#Chapter 45: Bad Taste
Abby

“Adam… Are you cheating on me?”

The anticipation of what Adam is about to say feels like a giant pit in my stomach. He stares down at

his hands, his fingers worrying each other in the dim light of the bar.

“Abby,” his voice starts with a tremor, “I’m not cheating on you. I would never do something like that.

Not to anyone, and especially not to you.”

The sound of the soft jazz music I’ve got playing on the speakers almost seems to die down, replaced

by a poignant silence. I’m a little relieved, but not completely. In an odd way, I think that I almost wish

he was cheating on me. It would make things easier. But now, I think that it must only be an even more

complicated explanation, and whatever it is, I’m not sure if I’m ready for it.

“What is it, then?” I ask. Every fiber of my being is attuned to him, waiting.

Adam hesitates for a moment, raking a hand through his hair, a gesture I’ve come to associate with his

nervousness.

“I’m not into women.”

His words crash over me like a tidal wave. I struggle to keep my composure, trying to grasp what he’s

just admitted. My mind goes blank, and then rushes in with a barrage of thoughts.

Confusion, hurt, and disbelief lead the charge.

“You’re… g ay, Adam? And you knew all this time?”

Adam nods slowly. I feel like I’m drowning. “You knew all this time, and yet you still put a ring on my

finger,” I murmur, shaking my head in disbelief. This has got to be some kind of sick dream. “Why did

you get together with me so quickly, then?”

After a moment of tense pause, Adam speaks. “I got together with you so quickly because…” He sighs,

his voice barely above a whisper. “…It made my family happy. It was a way to keep my secret buried

deep.”

up, threatening to spill. “But why me, Adam?”

to me, of all the people in the

remorse. “It wasn’t planned, Abby. When we met,

my family was suffocating. Being

moments… they all felt genuine. But as things progressed,

A lie

“That’s not fair,” I mutter, blinking away the tears that threaten to come. “You toyed with

he murmurs. “And I know it’s

our relationship, I just kept telling myself

you, you made me

over the other

me happy.”

and it’s just the two of us in our bubble of

much as I want to rage at him, I find myself

but an understanding of the chains society can

expectations and norms.

“I’m so, so sorry, Abby. I’ve been untruthful, and

I care about you, deeply. But not in

romantic way you deserve.”

the heel of my hand into my eyes, trying to stem the

my voice. “Why let it go on for so long without so much

own emotions. “Fear,” he chokes out. “I was afraid of

losing the one person who made

weighs on me. “So, all this time, every touch,

shakes his head, quickly, “No, not a lie. Distorted, yes. But I’ve cherished our moments, Abby.

you the

a pang of sympathy. Here is a

But at my expense? The

us. The distant sounds of people

it all sounds so far away. I feel like I’m trapped

engagement ring

a symbol of a love that wasn’t truly mine. With tears blurring my vision, I carefully slide the

the gesture

the once treasured ring

same pain I feel.

voice c racks, and I can tell

him, my

belong to me anymore.”

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