Page 25 of Walk Off

Chapter 7

––––––––

Celia

“Are you ever going to tell me what happened last night?” Ruby asked.

She was sitting on Ruby’s couch like she had been for the last two hours. At least she wasn’t crying anymore. The tears had all dried up and her face was a swollen mess. That’s what happened when you had your ex-boyfriend's baby and kept it from him for eight years.

She deserved that and so much more.

“I slept with him.” She looked up at her sister who’d been nothing but supportive since the day she’d told her about the pregnancy, and then again after she’d told her she’d lied.

Hell was too good for her. There had to be a place that was worse.

“Since I’m not an idiot, I already figured that part out. What I can’t figure out is why?”

“Because I’m a masochist, that’s why. I couldn’t resist him. I’ve never been able to resist him.”

Ruby scooted over next to her and rubbed her back. “What about him? Why’d he sleep with you? Have you thought about that? Maybe he never got over you either.”

She shook her head rapidly. “No.” There was no way that was true. Except, he had said some things when they were together that made her wonder.

“I wouldn’t be so sure.”

“It doesn’t matter. You should have seen the way he looked at me after I told him about Jasmine.” She’d never forget that look. Anger and hostility and hate. He hated her and that would never go away.

“You need to talk to him. Tell him what was going through your mind when you made the decision you made. He might understand.”

“Would you? Would you understand if someone lied to you for this long? I’ve had plenty of time to tell him, and yet, I never did. I kept his daughter from him. If I were on the other side of this, I’d hate me too.”

“You forget, you lied to me too, and yet, here I am, standing by your side. I understand why you did it and I forgave you.”

“You had to forgive me. You’re my sister.”

“You of all people know that’s not true. Family is something you choose, whether you’re born into it or not. Mom is a prime example of that.”

---