Chapter 4

The present

Emma's POV:

"Heads-up, Grey's coming over," Landon informs me. 

I place my book down and raise an eyebrow at him. "So, we're talking now?" Ever since Xavier told Landon that we'd been together, Landon's been ignoring me flat. It's an obvious indication that he's beyond upset with me.

Landon is the way he is because he practically raised me. He used to be my guardian when I was a teen, hence why he's so protective over me. He had to be the parent when our dad passed away. Landon, as the oldest, stepped up to the plate and took on the responsible role between us; Mom sure as hell wasn't going to.

Landon ignores my jab and continues to explain, "Grey's bringing JT over too. He says Jay needs the distraction." 

My expression brightens at the reference to Jay. 

"I knew that would cheer you up," he smirks at me knowingly.

I used to have a massive crush on Jay at one point. It was a time before I knew Xavier. The problem with Jay was that he'd never pay attention. You could openly flirt with him and he wouldn't ever take the bait. It was always as if his mind was elsewhere. Eventually, I learned that it was a girl named Aqueela who he'd always been so taken up with.

"Don't jump to conclusions, Lan. I'm only happy 'cause Jay is a total sweetheart. He lifts everyone's spirits," I say, defending myself.

"Not anymore," Landon corrects me. "He's a moody grump now."

Aqueela really messed Jay up after she left and never came back. Ever since then, Jay's not been the same. He's broken. 

"He needs to meet someone new," I voice my thoughts aloud. Aqueela is a girl from the past. JT needs to move on. She's made it perfectly clear that she isn't coming back for him. If she were going to, she would've already. It's been two years. 

I've always liked Aqueela. She's like a breath of fresh air. She's different. Upon first meeting her, I instantly got why Jay liked her so much. However, I think she's damn insane to throw Jay, of all people, away. 

"Have someone in mind?" Landon wags his eyebrows at me as if implying something.

I scowl at him. "Funny," I retort sarcastically, getting the gist of what he means. "Wipe that grin off your face. We've been over this, JT is not the guy for me."

Besides, I don't think Jay will ever love anyone as much as he loved Aqueela. She is his one and only. From what I've heard, from Grey, he has loved Aqueela his entire life. A love like that doesn't just die or fade. In his eyes, no other girl will be able to compete with what he had with Aqueela.

Landon frowns. "Why not?" he questions. "JT's a good guy. Why do you always go after the jerks?"

That was a clear dig at Xavier's character.

Jay is the only guy Landon has ever approved of for me. He and Jay have always been somewhat close. Jay is one of the few people who he doesn't completely despise with everything in him.

I open my mouth to answer but I'm saved by the sound of the doorbell ringing.

Landon drops the subject and leaves to open the front door but I know that this conversation is still far from over.

The sound of their voices fills the hallway before the room becomes flooded with their familiar faces. Grey gives me an acknowledging nod, playing it cool as always. I return his greeting before casting my eyes to Jay.

"Hey, JT," I greet with a small smile, trying to get a read on how he's coping. Despite the time that has passed, he's still not handling the situation any better. It still not any easier on him. He lives in the day that she left him.

A ghost of a smile surfaces as he takes me in. "Hey," he greets softly.

Grey's the first to make conversation in an attempt to help out his best friend, "How's the love fiasco with Xavier, your plaything, going?" He directs his words at me.

"Must you be so blunt about it, Grey?" I ask and roll my eyes at him.

Jay forces a smile as he nods over at Grey. "Have you met him?" he asks as if I should know how Grey operates by now. "He's not capable of beating around the bush."

I can't find it in me to be bothered by Grey's words. Instead, I find myself concerned about Jay. I've never seen him so devastated before. I can't seem to get over it. After all, he's my friend too. 

Jay gave Aqueela his heart, his everything, and with it, the power to crush him. I don't ever want to hand someone that type of control over my life. 

"It's a gift and a curse," Grey smirks, relaxed. It's good to have this side of him back. When Aqueela's around, he's a different person -- a lot more aggro. 

"Don't remind me of their twisted relationship. It infuriates me," Landon adds his own input to the discussion.

Jay glances my way. "I have to say, it's about time," he jokes, acting like he's fine.

"That's rich coming from the one who took his sweet time in asking Aqueela out," Landon kids, not thinking first. He's extremely impulsive and tends to be real insensitive at times. He doesn't mean to be, he just is. He just doesn't understand emotions. Landon's a hardhead like that.

Jay falls quiet at my brother's remark.

Grey glares at Landon for bringing Aqueela up. She's a sore subject for JT right now. 

I nudge my brother, trying to make him understand what he just did. It soon dawns on the moron as an apologetic expression crosses his features, "Sorry, JT. I didn't mean to--"

"It's fine," Jay cuts him off, well aware of how clueless my brother can be. It helps that their friends. To everyone's surprise, Jay takes the opening to give voice to his scattered thoughts, "I can't believe it's already been two years." 

"That's a long time," I comment, expressing my sympathy for him. 

I know he tried to contact her, only to find that she changed her number. That was also about the time when she mailed him back most of the money he spent on her. It's clear that she's got a job now. There's no other explanation for her sudden cash flow unless she's into hard crime. I doubt it. If anything, someone would take advantage of her. Aqueela's blissfully naive.

"As much as I liked that girl, you need to get her out of your system," Landon encourages, trying to be a more supportive friend to JT through his dark, morbid period.

I go along with my brother's plan and nod in agreement. "Lan's right. You need to find someone new. You need to go on a hot date, JT."

A date with someone other than Aqueela will be good for him. Besides, the real deal is like a million miles away. 

Jay chuckles at this, shaking his head. "Nah. I think I'll pass," he refuses the idea.

Dropping the subject, I ask something else as an ice breaker, "So, what are you up to right now?"

Ever since Aqueela left, he's been all over the place. Everything fell through. He let it all slip from his fingers. It's as if all his dreams, goals, and determination left when she did. Nothing matters much to him anymore. Everything has lost value to him.

"I was studying to be a doctor. Gave that up. Still do some racing here and there. Lately, I've been thinking of just taking a year or so off life to see the world. Honestly, I just want to travel right now. I want to go backpacking, venture, and explore the unknown. I want to experience life on a greater scale," he admits. "I just want to live life to the fullest, live like each day's my last and all that stuff."

I smile at him. "You should go for it then." 

"I'll think about it."