.”
“Nothing you can do will stop us from getting married. Nothing!”
Kelly suddenly was back in her face. “Wanna bet?” She cackled like an old woman on her way out of the hotel room, leaving the door open.
Jenny wilted onto the bed, shaken by the confrontation. She literally screeched when she saw a figure at the door. Dan ran into the room, demanding, “What happened?”
“Ke
lly.”
“How did she find you here?”
Jenny shook her head. “I don’t know, Dan… Ryan must have called her after I told him our plans. But,” she felt a sickening knot building in her stomach, “she must have been there. She must have followed me from his place.”
Dan enfolded her in his protective embrace. “We have to file a restraining order.”
“Okay,” she agreed weakly.
Dan stroked her hair, murmuring over and over again, “I am so sorry, Jenny.”
“I didn’t get it. I didn’t understand how truly nuts she is.”
Dan guided her to his car and drove her to the police station. Jenny was fine with their decision to bring the police into it until she saw the officer who had humiliated her twice before.
“You,” the man said disdainfully.
Jenny turned around and immediately exited the building. “What good will it do anyway, Dan? A restraining order won’t prevent her from getting to me if she’s determined.”
Dan prodded her back into the police station, insisting on a different officer. The new guy took down her complaint and had her fill out the required paperwork. “Expect to hear within two days,” he said before handing her copies of the paperwork. Jenny left the station not feeling an ounce better.
“You are coming with me, Jenny. I already talked to my friend, John. His place is excruciatingly small, but Kelly can’t bother you there. The complex has a guard at the door. I don’t want you to worry about being alone until this situation is resolved with Kelly.”
She was surprised at the relief she felt. A cramped place with others close by would make her feel safe. “That sounds good.”
“It’ll help me worry less.”
Jenny looked up at him sadly. “Dan, I can’t believe Ryan told her.”
“I don’t believe for one second he thought he was placing you in danger. She probably has him convinced she only wants the best for you two.”
“Ryan is blind.”
“I’ll talk to him, Jenny.”
She shook her head vigorously. “He won’t listen to you, Dan. He blames you for everything.”
“Then I will leave him a message at work. Ryan needs to understand his interaction with her has serious consequences for you.”
“Do you think he even cares?” Jenny asked, remembering his rage and anguish.
Dan caressed her cheek lightly. “As hurt as he is, he still loves you, Jenny. He would never willingly cause you harm.”
The tears started again. “If you could have seen him today….”
Dan sighed. “Understand, if the situation had been reversed I would have been hurt, but I would still want what’s best for you. With time, Ryan will accept your decision. It is better to be upfront now than to drag it out in an attempt to make it easier, because it won’t.” She buried her face in his chest. “We will get through this, Jenny. It’ll be okay.”
She wondered if he was saying it to convince himself as much as her.
They headed to his friend’s place after picking up her car at the hotel. It turned out that John only had a one-bedroom apartment consisting of a small living room, the single bedroom, and a tiny galley-like kitchen. It was doable for one person, but nearly impossible for three.
Jenny looked the place over and smiled hesitantly at John. “I can’t impose like this.”
He grabbed a pizza slice out of his fridge and started munching on it. “Not a problem. I spend the majority of my time in my bedroom anyway. You and Dan can sleep on the couch. It’s fine. Really the only problem will be the bathroom.” He gave Jenny a sideways glance. “I hope you aren’t one of those prissy girls who spend hours primping.”
Dan wrapped his arms around her and put his chin on top of her head. “No, Jenny is a natural beauty. Primping is not required.”
She looked up at Dan, basking in his nearness. “True. I can shower and be out of the bathroom in fifteen minutes, no problem.”
John grinned broadly. “Then I think we’re in business.”
Jenny looked at the small couch. It was going to be cramped, but she was warming to the idea of sleeping nestled in Dan’s arms.
“Can you cook?” John asked.
“Probably as well as you,” she quipped, “but I’m willing to take on the cooking duties as payment for your kindness.”
“Cool.” He grabbed another slice of cold pizza and headed to his room. “See you guys later.” Just before he shut the door he added, “And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Jenny glanced over at Dan and grinned. Like there’s any room to get in trouble here. “Don’t worry. We’ll behave.”
Once the door shut, Dan moved up behind her and growled, “I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” She sighed in contentment when she felt his warm lips on her neck. Her body melded into his willingly. “I want to take you to see my parents tomorrow after work.”
Jenny stiffened and moved out of his embrace. “Do they know?”
“Not yet. That’s the reason for the visit, my little kumquat.” Dan gathered her back in his arms and nibbled on her ear.
