Crossing Paths

Chapter 16: No-Strings-Attached

“So basically, your mother wants you to rectify your reputation by starting to date someone steadily and show your father’s opponents that you will no longer give them an opening to weaken his chances of becoming mayor,” Jade concluded. Sedric nodded and sighed deeply.

“Well, that explains why you were so desperate to fool everyone, including your family,” Jade muttered.

“I realize my plan was bound to fail, but I wanted to put my mother in her place, show her she can’t control what I do. It backfired, but that doesn’t mean I regret it. I knew that bringing someone to the wedding would make my mother shut up for a while. Sadly, I didn’t keep in mind that she reads people like they’re a damned book and easily saw through our scheme.”

“It’s over now. I don’t think your mother will bother you as long as our agreement lasts. We’ll just behave like a true couple in front of the public eye and keep our agreement a secret. To your father’s opponents it’ll look like you’re settling down, which is exactly what your mother wanted,” Jade clarified.

“You wouldn’t mind keeping this charade going until my father gets elected?” Sedric asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Elections are in five months. I doubt I’ll find my future husband before that time,” Jade remarked. 

Sedric nodded. “It shouldn’t surprise me you’re looking for a husband to start a family with, but it does. I guess I never realized you’d move on to someone else to create the picture perfect life you used to describe to me.”

His honestly surprised Jade, she didn’t think he’d admit his true feelings. “We had something beautiful in the past, but it’s over. That doesn’t mean my life is over. I still want the same things I wanted six years ago.”

“You deserve the life you always wanted,” Sedric stated. “It’s good you’re finally going after your goals. I just wish things would’ve been different.”

“You and me both,” Jade admitted, smiling sadly as she looked Sedric in the eye.

“I guess I never really stopped loving you,” Sedric acknowledged softly, his eyes filled with sorrow. “I know we don’t have a future together, but I want you to know that despite what I did, I’ve always loved you.”

Almost choking on her drink, Jade put her glass of water down and stared at Sedric in shock. “You still love me?” she uttered.

“I do,” Sedric nodded. “I know it doesn’t make a difference, but I felt like you should know.”

Jade nodded, trying to process his words. “I never stopped loving you either,” she confessed quietly. “You hurt me so bad, yet I still love you as much as I did six years ago.” She felt a strange relieve in saying it out loud.

Sedric didn’t look surprised as he nodded and took Jade’s hand in his across the table. “I want you to find happiness and create the perfect family you always dreamed of, but as long as you’re mine I’m going to enjoy every second I spend with you. I’m going to make sure we make some damn good memories for when you decide it’s time to move on,” Sedric promised.

Jade blinked away a single tear as she stared in his eyes and nodded. “I’d like that.” She wouldn’t get the happy-ending with Sedric she used to dream of as a teenage girl, but at least they’d go separate ways as friends once the time came to say goodbye.

***

Jade felt like she’d just closed her eyes when her phone started ringing. Groaning, she reached for the vibrating device on top of her bed table and pressed it against her ear. “Lo?” she mumbled, still half asleep. Last night Sedric made sure to leave her with little to no energy. She didn’t think she’d be able to walk straight for days.

“Goddammit, Jade! What the hell did you do?” Stephanie’s screeching voice cried out. Groaning some more, Jade put some distance between her ear and the phone. The woman was way too loud and it was way too early in the morning in Jade’s opinion. She’d be deaf if she kept listening to her shouting.

“Good morning to you too, Steph,” Jade sighed, slowly opening her eyes and staring at the ceiling. Her body felt like it had been run over by a truck and the ache between her legs did not only remind her of last night, it also made her feel like Sedric was still buried deep inside of her. She sighed softly, already looking forward to the next round of hot, wild sex.

“Why is there a picture of Sedric Miller and you at some fancy restaurant on every online gossip forum I can find?” Stephanie questioned, sounding furious.

Jade cursed under her breath. She’d expected a cross exam from her friend, she’d just hoped it’d take a few days longer before Stephanie found out. The woman obviously meant well and wanted to protect her, but Jade was slowly growing aggravated with the constant remarks. Why was it so difficult for people to stay out of her business and let her make her own mistakes?

“Because we went on a date last night,” Jade replied after a moment of silence.

“A date?” Stephanie shrieked, sounding shocked and disbelieving.

“Yes, a date,” she confirmed. “We decided to become friends-with-benefits until I find Mr. Right. That includes hanging out with each other outside the bedroom as well.”

“You willingly cut a deal with that bastard to be friends-with-benefits?” Stephanie questioned, incredulously. “What’s going on with you Jade? Every time I talk to you this situation seems to get worse.”

Heaving a sigh, Jade shook her head. “I don’t owe you an explanation, Steph. You don’t agree with the decisions I make. I get that, believe me, I do. Just accept that it’s my life. I know you’re trying to look out for me, but it’s not necessary.”

Stephanie exhaled heavily and stayed silent for a moment. “I don’t want to fight about this anymore,” she eventually muttered.

“I don’t either,” Jade agreed. “I never wanted to discuss this in the first place. I know that we’ll never be on the same page.”

“It’s hard for me to watch you make mistakes and not intervene. I only want what’s the best for you, Jayjay. I hate seeing you hurting,” her friend uttered.

“I appreciate it, Steph, but sometimes it’s better to let me make my own mistakes. Right now, I’m not ready to abandon Sed just yet. I need more time.”

Stephanie laughed humorlessly. “Babe, you’re never going to be ready to let go of him. It’s obvious you still love him. You can’t walk away from that or you would’ve a long time ago.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving him, but that doesn’t mean I can’t move on with someone else,” Jade disagreed.

“Keep telling yourself that. As long as Sedric Miller is in your life, you won’t look at another man. No one will be good enough, because no one can compare to what he makes you feel,” Stephanie pointed out.

Jade wanted to argue, but couldn’t help but wonder if her friend might be right. Would she ever meet someone that could outshine Sedric? She liked to believe she could move on from him, but had to admit it seemed to be harder than she expected. What was so damn special about the man that made him irresistible? Why couldn’t she let go of him?

“Your silence speaks volumes, honey,” Stephanie stated. “I know I’m not going to change your mind and I no longer feel like fighting so I’m going to shut up about this, but please be careful, Jayjay. It’s for your own good.”

Jade wished she could follow her friend’s advice, but Stephanie was right. She couldn’t let go of Sedric. She didn’t even know if she would ever be able to let go.

Thank you for reading. I hope you liked the chapter. Please vote and comment!