Futures Part Seven...

fiction
Futures Part Six

"What are you thinking about so hard?" Jacob asked Emily.

"Did you know that Olivia and Jayde never fight? Like ever?"

"Like big fights or disagreements?"

"Anything. They never argue. They never disagree. They never fight."

"Well, actually, that doesn't surprise me."

"What? You don't think it's odd?"

"No, I think it's a little odd, but it doesn't surprise me. Jayde is all about Olivia. Like I've never met anyone else who is so much about their partner."

"Hello? I'm sitting right here."

Jacob laughed, "No, I'm serious. We love each other. We will always be there for each other. We are each other's biggest fans, but Jayde is...it's different. The whole time we were working on Sophia's playset I was trying to get to know her a little more. They've been together for a long time and we haven't ever spent time with just Jayde. Any time. Not while Olivia goes to the bathroom, or gets a drink at the bar, or anything. This was legit the first time I could remember being in a space with just Jayde. And so I made small talk. I know she works for a consulting company, but I don't know which one or what she does. I asked about it and she said it was nothing really, she didn't do important work like Olivia does with the Senator.

I asked her about where she was from, what it was like. It's just a small town, nothing really there, she didn't keep in touch with anyone like Olivia did.

Everything I asked her about she turned back around to talking about Olivia. It's almost like if Olivia wasn't around Jayde would cease to exist."

"Okay, yeah, that's a lot. Did she ask you anything about yourself? I mean, small talk usually goes both ways right?"

"Sure, she asked how Olivia and I met. She knew we were all friends in college before you and I even started dating, how did that dynamic work. And was it awkward when you and I got married since you and Olivia had been best friends. And had I met Olivia's mother before she passed. I think there were a few more before I kind of shifted to just talking about building the toy."

"That's kind of weird."

"That's what I thought. And, I mean, I love Olivia, but I don't find her nearly as fascinating as Jayde does. She's just, well, Olivia. But Jayde is completely enamored. It's..."

"Unhealthy?"

"I was going to go with unusual. But maybe? But only if it bothers Olivia. Other people's relationships are going to look different from ours. What works for us wouldn't work for them. And what works for them wouldn't necessarily work for us."

"Oh I don't know, I might be able to get used to you being all about me all the time."

"No. You'd hate it."

"Fair enough. I'd hate it. But mostly about me is great."

"We have a deal."

"Speak of the devil," Emily's phone buzzed, "It's Olivia."

Emily answered the call, "No text? Who are you and what have you don't with Olivia?"

Jacob watched as Emily's face went from open and smiling to pinched and slightly red. "What? And you believe her?"

.....

"Of course she's your girlfriend but Jacob is my husband and your friend as well."

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"Of course people are entitled to their feelings but..."

....

"OF COURSE it's because it's Jacob and I know him too well. YOU should as well."

....

"Well at least that's good. No, fine. You can just see us without her then."

....

"Seriously?"

....

"Of course that hurts my feelings. I think...."

....

"Fine. Take some time. Figure it out. Really figure it out."

Emily cancelled the call.

"What was all of that?" Jacob looked worried. Clearly it was a fight. And clearly it was about him.

"Jayde said you were hitting on her and making her feel really uncomfortable today. She doesn't want to be around us anymore because she feels unsafe."

"What? I swear..."

"Stop. You don't have to say anything. I know you. Even if you had lost your damn mind you wouldn't have done it while I was sitting 30 feet away on the other side of a clear glass door for fuck's sake. Which I will mention when I send a scathing text to Olivia tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"I am too mad tonight. I will let it sit for a bit, but if she thinks just because Jayde won't argue with her, I won't she's lost the plot."