Had we had sex since then? Shit.
I sent a text to my best friend, my ride or die, my level-headed Man of Honor, Eddie. I needed him to order an STI screening foreverything under the sunas soon as we got to work tomorrow. Eddie, our other best friend, Emilia, and I, we were a chosen family; all three of us. He was our brother from anothermother and she was my sister from another mister. He needed family because, it turned out, his parents didn’t want him after he came out of the closet.Noneof his family wanted him. We were in high school together and when we found out, my family helped get him emancipated. He ‘paid’ my parents' rent, which they put away for him for a rainy day. For all holidays and breaks from school, we would go back to my family’s home.
Looking at the period tracker app on my phone, we’d been intimatea lotsince he started texting withBecky. I puked everything out, but my stomach was still retching and rolling because the information was simply too much, and too despicable.
Had he been thinking of her when he was with me? Had he initiated the last two times because he was talking to her beforehand? Was he turned on because of me or because of her? Had they had sex yet?
Thoughts were swirling in my mind as I tried to read through the rest of the messages, praying there was something concrete. When I got to the end of them, there was nothing showing they’d been together. I checked everywhere too. There was nothing showing he’d physically cheated. Not in the deleted messages between them, nor either app they were communicating through. Nothing that said they’d had sex yet. If they did, they were talking about it using a code word or something, or they simply hadn’t been intimate yet.
At best, this was an emotional affair that hadn’t turned physical.
Yet, that fucked up little voice in my head taunted, kicking me while I was already down and my heart had taken a beating during the fight. Saving the videos of everything I found on his phone, I crept as silently as a ninja, back into our roomand plugged his phone in, back on his nightstand. He hadn’t shifted in bed despite the ruckus he and his mistress had caused to my heart, and my stomach.
I grabbed my pillow and blanket off my side of the bed, making my way out to the couch. I did not want to wake him. I needed to get my thoughts together, formulate a plan, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to do that sleeping next to him like we were still in love, like we were still alright.
We’ve only been married six months! For fucks sake!
I didn’t want to be anywhere near him, let alone sleeping close to him. As I set up on the couch, I was now wondering if he’d brought her here. If they’d done anything inside of my home, my sanctuary, the one place I was supposed to feel safe and able to unwind after a hard day. That thought brought new tears to my eyes. This was the flat that I’d bought right after I got out of med school. I was able to purchase it with the inheritance money I’d gotten from losing my Móraí and Daideó. This was the place that was supposed to be mine, and mine alone until I found someone to share it with. Someone to love me forever, like my grandparents had.
I thought Caleb had been that person.
Chapter Two:
Devin’s POV
After they passed, I was lost and didn’t want to finish med school, but I knew they’d be disappointed if I didn’t finish. They had been so proud of their granddaughter who was going to be a doctor. The first in the history of the family. Something they bragged endlessly about to anyone who would listen.
So, I did. I finished. I met Caleb, fell in love, and got married.
My parents helped where they could while caring for my grandparents in their final months. I threw myself into school, forcing myself to focus on nothing but that. I was desperate to finish and walk the stage before they passed. I wanted someone to send my parents a video of it, of me walking the stage, since they were in Ireland with my Móraí and Daideó. It never happened.
Closing my eyes, blinking away the memories and tears, I stared at the ceiling. I pulled my phone up, pulling up the group chat with my two best friends. They had worried about me and were there for me every step of the way when I wanted to give up. Eddie more so than Emilia, but just because she was majoring in marketing while he and I were in med school.
Tuesday, 11:57pm
Eddie: Deal, but why?
Eddie:And don’t tell me ‘no reason’ because we both know there’s a reason. And I’m here to listen and kick ass if needed.
I sighed at my phone, at his response, knowing he was most likely going to start making demands. It’s not every day your married bestie tells you she needs a full STI/STD panel.
Tuesday, 11:59pm
Devin Fia: Because I just need it.
Devin Fia:Can we get into the details tomorrow? After my appointment?
I really didn’t want to make this into a thing, not this late at night. All I wanted was sleep that I knew wasn’t coming, but something told me Eddie was going to pester me until I told him.
Wednesday, 12:01am
Eddie: You’re not getting off the hook that easily. I need the deets lady.
Wednesday, 12:02am
Em: WHAT?! An STI panel?! Girl! This is not news you drop on someone at midnight. Some people just laid down to go to sleep, doctors.
Wednesday, 12:03am
