Page 47 of Just Like You
“He is bisexual,” I whispered. Fuck. What the hell?
“Don’t defend him. He didn’t tell you about Gina, did he?”
“No,” I admitted. I was still stroking the band of his watch. A comfort thing. A nervous spasm. The fuck?The actual fuck?
“So now you know, and now you can let this go. It’s not the first time someone has cheated. Not the first time you have fucked someone who wasn’t yours to fuck. It’s not a big deal because you have already walked away. You’ve already ripped that plaster off, so knowing the truth? That’s the final nail in that little coffin. Do we agree?”
“The truth?” I spat out, trying to comb my fingers through my hair so I wouldn’t pick up Sonny’s phone from the table and throw it out the window.
I wasn’t angry. I wasn’t… I was… I was disappointed. Confused. Freaking out.
“Here. A shot of vodka, just to take the edge off. You will need it today, and I am staying the night. Not letting you ride this out on your own, because you look like shit, Jules. Understandable, and Sonny and his own magic brand of sorting you out will now be available twenty-four seven… Until the day after tomorrow, when I have to lead the team on board the flight to Accra at eight forty-five. But until then? I am all yours. No request too small, no demand too big.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, trying to stop my hands from shaking.
“Vodka,” Sonny demanded. Here.
I downed it. And another. Alcohol burning my throat.
“I didn’t want this,” I said, feeling the tears building. “I didn’t ask for this.”
“Oh, darling,” he said, wrapping me up. “I’m going to take you to bed, and we’re going to just lie in bed, and I am going to hold you so you can cry this out. Then, when you’ve had a little sob?”
“Yes?”
“Wait, I brought chips, we should eat the chips first. They’ll be stone cold by now, but I brought that spicy spice mix you like to sprinkle on top and some super funky chilli garlic mayo.”
“That’s supposed to be a hangover cure,” I sobbed. Fucking hell. What was wrong with me?
“Here.” He got up, leaving me slumped on the chair. Arms by my side, like I couldn’t even move. His watch? Slid off my wrist with a terrifying clang, making Sonny turn around, and nod. And nod again.
“Fate. See? You’re already moving on. Leave it there. I will sort the watch out later.”
“It’s worth thirty thousand pounds.”
“I don’t care. It’s breaking your heart, so it has to go back to him. We don’t do anything illegal, not you, not me. We’re good boys.”
“You’re thirty-six, Sonny.”
“Thank you for reminding me.”
“I hate this.”
“I do too. But. What I do like? Is having time with you, where nothing else matters. Where you and I sit here and just exist and eat junk food and remind each other that we’re actually good forsomething. That life is pretty awesome when you have someone to share it with, and we are lucky. We do. We have good jobs and good lives, and most of all? We have good friends. What else could you want?”
“I don’t know,” I said, and for once I was honest. Because I couldn’t put words to anything in my head. Had no idea what to do. Struggled to even swallow the chip that had ended up in my mouth. Greasy and soft and tingling with spice.
I felt like throwing up.
“Show me the picture again?” I demanded.
“No, darling. Because you only want to see it so you can stare at him. Try to find some hidden meaning in that photo. He’s been with Gina for years. They met when they were thirteen, when she was in foster care. She’s talked about it publicly for years; you just missed it. He’s…with Gina. And you?”
“Yes?”
“You’re worth more than to be someone’s bit on the side.”
I swallowed, the chip feeling like lead travelling down my throat.
