Learning To Trust Again

Todd looked away and was silent for a minute.     

Without meeting Jake’s eyes, and looking decidedly uncomfortable but sounding sincere this time Todd said ‘sorry I didn’t believe you about Jemma.’

It was Jake’s turn to be surprised. Uncrossing his arms he was silent for a minute. ‘Don’t worry about it’ he said at length. He was curious about what had happened to bring about his change of attitude. He asked ‘you’ve spoken to her?’

‘Yes, I finally got hold of her’ Todd said ‘I had to borrow a phone so it wasn’t my number that appeared.’ Looking over at Jake he added ‘she actually blamed me for her being in trouble, can you believe that?’

‘Unfortunately I can’ Jake said ‘some people never take responsibility for their actions. In my work, I see it all the time.’

His eyes dropping, Todd was quiet for a minute. Then shrugging, he changed the subject a little. He asked ‘he won’t get off will he?’

‘I don’t think so’ Jake said ‘I’ll appear as a witness if I have to.’

Confused Todd looked at Jake ‘how can you do that, you weren’t there either time.’

Jake smiled ‘yeah well you weren’t the only one he had a go at.’

‘What, you too? You’re kidding?’ Todd said astounded.

‘Afraid not’ Jake said ‘he’s not too bright. He’s going to be out of circulation for a long while.’ After a pause he added ‘If it’s any consolation I don’t think they were in it together as such. I think she just liked his jealousy and he played into her hands. She used him as much as you.’

‘It’s not’ Todd said not looking at him.

‘Yeah, that’s what I figured’ Jake said ‘sorry.’

Nodding Todd paused and then said ‘and what’s going on with you and my sister?’

‘I think you should ask her that’ Jake said crossing his arms again, ready for recriminations.

‘I’m asking you’ the younger man said in a serious tone, his eyes boring into Jake’s now.

Shrugging Jake said ‘last night she agreed to marry me.’

Shocked Todd’s eyebrows shot up ‘what?’

Seeing his expression, Jake said in a firm voice ‘I love her and you don’t need to worry, I won’t hurt her.’

‘You already did’ Todd said somewhat unfairly.

‘Yeah I did’ Jake said, glaring at him and doing his best to keep his temper under control.

It was Todd that ended up looking away.

Jake continued ‘but she has forgiven me and it won’t be happening again.’

Looking back at Jake again and seeing the steely determination in his expression Todd can’t help but respect it. He knew he had to accept a large part of the responsibility for Jake lying to his sister. He was the one who’d asked him not to say anything. Of course at the time he hadn’t expected her to notice anything was amiss. Nor did he think about his head injury, so he honestly hadn’t thought it would be a problem. So while he hadn’t intentionally tried to cause trouble between them, when it happened, he wasn’t really sorry either. However hearing Jake today ready to defend her and knowing he wants to marry her, was causing him to have a rethink and examine his motives. He knew Jake wasn’t really what he objected to. If he was honest, after what Mark did to his sister, he would probably have found any guy who showed an interest in her objectionable. And with a nod Todd conceded ‘okay, as long as she’s happy.’

‘I’ll make sure of it’ Jake said with determination and turned as Rebecca asked from the doorway, ‘okay to come back in?’

Smiling Jake said ‘yep all good, right Todd?’

Giving his sister a smile, Todd agreed ‘yes, Jake has just told me your news. Congratulations to you both.’

Happy that her brother was okay with it Rebecca’s smile widened ‘thank you Todd’ she said hugging him. But as he groaned she pulled back, ‘sorry, I forgot about your ribs.

Todd shrugged ‘forget about it, I deserved it after yesterday.’

Rebecca smiled and squeezed his hand.

 ‘I hope you guys will be friends now’ she said looking from one to the other. ‘You have a lot in common you know.’

Giving her a somewhat dubious look as she moved back to stand next to Jake, Todd smiled and teased ‘well if you like him sis, I guess he can’t be all bad.’

Rebecca looked up at Jake with a smile.

Jake winked at her and returned her smile.

The End