Jacob

"Hey Jacob, I have to talk to you about something," Rachel says behind me. She seems antsy and stuttering in her speech, "Actually... a few things."
My phone rings. I'm hoping it's Paul with news on an order. I look at the phone, my eyes almost pop out of the socket. Zoe's name is on the screen. Shit!! " Hey. Hi, hon. How are you?" I turn around. I didn't want to face Rachel, but I could feel her staring at me from behind.
SHIT! Shit! Shit!  I thought to myself, trying to listen to my fiancé giving me information about her flight.
"Oh my God honey. I've missed you so much." Zoe says on the line.
"Yeah, I miss you too," I reply, wishing Rachel would walk away.
"I can't wait to see you. I'll be there tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Aren't you excited to see me, babe?"
"Yeah. I can't wait."  is all I could say, trying to sound excited, which I was but with Rachel standing behind me...
"OMG!! Are you with the guys? Sorry, I'll be quick. The flight lands about 2 pm." Zoe continues.
"I'll pick you up. 2," I respond.
"Awe. I can't wait to be with you. It's lonely at night. I love you!! Byyee."
" Okay. Yeah, love you too." I say as Zoe hangs up the phone.
"Jacob?" Rachel's voice shatters my heart. Shit. This wasn't the way I wanted to announce my engagement to everyone, especially to Rachel.
I turn around trying to hide the guilt that I'm feeling right now, searching for the words to explain what just happened,
"Who's coming tomorrow?" Rachel asks in a shaky voice.
I try to smile, but I'm feeling so stupid right now, "That was —- it was or is, I mean." I take a deep breath and stop fidgeting. I drop my arms down to my side, surrendering to the shit I'm about to receive, "My fiancé."
*****
"When the hell were you going to tell us!!!!" Katie yells at the top of her lungs as I sit at the kitchen table with Mama and Katie. Rachel stands by the counter saying nothing.

"I really did try to tell you."  I defend myself.

"When Jacob? And you've been engaged for three months. Dating, what, two years."

"Three years."

"And you didn't think to tell us!!!" 

Mama puts her hand on Katie's hand "It's done, Katie. No sense yelling now." Mama looks at me disappointed, "although I'm sad that you never thought to tell us about this special girl or that you were thinking of marrying her."

I put my head down on the table. " I'm sorry. I just wanted something of my own."

"I bet she's a city girl." Katie blues out

I glare at my sister, "She's a wonderful woman. I love her." Jacob protests.

"I can see. So much so you told us about her."  Katie blurs out again.

I take a deep breath, "I love Zoe. I proposed to her and she is now part of this family. I will assume that everyone will treat her with kindness and respect." Jacob looks at Katie.

"Well, I think —,". Katie starts.

"Katie." Mama calls out in a low gentle tone. "Enough." She looks at Katie and then Rachel, "Now's not the time to say anymore. Let's prepare our house for our guest."

"What about Rachel?" Katie asks, sounding heartbroken.

"Katie!!" Rachel snaps.

"What about Rachel?" I ask, knowing what my sister is leading to.

"I think she's a perfect match for you," Katie blurts out.

"Katie!!" Rachel shouts.

I look at my sister and prepare myself to hurt the last person I ever wanted to hurt – again, "Katie you have to be in love with the person to have a relationship," I state. I need to end these feelings with Rachel. She is what Mama needs. I have Zoe. I'm not pulling Rachel or Matty from here. Hopefully, by saying this, it will put an end to any feelings that surfaced within me and that Rachel could have. Everyone is silent. Although I managed to screw up the delivery of my news about Zoe, at least it's out and she will be in my arms by tomorrow night.

"So, how did you meet?" I hear Rachel's weak voice behind me.

"Through a mutual friend. We went to a party at his house. We both were in line at the buffet table and she was struggling to serve herself so I offered to help her and we started chatting. Spent the rest of the party together. Then we went on a few dates and it went from there."

"Is she also in architecture?" Mama asks.

I smile at Mama, "She's mainly in fashion. Women's clothing. Although she started a home design collection last year. She's figuring out which field she likes."

Mama smiles and nods her head as she pats my hand on the table, "Well, We can't wait to meet her."

" I need a drink," Katie says, getting up from the table. She walks to the fridge and grabs bottles of beer, " Who wants one?" The three of us put our hands up simultaneously. We all burst out laughing, "Okay, well then I guess this is a celebration." Katie says, passing the beer to each of us.

"I'll get the kids first," Rachel says as she puts her beer on the counter.

"Can you make sure Declan brings his reading book? The teacher emailed me this morning,  saying he's not reading his book." Katie adds.

Rachel nods and leaves for the front door. She steps out as I run, following her. " Hey, Rachel!" I call behind her.

She turns around with a fake smile, "hum."

I look at her, "Are you okay? I mean that wasn't the way I wanted to tell you guys about my –, " I can't say it, "Zoe."

Rachel gives a tight smile, "Well, it was definitely a 'Jacob John' move. Not considering the consequence of his actions."

I run my hands through my hair, " Yeah. I guess. Rachel, what I said to Katie about relationships –,"

"No worries. I mean youre right. You'd have to be in love with the person."

I look at Rachel, "Ray, I'm Sorr–,"

"I gotta go get the kids," Rachel says as she walks towards her car.

"So we're cool?" I blur out, realizing how stupid that sounds.

"Yeah," she snaps back. She gets in her car, as I stand there. I felt like a fucken idiot. I should have said something from the beginning. No. months ago. Years ago. To Mama. I wouldn't be standing here, watching my past love driving away unsure if she really is okay or not.
She was and still is better off without me. My phone rings. I look at it. I'm so happy to see Billy's name on the screen.

"Hey." he says, "What are you up to today?" he asks.

"Nothing. Why?" I ask.

" I'm coming into town for a few days to help my folks clean up around their house. I thought we'd go out for dinner, or drinks?"

I smile, relieved to hear something good. " Either one sounds good," I say.

"Did you tell your Mama about Zoe?" Billy asks.

"Actually, Zoe made the announcement," I say

"She's here already?"

"No. she's flying in tomorrow, but she called while I was... picking tomatoes with Rachel."

"Oooo, the one you were worried that you would hurt."

I closed my eyes, knowing I did. "Yes, she's the one."

"Well, it's all for the better. You still love Zoe after all that?"

"Yeah of course I do," I respond in defence.

" Then it's done. Throw out the road kill and start to celebrate your relationship with Zoe. Bridgestone's found himself a wife."

I smile. My wife. That sounds really nice. " I'll see you tonight," I said.