‘I don’t know. Look for a different job, I guess. I’ve always paid the rent on this place in six-month chunks, so I have a bit of time before I’m turfed out on my ear.’
‘You know you can always stay at mine, don’t you?’
Before I can answer, Reeni’s phone rings. She picks it up and scowls at the screen as if she wants to hit it with a hammer.
‘Who is it?’ I don’t know who I expect her to say, but it isn’t Aaron. I nudge her. ‘Aren’t you answering it?’
She grunts and then turns her back on me, phone to her ear.
‘What do you want?’
I can only hear her side of the conversation, but her tone is scathing.
‘And that’s my fault, how? I’m looking after myself, that’s all.’ She almost spits into the phone. ‘It’s got nothing to do with you what I do … I don’t think you do care … How fucking dare you. I am not being ridiculous. That’s on you. You need to pull yourself together and be a husband and show that you care. Not blame all this on me.’
Reeni is waving her hand around at speed as she speaks.
‘I’m not listening to you anymore. You need to realign your priorities, because presently they’re skewed. And don’t expect me to cook dinner tonight because it’ll obviously be far too healthy for you. You can get a takeaway.’
And with that she ends the call, stabbing the phone so hard I’m half expecting the screen to crack.
‘Woah. Everything OK with Aaron?’
‘Fucking men.’ Reeni swings her waterfall of black braids around so fast they smack her in the chin. ‘I’m doing everything to give myself the best chance to get pregnant. You’d think I was feeding us poison on a daily basis.’
I keep my mouth shut, because if I say what I want to say, I don’t think Reeni will ever speak to me again. But I have no idea what she’s playing at. I’d give my eye teeth to have the family she has. Gorgeous little Olly and Aaron who thinks the world of her. Can’t she bloody see what’s in front of her nose? I, on the other hand, have lost my business and am fucking up royally with the man in my life.
She needs to get a bloody grip. I was going to tell her aboutJackson and the near kiss and what the hell she thoughtJ xmeant. But I’m not sure I want her opinion now.
‘I’d better get off. I’ve got a fertility yoga class to get to.’ Reeni stands, then pauses. ‘Life just feels a bit shit at the moment and we haven’t been out and had a good laugh in ages. Look, come over for a pizza night with me and Olly. I’ll call to arrange a day.’
She’s right. Everything has felt so serious lately. I nod. ‘Sounds good. Whenever suits.’
Reeni gives a small smile and leaves, and I’m left sitting on my own again. My posture collapses and I put my hands on the table and rest my forehead on them. Why the hell is life so complicated?
The bell tinkles and footsteps head towards me. Can’t anybody read the bloody closed sign on the door?
‘Lil says you’ve closed up shop. Why?’
I bolt upright at Jackson’s voice. ‘What the hell has it got to do with you?’ My voice comes out harsher than I meant it to. ‘No hello. Sorry I ran out on you yesterday. Just thought you’d come over and stick your nose in my business instead.’
I bounce to my feet, knocking my chair to the floor. It lands on its side with a clatter and there’s an electric silence as we both stare at each other.
‘I didn’t. I mean, I wasn’t trying to be nosey. I wanted to check … well, see if you were … well, if everything was OK.’
I’ve rarely seen Jackson lost for words. God, I’m a bitch, even if there are mitigating circumstances.
‘I’ll go,’ he says quietly and he turns and walks.
Part of me thinks I should let him walk right out of my life. Things will be so much simpler if I let him go. He deserves better and I don’t deserve him. His hand reaches for the door and before I can stop myself, I call out. ‘Don’t go.’
He stops, but doesn’t turn for what feels like an eternity, and Ithink he’s going to leave anyway. Then, slowly, he turns back to face me.
‘That was uncalled for,’ I say, my voice softer now. ‘Sorry.’
‘I probably deserved it,’ he says, taking a step in my direction.
My forehead pinches, not sure how he thinks me ranting at him is his fault.
