This Man Confessed

‘Eat.’ He thrusts it in my hand.

‘I don’t want the f**king toast!’ I spit harshly, halting all chopping and sipping at our table.

‘Ava. Mouth!’ Jesse recoils, and I can feel my mum and dad’s shocked stares from across the table. I’m shocked myself, but I don’t need him trying to force feed me, and I most definitely don’t need Dan hanging around and complicating an already complicated situation. What is he playing at? I’m not naive enough to think that his dislike of Jesse and concern for me is his reason for staying.

I ignore Jesse’s incredulous stare and my parent’s dumbstruck faces, and get up from the table.

‘Where are you going?’ Jesse stands with me. ‘Ava, sit down.’ His tone is warning, even in front of my parents, but I should know by now that he couldn’t give a flying f**k where he is and who is present. He’ll be mad at me or ravish me wherever and whenever he likes. My parents aren’t going to stop him.

‘Sit down and eat your breakfast, Jesse.’ I go to pass him, but his hand flies out and grasps my wrist.

‘Excuse me?’ He laughs.

I look him straight in the eye. ‘I said, sit down and eat your breakfast.’

‘Yes, I thought you did.’ He pulls me back down onto my chair and places my toast in my hand, then leans into me, pressing his mouth to my ear. ‘Ava, this isn’t the time or the place for you to start throwing your weight around. And have a little respect in front of your parents.’ His hand moves to my knee and strokes up the inside of my bare thigh. ‘I like this dress.’ he whispers.

I smile sweetly at my parents across the table, who have resumed eating their breakfast. He has nerve. Have some respect for my parents? My teeth clench when he brushes the seam of my knickers and blows in my ear. He was losing the battle, so he saturates me with his touch to regain the power. Damn him. I squeeze my thighs together and pick up my coffee with shaking hands while he continues to wreak havoc on me with his hot breath in my ear, and my parents continue happily with their breakfast. They’ve spent time with us, and they have fast become used to Jesse’s craving for constant contact.

He pulls away and hits me with a smug, satisfied stare. Yes, he’s won now, but only because he’s absolutely right. This really isn’t the time or the place, especially with my mum and dad here. I know Jesse won’t be all that delighted by the news my mum has just disclosed, either.

‘Jesse is right, Ava.’ Dad pipes up, completely shocking me. ‘You should watch your language.’

‘Yes,’ My mum agrees quickly. ‘It’s not very ladylike.’

I don’t have to look at my husband to know his smugness has just expanded ‘Thank you, Joseph,’ His knee knocks mine under the table, and I knock him right back.

‘So when are you two honeymooning?’ Mum smiles across the table at us.

‘When my wife says so.’ Jesse replies dryly, eyeing my toast. ‘When will that be, lady?’

I nibble a corner of toast and shrug. ‘When I have time. I’ve got a lot to sort out at work. My husband knows that.’ I turn accusing eyes on him, and he grins at me. ‘What are you grinning at?’ I ask.

‘You.’

‘What about me?’

‘Everything about you. Your beauty, your spirit, your need to drive me insanely crazy.’ He reaches over and straightens my diamond. ‘And the fact you’re mine.’

I see my mother is my peripheral vision swaying with giddiness at my challenging man and his open need to drown me in his adoration. ‘Oh, Joseph.’ she croons. ‘Do you remember being that much in love?

‘No, I don’t.’ Dad laughs. ‘Come on, I want to get on the road.’ He brushes his mouth with his napkin and stands.

Mum doesn’t reply. She’s too busy smiling fondly across the table at us. My dad leaves the restaurant, and I turn my attention to Kate. She looks terrible, her skin looking even paler than usual and her vibrant red hair appearing dull. She’s picking at some cornflakes while Sam chats buoyantly to her, seemingly oblivious to her despondent state. It’s obvious that she’s struggling with more than just a bad head and a queasy tummy. Sam can’t be that ignorant. My eyes leave Sam and Kate and travel back across the room to Dan. He’s still staring at her.

‘You’ve noticed it, too?’ Jesse asks quietly when he’s obviously caught the direction of my gaze.

‘Yes, but I’ve been warned to mind my own business.’ I answer without taking my eyes from Dan.

‘You have, but I didn’t say you couldn’t tell your brother to back off.’

My eyes shoot to Jesse’s profile, but he ignores my shock and stands when my mum rises from the table. ‘I’ll be back soon to say my goodbyes.’ She brushes her skirt down and leaves the room, giving Kate a shoulder rub en-route. Kate smiles a little, then looks over at me, but quickly diverts her eyes elsewhere. I sigh to myself and wonder what on earth I’m going to say to my usually fiery friend. She looks in complete turmoil, but I can’t help but be mad with her.

I quickly remember what Jesse said before my mum left the table. ‘You want me to warn my brother off?’ I ask.

He looks at me carefully as he sits back down. ‘I think he needs to be told. I don’t want to upset you by doing it myself, so perhaps you should have a word with him.’

I’ve already tried to have a word, and I know it fell on deaf ears, but I won’t be telling Jesse that because it will undoubtedly prompt him to intervene. ‘I’ll speak to him.’ I put my unfinished toast back on the plate. ‘And before you start, I’m not hungry.’