Free The Loss (Heartache series #1) by Vicki Green Page A

“Oh, I dunno. Like, how did you two meet? What does he do for a living? Are you in love?” Her fork crashes against the plate again but instead of picking it up, she grabs the entire place setting and gets up, walking over to the sink. I’m starting to think I may have pushed her a little too far.

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    Shit! What do I tell him? I can’t tell him everything. Can I? No! I start scrubbing the plate, a little too hard. “There’s nothing to tell, really. We met at college in a business class. He has a degree in Accounting and has his own accounting firm.” I shrug my shoulders as I put the plate in the dishwasher and start scrubbing the fork.
    “You know….” I jump at his voice that is suddenly right beside me. “The whole point of a dishwasher is to wash the dishes so you don’t have to.”
    I look up at him and smirk. “I know. I know!” I put the utensils in the dishwasher and grab his plate, tugging at it, but he has a firm grip on it.
    “Al. I’m sorry. It’s none of my business but you don’t seem very happy with him.” I stop pulling and look into his sad eyes. “I know I don’t have to tell you how short life is and that you deserve better. Hailey….”
    I let go and stand up straight, my hand immediately gripping my hip. “What? What has Hailey said? I swear I’m gonna….”
    “She hasn’t said anything. Really. I was just gonna say that Hailey just went through a bad breakup and hasn’t been the same since. I just don’t want you to end up that way. That’s all.”
    “Oh.” Now I feel horrible. My hand leaves my hip, and I frown. “I feel so bad. We got so caught up yesterday with everything else, I never got to talk to her about it. I need to talk to her.” My phone rings as if by magic. I walk over and grab it from the breakfast bar, and I feel the color drain from my face when I see it’s Bill. I turn my head towards Jase and give him a small smile. “I’ll just be a….” I walk out of the kitchen and into the living room, trying to keep my voice low.
    “Hi.”
    “Darling, I was worried. Did you get my texts?” He sounds concerned, but I’m not sure I feel very bad for him.
    “Yes, I got them. I just need some….”
    “Alena, I’m so sorry for what happened. You know I’d never hurt you intentionally.” Do I? There’s only been a couple of times since we’ve been together that an ‘accident’ has happened but especially since this trip came up, they seemed to be happening more often.
    “I know you’re sorry but….”
    “Please come back to your moms, she’s been worried sick as well.” Hmmm, that’s strange. Doesn’t sound like Mom. She’s always given me the freedom to do what I want, when I want. Always told me she trusts me, but if I needed her to call.
    “Okay. I’ll see you in a little bit,” I tell him in a small voice.
    “Good, I’m so relieved. I love you, darling.” I cringe a little at his words. A strange feeling washes through me and I turn around and look into the kitchen. Do I really love Bill? Or has it been the support he’s given me all this time, the safety of our relationship, or the escape he gave me?
    “Yes. I do too. Bye.” I walk back into the kitchen. The same sadness fills my eyes, and my head is bent low. I release a big sigh and then look up at Jase, trying to put a smile on my face. “I need to go. I think my clothes are dry now.” He doesn’t speak or move. He just watches me walk back out of the room. I’m so confused. I don’t know what to think anymore. All the feelings that I’ve tried so desperately to escape from are back with a vengeance. I get into the bathroom and close the door, then grab my clothes and start undressing. His smell is still heavily on the sweatshirt I’ve been wearing, even more so since he held me last night. I look up into my reflection in the mirror, my eyes wide. He held me last night, and it felt like home. I’m in so much trouble.
    I had such a hard