Page 121 of Keep My Heart
‘No,’ I say, my stomach knotting. ‘What else did he say?’
‘That their relationship isn’t ending and that when he gets back, they’ll resume where they left off. And then she must’ve asked him where he was or who he was with because he lied and told her he’s at his parents’ house and that he wasn’t with a girl.’
Why would he say that? Why would he lie about me?
‘Maybe I’m reading something into it,’ Diane says, ‘but it sure didn’t sound good.’
‘No, it doesn’t,’ I say, that knot in my stomach growing.
‘What did he say last night when you were up in the room? Did he talk about you moving there?’
‘A little, but I felt like he was trying to talk me into not doingit. He kept saying I should wait, and that he doesn’t want me to have regrets. What if he was saying that because he’s trying to decide who he wants to be with, me or that other woman? Maybe he wants to date us both until he figures it out, which is why he wants me to stay here instead of moving there to be with him.’
‘It’s possible. Lyndsay, I’m sorry I had to tell you this. I went back and forth all night trying to decide what to do. Tom said I should stay out of it, but if it were me I’d want to know. I’d want you to tell me.’
‘It’s not what I want to hear, but I’m glad you told me. I just can’t believe he’d do this. It’s so unlike him.’
‘Maybe it’s not true. Maybe it’s some kind of misunderstanding.’
‘It doesn’t sound like it is. What you described doesn’t sound like a conversation you’d have with a coworker or a client.’
‘That’s what I thought.’
An announcement comes over the speaker, saying my flight will be boarding soon.
‘Diane, I need to go. My flight’s about to board.’
‘Call me when you get home.’
‘I will. Bye.’
I’m feeling sick after hearing that stuff about Nick, but I’m still not sure I believe it. Diane only heard part of what he said, and maybe she thought she heard something she didn’t.
‘Are they boarding yet?’
I look over and see Chris taking the seat next to me. He’s on my flight? That’s just great. Just what I need when I’m already feeling sick.
‘They’re boarding in a few minutes,’ I tell him, getting up. I’m not waiting here with him. I was hoping I’d never see him again.
‘I’m surprised you’re leaving this early. I thought you’d want more time with Nick.’
‘I need to get back to LA. Is your stuff out of the apartment?’
‘Not all of it. I have to get a truck for the big stuff.’
I sigh. ‘Chris, you promised me you’d be out by this weekend.’
‘That was before I decided to go to the reunion.’
He always does this. He says he’ll do something, then doesn’t, finding some excuse for why he couldn’t. I should just move out and give him the apartment. I could stay with a friend until I figure out what to do.
‘What about San Diego?’ I say. ‘You were supposed to meet that guy there this weekend.’
‘Yeah, that didn’t work out.’
Of course it didn’t. It never does. Our whole marriage Chris kept investing our money in businesses that turned out to be scams, each time saying he was going to make us rich but instead leaving us with barely enough money to pay rent.
‘I’m going to go wait in line,’ I say, pulling the handle up on my suitcase.
