Page 94 of The Vow We Made
“But why?”
“Believe me, I’ve avoided it up to now, but you two being together permanently will change our lives. Most days, I try to forget what Andy did to us, but you being here will be a daily reminder. My relationship with Aiden won’t survive if I keep this inside and neither will yours, baby or no baby. We have something in common which both of us would rather brush under the carpet but these men,ourmen, deserve more from us.”
Evelynn glances at her hands twisting together, as large tears spill from her eyes.
I try to console her. “Please don’t cry. I don’t want to upset you.”
“If you mean that, you wouldn’t tell him in the first place. What good will it do?”
“Don’t you see Evelynn? If we don’t, then we’re as bad as Andy. I’m not sure how well you know Luke, but these two boys have grown up together; they’re the closest of friends and it will mean you and I spending more time together in the future. I can’t pretend there isn’t a history between us every time we meet. It’s not fair onthemand it’s not in me to lie. I’ve found this last hour hard, can you imagine having to socialise with this hanging over us every time? We can’t carry on as if nothing is wrong.”
“But we agreed,” she repeats.
“But circumstances change and so do people.”
There’s a knock at the door. “Are you okay in there, angel?”
I freeze and Evelynn’s wide eyes panic me further. I’m trying so hard to control the differing levels in my tone when I answer, “Fine. All fine. I’ve got Evelynn in here with me and, you know, girl talk.”
There’s a pause. “Luke said the second course is up, so you girls need to finish what you’re gossiping about.”
“We’ll be right out,” Evelynn shouts before we listen to his fading footsteps.
I face her again, this time reaching for the door handle. “I can’t continue my relationship with Aiden unless I’m straight with him and it’s not fair on Luke if he’s the only one in the dark. It’s up to you, but I’m going to speak to Aiden tonight.”
I open the door and exit without giving her time to respond. It’s harsh but I’m worried she’ll try to change my mind.
As soon as I enter the room, Aiden and Luke stand from their seats. I try to remain composed. “I’m so sorry Aiden, but we need to go.”
He is by my side before another word leaves my lips. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t feel too well. Do you mind?”
“Of course not. I’ll call a cab.”
“It’s not the bloody soup is it?” Luke asks. “I must admit, my stomach’s a bit dicky now you come to mention it.”
Evelynn walks back into the room as Luke passes her to get our coats. “Vickie and Aiden are leaving,” he says as she arrives back in the room and her face drops.
“Jesus, you’ve told Aiden already.”
My mouth opens, ready to speak but I don’t know what to say and all I manage from my mouth is, “N-no.”
“Told me what?” His voice is firm. He isn’t stupid, he knows something is going on and the uncomfortable silence now filling the air only makes the situation worse. “Come on Victoria. What is it you’ve got to say?”
“Oh Christ.” I place my hands to my face and shut out Aiden’s questioning eyes. This is not the way I wanted him to find out. I take a breath and tell him with as much control as I can muster, “Not here.”
“What’s going on?” Luke’s bright and cheerful voice breaks as he returns with our coats, but the scene greeting him couldn’t be less frosty.
Evelynn smiles and tries to cover her tracks. “It’s nothing. Victoria just needs to get home.” She takes my coat from Will and places it over my shoulders. Her eyes look at me in warning but surely, she must know I’m going to go through with it now. I’m filled with guilt for putting her in this position when she’s been nothing but a friend in the past, but if I don’t lay my cards on the table, it will lead to more lies.
She draws me in for a hug then pulls back. Her smile is gentle and kind and all I can do is hope she’s decided Luke needs an explanation too. “You take care, okay?”
“And I was looking forward to hearing how you girls met.” I notice I’m not the only one taking in a breath at Luke’s comment when Evelynn glances at me from the corner of her eye.
“Another time, mate,” Aiden says with the same stern voice although he smiles to Luke when he slaps him on the back and brings him in for a hug. When his focus lands back to me, I note his jaw ticking the way it always does when he’s angry but his time, I don’t think anger is the emotion he’s feeling. I get the impression he’s disappointed I’m hiding things from him and that stings more than I ever thought it could.
