When Justin left to continue his promo tour, Eve started packing her suitcase. Then she found the envelope with Jake’s paternity test result still lying at the desk.
„Damn it. You forgot giving the envelope to Josh.“ She thought.
She put the document back into her bag and finished packing. Then she went to her mother’s room to pick up Jake.
„Morning, mom.“
„Good morning, kid.“ Kristin replied, having Jake on her arm.
He smiled happily at Eve, stretching his arms in her direction. She took her son and kissed him.
„Did you enjoy the time with grandma, little monkey?“
„We need to have another serious conversation.“ Kristin said, while watching them interact.
Eve raised her eyebrows.
„Why?“
„Come in.“
Eve entered her mother’s bedroom and sat down at her bed, having Jake at her lap.
„What is it, mom?“
„I met Joshua this morning. He was just leaving your bedroom.“
Eve immediately flushed.
„That’s not your business.“
„Honestly spoken, I don’t wanna know what you three did tonight. I wanted to talk to you, because Joshua told me, that his memory is back.“
Eve nodded, getting lost in thoughts.
„He’s desperate, Eve.“ Kristin added.
„I know the situation is messed up. I’m still processing all of this.“
„Eve, listen. I remember all the things you said when you picked me up from the airport. I understand that you have strong feelings for Justin and it’s not my intention to manipulate you. But you need to see things clearly. Your husband had a terrible accident. Then a miracle happened and he came back, as no one believed he would. Having amnesia wasn’t his fault. Of course he hurt you and made bad decisions during that time. All of this happened, because his body recovered faster than his mind did. I know it’s not easy, because you got disappointed by his actions. But you can’t blame him for what he did, while his brain was still recovering.“
Eve closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
„I’m not contradicting. But all you see right now is Josh. If I go back to him, do you have any idea what this would mean for Justin? He was perfect, mom. From the moment I got in labor till today, he was nothing else but perfect. That’s why I fell in love with him. And I can’t switch my feelings off.“
„I feel sorry for Justin. But he was a fool believing he can have you just like that.“
„Leaving him feels wrong. Just the imagination not having him or seeing him with another woman is making me sick.“
„Are you saying, it’s easier for you seeing Josh with another woman?“
„Of course not. But I already went through this. I believed I lost him to his ex.“
„What does it mean, you believed?“
„He didn’t go back to her. There was a misunderstanding.“
Kristin shook her head and scoffed.
„Does it mean you decided to be with Justin because of a misunderstanding?“
Eve didn’t know what to say.
„You make me speechless.“ Kristin added.
„My feelings for Justin were there before. It’s not like I spontaneously fell for him just because I believed Josh is with his ex.“ Eve answered.
„But you used Joshua’s ex as an excuse to be with him.“
„Is it a crime that I craved for happiness, mom?“
Kiristin sighed.
„No, it’s not. But from all men on that planet, why must it have been his best friend?“
Josh entered the office from his therapist.
„Hi, Josh! I’m glad you called me today to share the good news! You can’t imagine how happy I feel for you!“ The therapist said, sitting at his desk.
The man was in his late fifties, having light hair and wearing frameless glasses. Usually he didn’t work on weekends, but he made an exception for Josh.
Josh sat down at the sofa in the middle of the room and thought about the countless hours he’ve spent here in the last two months.
„Thank you, Jason. It’s been a long road.“ Josh replied, forcing a smile.
Jason immediately noticed Josh’s bad mood. He stood up and sat down at the armchair opposite of the sofa.
„Let me guess. You’re depressed about the decisions you made.“
Josh rested his elbows at his knees and grabbed his face with both hands.
„She’s with Justin… she loves him…“
„When did that happen?“
„Few weeks ago.“
„I’m sorry to hear that, Josh.“
„I shouldn’t have left L.A… both believed I went to Florida to be with Jen…“
„Blaming yourself won’t help. Don’t waste your time with this.“
„I slept with Eve last night.“
Jason frowned.
„Okay… you need to explain this.“
„We’ve been at the wedding I told you about. I felt ready to open up myself to Eve and that’s what I did that night. But Justin didn’t like it and the situation run out of control at some point. Later I wanted to talk to them and went to their room. But as all of us were terribly drunk, we ended up in bed instead of talking.“
„That’s interesting.“
„What do you mean?“
„That your memory came back after sleeping with Eve.“
„Are you saying she was my trigger?“
„Exactly.“
„When I kissed her, my flashbacks became so intense. They continued after having sex. I had trouble to fall asleep. And when I woke up next morning having her in my arm, I felt like home. All feelings for her were suddenly back. I kissed her and we had sex again, while Justin was still sleeping. Then I told her that I loved her and used her nickname. She was surprised I called her that way. In this moment I realized, that my memory was back.“
Jason cracked a smile.
„Eve is your hero, Josh. She saved your life, when no one else believed in your recovery. And now she brought your memories back.“
„Fuck, Jason! I should have opened up myself to her from the beginning! I should have never left her!“
„Stop blaming yourself.“
„I treated her like a stranger and let her alone with our son! I was a giant asshole, Jason!“
„Still, she slept with you. Not just once.“
Josh sighed.
„It doesn’t change the fact, that she’s with my best friend now.“
„How does he sees things?“
„We didn’t talk. I was too overwhelmed.“
„But you need to clarify things. Personally I believe there’s still hope.“
„Look, Justin’s feelings for Eve are serious. He loved her long time before my accident happened.“
„You told me they decided being together short time before you woke up. But then he stepped back.“
„Yes, he did. But there’s no way he will do this once again.“
„Talk to him, instead of making own theories, Josh.“
„Every time I believe that you can’t shock me anymore, you prove me wrong.“ Mateo said, sitting next to Eve in the aircraft on their way back home to L.A.
„I take it as a compliment.“ Eve replied, having Jake at her lap.
She just informed her friend about her adventurous night and what happened in the morning.
„My hangover is killing me, but I’m still thinking about having a Bloody Mary. Or two.“ Mateo said.
„Matty, focus. I need advice. What the hell should I do now?“
„I don’t know, Eve. No one can help you with this problem.“
Eve deeply sighed.
„I want them both.“
As you managed having sex with both of them, maybe you can manage being in a relationship with both of them, as well.“
„This idea is insane and you know it.“
„Okay, very obviously I can’t help you out of your struggle. So let's talk about sex.
Eve bit her lower lip and got goosebumps all over her body, remembering the last night.
„They ruined me.“
„What does that mean?“
„How can I ever have ordinary sex again after this?“
„Would you mind giving me some details to get the whole picture?“
„Nope.“
„Tell me at least, if they did things to each other as well or not.“
„They didn’t.“
„What a pity.“
Eve laughed.
„I’m grateful they didn’t. That’s my dealbreaker.“
„Killjoy.“
„This was the best sex experience of my life, Matty… and I’m hungry for more…“
„You and me need to talk.“ [C]
„I’m on my way to New York.“ [T]
„Where are you staying?“ [C]
„St Regis.“ [T]
„Meet me there at nine.“ [C]
„Okay.“ [T]
Josh remembered being the last time in New York with Eve. They stayed at the same hotel Justin booked for the night.
When he left the taxi and entered the lobby, he felt sickness rising up. He was worrying about how his conversation with Justin would end.
„Welcome to the St. Regis. What can I do for you, Sir?“ The concierge asked friendly.
„I’m here for Mr. Timberlake.“
„Oh, please pardon me, Mr. Chasez. It’s my pleasure bringing you to his suite.“
