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co-written by leisurelyatwar
Before Robyn could even say anything back to Jade, Declan made his way over. He seemed to push in between them harder than Jade had done just a hot minute ago.
âExcuse me ladies, can I borrow my brother for just a minute?â
Jade could see the hate in his eyes, but answered with a smile on her face.
âOh hey Deckie, didnât see you there.â she said feigning surprise.
âSure you can borrow him. Heâs your brother after all. My wordâŠ, those bags under your eyes are getting bigger by the day. Do you get enough rest between shifts?â
Declan did not stick around to answer, but grabbed Dean by the shoulder and let him out of the kitchen. Jade smiled and waved after them.
Looking back at Robyn, the widow had a puzzled smile on her face.
âSo Jade? How long have you and Dean been together? I donât recall him mentioning anything, my bad.â
Itâs not like they were anything exclusive, so Jade would have been very surprised if Dean had told anyone. âWe've been exploring each otherâs pants for a while now, but I'm not keeping count. What about you, where do you get your ... uhmm.. excitement now?â She wondered if Miss Goody Two Shoes ever had any real excitement. Going with the same guy since high school wasnât particularly experimental.
âOh, uh. Nothing really. Donât feel ready to get back out there, you know?â Robyn answered as if she had ever been âout thereâ.
Jade pushed out her lip and shook her head a bit. If there was any time to get back into the game for Robyn, it would be now. "Well, don't wait too long. I mean... it's not like he's gonna come back. Now, if you excuse me, if you see Dean, just tell him I'm off to the ladies room." Jade stepped away from Robyn and moved into the direction of the bathroom, where she had just seen Gabriella go as well.
Suddenly the party felt too crowded, the music too loud. Gabriella kept a hand along the walls of the hall as she worked towards the bathroom, her gaze lowered. She hadnât expected Jade to stay single, Gabriella sure hadnât been chaste since their break. That Gabriella had been prepared for. However, seeing Jadeâs lips lock with Deanâs made her stomach turn. It wasnât jealousy - no it was more visceral than that. She felt dirty, disgusted. As much as she wanted to be angry with Dean she knew that he was just a toy in Jadeâs manipulations. Her bar for him was already so low it was impossible for Dean to surprise her anymore with a new low. Jade however met new levels of deception every day.
There was a line outside the bathroom, Gabriella leaning against the wall and crossing her arms. Her eyes were narrowed in a way she only did when deep in thought, staring blankly at the wall across from her. She probably should have just gone home but she didnât want Jade knowing that sheâd been able to have that effect on her.
Jade had expected a line at the bathroom and she wasnât disappointed. She stared from a distance, eyeing the girl she had been with for quite some time. She looked good, but not nearly as good as when Ellaâs head would be laying in her lap. So high on whatever she was given she could not make sense of the world anymore. [color=#cboe36]God, how I miss those days.[/color]
She walked over, and although her high heels should have made clicking noises with every step, somehow she was silent. She saw how deep in thought Ella was. She could not even have noticed how Jade had been walking up close to her, standing behind her in line.
âOh Ella, here you areâ again faking her surprise.
âAnd here I was, thinking you were avoiding me somehow.â
Gabriella could feel Jadeâs presence before she heard her, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up. Jade always had that effect on her. Her therapist said it was the result of prolonged psychological manipulation, that Jade wanted Gabriella a little afraid of her. As much as Gabriella agreed with her it was hard to accept that thatâs all their relationship had been.
Jadeâs mock surprise was convincing but Gabriella knew that Jade was too intelligent to leave anything to chance. Though Gabriella had long committed the lines and curves of Jadeâs face to memory, seeing her again this close Gabriella had to catch her breath. Of course her lips were painted red, Gabriellaâs gaze glancing down at them instinctually. They were even more inviting than she remembered. Looking away suddenly to break the spell Jade had over her, it took a few seconds to regain her faculties.
âWhat do you want, Jade?â Gabriella asked flatly, keeping her gaze fixed on the wall across them. She was tired of these games.
Jade moved sideways, getting directly in Gabriellaâs eyeline. âWhat do I want? You seriously have to ask me what I want? Why do you think Iâve been trying to call you and message you?
Jade took a step closer, they nearly touched each other now. They were of very similar height, so Jade tried her best to stare deep into Gabriellaâs eyes.
âPlease babez, donât look so sad, it does nothing for you. I miss your smile.â
Gabriella pushed herself from the wall, grateful for the extra height her heels had given to be able to look down at Jade. She seemed so small from this angle, almost harmless. Like the blossom of a poisonous plant trying to lure in its prey. Gabriella had been preparing for the moment when she saw Jade again well over a year. She had convinced herself if she knew what was coming she would be able to deflect it. Unfortunately no amount of intellectualizing could outwit Jadeâs natural effect on others, Gabriella struggling not to become reactive.
âWill you please just say whatever it is that you need to say so I can go back to my life and you can go be with Dean.â Gabriella knew she sounded jealous, and maybe she was a little. It stung to see Jade with another, regardless of whatever messiness they had unresolved between them.
Jade enjoyed every bit of it. She still had her influence over Gabriella. She had always told Jade everything with her mouth shut. Her face, her movement, the moments when she blinked, all of it was telling Jade what she already knew. She still had a hold over her.
âAawwe babez, youâre not jealous are you? Me and Dean have a very different kind of⊠connection.â
Jade looked compassionately at Gabriella. âShame babez, you look stressed.â She put her hand on her bag, leaned in close and changed to a whisper. âI have something to calm you down if you like. Nothing heavy, I swear, just something to take the edge off and make sure you can enjoy your night.â
âAre you fucking serious?â A response that Gabriella had said in a very different tone once upon a time, now delight replaced with malice. Any bit of control that Gabriella had over her reactions was out the window. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
âYou are poison, Jade.â Gabriella seethed.
Jade leaned back, a bit surprised at the hard reaction. She wasnât used to Gabriella talking this way to her, but it didnât mean this was over.
âNo need to get hostile, sweetie. Iâm only poison to those that choose to see me like that.â Jade saw how they were up next for the bathroom. The line had moved slowly during their conversation. In a quick move Jade softly put her hand on Gabriellaâs.
âYou know what. Iâll go to the bathroom first. Iâll just leave the pill there for you. And you can decide to flush it, or take it, no harm done. You donât owe me a thing, and I wouldnât even know.â
Jade pulled her hand from Gabriellaâs and held the door open as the previous person just came out. âWonât be a minute.â she smiled warmly at her ex, as if they just had a friendly conversation.
Gabriella felt frozen in place, still feeling the shadow of Jadeâs hand around hers. The worst part was that no matter what, Jade would always leave Gabriella wishing she could get high. It wasnât just the association she made with her ex. Jade made her feel out of control. When she was using she convinced herself she liked not having to make any decisions for herself but look where it got her. Staring ahead at the door Jade disappeared behind, Gabriella held her breath waiting for it to open again.