“Connie!” Heather gave a light laugh. “I take it you girls are having fun.”
“Heather?”
“Heather is on the line. Put it to speaker phone. I want to hear everything.” There was some shuffling around, and then she heard all of them talking together.
“How is your dirty weekend?” Connie asked.
“You’re only jealous,” Ashley said.
“Damn right. Shut up, guys. I want to hear her talk.” The line went deathly quiet.
“It’s going fine, guys. I just wanted to talk to you.” Her voice sounded croaked, as if she’d caught the flu.
“Oh, no. I know the sound of this. Is the honeymoon period over all ready?” Amber asked.
Heather looked behind her to make sure the coast was clear. “I don’t think there ever was a honeymoon period. I think I’m the only one who felt something more than sexual attraction.” The sob she’d been containing released. She knew she’d sound awful over the line, but she didn’t care. She wished she was at home with her friends. Being at home with her brother Elijah would have been better than being with a man who gave her an expiration date.
“I thought you girls were angry with me. I haven’t been with you for over six months. Last time we really talked we were fighting,” Heather said. The tears fell, and she knew her time with Julian was coming to an end.
“We love you, honey. We were being bitchy and missing you. Out of all of us, you’ve never let a guy into the equation. Guess what?”
“What?” she asked, her heart feeling lighter knowing her friends didn’t hate her.
“Wade has the karaoke thing going tomorrow night. You’ve got to come. We’ve already signed Connie up to sing. It’ll be great. Alcohol, dancing, singing, and friends,” Ashley said.
“You’re in luck. Julian has agreed to meet you guys. I’ll tell him about the karaoke, and I’ll meet you guys there.”
The girls on the other end screamed. Heather laughed.
“So how are you holding up?” Connie asked, cutting through all the laughter.
Heather paused. “I’m fine. It’s just hard to deal with. I know he’ll dump me, and I’ll end up like the other women. A piece of jewellery that means squat while I see him with a new woman by his side. I love him. It’s my fault for loving a guy who could never love me back.”
“We’ll be here for you,” Connie said.
“I know. That is a huge relief. I don’t know if I can handle going through this break up alone.”
“Elijah is still living with you. He’ll take care of you,” Amber said.
“You know, I need to talk to him. I feel like shit. For most of my life I’ve hated him. I guess it has taken being away from him while he’s been nearby has put some kind of perspective on everything.” Heather felt tears spring to her eyes.
“He’ll look forward to talking with you.”
“I better go. I’ve got a sandwich to make, and then I’ve got more hot sex.”
“You go, girl. Enjoy the screwing while you can,” Ashley said.
Heather hung up the phone then took everything she needed from the fridge. It felt good speaking to her friends again. She loved them so much.
****
Julian watched her make a sandwich. His heart was in his throat. She loved him. He knew she did, but now he’d heard her say the words it became more real to him than ever before. Slowly, he eased back up the stairs with his own troubled thoughts.
Heather loved him, but he’d not been able to end things. This put a problem in their relationship. He knew she loved him, and now he needed to let her go. Hurting her wasn’t an option. On Monday, he’d end their time together. He’ll call another company where his friend Nathan worked and ask if they’d give her a job. Once things were over between them he wouldn’t be able to cope with seeing her every day and knowing what he’d lost.
A few minutes later Heather came into the room. She carried a tray with their food on.
“Hi,” she said. He smiled at her. Her eyes were red from crying. He didn’t say anything.
“Is that food for me?” he asked.
“Yes, I talked to my friends.”
“What did they say?” He knew what was coming, but he didn’t want to spoil it.
“Wade has organized some karaoke. Connie is an amazing singer. You’ll love her,” she said. She sat on the bed next to him, her smile beautiful to see.
“If she’s that good why haven’t I heard of her before?” he asked, smiling.
“Because she tried to get noticed years ago. No one wanted her. They said her body didn’t fit the image. Anyway, she’s amazing, and you’ll love her.”