40. April
Chapter 40
April
I push open the café door, my gaze flicking between wooden tables and mismatched chairs until it lands on Anna by the window. She’s already tucked in with her drink, standing and smiling for a hug as I walk over. The girls and I decided to meet for an impromptu Sunday breakfast stop at the Daily Grind before we head off for a stroll through Kensington Gardens. It’s a gorgeous morning here, and we want to take full advantage of the sunshine while we have it.
I lean down to kiss Anna’s cheek before taking the seat across from her.
“Well,” Anna says, leaning forward with a sly grin, her arms crossed over the table. “Aren’t you glowing?”
I feel my cheeks heat. “It’s amazing what a few orgasms can do for the skin.”
“Well done, you,” she says. “I already ordered your usual.”
“Thanks.” The waiter delivers my pastry and cappuccino, which I waste no time tucking into. The bell above the café door jingles again, followed by a ripple of gasps from fellow patrons. I glance over my shoulder and my jaw practically hits the floor. Anna scoffs, choking on her hot chocolate between coughs. Gemma strides in like she owns the place, rocking thigh-high patent black boots, a navy-blue pleated skirt, and a barely there lace bodysuit with a mesh top held together by a few thin strings. It’s eight a.m.
Her make-up is rubbed off and her blond hair brushes her shoulders in tousled waves, with that unmistakable “freshly fucked” look.
I usher a waiter over, ordering an apricot Danish for Gemma as she takes a seat.
Anna cocks a brow. “Whose hole have you just emerged from?”
“Ugh,” she groans, pulling her seat forward. “You guys, I had the worst date.”
“Did you come straight from his?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Why did you stay over if the date was so terrible?”
“He has a cat.”
“Point taken.”
“Enlighten us,” Anna says, taking a sip of her hot chocolate.
“So, I met this guy called Richard.” Anna and I glance at each other, trying hard to contain our laughter. Gemma rolls her eyes before continuing. “Anyway, we went for dinner at a pizza bar—fine, great. He turns up and he’s shorter than me. He told me he was six foot!” Gemma stands at an easy five five, five six at most.
“Tell me more about this tiny Dick,” Anna says, gesturing for her to continue.
“So, the chat was fine, whatever. Food was decent. But then the bill comes, and he actually has the nerve to suggest we split it.”
“The audacity!” Anna says, shaking her head, and I smother a laugh.
“Right? Anyway, I agree to go halves, and he invites me back to his place. Apparently, he has a cat. And I think, screw it, I’ve come this far .”
“Naturally,” I say.
“So, we get to his flat. Then he starts making out with me, leads me to his bedroom, and—with no warning—shoves his fat, filthy sausage fingers into my mouth. His hand tasted like cottage cheese.”
Well, that’s fucking revolting.
“—and he’s got the smallest penis. I think it’s a micro. I’d never seen one in the flesh until now. Thank God he was done in two pumps, and then he just rolled over and fell asleep. He was still passed out when I snuck away this morning.” She shivers, traumatised.
Anna scrunches her nose. “ Jesus Christ. ”
“I know,” Gemma says.
“I was referring to the micro penis. I can’t believe you haven’t come across one till now. You churn through dicks like an Amish with butter,” Anna says.
Gemma shrugs, casually picking up her Danish and taking a big bite.
I’ve kept the news about Lucas discovering James and I to myself, deciding it’s best to tell the girls in person rather than over the phone, and now’s the time. Deciding there’s no way to ease into the conversation, I blurt it out, sparing no details.
“Damn right, girl!” Anna says when I finish, holding up her hand for a high five.
I laugh, clapping her hand before my expression shifts. “There’s something else …” I hesitate, feeling a twinge of uncertainty about sharing the next part. “Please don’t repeat this to anyone,” I say, looking between them.
Anna and Gemma exchange a quick glance, then turn back to me, both nodding. “Of course,” they reply.
I exhale slowly. “I found out Lucas was shagging James’s ex while they were still together. For months.”
Their expressions morph into a mixture of horror and pure outrage. Anna brings her hand to her mouth, eyes wide with disbelief. “That prick!” she hisses. “To his own brother?”
I shift in my seat. “I can’t believe it … I don’t want to believe it. How could I not see the real him sooner? I feel like I never really knew Lucas at all. How could someone do that?”
Anna leans closer, her voice firm. “People like him … they’re experts at showing only what they want others to see.”
I nod, still reeling from it all. As difficult and dark as those months were following our break-up, I’m finally at a place where I feel like I can look back with a sense of gratitude. I’m grateful I discovered that account, grateful I had the chance to end things before we were legally tied to each other. In some fucked-up way, Lucas’s betrayal was a gift.
If he hadn’t left his phone at home that day, I would have committed myself to a life with him built on a foundation of lies. If I hadn’t endured the heartache, it wouldn’t have led me to James. So, standing where I am now, I’m not sure I can resent Lucas for what he did. To either of us.
“Is James okay?” Gemma asks.
“Yeah, surprisingly, he seems fine. It happened a long time ago. But it explains why they aren’t close. I just assumed it was due to their age difference.”
“I’m surprised he still speaks to the tosser,” Anna says.
“Caroline has struggled with her mental health, and he knows the truth would break her, so he puts up with him for her sake,” I explain.
“That’s … actually quite decent of him,” Anna says. “I mean, I’d have told him to fuck off.”
“I’m with you on that one,” I say.
“And how are things between you and James?” Gemma asks.
I smile. “Really good. I like him. A lot.”
Anna reaches across the table, taking my hand in hers. “I can tell. You two deserve to be happy.”
“It’s so nice seeing you like this,” Gemma says, smiling.
“Like what?” I ask.
“Yourself.”