Page 63 of The Beat of My Heart
I grab my Kindle and sort through my backlog of Kindle Unlimited books. I only recently found out that these poor authors get half a cent per page, but only if you actually read the book. It makes me feel shitty about all the books I have stockpiled on here, so I vow to make it through some of them while I wait for Lex.
* * *
I heara crash and bolt upright in bed, ready to run to Lanie’s side, thinking she is having another nightmare. Since she was attacked, the nightmares happen frequently. Except, I’m not in bed, and it’s not Lanie standing in front of me, it’s Lexi. To be fair, most people would probably struggle to tell them apart, but I know instantly.
“What the fuck, Lex? You scared the hell out of me,” I tell her.
“Yeah, well, what are you doing sprawled out on the floor like that anyway?” she retorts.
Looking around, I realize I’m on my family room floor with my Kindle stuck to my face. “Ugh, I must have fallen asleep,” I tell her. Looking at the clock on the wall, I see it's one in the morning. “What the hell, Lex? Why are you strolling in like a teenager who missed curfew?”
“Sorry,” she says. “I-I just had some things I had to take care of before I could leave.”
She’s not making eye contact with me, and she is fidgety as all hell. “What the hell, Lexi. Are you okay?” Something is off with her; something is definitely not right.
Shutting the door behind her, she looks around. Anywhere but directly at me. “I’m fine, Jules. I’m just exhausted,” she tries.
Standing, I march to her. Like Lanie, Lex is over 6 feet tall with beautiful blonde hair. As a kid, it was always in a ponytail. Now, it’s cut in a sharp bob that doesn’t suit her. She’s always been thin with an athletic build, but seeing her now, there is nothing athletic about this pile of bones. Where Lanie and I would have to work out, Lexi has always been toned from the sports she plays. Staring at her now, the only definition is the outline of her frame.
“Jesus Christ, Lex, when’s the last time you ate something?” I know I should be more tactful, but it’s a shocking state to find her in. She’s never had an eating disorder that I know of, and it isn’t like it’s been years since I’ve seen her.
Flipping on the light, I take a better look at her. She has big circles under her eyes she has tried to cover with makeup to no avail. Her clothes, an outfit Lanie would surely approve of, hang limp on her frail body.
“Don’t look at me like that, Jules. I said I’m fine. Drop it,” she demands.
“I will not just drop it, Lex. Look at you! What the hell is going on?” I ask, trying to control my voice so I don’t wake up Charlie.
Sitting down, I watch the fight leave Lexi’s body, “Miles isn’t who I thought he was,” she begins. “I-I came home to see if your parents could help me set some things up before… before I leave him.”
“Lex, you aren’t married, you don’t own property together, what do you need lawyers for?” I ask, confused.
“He’s into some messed up shit, Jules. I only found out by overhearing a conversation I wasn’t meant to hear. I need your dad to help me make sure I’m not involved in any of it before I leave. Miles will not let me go easily,” she tells me. The admission makes my spine tingle.
“Has he hurt you?” I ask. I’ve just gone through something traumatic with Lanie, what the hell are the odds I’ll have to help Lex as well?
“No, not physically anyway. He’ll make sure I won’t be able to work in Boston again, but if that’s the only price I pay for leaving, I’ll take it,” she says, shrugging her shoulders. “He certainly won’t make it easy, but I can start over.”
The entire conversation is reminiscent of my own situation with my ex. I sit still for a few moments, wondering if I want to go here with her. Seeing how defeated she looks, I decide that telling her my story can only help. Even if it only makes her feel less alone.
“Lex, I’ve never told anyone this, not even Lanie, but I think we can probably help each other right now. Remember Erick?” I ask stupidly. Everyone knew Erick.
Rolling her eyes, she says, “Jules, I’m tired, not a freaking moron.”
I’ve missed this girl. “Well, the truth is, I didn’t break up with him,” I tell her, cringing. “He took off, with close to a hundred grand in cash,” I pause to see her mouth fall open. I haven’t even told her the worst part yet. “And he opened almost four hundred grand in credit cards and loans, in my name. I have no idea where he is, but I’ve spent the last four years trying to pay off his debt.”
She gasps and leans back into the couch. “Fuck me. Is it too late to open some wine?” she asks, reading my mind.
“Hell no,” I tell her, already heading for the wine cabinet.
Sitting at the island across from me, I see the sadness written all over Lexi’s face. “He isn’t the man I thought he was,” she tells me.
Leaning across the counter, I pat her hand. “They never are, Lex.”
Except, I know that’s not the truth. Charlie would have been the exception, I know it.
“Why didn’t you tell anyone about Erick? Oh my God, what did your parents say?” she asks, making me cringe in shame again.
“What the hell, Jules? You didn’t tell them either?” she shouts.
