The Final Note (DJ Series Book 1) (24 page)

“Are you okay? He is such a dick!” Leanne exclaims and I laugh despite my confused feelings, putting my glass down, I know that alcohol at a time like this only amplifies my emotions.

“Nah, he’s not. He’s a young, talented man with a lot to offer. We've been over for a year now, I'm sure she’s not the first, and I highly doubt she will be the last.” I try to take stock on how I actually feel; surprisingly it isn't as painful as I imagined. As long as I don't imagine him actually sleeping with her it doesn't bother me.

Sure, there’s a small stab of jealousy but I don't think that’s because I want him back. I think it’s because I haven't had time to even consider dating yet, but he’s managed to hit the town and embrace his new single status.

I frown when I picture myself on a Saturday night, in bed before 11pm and cuddling his old pillow. The penny drops as to why I do that. It’s not because I miss him, it’s because I'm lonely. The thought is saddening and I pout. I’m envious, I know it’s time for me to move on and I feel ready to get back into the dating game.

“Why does he always get the easy ride, Lee?”

“Because he’s a dick, babe; arseholes like him could fall in a bucket of shit and come out smelling of roses.” She sighs and drains her glass. “Do you think you'll ask him about her?”

I shake my head.

“Nah, it’s really none of my business now. That said if he expects to have his tarts around my kids he better be damn straight about telling me. You know, I saw a picture Holly drew of him and a blonde and I suspected something was going on. Now I know for a fact it is, I'm... I'm not really that bothered,” I admit, surprising even myself.

“You know what, sis? I'm glad. I kinda dreaded coming over tonight because I would have to fill you in but I couldn't cry off knowing the kids had all this planned for me.” She smiles, waving at the streamers and balloons still pinned on the wall. “You're doing a great job, you know, Jess. Your babies have adjusted and accepted their daddy moving out and are absolutely fantastic kids, even if I am bias.” She grins and I find myself smiling back. “They're a credit to you, sis, you're an amazing mum. Just keep doing whatever it is you're doing and good things will come your way, I just know it.”

As I fold into her hug I feel a pride rise up inside myself. It’s always nice to hear someone say you're doing a good job, especially when it’s the only thing that really matters to you. Raising my babies and creating a loving, happy home has always been paramount to me. For the first time I consider the flip side of Ryan leaving: I can finally put me before him and his career.

With Riley at Maggie's and Holly safely deposited at school, I pull into the car park at college. I've got my enrollment paperwork and a basic map of the grounds in my satchel bag and I hope I don't look too out of place in skinny jeans and brown suede wedges with a cowl neck long top.

I lock the car and pause to take in my surroundings, small groups and pairs of young students are milling around, some look as lost as me.

I locate myself on the map and see the entrance I need located on the ground floor. I take a deep breath and try to calm some of the butterflies that are doing Zumba in my stomach.

“Don't look so worried, it may seem daunting now but by the end of the month you'll have the kids eating out of the palm of your hand,” a male voice tells me and I turn to see a tall, broad shouldered man.

He has the cheekiest, most perfect white smile and a wide, square jaw line. I cannot help but smile back; he leans into his Honda Civic Type R parked next to my Ford Focus and pulls out his laptop bag. He looks back at me and I examine my brown wedges, not wanting to look him in the eye because I know I'm blushing. Not because I'm shy or timid around men, it’s because he is probably the hottest guy I have ever seen in the flesh.

Sure, Ryan is attractive- really attractive, actually- but in a 'boy next door' kind of way. This guy is glossy magazine, runway material. Not cute- damn sexy!

Out of the corner of my eye I see him round the car and I look up just as he walks past my car, he’s wearing Levis with a dark blue shirt that is open at the collar. He looks to be in his mid-thirties, just a few years older than me and has the most intense blue eyes I have ever seen in my life, rimmed with thick, dark lashes. He sports some designer stubble to match his shaggy dark hair that looks tousled at the front and just covers the tops of his ears.

The catalogue model looks at me with an expectant expression but my mouth has dried up and my tongue feels too big for my mouth. I try to swallow, pushing a stray lock of my hair behind my ear, but I haven't got a clue what he expects me to say so I just smile and am rewarded with a drop dead sexy grin in response. My heart almost stops when I see his lopsided smile produces a dimple in his left cheek, my God, this guy is divine.

Only then do I catch the scent of his aftershave on the brisk September breeze; he smells clean and expensive. “You have a great first day,” he says in his silvery tone and I nod like I'm taking instructions. He makes a start for the entrance and I mentally slap myself. “You too!” I call after him, then freeze when he looks back over his shoulder and winks.

This time my heart totally stalls, I swear I feel it stop dead in my chest and I have to lean back against the car, grinning as I examine his sexy backside. I stand there, watching him put more distance between us, turning many young ladies’ heads along the way, until he is out of sight.

I take a few settling breaths and pull myself together. I'm here to learn, not ogle the campus hotties.

I make my way inside and seek out the stairwell; I'm on the fourth floor of the business department and as much as I'm not keen on trudging up and down four flights I have never liked using lifts. I'm not claustrophobic but I'll admit I'm a bit of a germophobe and the thoughts of being in a cramped space, breathing the same air as people I don't know makes me cringe.

Up on the fourth floor I turn left to find a bank of lockers and a queue of pupils lined up against the opposite wall. I get a few glances and some expectant looks and realize this is their first day, too, and they probably assume I'm their tutor, given the age gap. I make my way to the back of the line and get a friendly smile from the only other person there that isn't in her teens. I smile back and she turns to face me.

