Page 62 of Heal You
“Fuck,” Morgan spoke through gritted teeth, her eyes closing as Jan’s breath washed over her lips.“If nothing else, you know how to make me wet in an instant.”
“Mmhmm.Welcome to the club, baby.”
Chapter24
Jan hadno idea how today would pan out, but she was thinking of all the potential positives.Gillian would know about Morgan, Finn too, and nobody would have to sneak around or feel as though they were keeping a secret any longer.She had already called Gillian on the way over here, wanting to ensure she could come right out and say it rather than wait for another day or time if her best friend was unavailable.Gillian was home, Finn was at university, so here Jan was…unsure as to how she should even say the words out loud.
She knocked on Gillian’s front door and took several deep breaths.Not only did she need to tell Gillian about Morgan, but she had the bombshell to drop regarding the fact that Phil was going to be a father.Jan didn’t know which would be more shocking to Gillian.Hopefully, it was the pregnancy.Jan didn’t needanyoneto be shocked or have an opinion when it came to Morgan.
The door opened suddenly, and Gillian threw her arms around Jan’s neck.“Oh, it’s so good to see you!”
Unable to breathe, Jan pulled back and frowned.“It’s only been ten days since I saw you.We’ve gone far longer than that in the past.”
“Are you still at that fucking hotel?”Gillian urged Jan inside the house and closed the front door.“I seriously don’t know why you don’t take one of our spare rooms.It seems silly to spend all that money on a room until God only knows when.”
Jan lifted a shoulder.“It’s on the business credit card, so Phil is paying, too.”
“Oh, that’s brilliant!”They retreated to the back living room, and as Gillian turned to face Jan, she started to laugh.“Maybe you should upgrade to the best suite they have.”
“Believe me, Ihavethought about it.”
Gillian rested back against the dining table and regarded Jan with a sympathetic smile.“How are you doing, love?
Jan lowered her handbag beside one of the chairs and took a seat.“You know what, I’m great.I’m feeling refreshed and ready for whatever comes next.”
“When I left Dave, I didn’t want to face the world.I couldn’t even imagine looking anyone in the eye.”
“I know.You avoidedmewhenever you could.”Jan gave Gillian a knowing look.“But look, it happened.I can’t change it even if I wanted to.”
“And…do you want to?”Gillian pulled a seat closer to Jan and sat down.She took Jan’s hands and stared deep into her eyes.“I can’t believe I’m asking you this, but do youwantto forgive him and try again?”
“No.Things have changed significantly for me over the last several weeks.And even if they hadn’t, I still wouldn’t have given him another chance.”
“W-what does that mean?What’s changed?”
“Gill, I…slept with Morgan.From the bar.The Corner bar.”Jan didn’t know why she was giving specifics; Gillian knewexactlywho Morgan was.
Still, Gillian’s face fell as Jan spoke that out loud.She couldn’t begin to imagine what was going through Gillian’s head, but as she drew her hands away from Jan’s, Jan knew she wasn’t going to have the support she expected.Not so easily, anyway.
“Please say something, Gill.”
“I…I don’t know what to say.”Gillian sunk back in her seat and sighed.“When did it happen?”
Jan lowered her eyes.“The week after I found out about the affair.”
“Wow.That was…swift.”
Jan frowned.What the hell was Gillian implying?“I’m sorry?”
“I just…did you give yourself a moment to realise the severity of your marriage ending before you fell into bed with another woman?”
Jan scoffed.While she understood that all of thiswashuge, she hadn’t expected Gillian to lead with that.Jan wasn’t sure what reaction she’d wanted, but something a little more supportive would have been nice.Perhaps even to be asked if she was happy.“Of course I did.I know ending my marriage is big, and it’s messy, but…” Jan shook her head.She wasn’t going to come clean about the amount of time she’d spent with Morgan.If she did, she had a feeling Gillian would just continue to judge her.“I think I’m just going to leave.”She reached down for her bag and rose to her feet.“You know, of all the people I have left, I expected more from you, Gill.”
“You’ve just dropped somethinghugeon me, and you expect me to jump for joy?”Gillian stared back at Jan with a frown.“Seriously?”
“What Ididn’texpect was immediate judgement from you.Anything else I could have handled, but you went right for my throat, didn’t you?”
“Forgive me, but I’m confused.”Gillian carded a hand through her dark hair and exhaled a deep breath.“You and…Morgan.Really?”
