Ride the Sunset

Jealousy

Jacob

“Anything else?” Erik asked as he looked over at us.

“Nope,” Corey immediately responded. I quickly shook my head. Erik nodded as he folded his hands on the table.

“I cannot thank you enough,” he said. “Maternity leave, while it’s directed for women…I have to say, it’s been nice to be home with Naomi and the twins,”

“And we’ll continue to do this until you return to work,” I informed him as I squirmed in my seat. Corey and I had stopped by Erik’s house for our weekly meeting. Since he had decided to work from home, I couldn’t blame him for wanting to support his wife and babies. I also knew that Alastair was here visiting Naomi, and I was eager to see him before we left.

“Thank you,” Erik said with another nod. “If there’s nothing else…?” I hurriedly stood up, relieved to be dismissed. Corey was right behind me as we said our goodbyes. As soon as we left his office, we could hear Naomi and Alastair talking in the nursery.

“It’s time for me to move on,” Alastair said, and I froze. Corey glanced over at me, and I shook my head. I hated listening to other people’s conversations, but this was Alastair. What did he mean it was time to move on? Was he referring to me or something or someone else? “I downloaded this app,” he continued. I held my breath as Corey inched closer. I quickly reached out and grabbed his arm, effectively stopping him. He looked over at me and frowned.

“What type of app?” Naomi questioned. “Love Connect?” Corey’s eyes went wide, and I groaned softly. Love Connect was a dating app. Alastair had been referring to me. He was giving up on me. Not that I could blame him. I felt like such a fool, but I couldn’t bring myself to make an appearance. Corey looked like he wanted to hug me or something, but I shook my head.

“I mean, it sounds cliché and all…but…it’s the only app that isn’t all about s*x and hooking up. It’s about finding a partner,” Alastair explained. I hung my head as it hit me that I had officially lost him.

“I’m sorry,” Corey whispered as he tugged me closer to him. I allowed myself a moment as I took comfort in his embrace.

“Oh…well, I mean…and have you met anyone off the app yet?” Naomi questioned curiously and I tensed up. How long had he been on that app?

“I’ve only been on the app for two days,” Alastair said, and I felt a tiny flicker of hope. “Fine, fine, yes, I met someone. I mean, we haven’t met in person yet, and I have no idea how she looks, but we’ve been chatting. She’s from Nuport. Her name is Sandy, and she’s twenty-three,” that flicker of hope died. I couldn’t listen anymore, and I pulled away from Corey.

“What does she do?” Naomi asked.

“She’s studying to be a defensive lawyer. I know, I had the same reaction but…she’s really sweet,” he revealed. I slowly moved forward with Corey as we snuck closer to the nursery. Unfortunately, we had to walk right past in order to get to the front door, and I was trying to figure out how to sneak out without being seen. That didn’t stop me from listening to their conversation.

“Lawyers can be sweet, but they are so…” Naomi remarked, and Corey scoffed as he leaned in closer.

“Uptight,” he whispered, and I slapped my hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing aloud. I missed what Alastair’s response was, as Naomi asked him when they were going to meet. I closed my eyes as I listened to Alastair tell her about their coffee date. Their voices sounded louder, and I watched in horror as they left the nursery and headed to the living room. How neither of them had noticed us was beyond me. Corey and I stood frozen in place until they disappeared from sight. They continued their conversation as they got comfortable, and I was now officially desperate to get the hell out of the house.

“Let’s go,” I said softly to Corey, who immediately nodded. Corey grabbed my hand and I let him take the lead.

“It is a blind date,” Alastair said as he scoffed rather loudly. When Corey waltzed into the living room, I wanted to smack him.

“Who is going on a blind date?” Corey asked as he glared over at Alastair. I wanted to commit murder as I tried my best not to allow the rage of jealousy to consume me. “I mean, I have to assume it’s you, since Naomi here is married,” Corey commented, and I rolled my eyes as I noticed that Alastair was avoiding me.

“You are not funny,” Alastair snapped.

“Sure, I am,” Corey said. I tugged on his hand, which was probably the wrong thing to do since the action made both Alastair and Naomi take note. Alastair frowned, but Naomi didn’t think anything of it. “Anyway, our meeting is over,” Corey said to Naomi. “Are the little ones sleeping?”

“Yes…sorry,” she said apologetically. I wasn’t here for a house visit, but I did feel slightly disappointed that we wouldn’t get to see the twins. “Next time,” she promised.

“Oh, I see how it is…so, in other words, I only get to see them when I stop by for a meeting?” Corey was on a roll, and I slipped my hand out of his as he went on a tangent with Naomi, who was clearly amused. I glanced over at Alastair, to find him staring at me. I wanted to smile. I wanted to say something, but all I could think about was the fact that he was going on a date.

“I have to go,” I said before I bolted. Thankfully, Corey and I had driven here separately, so I didn’t have to wait for him. I was mortified by my feelings. How could I possibly feel jealous of a man I had rejected?