Divine Affinity

42

Eiry's heart skipped a beat as she heard Eddie's voice on the other end of the line. A surge of emotions flooded through her, catching her off guard. Surprise mingled with nostalgia, creating a whirlwind of conflicting feelings within her. At first, her heart raced with excitement at the unexpected call, a rush of happiness washing over her. Memories of their time together filled her mind, each moment vivid and alive as if it had just happened yesterday. But as she listened to his voice, a pang of angst crept in, tinged with a hint of sadness. Her emotions were like a rollercoaster, soaring high one moment with joy and plummeting low the next with sorrow. Her hands trembled as she held the phone closer to her ear.

"Are you there?" Eddie stuttered a little as it was all too silent.

Eddie's heart raced. His fingers trembling with a mix of anticipation and nerves. When she picked up, his nickname came out like a soothing melody in a chaotic world. The gentle lilt in her tone stirred a sense of warmth and familiarity within him, almost making him forget the purpose of his call. All he could focus on was the way her voice made him feel - a rush of emotions he couldn't pinpoint. She was everything to him. All he ever wanted from the day he met her. His eyes filled with tears at the realization, but he flickered his eyelids to avoid them.

"Boo..." Eiry whispered with tears running down her face.

Her suitcase and clothes all scattered over the bed. Everything ready for her to go meet him. Meanwhile, Stone signaled her as he and Rae left the bedroom to give her some privacy. When the door closed, Eiry cleared her throat. All she could hear on the other end was his heavy breathing. It seemed like he had been running. If she could only see his white knuckles as his hand closed around the phone so strongly. Eddie was shaking and praying he'd be able to say what he had to say.

"How are you?" Eiry asked as he couldn't form a word.

"I'm..." He gulped. Tears fell down his cheeks too. He had tried but failed miserably. "I'm ok, I guess..." He breathed. "You?"

"I'm fine." Eiry lied. She was far from being fine, but she had bought that narrative and said the same thing to everyone. "I was..." She shut up as she stared at the clothes she was gathering. She did not know if she should tell him she knew where he was and that she was about to leave to go meet him. "Stone and Rae are here, and we were going to have dinner." She lied again.

"Good..." Eddie took a deep breath, closed his eyes gathering strength and thanked God that she was not alone. "I have something to tell you..." He stuttered again. It was going to be the hardest thing he was going to say to anyone.

"Boo." Eiry stopped him. "I know where you are." She told him, hoping he'd tell her to go meet him. She would rather have him say it than imposing her presence.

"Eiry, listen to me..." He cleared his throat and sat straight. He bounced his legs up and down nervously. His heart about to break his rib cage. "Tomorrow morning..." Her heart raced too. "a lawyer..."

Eiry's heart sank as she realized what he was about to say. Waves of disbelief and sorrow crashed over her, leaving her feeling adrift in a sea of emotions. Tears fell heavily down her face as in milliseconds she relived moments of laughter and love with him. He had been her sole love. Until him, she realized later, she had not felt love. A mix of anger and sadness swirled within her. The weight of another loss settled dangerously heavy on her chest, making it even harder to breathe.

"Don't say it..." She begged him with a crying voice that cut deep into him. Eddie remained silent for a few seconds trying to control his emotions.

"It's the best for both of us." He told her though he knew it was not the best for him. He would be devasted and lost without her, but she deserved a better life. A life without anyone attacking her because of him.