Page 163 of Shades of Loyalty
Every single picture holds memories. But there’s one picture gone. What makes it even worse is that the wall has a subtle deeper shade of white, making it obvious thatsomethingis missing.
“Don’t say it,” Andrew sighs. “I had to get rid of it. You know it.”
“I understand. You did a great job. I know it’s not easy for you.”
The missing picture is one of his favorites. A picture of Julian and him.
And as hard as it may have been, I’m glad he got rid of it.
It’s a subtle, yet a huge sign that although he’s hurt, he realized that Julian was a piece of shit.
“Are you doing okay? I mean, I know it’s hard and all but… You’ll get over it one day, right?” I try my best to sound gentle, but my voice usually never is.
Andrew nods. “It’s not even that I miss him. I just… I hate that I’ve trusted him so much. I told him like, almost everything about my life, you know? And I trusted him. I really thought he was good.”
“We all thought he was.”
“You hated him.”
I shrug. “Hate is a huge word. I hate him now. But then? I just disliked his behavior sometimes. He was rude. But I didn’t think he’d… Do all of this. You know.”
Andrew sighs. “Do you want a coffee?”
“I can’t stay for too long. I got a date with my girlfriend and our daughter.”
The subtle twitch of his lips is a good sign, right?
“That’s fair. How is she holding up? I mean, she did… It. God, you know what.”
“We didn’t talk much about it. Seems like she’s okay, but you never know. She’s happy that it’s all over, that’s all I’ve noticed.”
He shrugs. “Maybe you’re right. Perhaps she’s pushing it away. Make sure to keep an eye on her in case all of it… Creeps up on her.”
“Trust me, I’m taking good care of her.”
Both of us stay quiet for a few seconds.
…I should tell him, right?
“Is there anything else?”
I gulp. “Well… Yes. There is.”
“So? Tell me.”
“I honestly don’t know if it’s ideal to bring it up now. It feels out of place.”
But his body language switches up immediately. “What are you talking about? Is it good news?”
“Well, yes, it definitely is.”
“Tell me, then!” He sighs frustratedly. “I need to hear good news, or I might lose my mind.”
I grin. “Fine. Remember when you told me to ask Jennifer to be my girlfriend?”
He rolls his eyes. “Obviously, I do. What about it?”
“I asked her to be my wife.”
