Tightrope

Chapter 24

Previously:

Can stood outside in front of her door. His chest was tight and he couldn't take a deep enough breath. He closed his eyes and imagined her face smiling at him, her eyes loving him. He lifted the neck of his T-shirt to cover his mouth and nose and tried to breathe slowly until he was able to breathe normally again. "I'm so sorry, Sanem. Fuck! I'm such an idiot," he said to himself. "I'll fix this; I promise." He walked to his car and drove away. He needed to find out where his dad was.

***

Can dialed his dad's number as soon as he was on the road. The phone rang three times before Aziz answered.

"Son? Is it you? I'm so glad you called! How are you, son?" Aziz sounded so relieved to hear from him.

"Yes, Baba, it's me. I'm not great, actually. I need to talk to you. Where are you?"

"I'm... well, son...I'm at Mihriban's."

"What? I just left Sanem's house. I didn't see your car...but maybe I wasn't looking. I left in a hurry."

"I'm here. My car is parked right in front of her house. It may not be visible from the front of Sanem's house. Do you want to come back? We can take a walk and talk. I understand if you're not ready to see Mihriban yet. She knows I've told you the truth..."

Can pulled into the middle lane to make a U-turn and headed back to Mihriban's estate. "Baba, I need to see you about something else. I just need advice from my dad. But I will see Mihriban in time, okay?"

Aziz's voice sounded brighter when he replied. "Yes, son. Of course. I'm here; I'll be waiting for you. Just send me a text and I'll come outside."

"Okay. I'll be there in five minutes," Can said, and he ended the call.

***

"Stop crying, Sanem, ya!" Sanem said to herself. She swiped angrily at her tears as she stood up. "Enough! Be strong, Sanem," she said, walking to her dresser to pick out something to wear. She took out a pair of sweatpants, a T-shirt, and underwear and dressed quickly. She brushed through her hair and pulled it up into a bun. She looked at her reflection in the mirror--her eyes were swollen and red and she was still slightly flushed from a combination of her anger and what happened with Can before she told him to leave. She rolled her eyes at herself and went into the kitchen to make tea. As soon as she put the kettle on, the doorbell rang.

The shutters were still closed and she couldn't see out. "Ooff. Who could it be? I really don't want to see anyone right now," she muttered as she walked to the door.

She opened it, and Metin stood there, looking at her like he hated her. His face was a mess--he was much worse off than Can had been. She couldn't believe the day she was having. "Metin," she said coldly. "What do you want?"

"Sanem," he said. "We need to have a little talk. I'm guessing you've already been visited by your lover."

She bristled at that; she didn't like the way his voice and face insinuated that her relationship with Can was purely sexual. She was angry with Can right now, but she hoped they would work through it. They both needed time to cool off--a little distance would do them good. Since they found each other again, everything had gone so fast, but they really still didn't know each other yet.

Before she let her mind wander too far, she reigned herself in. "Talk about what? I think it's pretty clear what's been going on...with both of us. I think we just cut our losses and let each other go."

"I think there's more to say. Are you going to invite me in?" he demanded.

She narrowed her eyes at him and widened her stance in the doorway, making it clear he wasn't coming in. "Metin, I don't like the way you're acting right now. I don't feel comfortable inviting you in." She lifted her chin slightly in defiance. "We can talk right here."