Chapter68

#Chapter68

AXEL

Three years ago

Julia and Hadley lay entwined under a blanket on the couch. Sharp jealousy coupled with an all too familiar ache burgeoned in my chest. The TV flickered with some sit-com; the volume set on low. I grabbed the remote from the floor near Hadley’s yellow sneaker and hit the power button with my thumb. The apartment drowned in darkness.

I welcomed the gloom. It kept me from seeing Hadley so content and at ease with her lover, reminding me of what I lost.

The ache spread throughout my torso. I pulled at my T-shirt, trying to relieve the pain and the thought of calling Shondra rose in my mind.

I shouldn’t.

I couldn’t.

I will.

My phone was in my hand, pressing number one on my speed dial. When it connected, I promised myself to hang up when she answered as all I needed to hear was her breezy /"hello/" to reassure me everything was right with the world.