After hastily leaving the house, Nate walked to Kenya’s house to see if she was home or not. He was only mildly irritated and surprised to find that she wasn’t there.
“With that other guy. Probably won’t even answer the phone…” Nate thought. He dialed her number, and waited. And waited, and waited. Kenya finally picked up right before Nate was going to hang up.
“Hello?” She sounded tired, like Nate’s call had woken her. He vaguely heard someone in the background whispering.
“”Not too busy to talk are you?” Nate asked bitterly.
“Nate!” Kenya bolted upright when she realized who was calling. She hadn’t bothered to check the caller ID. Unfortunately in her hast to get up, she yanked Jack forward, as his tiger-hood was still inside her. They both winced when his spines pulled free.
“Ya, Nate. So, I guess you had a better night than I did.” Nate said.
“Why do you say that?”
“Oh, I dunno. Maybe because I spent most of my night trying to forget about you, and you spent the night wrapped in the arms of some other guy.” Nate said.
“I was…”
“I’m at your house Kenya, and you’re not. Don’t even think about lying to me anymore. I’ll hang up and that’ll be the last you hear of me!” Nate fumed.
“Why did you call?” Kenya swung her legs off the couch and picked her clothing up from the ground. Beside her, Jack was trying to listen in on as much of the conversation as he could. This “Nate”, sounded a lot younger than he was expecting. Then again, Jack was in his late forties. Which mean physically he looked about twenty something. Oddly enough, Kenya was right in the middle of the two, age wise anyway.
“I thought I’d give you another chance, but seeing as you’ve already moved on with whoever is next to you in bed, I think I’ll rescind that offer.”
“Wait…”
“Just tell me, was this a one time thing? Have you spent the past month cheating on me?”
“No! I meant what I said Nathanial. I WAS going to give up my… other job to be with you.”
“So you keep saying. But I seriously don’t believe that the large paycheck was the only reason you agreed to spend the night with this guy.” Nate knew there had to be something more. You don’t put out $10,000 for just anyone.
“No, I suppose that wasn’t the only reason. But I didn’t know he was planning to propose to me.” Beside Kenya, Jack was sitting with his ear practically glued to Kenya so he could listen to the conversation. His tail twitched nervously. Was she going to indirectly reject him so she could get back together with this Nate guy?
As horrible as the thought was, Jack hoped Nate broke things off so he could have Kenya. Because Jack didn’t care what Kenya did for a job, or who she slept with. So long as she came home every night to sleep with HIM.
“Of course not, wouldn’t have been much of a proposal then. Tell me why you kept the ring. If you really loved me as much as you claim to you would have just given it back right away.” Nate said calmly.
The silence stretched for miles. Because all three knew the answer, but no one dared to speak it. Because once they did, it was all but set in stone.
“I’m sorry.” Kenya said softly. She’d made her mistake, and now had to live with the consequences. Maybe one day Nate might forgive her, but not today. And maybe, somewhere in her brain, she was glad he wasn’t forgiving her. Because the past twelve hours with Jack had been incredible to put things lightly.
Something about him was different. More familiar and comforting. A lot like Nate was, or used to be.
“I know, I am too. Look, if you do decide to go through with things, then this is me wishing you two good luck. If this is the last time we speak to each other, then have a nice life, and goodbye.” Nate hung up before Kenya could get a word in.
He slumped against the side of her house, silent tears running down his face. It felt like he just stabbed his heart with a serrated knife. Over and over and over and over and… Nate sincerely hoped that the hurt would stop, because he didn’t know how much more he could take before he lost it.