Lin tried to concentrate on his work but it just wasn't happening.
He kept running through all the scenarios. How was he going to be able to keep his cool?
He looked at the clock. About 7 hours till she was back. He couldn't stay in. He would probably lose his mind thinking.
Making a decision he picked up his phone.
"Yo Dude!"
Jon walked towards him, sat down on the bench and Lin passed him a coffee.
"How's everything?"
Lin smiled quickly.
"Yeah good thanks. I think I'm on track with things."
"Excellent! When's Gia back?"
Lin suddenly looked uncomfortable.
"Tonight."
Jon frowned at him.
"Is she getting on ok?"
"Ha! Oh she's getting on just fine. Or rather getting IT on just fine."
He screwed up his coffee cup and threw it in a bin opposite.
Jon looked at him confused.
"Ok. I knew this wasn't a social 'shall we take a turn around the park for some fresh air' call. What's going on?"
Lin put his head in his hands and looked at the floor.
"Lin?"
He looked up at Jon through his dark hair.
"She's cheating on me."
Jon started to cough, the coffee spilling on his trousers.
"No. No way. Are you sure?"
He shrugged.
"Well, 99.99% sure yes. She said she's gone on a works thing to Philly with her boss Anton. Jon, I saw him the other day downtown. He doesn't even know about any offices. She's definitely there with a guy because I heard him on the phone."
"There has to be another explanation. You and Gia are the original 'Most likely to love and stay with each other forever' couple in every schools Yearbook.
If you haven't spoken to her maybe don't jump to conclusions.
Don't point the finger of blame if she hasn't done anything."
Lin shuffled his feet his head down.
Jon carried on.
"C'mon. There's probably a perfectly innocent explanation..."
He stopped talking as Lin pointed at himself.
"... I don't understand?"
Lin looked at him.
"It's the finger of blame."
"Hey I know you've been busy so probably not had as much time for her but if this is true you can't blame yourself. You're not the one who's cheated..."
He stopped talking as Lin looked up quickly and stared into his eyes.
Jon whispered.
"Shit. Have YOU had an affair?"
Lin screwed his hand into a fist and rubbed his eyes roughly, his words barely audible.
"Having.."
"What?"
His eyebrows knotted together as he answered.
"Having... An affair. I'm having an affair."
Jon jumped up quickly, his hands raking through his hair.
"Holy Fuck! Shit. No. No you are not. You wouldn't. Not to Gia... fuck Lin! Please tell me this is a sick joke"
"No joke."
"With who? Why? How long for?"
"Iris... Because Gia is cheating on me.... 2 days."
"Iris? Iris!.... Crap Lin. Getting even is one thing. Getting even when you don't know the full story...."
"Gia and I haven't been right for months Jon. We haven't slept with each other, we've not even done anything remotely sexual together.
Everytime I've been near her she's pushed me away or had something more important to do.
She left without saying goodbye for the first time in 12 years. 12 fucking YEARS Jon! They're supposiedly opening an office in Philly with no ties there. She had to go over suddenly and there's a man with her who she claims to be her boss - a man I then see in town. So forgive me for jumping to conclusions." His voice got more frantic.
Jon watched him and waited while he took some deep breaths.
"Well, that's an interesting amount of thoughts to have...."
Lin carried on quietly.
"I know what I've done isn't right Jon. I know it isn't. I feel completely ashamed and broken. But Iris... well... she's. It's not just sex."
"You're in love with her?"
"No, but I do feel a lot for her. She just gets me Jon. She's funny, kind, intelligent.."
".... Available to give you attention when you're feeling neglected, and looks remarkably like your wife when it was all sunshine and roses."
Lin stood up quickly.
"Ok. You can't make me feel any worse than I already do. I'm sorry I told you. I shouldn't have brought you into this."
He started to walk away, but Jon caught his arm.
"Hey. HEY! I'm sorry. You've just shocked me. Need a hug?"
"Like you wouldn't believe."
Jon pulled him into a tight embrace, rubbing his back gently to try and stop him from shaking.
"What have I done Jon. What the fuck have I done?"
"Come on. Let's take a walk and talk properly. Tell me everything."
Iris pressed the buzzer for Zuri's flat.
"Come up! Elevator's broken, use the stairs, I'll prop the door open."
She made her way up and into the flat.
"Roomie!! Welcome"
Zuri laughed as she took her case with one hand and passed her a bottle of beer with the other.
"Ok, you can leave unpacking till later. I want all the news. How was living with Lin?"
Iris looked at her. "Oh it was good... in fact Lin was verrry good"
Zuri frowned.
"What? Good company?"
"You could say that yes"
"Ok. Why do I get the feeling you've got more to tell me?"
"Because I do."
"Oh shit I know that look! Girl you did not! You did not sleep with Lin-Manuel Miranda. You just did not!"
"Am I a bad person Zu?"
"I'm going to need to know what's happened before I answer that one. Let me get the JD out."
