Page 54 of Don't Break My Heart
“I bet. They all still following you around?”
“You get used to it.” She shrugs like it really doesn’t bother her anymore. “I’m just so sore and tired. I feel like I’m always sleeping, but it’s not enough, and when I am asleep, I’m so uncomfortable. And then there is the eating. If I don’t eat enough, I feel sick, and if I eat too much, I feel sick. Every week Ricky says the morning sickness will ease. And I thought it had, but it’s back. It’s time these babies come.”
“How long do you have to go?”
“Three and a half months, if I go full-term.” She sighs.
I hand her the bowl, offering a sympathetic smile. “Remind me to get my tubes tied.” We take our bowls over to the sofa, and I prop a cushion up on the coffee table for Harley to put her feet up. She looks so uncomfortable.
She laughs. “You probably should, it would avoid this situation.” She rubs her belly with the biggest smile on her face. She’s glowing and looks happier than I have ever seen her, even if she’s uncomfortable.
“It’s so good to see you happy.” I smile back at her.
“Thanks, girl. But today I’m here for all the gossip on you, so start talking,” she says, scooping up a spoonful of ice cream dripping in chocolate.
I slump back into the sofa, digging into my dessert, enjoying the smooth whiskey with the creaminess, silently thanking Cruz for getting me back on this late-night treat. “I don’t even know where to start.” I sigh heavily.
“Last I saw you was at my clinic open day and you and Onyx were mauling each other in Alex’s office.”
I smirk back at her, remembering that day. “You saw us?” I squeak.
“Through the courtyard.” She laughs and blushes.
“Oh my God.” I cover my face, embarrassed, remembering exactly what we got up to in his office. That’s where he gave the rules and told me not to fall in love with him. I should have known then I would end up with this ache in my heart.
“Where is the big dude, anyway?” She looks up the hall like she’s expecting to see him.
I fiddle with my spoon. “I fired him after he told me he was in love with me.”
Her eyes go wide. “Shut up, you didn’t.”
My eyes well with tears when I picture his face yesterday morning. I nod slowly, not able to say it.
“Oh, shit, Sloane, are you okay?”
I shake my head. “I have no idea what to do, my life is a fucking mess. Orlando is back in Italy. Romeo is following me around like a lost puppy trying to get me to work, but I can’t fucking concentrate.And Reef is pissed with me big time, giving me the silent treatment, when he has no right to be. It’s me who should be angry with him.”
She looks at me blankly and I know I have lost her. “Orlando is Romeo’s dead or not-so-dead twin brother, right?”
“Yeah. My husband. Or ex-husband,” I say, quickly correcting myself.
She finishes her mouthful. “Your life sounds more complicated than mine and that is saying something.”
A stray tear slips down my cheek. “Please just tell me what to do.” I swipe the tear away, not wanting to cry over this.
She places her empty bowl on the coffee table and sits forward. “Shit, Sloane. What happened to the girl I met when I was falling apart. She had the answers for everything.”
“She’s gone. I’m so fucking lost, Harley. I’m in love with all of them, but there is no going back after what they did to me. The fucking lies and secrets. Who would I be if I let all of that shit slide. Not a Stryker, that’s for sure.”
“Okay, I don’t know what they did, but it sounds to me like it’s more complicated than just making a decision on the spot right now. You need to talk to them, tell them how badly they have hurt you.”
“They know,” I huff.
“And?”
“Onyx fucked off when I told him to, Reef won’t talk to me, Orlando literally divorced me and sent me across the other side of the world, and Romeo, well, he just keeps pretending like nothing has happened. I’m sure he thinks if he hangs around long enough, I will end up hate-fucking him and then all will be forgiven. It won’t.”
She takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Definitely not a virgin anymore.” She laughs, and it’s the best sound ever. God, I have missed her.
