Dylan
We spoke until the early hours.
I think the whiskey helped loosen my tongue, and it felt good to relax. Meredith isn’t just pretty; she’s interesting and genuine.
“You think the world is what’s around you, what you see, what you know,” she’s saying, her voice croaky with tiredness. “But it’s not, Dill. It’s so much bigger than that.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s easy to forget that.”
Meredith nods in agreement before her face contorts into a yawn, which she waves away with annoyance. “It is. Like, David is one guy. Millions of others wouldn’t leave you for a perfect woman.”
Ah shit. We’re back on ex territory. Before I can change the subject, her eyes are filling, tears spilling down her cheeks as she continues.
“She had twins, and I… I can’t… I can’t have babies.”
I’m stunned. I’m not gonna lie—what she’s saying is so private, so horribly painful for her that I can’t help but reach out for her hand.
Isthatwhat happened to her?
I feel so angry, the idea of a man not only leaving Meredith for another woman, but if my hunch is right, he’s even more of a spiteful bastard than just a cheater.
“Fuck, Merry. I’m sorry,” I whisper, my heart aching for her. My fingers lace with hers, and she nods sadly, staring down at our hands.
“I lost one, and then I didn’t get another chance. The doctors said it was just a matter of trying.”
I’m not even sure what to say, so I just listen.
“But we tried.” She winces, shaking her head as she stares upwards. “But we realised it just wasn’t happening.”
“I’m sorry.”
“He gave up,” Meredith says, gripping my hand. “Well, he got someone else pregnant,” she adds bitterly.
“Fucking hell, that’s awful.” I shake my head, reaching out to stroke her arm. “That’s not on you, Merry. He should’ve stayed with you no matter what.”
Meredith looks up at me, her eyes wide. “It’s all he wanted. Children. I couldn’t give him any, so…”
She doesn’t need to finish the sentence. I top up her whiskey, which we’re now drinking neat, and she knocks it back.
“Goldie cheated on me with her best friend.”
The words are out before I can stop them, and Meredith blinks, her eyes swirling with empathy.
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s shit, but do you know what?” I lift her chin so she’s looking directly at me, and for a brief moment, I forget what I’m saying. I’m lost in her eyes and the way her lips part, allowing her tongue to sweep over them briefly. “Everything happens for a reason.”
“Well, I can’t think of a good reason for being dealt such shit cards,” Meredith says, her eyes falling to my lips as my thumb strokes her skin softly.
“No, I guess not,” I agree, realising I’m far too close to kissing her.
How selfish can I be? The woman has just poured her heart and soul out to me, and I’m here fantasising about kissing her. I let my hand drop, and she shivers, looking at me with a strange expression on her face.
The wind is howling around the house, and despite the alcohol flowing through my veins, it’s obvious the cold has seeped into the house like a ghost.
“I’m really cold,” Meredith admits, tugging the blanket around her tightly. “But I’m tired. Are you?”
“Yeah,” I say, wishing I didn’t have to sleep on the sofa on this chilly night. I’ll add more logs to the fire and shift the sofa over—
