Heather left him to do her own work. She phoned her friends around lunch time. They didn’t encourage or say anything else. She sensed their withdrawal.
She licked her lips and finished her work. The day was filled with phone calls and messages along with so much more. She didn’t have the time to think about everything that was happening. When it was time to leave for the day she said goodbye to Julian. It was the first time since their affair began that she was going home for the night.
“I’ll pick your suitcases up tomorrow morning and store them in my car,” he said.
“Okay. See you tomorrow.”
“We’ll have fun, Heather. I promise.”
She nodded her head. What else could she say?
Closing his door she made her way out of the building and walked the distance to her house. The lights were on letting her know Elijah was already home. She let herself in.
Heather walked into her sitting room to see Elijah and her three friends sharing a pizza and talking. Their conversation ceased the moment she walked in.
“Are you staying or going again?” Elijah asked.
It had been a long time since she had seen her friends. Staring at them now made tears spring to her eyes.
“I’m staying for tonight. I’ve got a suitcase to pack. He’s taking me away this weekend.”
The disappointment was clear on all of their faces.
“Please, don’t judge.”
“Look at yourself, Heather. You’re not around anymore. He’s changing you, and it’s changing us,” Ashley said.
“You said yourself, he doesn’t treat a woman great,” Amber said.
“I know this, okay.” Heather gazed at Connie. “Do you want to say your piece as well? You might as well.”
Connie shook her head. “I can see the pain you’re in. I guess it’s hard on you. I can see it.”
Heather licked her lips, the tears spilling down her cheeks. “I know I’m breaking the guy code or whatever. I don’t like the fact we’re not seeing much of each other. What do you want me to do?” She opened her arms in frustration.
“You could tell him to leave you the f**k alone. You’re giving him everything on a god-damn plate, Heather. Have you ever thought he’s using you until his next model turns up?” Ashley asked.
She knew what her friends were saying was the truth. “I’m tired. I know I’ve not been the best friend. Please, let me do this. This is the first time in my whole life where I want a man and he wants me.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “I’m not stupid. I know this isn’t going to last. Please, let me do something that makes me happy.”
“Does being a sex toy make you happy?” Elijah asked.
Heather turned on him. With his silence she’d forgotten he was there. “Excuse me?”
“It’s clear you like being used. Julian is a player. He’ll move on, and you’ll be left stranded.”
“I know you’re my brother, but I suggest you shut your f**king trap or get the hell out of my house.” She folded her arms over her chest. “I don’t give a shit how important you are or what you do. Leave my life alone.” She walked away ignoring them. Tomorrow she’d be going away with Julian, and she wouldn’t think about the strain she was creating on her relationship with her friends.
****
On the drive home Julian missed Heather. She’d spent the better part of the last couple of weeks with him. He knew he should start looking for her replacement, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. In fact the thought of having another woman felt like a betrayal. They were good together. She made him laugh. The pleasure he gained from being inside her as well as talking with her couldn’t be replaced. She was more than a woman who gave him sex.
He drove to his house on the outskirts of the city instead of his apartment for the night. When he got out of the car he noticed Elijah standing by his door waiting for him. His hair was tied at the back, and he wore a heavy jacket.
Julian got out of the car and locked it. “What’s the matter?” he asked.
“I came to see you.”
“Why?” Julian felt his guard go up. When the brother of the woman he was sleeping with showed up, he knew there was going to be trouble.
“You know she loves you, right?”
“Excuse me?” Julian’s heart raced. The thought of Heather caring for him made him feel great, but the thought of her loving him filled him with dread.
“I know the relationship between Heather and me isn’t the best, but I want to make one thing clear. She’s my sister, and if you break her heart, I’ll break you,” Elijah said.
The other man closed the distance between them. Julian stared at Heather’s brother and knew he was being serious. He liked that. Elijah would make sure she was safe.
“Heather knows the score. You won’t do anything to be apart from her. You love her too much.” Julian glanced behind him at his house.
“I mean it, Julian. I’ll do anything for her. Doing time isn’t a problem to me. She’s my sister. Don’t play with her.”
“She knows the score, Elijah. She’s a big girl. Let her live her life.”
Elijah nodded his head. “Enjoy your weekend together, but remember what I said.”
Julian watched the other man walk away. There had been no fear. Julian respected the man who cared for his family. He walked to his door and let himself inside. Her scent was everywhere.
Julian went to the kitchen to grab a beer. He didn’t want to think about what had happened with her brother. When family got involved he cut and run. He wasn’t ready to leave Heather.
Love.
He couldn’t be in love with Heather. Love was such a fickle emotion. Julian grabbed food out of the refrigerator and fixed himself a sandwich. The thought of anything more left him feeling sick.
Heather was the loving type. He saw it inside her every time he was with her. The love on her face. The more he thought about it, the easier it was to recognise. Shaking his head, he put everything away, then went and sat in his study.
What was he going to do? He either let her go—and he hated that—or he steered her along until he was bored. Each option left him feeling disgusted with himself. Heather deserved better.
She’s the one. Trust yourself.
Julian shook his head. He’d promised himself he’d never marry. Heather had once asked him what he wanted from his life. The truth was he didn’t have the first clue what he wanted. He had everything.