Jenny couldn’t appreciate his attempt at seduction as nausea settled in. “How do you think they will take the news? It’ll be strange for them, don’t you think?” Jenny knew that Dan’s parents had really liked Kelly and had taken Dan’s breakup hard.
“Don’t worry, baby. They will happy for us. How could they not be? We are meant for each other. It’s carved in the tree.”
She smiled at the memory of his proposal and kissed his warm lips for reassurance. “I love you.”
He picked her up and twirled her around the cramped space. “Love you more, woman.”
Interference
Dan met her after work the following evening and they made the hour and a half drive to his parents’ house. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes lived on the opposite side of the city, backing up to the foothills. Although Jenny had been to their place on several occasions, it felt like the first time to her. “This is going to go bad. I can feel it,” she told him as she got out of the car.
“Jenny, it’s just my parents. I don’t know why you’re so nervous.”
She tried to smile, but she could not rid herself of the growing pit in her stomach. “Well, at least it’ll be good to get it over with.”
Dan held up her left hand and caressed her ring finger. “This is more than just a courtesy call. I plan to ask for my great-grandmother’s ring.”
“Oh, Dan!” Jenny loved the idea of wearing a part of his family’s history. It would mean so much because the ring was a symbol of the same couple who’d built the cabin. “That would be incredible.”
“I’m glad you think so.” He kissed her hand before he rang the doorbell. From deep inside the house she heard his father shout, “Come in!”
The foyer was elegant, full of expensive sculptures. Jenny had always liked Mrs. Hayes’ taste in art. “Mom and Dad, Jenny’s here with me.”
Both adults walked into the entrance hall with shocked expressions. “Jenny?” his mother repeated.
Dan wrapped his arm around Jenny and smiled confidently. “Yes, I want you to meet my future wife.” Jenny’s eyes widened. He hadn’t wasted a second.
Mrs. Hayes frowned and turned to her husband. They stared at each other without saying anything.
“It’s a pleasure to see you both again,” Jenny offered, wanting to kill the awkward silence.
His father recovered first. “We’re glad you could come.”
Dan shook his head. “What’s up with you guys? I just introduced my future wife to you. Don’t you have anything more to say?”
Mrs. Hayes finally spoke. “It’s a mistake.”
Jenny’s heart contracted in pain. She turned to Dan and then tried to make a break for it, but he held her tight.
“There’s no mistake. I proposed to her under the same tree you did twenty years ago.” He looked down at Jenny with his devastating brown eyes. “I was lucky she said yes.”
&n
bsp; “It’s not right,” Mrs. Hayes insisted.
“Now come on, Harriet. Let’s invite them in and sit down to a meal like civilized people.”
Dan snorted. “What’s going on here?”
“You should know that Kelly called and explained what’s been going on between the two of you,” Mrs. Hayes replied. She looked at Jenny with disdain. “It’s not right, young lady.”
Dan pulled Jenny to him protectively. “Don’t talk to my fiancée that way, Mother.”
Mr. Hayes took control of the situation. “Let’s walk into the dining room and sit down. Dinner’s on the table and we can discuss this like the reasonable people we are.”
When Mrs. Hayes protested, he grabbed her arm and forced her to follow him down the hallway. Jenny seethed inside. Kelly was on a warpath where nothing was sacred.
They spent an uncomfortable dinner discussing mundane things instead of the elephant in the room. Once dessert was served, Dan cut to the chase. “Look, the reason I came with Jenny tonight is to let you know of our wedding plans and to get Gammy’s ring.”
Mrs. Hayes visibly tensed. “You can’t have it.”
“Mom, you can’t be serious,” Dan objected.
“No harlot is going to wear Gammy’s ring. It’s not right!”
Mr. Hayes put his hand on his wife’s shoulder and squeezed. “We are not going to debase ourselves by calling people names, Harriet.” He looked at Dan and said, “We are opposed to the lifestyle you have chosen. We are not comfortable with it and cannot condone it, son.”
Dan said defensively, “What lifestyle? Jenny and I are going to get married just like the two of you. I don’t see the problem here.”
Mr. Hayes cleared his throat. “We know about the threesome. Frankly, I find it disgusting.”
Mrs. Hayes whimpered as if the mere thought of it harmed her in some way.
Jenny was proud of Dan. There wasn’t a moment of hesitation when he answered, “What Ryan, Jenny and I chose to do as grown adults has no bearing on you. However, things have changed recently and Jenny and I are getting married. I would like the ring Gammy promised I could give to my wife.”