lies lies lies || book three

chapter nineteen

Only moments later, Ana had the phone in her hand and had Airplayed Laney's messages to put her on blast, "Damn Laney. There are a lot of unread messages" Ana joked, "You left me on read. So I just feel honored".

She managed to break a small smile, but what the messages contained was eating her alive. Before Ana pressed on Morgans's messages to her, Laney blurted out "Wait".

The two pivoted to glance at her, "It's going to be okay," Jack spoke.

Laney shook her head, "No. If I'm going to read these messages, I want to read them by myself first before sharing them".

Ana bobbed her head in agreement as she unshared the screen and passed Laney the phone. Taking a deep breath, Laney wandered to the balcony of the apartment. Shutting the door behind her, she sat in the chilliness. Her sweating had subdued from the wave of cold as she pressed his name and began to read.

Morgan: Laney come back, please. We really can work this out.

Morgan: This wasn't my fault and I understand you're upset but I promise you I'm going sober. You can divorce me if I have a small sip of alcohol I promise.

Morgan: I'm coming to seej uou soon Laney girl. Stay put.
Morgan: wueusy won't you text me back I miss you

Laney could tell this was from the night that Thomas showed up at the house and helped Morgan.

Morgan: I had a brief intervention staged for me. I'm well aware that I'm the problem and undeserving of your love. But I'm begging you for a last shot at this. I'm so in love with you that it physically is destroying me to not be with you or hear from you. Laney, please.

Morgan: I'm releasing a song and I hope you hear it. I'll give you your space.

Morgan: Can you share your location so I know you are safe still

Morgan: I'm doing better for you. Please leave me on read or something.

Morgan: I'm not signing those damn divorce papers. You'll have to come to the house to get me to sign them yourself.

Morgan: I know you don't want a divorce either. If you do, just tell me in person. But I'm not signing those papers. Till death do us apart right?

Morgan: I've realized how crazy I've sounded over the last few days. I love you so much. I messed up again, me and my stupid mouth. I'm swearing off drinking and even considering rehab. I will do anything to get better for you. You're all that matters to me. I'll stop the music too. You and our baby girl mean everything to me. I will never hurt you again. I would let you hurt me to get you back. I'll give you everything. If you decide to take me to court for these papers, I will sign once I hear the words " I don't want you anymore. Sign the papers, I want a divorce" come out of your mouth. Until then, I don't believe that you want a divorce and I refuse to accept it. Send Reese back here and I'll threaten to shoot him again Call me crazy but I'm only crazy for you. I love you to the moon and back.

Taking in every word, she airplayed the messages while walking back inside the apartment. Her teeth were chattering slightly but she felt numb to the pain of it all. Watching their reactions unfold as the texts were projected on the TV, she got lost in her own thoughts.

He knew her better than she did. She didn't truly want a divorce. She didn't want him to give up. Maybe it was their baby girl kicking some sense into her, but she wanted him to fight for it. She skimmed through the texts again as she laughed at one sentence in particular: Send Reese back here and I'll threaten to shoot him again. She didn't doubt that for a minute. But her heart faltered at: I would let you hurt me to get you back. I'll give you everything. If you decide to take me to court for these papers, I will sign once I hear the words " I don't want you anymore. Sign the papers, I want a divorce" come out of your mouth. Until then, I don't believe that you want a divorce and I refuse to accept it.

The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him. She didn't want his fortune or fame, she didn't want any of the fun kitchen items from the wedding registry, she just wanted her clothes. Why would he even offer to let himself get hurt? She would never know. In all honesty, part of her wished that he would show up at the apartment door to fight for her.

Looking at her friends, she scanned their faces for their responses. Ana grumbled in frustration at the situation, she was clearly torn on what to say. Jack had a plain face but he looked like he was leaning towards not divorcing him. "So?" Laney finally asked.

Ana took a deep breath, "He cheated and it isn't right. But holy fuck, the fact he would give up his career... I mean. I'm torn honestly. Do you think you'll take him back?".

Before she could answer, Jack stepped in, "You shouldn't. Someone will treat you better".

Ana narrowed her eyes at Jack, "Jack you're so insensitive. They aren't dating, they are married".

"So? She sent over the divorce papers. He cheated. It's not fair for her to worry about this and come crying back to us like this when something happens," Jack blurted.

Ana's mouth parted in shock as Laney took a step back. Before Laney could speak, the baby began to kick with her perfect timing, and Ana began to yell at Jack, "You're so fucking stupid. She's our friend or at least she is mine. People make mistakes. If you were in love then you would know. It's our job to hold her when she cries, you've been nothing but rude".

Laney just watched them go at each other's throats until she had enough, "Stop".

The two of them stopped bickering and looked at Laney for instructions. But Laney just sighed until Ana sat down next to her and Jack slammed the bedroom door and locked himself away. Ana whispered to Laney, "Something tells me this is a little more personal to him".

Laney nodded, "Yeah... thank you for being there for me. I read those messages and honestly... the fact he would throw away his career for me too is bizarre. I wouldn't ask him for that but the alcohol is probably linked to that. I'm just conflicted right now".

Ana listened to her intently, "You don't need to push him to sign those papers so don't. At least not until you're ready. Do you think you'll text him back?".

Laney shook her head, "No. I'm not focused on arguing with him. Well actually, I don't think I could handle it".

Ana nodded, "You should talk to Jack".

Laney agreed. She didn't know where his sudden outburst of outrage stemmed from but something told her it had to do with their past relationship which was not even a relationship. However, it was noticeable that Jack had some deep feelings for her back then. She walked into his room and saw him sitting on the bed, "Sorry Laney," he spoke.

Sitting down next to him she just sighed, "No it's fine. How are you doing?".

He shrugged, "I'm okay. I just don't like seeing you being mistreated when you can be treated better. How are you doing?".

She shrugged in response, "I mean I'm 8 months pregnant... almost about to pop. And I'm sending over divorce papers that I don't even know if I want to send anymore. My hormones are a mess. But I'm okay".

The two sat in quietness before Laney talked again, "Look... I just want to say I'm sorry. I know I should have explained that I was going back to him that day".

She didn't have to say what day it was because they both knew. It was the day that she had finally gotten over Morgan and was at dinner with Jack. The day that he came strolling into the restaurant made her panic and leave. The same night Morgan got arrested and threw a chair off the Chief's rooftop after seeing them together.

He looked at her, "Thank you. Look, I know I was just a rebound. We both knew. But... I really care about you as a friend. I don't want to see you hurt over a man who can't treat you right. If it's not me, then someone else can treat you right".

The both of them stared at each other. Exhaustion covered her face from the events of earlier this week, all she wanted was a break. "Thanks Jack," she replied as he slowly began to lean in.