“Hi, I'm Clarissa, or Clary.” She smiles warmly, exposing a small gap between her two front teeth. She sticks out a hand and I notice she has at least six different bangles on her wrist that clink together as I shake her hand.

“I'm Jessica, or Jess. Pleased to see I'm not the only one on the course fresh out of secondary school.” I grin and Clarissa chuckles.

“Me too. It’s a relief, isn't it?” She chuckles again, a tinkle of a laugh which suits her cherub type features and red, frizzy, fly away hair that she’s attempted to restrain with a floral head scarf.

“That’s a beautiful skirt by the way,” I compliment on the floor length, floaty, floral skirt that is the same material as her head scarf. She has a hippy kind of look going on.

“Thank you. I made it myself, I love clothes and sewing, so I dig out cheap material and attempt to fashion my own wardrobe pieces.”

“Yet you're here training in administration? Surely you should be in fashion and design?” Then a thought hits me and I feel a wave of embarrassment wash over me. “Oh, god, I'm not in the wrong part of the building, am I?” I feel myself start to blush and Clary laughs before laying a reassuring hand on my arm, shaking her head.

“No, you're in the right place, sweetie. I already took fashion and design but alas I'm not making much money out of my creations, hence why I'm here,” she chirps and the bell rings to signal the start of the day.

“Well, don't give up designing your own gear, Clary, because I would definitely wear your clothing line,” I assure her and she gives me a grateful smile before looking over my shoulder.

I shift to see who has just come through the doors; it turns out to be a short lady who is barely over five foot tall and must be in her late fifties. She smiles at the line of students and greets us.

“Morning, everyone. Pleased to meet you all, I'm Jill and I run the business center upstairs, which I'm sure you'll all be taking turns working in at some point during the course this year. Your regular tutor, Trent Archer, will be with us soon enough but for now you're stuck with me to fill out your enrollment forms. We'll be doing it upstairs, can you all follow me, please?” Jill smiles kindly before turning on the heel. I shrug at Clary and follow her.

The Business Center is basically a double classroom with a reception area which is already manned by efficient looking students who greet Jill like an old friend. Things have changed in schools since I left as the staff and students are on first name terms. Jill indicates we all take a seat at a computer and I bag the nearest one, Clary taking the one next to me.

There are only thirteen students in the class, including myself and Clary; two of them are young guys who have already paired up. There is a small group of girls who I suspect already know each other and are typical teens. They're wearing short shorts over tights, bright tops and way too much make up. The blonde one of the group whose hair is cut into a pixie type bob stares straight at me as she takes her seat and I smile but get a stone faced glare before she turns her back on me.

“Okay, I'm going to run you through the form really quickly, folks. I'll give you a unique student number for you to copy into the USN box, fill in the rest of your particulars and we'll finish up with a quick tour of the business centre and mail room before you go on first break. Trent will take over back in 4A after a fifteen minute break,” Jill informs us, then opens a thick lever arch file and perches on the edge of the front desk. Jill smiles before asking for Adele Andrews. Blonde pixie girl raises her hand and offers a butter-wouldn't-melt smile to Jill; I note she is actually very pretty when she isn't glaring. She writes her number down and we work our way through the list.

An hour and a half later we are dismissed for break and Clary and I are in the café on the ground floor.

“So, have you got a boyfriend or partner, Jess?” Clary asks while licking the muffin crumbs off her fingers. I shake my head.

“No, I'm a single mum. I broke up with the kids’ dad a year ago,” I explain and I see surprise on Clarissa's face.

“Really, what do you have, a boy or a girl? How old?” she seems genuinely interested.

“Both. My daughter, Holly, is five, and my son, Riley, is just three. I'm in my early thirties if you're wondering.” I chuckle and she waves away my age but is smiling.

“I would love kids. I've always wanted one of each but my boyfriend, Pete, says he never wants children. I’m pretty sure he would kick me out if I ever got caught pregnant.” She looks disheartened and I hope for her sake she doesn’t accidently get caught.

I check my watch, seeing we ought to be making our way back up to 4A, I slide my chair out from the table and Clary takes no prompting to follow my lead. We chat all the way back to the classroom and we're the first ones to line up. I lean against the wall next to the door, laughing at a comment Clary made about piercing condoms with a safety pin.

“So, not looking for Mr. Right then?” she asks and I think for a minute before shrugging.

“Not actively. Not to say I wouldn't enjoy a fling with Mr. Right Now, just to warm my bed for the night.” I giggle.

“Well, winter is creeping in, you need something to warm your bed and a hot water bottle isn't quite as exciting as Mr. Right Now. Shame we’re in puberty central here, you won't find a fit guy over nineteen. You never know, you might bump into a hot science professor or something?” she jests and I laugh out loud.

“More like Einstein's mini me, knowing my luck. I'm sure I'll be investing in a new hot water bottle this winter.” I laugh as the bell rings loudly through the corridor.

I hadn’t noticed that the other students had slowly filtered in and joined the line with us. “Although, I can't write everybody off, there was a seriously hot guy parked next to me in the car park this morning. I wouldn't mind studying with him in the back of his sporty Civic Type R.” I grin and hear the door being opened behind me.

“Well, maybe your parking paths will cross again at some point, we are going to be learning here for a full year.” Clary nudges me and I snort in response.

“Guys like him aren't into women like me, Clary.” I assure her, rolling my eyes as I turn to go into our first lesson... and I come face to face with the most intense blue eyes I have ever seen in my life- again!