Fin gritted his teeth at her lack of tact, but tried to keep his voice as calm and controlled as possible. ‘I don’t want to do that either.’
‘Excuse me?’ Camilla jerked her head.
‘I …’ He paused, gathering the dreaded words up and forcing them out of his mouth. ‘I don’t want to do long distance.’
‘What does that mean?’ She stepped a little closer, her neatly painted eyes boring into his. ‘Are you breaking up with me?’
Fin forced himself to keep eye contact, the intensity of the moment threatening to crush him.
Just say it.
Be an adult and tell the truth.
‘Yes.’ The tiny word fell feebly out on to the floor between them. ‘I think I am.’
‘Are youfuckingkidding me!’ Camilla screamed, her entire being pulsing with rage. ‘Is this some sort of sick joke?’
Fin tried to swallow but his throat was too dry.
‘At least answer me, Fin!’ she screeched.
‘No.’ He hung his head. ‘It’s not a joke.’
The next thing he knew, he was being pelted with every available item that Camilla could get her hands on.
‘Come on, Cam,’ he tried to reason. ‘You know things haven’t been great for a while. We barely see each other and when we do … the only time we really talk is when we argue.’
Her face cemented into a thunderous expression.
‘Happy New Year to you too, you total arsehole,’ she yelled, grabbing her handbag and storming into the bedroom.
The sound of doors slamming echoed around the apartment. An ocean of emotions flooded him. Guilt and rage, grief and relief all swirled amongst one another and crashed over him in waves.
It’s for the best.
You know it’s ultimately for the best.
*
It didn’t take long for Camilla to clear out the stuff she’d kept at his apartment and leave. Strangely the place felt a lot lighter without her, as though it could breathe again. Things hadn’t been right between them for weeks, and the weight of their constant bickering and fighting had become unbearable.
Happy bloody New Year’s Eve.
Fin slumped down on to the sofa and allowed the dying rays of sunshine to bathe his face as they poured in through the window. Considering he was a redhead with too many freckles to count, his skin seemed to relish the hot weather. How the hell was he going to cope living under the dreary grey skies of London?
Suddenly he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. Reluctantly he pulled it out, desperate not to see Camilla’s name flashing up on the screen. He couldn’t take any more of her shouting right now. He smiled when he saw the name of his best friend pop up instead.
‘Happy last night of the year, buddy,’ Rob cheered down the phone.
‘How are you doing?’ Fin forced his voice to resemble some sort of upbeat excitement.
‘Good, man, good. Just having a few beers before we head to Nick’s tonight. Are you sure you and Cam don’t want to join us?’
There was a sickening twist in Fin’s stomach. ‘Nah, thanks though. We have plans.’ The lie tasted bitter on his tongue.
‘Well, the offer’s there if you change your mind.’
‘Thanks, Rob.’
