“And I guess me needing you means shit.” Highland snatched his hand from my body and I immediately felt the pain in my chest again. He turned away from me without another look, leaving our space.
Fuck, Olive!
I had to stop him.
And say what?
Anything.
Before I could think of something worth saying, my mouth was open and calling out to him.
“Highland!” I hated that my voice cracked.
He stopped but didn’t turn to see me.
“I miss you,” I cried out as the tears began to well up in my eyes.
“Then handle the situation, Liv. Let me know what days you and Jo-Jo are coming down so I can have the house ready for y’all; no need for a rental. Tell the girls I’ll be back in a few.”
He got in his car again, leaving me standing there with tears staining my cheeks. But even through the ache in my chest, I felt hope.
There’s still a chance; he offered the house.
Upon walking into the house, Byrdie was in my face quick.
“Liv, you got some shit to tell me. So while these kids are busy, let’s go.” I was dragged back out to my deck.
I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I needed my best friend now more than ever. My heart was continually breaking and I forgot how to breathe.
“We broke up.” The words slipped out of my mouth the moment we retook our seats.
“Well I picked up on that much. But what happened? I thought things were good with you two.”
I reached for my glass and took a long drink before I dropped my head, trying to hide my shame because I was starting to realize I was to blame.
“A few weeks ago he popped up to surprise me at my office and saw me in action with a client. When I say it was bad, I mean level ten bad. He didn’t explode while my client was there but he hates my job and basically told me him or it. I fucked up and didn’t react fast enough. Well the way he wanted me to. I can’t just quit my job. It’s my whole ass career. I don’t get it though. It’s not like I’m cheating and fucking my clients. But Highland doesn’t see it that way.”
Byrdie released a sigh as she pressed her lips together, going for her glass. There was a pregnant pause as she took a drink before she spoke.
“You know I love you and I’ma always rock with you until the wheels fall off, but Liv, I get it. Single life being a professional cuddler is cool in a sense, but even then, it’s different and top level dangerous. In a relationship though? And before you jump on me, it’s not about being insecure, it’s about respecting that level of intimacy between you and your partner. Hypothetically speaking, how would you feel if Highland was providing that level of comfort to another woman, like a friend, and you happened to see? How would you feel or react?”
Without hesitation I responded, “I would fuck both of their asses up.”
Byrdie smirked as she continued her line of questioning. “And would you expect Highland to stop being that close and intimate with her?”
“Hell yeah. Because whatever they had before me is done now. Ain’t no way I would let my man cuddle hisfriendlike they were me.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I gasped while Byrdie just sat there with a smug grin on her face, sipping her drink. I got it.
Olive, you fucked up.
“There are other ways to help your clients without this level of intimacy, Liv, and you know it. Why are you acting as if you don’t have other options for work? You could hire other cuddler therapists. You could become a traditional therapist or do art therapy. You have the degrees that make you able to do anything within the field and be fine. So what’s the real issue here when it comes to compromising to be with the man who loves you and Jo-Jo?”
Fear of the unknown.
I shrugged as I grabbed the pitcher and topped my drink off.
“Love is a big word to be using right now, ain’t it? Isn’t this all happening too fast between us? It’s been a few months and making drastic changes like career choices is a lot.”
Byrdie waved me off as she kissed her teeth. “Umph… heffa, please. Love is the only word that fits with you two. I can see it when y’all look at each other, even with the hurt behind it. And Liv, love moves differently for everyone. Can’t nobody tell you it’s too soon or too slow. And would it be a change if you hired help? You could still be part of the process, just as a supervisor. Which could work honestly. You keep your practice and all your contracts but you don’t cuddle anymore. I’m just saying, do something before you really fuck up and lose your man for real. He ain’t gone yet.”
