Same Mistakes

Chapter Twelve

I quickly ran a brush over Jayce's head as he fought with me to let him go. I finally gave up tossing the brush to the couch. Dani was cuddled on the couch with Harper and I was secretly jealous. I wanted to call Tessa and tell her to just come to the apartment, but getting Joyce ready was already a pain and it wouldn't be for nothing.

I sighed while standing up. Dani quietly talked over Harper's head, "I could still watch him if you want?"

"No, it's fine. You should spend time with Harper, it's your day off." I quickly slid my shoes on, going over the ways to get Jayce out the door with little to no hassle in my head. 

"I only got out of going tonight cause you went in this morning." I shh'd her and got my purse, heading to where Jayce stood in the corner with his toys. As I picked him up he struggled and whined in my arms.

He hadn't been out of the house in days and although he was fighting now I knew once we were out he wouldn't want to go back home. As I headed out the door I waved bye to Dani and Harper. Once Jayce realized we were leaving he settled in my arms. 

Dani and I's shared car sat on the curb, waiting to be driven for the first time in over two weeks. I put Jayce into his car seat before getting in myself and heading to the restaurant Tessa and I agreed on, Bubba Gump's.

I was only seven o'clock so the sun was setting low in the sky, but not yet setting. The out skirts of the city were easy to drive through, so it wasn't until about fifteen minutes into the drive that I hit traffic. I quickly text Tessa that I was about twenty minutes away with traffic and waited.

Justin's Pov

I got to Bubba Gump's over thirty minutes early to try to convince the manager for a seat in a party room. The waiter that they had told to stay back here with me was watching me intently as if I was going to steal something.

My phone buzzed in my hand, displaying a message from Tessa saying that Nadia was about twenty minutes away causing my heart rate to pick up. I was the only one in the room and I was suddenly regretting that. I needed people around to keep my nerves down while talking to her. 

I waved the waiter over, "I know this is kinda a pain in the ass but is there anyway I could just get a regular table that's maybe in the back? The person I'm meeting requested it." 

His face looked annoyed but he did his best to hid it, "Sure, sir. Could you just follow me?" I nodded and followed him out of the party room and towards a booth in the back corner, "Does this work, sir?"

"Yeah, it's good. Thanks. Sorry again."

He left only to come back about fifteen minutes later, "Sir, your guest is here. It was Nadia Collins, correct?"

"Uh, yeah." He nodded and announced that he was going to bring her back. My back was facing the entrance of the restaurant, meaning I would not get to see her reaction to me being here which was fine with me.

I nervously wiped my clamy hands on my pants and looked over my shoulder for them. Once I seen Nadia's face I quickly ducked my head, but not before seeing a small head walking next to her. Once I turned and processed what I had just seen I debated whether to go to the bathroom or stay in my seat, but looking towards the bathroom I realized there was no way to make it there without her seeing me anyway. So I waited.

Nadia's Pov

Jayce walked slowly next to me as I held his hand to help him balance. He could walk, but since he was only one he was slow and his balance was terrible. Looking around I couldn't find Tessa, but the waiter patiently tried to led me to where ever she was sitting.

"Jayce, baby, how 'bout mommy carries you?" I bent down so that I was eye level with him and begged for a yes.

"Uh-uh." I sighed and continued to guide him. As we walked people turned in their chairs to watch as Jayce walked, and smiled down at him and then up at me. As we went further back into the restaurant I gave the waiter a questioning look, "Where was the table?"

"Back corner, we're almost there." I sighed and nodded as I watched Jayce. After a few more steps the waiter stopped in front of us and I spoke to Tessa without looking up, "Hey, my bad for being late. Traffic was shitty and Jayce was being difficult."

As I picked up Jayce to sit in the booth I made eye contact with not Tessa, but Justin. My stomach instantly fell and my heart raced as I turned so that Jayce faced away from him. 

"What the hell are you-"

Before I could finish Justin interrupted me with wide eyes, "I didn't know. Honestly, Nadia. Shit. I'm sorry."

I shook my head before he could continue, "I'm going home."

"No. Please, don't. Please." For some reason something in his voice made me stop. There was a pleading tone in it that I couldn't ignore. Looking down at Jayce in my arms my heart raised to my throat, but I still sat down in the booth across from Justin.

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Another chapter for you guys, Happy Holidays ❄💙