Chapter 26
SHANE
“Steven, come on, get up,” I say, kneeling beside him and placing a hand on his back. I’m eager to offer my support, but I know I can’t pretend to understand the pain he’s feeling right now.
He stays there, hugging his knees, as if the world around him has become dense and heavy. Tension and sadness hang in the air, making it impossible for me to remain detached.
“I can’t, Shane…” his voice cracks, and I feel like I’m watching a friend drown. The anguish on his face pierces my soul. “Everything I thought was okay has crumbled in an instant.”
“I know, I know,” I respond, trying to convey sincerity in my voice. “But you have to know you’re not alone. I’m here.”
Suddenly, Steven pulls away from me and stands up.
“I need to go.”
“You don’t have to. Wait a…” He rockets out of the apartment leaving me with my words hanging in the air. “And you’re gone.” I mutter into nothingness. “Damn, messed-up shit.” I curse the whole situation, running a hand through my hair as I walk to the door and lock it. “What a heavy day, God. Give me a break.”
I go to my room, and when I open the door, I see the same mess as when I left. Needing a distraction from today’s disaster, I start cleaning and order Chinese food for Marc and me, because I know he will be here any minute. By the time I finish cleaning, the intercom buzzes. I go downstairs to get the food and rush back upstairs, only to remember I’m pregnant and silently curse myself. I caress my rounded belly (because I’m a curvy girl) and apologize to the being inside me.
I leave the food on the counter and go to take a shower. When I come out, I put on a short-sleeved cotton nightdress. Stepping out of my room, I find Marc sitting on the kitchen island, literally sitting on the island, with a bottle of rum in his hand.
“Hi, honey.” I greet him. He lifts his head; his eyes are red and swollen. I sigh, approaching him to hug him. I take the bottle from his hands and get between his legs to embrace him. “I’m sorry about all this. But I have to say, you really messed up. That wasn’t the best way.”
“It will be… with time.”
“Your way of looking at time sucks.” I pull away from him, hurting to see him like this.
“He…?”
“He left after you did. But it was wrong; I thought you’d be leaving open doors for the future.”
“For God’s sake, Shane, listen to yourself. There can’t be a future! Not with him, at least.”
I take a deep breath.
“I know what you’re doing, and that messed-up attitude isn’t going to work with me. I’m not giving you what you want.” I pull away from Marc and go for my food; I have a baby to feed… I freeze with my hand hovering over the food containers.
“Look at me, I’m already thinking about him.”
“And what am I supposed to be looking for?” Marc’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I ignore him. “Shane!” He shouts, startling me.
“You want a fight, you idiot! But let me tell you something: I’m your damn best friend, not your enemy or Gigit. If all this bullshit bothers you, go tell Gigit how you feel. Go apologize to Steven. I’m not sure if she’ll forgive you, because you’re the biggest jerk I know!”
“Shane…” He jumps off the counter and takes a step towards me; I raise my hand to stop him.
“No, Marc, I’m not the one who needs comfort-though I do, but not like this.” “Go tell Gigit she’s killing you. Get Steven out of your life because a threesome isn’t going to work; but talk to Gigit about it or you’ll hate it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to eat away from you.”
“Shane!” He exclaims, but I don’t stop. I take my food and a bottle of water to my room. I lock the door, put the things on the nightstand and take several deep breaths to calm myself. I search my phone and, when I pick it up, I see 30 damn calls from Liam! My heart races, my stomach tightens, and my body trembles. Did something happen to him? Does he know I’m not at his mother’s? Is he angry?
I put the phone back down; I need to eat something before I continue with all this. I’ve never had a boyfriend before and I don’t know how it’s supposed to be. If those 30 calls are normal or not. I turn on the TV, and the first thing I see is Twilight; what an irony. Smiling, I get comfortable on the bed and start eating.
I finish eating and put the empty containers on the nightstand, feeling a little guilty for getting lost in the movie’s plot. After a while, the screen changes to the next installment: New Moon. Even though I should be thinking about so many things, the story captivates me again, and I get carried away by Bella and Edward’s melodrama.
With each scene that passes, I feel more relaxed, as if the complications of my life momentarily fade away. But they don’t. Then, gradually, fatigue overcomes me, and I finally close my eyes, letting myself drift off to sleep.
Time seems to fly by, and when I wake up, I do so suddenly, startled. I feel a warm body pressing against my back, and something hard pressing against my behind. A shiver runs down my spine, and panic invades me: is it Marc? Is he drunk and got into my bed? But then, the sweet, familiar scent of Liam’s perfume fills my senses. It’s him. My heart pounds as I move my hips, trying to turn around, but a hand wraps tightly around my waist, pressing me closer to the warm body behind me.