More than a memory

Chapter 5

Mr. Hayes

The next morning Rico and Clarissa bid their goodbyes to Roxanne promising that they'll come to her next show. In the car Rico seemed tensed and Clarissa caressed his arm. Her wolf purred to Rico's and both girls tried to calm their mates.

- One is fine, let's check the other. - Clarissa said and Rico growled.

- I don't think Roxy is fine... She was supposed to forget about Jeremy, yet the feeling of a missing mate is torturing her. Also, the vibes of that guy from yesterday gave me an urge to vomit.

- I have to agree... He gave me chills and Cherry wanted to rip his arm off.- Rico chuckled.

- It is funny that your wolf got your old burlesque name honey. - Clarissa blushed.

- Judging by the way she acts, maybe she was there all time long. - Rico laughed while he recalled how flirty Clarissa becomes when her wolf takes control.

- That Jerry guy, based on how Roxy described him, it could be Jeremy as well. - Clarissa said.

- That is what makes me preoccupied...- Rico answered hitting that gas pedal in their rented car.

- Why would it be so bas if they find each other? - Rico scoffed.

- Clarissa, did you forget how Jeremy had been? - the hair on Clarissa's body stood up at the memory of the screaming Jeremy. He at first tried to leave the Pack and get away from Roxanne, but he ended up stalking her. Jeremy tried to travel away but Rico found him half alive after he drank for weeks and he almost jumped off of a bridge. There were a few other similar things before they asked Ahana for help. She helped Jeremy to surpass his pain, that was after months of starving himself. He needed a serious rehabilitation and only after that, Jeremy moved to New York. Rico, Eleanora, Cody, Ahana, even Atlas and Noelle came to check on him from time to time. Jeremy finally seemed to be fine, that was when he started his current job, but he constantly sneaked the danger. Rico had many sleepless nights due to this, not to mention his family... Clarissa hung her head down and sighed.

- How could I forget? But still... Don't you think that if they meet again it is because of fate?

- Whatever happens, we can't allow him to loose himself again. - Clarissa nodded.

- Eleanora also promised to help if that happens even if that magic is banned. Hopefully, there won't be need for that. - they arrived to Jeremy's address and rang his bell. Rico's stomach was in a knot. They came all along to see how both Roxanne and Jeremy were doing, since none of them called for weeks. Rico sighed in relief when his friend's voice sounded.

- Hello, who is it?

- It's me Jeremy and Clarissa!

- Hi! Let us in! - Clarissa said with a giggle.

- Come up guys! - Jeremy's voice sounded tired but fine. When Rico and Clarissa entered to his apartment, Jeremy was about to put his album away but a picture of him holding Roxanne in his arms in the forest fall out. He tried to kick it away before Rico or Clarissa noticed it. Jeremy walked to them and hugged both of his friends.

- How are you man? - he asked from Rico while he poured soft drinks to all of them.

- Honestly? Exhausted... How did you do all this job alone? Even with Clarissa's help I can't even keep the track sometimes. - Jeremy sat down in his armchair while Rico and Clarissa took seat at the couch.

- I was a workaholic and I had your help! Which reminds me that you still haven't choose a Beta for yourself. - Rico laughed.

- Because I'm not keeping your title. The pack take us seriously, but it is an untold secret that everyone waist for your return. - Jeremy leaned back in his seat and looked at the glass in his hand.

- I'm a human now Rico. Ulric left me. It is tome to accept that I'll never be back and I can't be their Alpha anymore. - Clarissa shook her head.

- This is the stupidest thing I've heard! They want you back Jeremy! Most of the Pack didn't even care that you are a human. - Jeremy laughed bitterly.

- Clarissa you couldn't say that seriously! I can't protect them! - Jeremy shattered the glass in his hand and he shouted at his friends.

- I'm not worthy! I couldn't protect my own mate even when I had Ulric! Roxanne was a lot braver being a human than I've ever been as a wolf! - Rico stood up and pat his friend's shoulder.

- Take a deep breath Jeremy. - he said and Jeremy nodded while he inhaled deeply. He looked at his hand, which was bleeding heavily, leaving drops of blood on his white carpet.

- Oh, s**t. - he mumbled and walked to the kitchen to wash his hand while Clarissa picked up the shattered glass. They bandaged Jeremy's hand and took their seats again. That was when Clarissa noticed the photo on the floor.

- Did you keep this? - she asked in a soft voice. Rico took that picture of them while the four of them were hiking.

- Sweet times of peace. - Jeremy sais with a smile and Rico couldn't help but say.

- We have met with Roxanne yesterday. - Jeremy lifted his glance and smiled.

- And how is she? - Clarissa and Rico shared a knowing glance before she said.

-We wanted to ask the same from you... Jerry. - the atmosphere of the room changed and the tension could've been sliced with a knife. Jeremy chuckled before he answered.

- I don't know what you are talking about. - he lied and they knew.

- You met her, and left a great impact on her Jeremy. - Rico stated the facts and Jeremy realized that it was useless to lie.

- Okay, I met her. My boss wants pictures of her. This time I've only followed her because of my job I swear but something happened...

-What happened? - Rico asked. Crossing his arms in front of his chest, and in a serious voice. Like a father when interrogates their child who arrived late at home.

- Someone tried to rob her and I stopped the thief. But I've avoided her glance! She doesn't know who I'm. Ahana's magic worked, now I'm just Jerry. A nobody. Also she found a suitor for herself so, all I can do is be happy that my plan worked. - Clarissa opened her mouth to say something but Rico squeezed her hand.

- I'm sorry dude. - Jeremy smiled.

- Don't. It was my decision and seeing her happy is more than I deserve. - they chat a little more about the Pack and Rico asked for some advice on certain things before they left. In the car, on their way to the airport Clarissa turned to her love and asked.

- Why did you stop me? He has the right to... - Rico cut into Clarissa's phrase.

- No! He has the right to forget!

- Darling you are acting so stupidly... He keeps pictures of them and his job is to follow her around. Do you think it is better if he doesn't know how dreamy Roxy looked while she talked about him?

- You are being irrational Clarissa. Jeremy needs to really move on. It have been three years already! Three freaking years! - he almost shouted at her and Clarissa turned her glance out of the window. After a brief silence Rico parkes the car and caressed her face.

- I'm sorry for getting angry. I'm just worried for my friend.- Clarissa snapped at him.

- What do you think what am I doing?! My friend has no idea of what happened to her! He didn't give her a chance! Now the Goddess tries to bring them together and we are in their way!

- It is not that simple. Roxy forgot everything and she made the impossible but Jeremy sacrificed all for this. We can't bring back Roxy's memories. Imagine Jeremy's life if they get back together. She will be in love and happy but he will remember every day and night that Roxanne once died in his arms. I'm glad you didn't see her back then Clarissa... But believe me, if that would've happened to you... I would have killed myself at that instant. He choose the harder way when he asked for the impossible. All of Jeremy's suffering and efforts will go in waste if they get back together.

- This is something we will never agree on. Let's go home. - Clarissa said and jumped put of the car heading into the airport.