Page 73 of Loyalty (The Salvation Society)

“Yeah, Haven is picking it up.”

“Alcohol?”

She laughs and goes into the kitchen to get a bottle of wine and two glasses.

The next several hours are the best I’ve had in two weeks. It may have to do with the three bottles of wine we’ve consumed, but I’m not being picky at this point. They’ve done a great job of keeping my mind occupied and I’m so grateful. I may have lost everything I love, but my besties. These girls will always be there for me.

“They miss you,” Blair whispers.

I jerk my head toward her with wide eyes. “What?”

“Blair, shut the hell up,” Haven hisses.

“No, no! You talk now,” I say, looking between them.

“I talked to Remi,” she says.

My stomach drops and the tears that have been gone return full force.

“Blair, what the fuck,” Haven says, wrapping her arm around me.

“What did he say?”

“Don’t do this to yourself, Lei,” Haven whispers.

I shouldn’t push her. I know no matter what she says it is going to destroy me, but I need to know. I’m also pissed that my best friend is talking to Remi behind my back. How could she do that to me?

“He said that they all missed you, that’s it,” Blair says.

I look over at her as she takes a sip of her wine. “How could you talk to him behind my back? You see how devastated I am, and you talk about me to Remi.”

She looks at Haven and back at me. “It was only one t

ime and he called me; I didn’t call him.”

“Why did he call you?”

She shakes her head and finishes off her wine. “He wasn’t sure who’s number it was. He didn’t have my name saved and he got a new phone. I guess he was just curious. It was fast Lei, he asked who I was, I told him, and he asked how you were, and I told him none of his business. He said tell her we miss her. That’s it,” she rushes out.

I sigh as I stand up. “I’m going to bed.”

“No, don’t. Come on we were having a good time,” Blair says.

I don’t say anything. I just tighten my comforter on me and walk back to my room. I close the door and fall on my bed at the same time a sob rips through me.

“Lei, are you in the shower?” Blair asks.

“Obviously that’s why the water is running,” I yell, rinsing my hair.

“We’re running to get lunch. Be back soon.”

I finish in the shower and when I step out, I quickly dry myself off. I pull on my panties and get into my sweatpants and sweatshirt. I grab the brush and pull it through the knots in my hair, as my back is turned toward the mirror. When that’s done, I step into my slippers and head for the living room.

After last night, I didn’t think I’d get out of bed again. It was as if it all just happened. Blair and Haven had to come in and lay with me because my screams were deafening. After they calmed me down, they made me promise to at least get out of bed today. They said each day I needed to do something new until I was able to look in the mirror again. So today, I got out of bed and showered. It didn’t help my heart, but I honestly don’t think anything will. I’ve got to learn how to live with the constant ache.

I decide to flip through the channels until the girls get back. If I don’t, my mind will focus on other things. I find an episode of Friends and leave it on. I’ve seen it countless times, but it’s a good distraction.

I go into the kitchen to get a bottle of water and as I take aI sip, I slowly lower it to the counter. I listen closely and need to grab onto the counter to stay standing.

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