“Oh, will Andy be coming too, then?”
“He’s being very understanding in all this, so try not to be so hard on him.”
My skin grows tight. “Are you kidding me? Are you really saying I shouldn’t be angry with someone I thought was my friend who went behind my back to fuck my boyfriend?”
“It’s not like that. I was the one who initiated it. He turned me down the first time.”
“In that case, better put him up for neighbor of the year award, then, huh?”
He scoots closer and I move away, dropping my hand from his. “I’m really sorry. I tried. I did. There’s just no passion anymore. I’ve come to realize I need more.”
“More?”
“In the bedroom and outside it too. Andy is up for exploring and trying new things. Things I’ve brought up to you that you either said no or maybe to without ever bringing it up again.”
“Ask me again, then. I didn’t know you really needed those things, but if you do, I can try to give you what you need.”
“It’s too late, baby. I want to be with Andy. We’re in love.”
I scoff. “You barely know each other.”
“When you know, you know.”
“You should go stay with him starting tonight, then. I want all your things out.”
“And what about Christmas vacation?”
“I’ll go alone.”
“To a cabin out in the middle of nowhere?”
“Yes. I’ve got my phone and laptop to help me get by. I can also call friends if need be.” And Raf from the Be My Eyes app. I keep that last one to myself, as I remember what he said about giving him a shout anytime I need anything.
“You sure? I can still come with you?”
“But it won’t change anything, right? When it’s all over, you’ll still end up choosing him.”
He breathes out another sigh. “Yeah.”
Neither of us says anything for a long time, and when he tries to reach for me, I tug away. My eyes water, my body feeling numb as I curl up in the corner of the couch. “You can go now,” I whisper.
Without another word, his footsteps trail to the door. They pause after he opens it, and then they move again seconds later. Janie rushes to my side and I lean into her warm embrace. She orders us food and we cuddle on the bed, watching Christmasmovies. She adds to the descriptions, and we share some laughs together that I wish could last even after she leaves.
Four
Henry
“You sure you want to spend most of the month out there alone?” I can picture Janie shooting me one of her concerned looks, those brows pinching together and eyes turning inward.
“I’ll be fine.” I wave my hand at her and go back to shoving clothes into my bag.
“I can come stay with you the first week and see if my boss will let me—”
“No. I don’t need you to do that.” My face turns toward where she’s tapping on the nightstand, and I force my lips into a smile. “You’ve taken plenty of days off because of me as it is. I’ve been there enough times to find my way around.”
“Okay, but I’m not leaving until I help you get settled in.”
“Okay.” I close the middle drawer and open the top one, grabbing some underwear to add to everything else.
