The Aftertaste

Chapter Thirteen

Lizzie bubbles with excitement as I describe every detail of the date to her. I had to tell somebody and I'm glad she was still here to talk. We share fruits and sip our wine on my patio, soaking up the sun.
"So he basically devoured you? I'm obsessed. This baby has me going. I'm so horny all the time and Luke is so far away lately, you know? We just found out his mom is getting married again."
I wince at the marriage comment, something I was already well aware of.
"Far away how?"
Redirect. 10 points for me.
"He doesn't touch me, or kiss me. Nothing. He's so distant, we barely talk."
I think about my pregnancy and how I did everything alone, becoming best friends with the sex store for even the slightest bit of affection.
"Maybe he's stressed."
"About? You love to make excuses for people." She grumbles, I'm not sure if it's at my comment or the fact that her wine is almost gone and it's the only glass she can have.
"I don't make excuses. I'm just open to all angles."
"So why hasn't that AJ guy text you yet? You've checked that phone several times and you look defeated each time."
I try to think of something that isn't an excuse but I can't. I woke up to him already gone but he left a note saying he'd miss me and I could stay if I wanted. I wanted to but mommy duties pulled me back to reality.
"He's working."
"Excuse! See, always excuses."
She laughs and I join in. Maybe she's right but I wish she wasn't.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything, you're my best friend." Her eyes fill with sincerity.
"You didn't..you didn't mention Grayson to anybody. Right?"
"Of course not but now it's my turn to ask you something."
My heart is thumping and I feel the room spin a little.
"Go ahead."
"Is that Derricks baby?"
Not the question I was expecting. I thought she'd ask if it's Joe's. He has his brown hair but everything else is my features. You really would think he came entirely from me.
"Uh..well yeah."
"So does he know? Or is that why it's so secretive?"
I don't want to lie to her but I have to. After the last couple of days, I'm in a tight position when it comes to secrets. I'm piling them up day by day.
"Yes. He's crazy, I want him to stay far away from me."
She nods, finishing her wine. I pour myself some more, bragging without really bragging. She rolls her eyes, letting out a big sigh.
"Luke is cheating on me."
I'm in shock. My brow furrows and I stare at her, stunned. He wouldn't cheat on her, I know him. It has to be an assumption.
"There's no way."
"Oh but there is."
"How do you know?"
"I followed him. She's absolutely b-beautiful."
The crack in her voice makes me look up. She's crying. I don't know if I should say anything or just hold her.
"You're beautiful, maybe it was a work client?"
She lets out a crazed laugh, choking on tears.
"I sat outside her window while he was inside. I watched him caress her the way he would caress me. Kiss her-the way he'd k-kiss me."
My heart drops. I've been in this position but different scenarios. I think about being trapped in the shower while Joe let Lana caress everything I thought was mine.
I shake my head, too hard. Shake him away.
I hug her as tight as I can. I don't want to let go, afraid she'll blow away into a trillion broken pieces. What do I say? How do I fix this? I'll have to talk to Luke.
"Everything is going to be fine." I promise, squeezing her close to me.
It has to be, right?