Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye - Jacquelyn Middleton Page 0,150
girlfriends in New York were wonderful and supportive, especially Shantelle and Erika.
“The move actually did us a world of good. It felt like a new beginning, like when we got married, except now we had counseling appointments scheduled side-by-side with date nights and work obligations. In the fall, we bought a beautiful apartment in Garden City, and I started my Master of Arts at the Fashion Institute of Technology, plus a part-time job at the Costume Institute. I also began an internship at a major fashion house. That’s where I met Brooke Perry.”
Tarquin shifted off his elbow and inched closer, laying his head on his pillow. “That’s the woman Mum mentioned.”
Leia nodded. “Brooke was their women’s ready-to-wear designer and we clicked immediately. She introduced me to buyers and marketing gurus and shared really great industry advice—stuff you can’t learn in school. By spring 2017, she’d become more than a mentor to me. She was one of my closest friends. Brooke would hang with me, Erika, and Shantelle, invite us to fashion events, and the four of us would take turns throwing dinner parties.” Leia giggled. “Don’t tell anyone—I ordered in!”
“Hey, at least your guests didn’t go hungry. Things were good, then?”
“Yeah! Professionally and socially, everything was really coming together. It felt like our time to shine. Tyler’s season was going great, and I was designing for a paying client or two in between research on my Master’s thesis. Erika asked me to be her matron of honor, and Brooke became pregnant. Watching her belly grow, I got really broody, and Tyler and I decided to try for a baby. I’ve always wanted kids, and I was so excited. Every month, I looked forward to missing my period, but every month, I was disappointed.”
She wants kids! Tarquin gently rubbed Leia’s arm. “I’m so sorry, love. That must’ve been heartbreaking.”
“I was gutted. Tyler seemed disappointed, but he just took it as a challenge to try harder to knock me up. No guy wants to think they’re firing blanks, right?”
“That’s true.”
“Then, December rolled around, our second Christmas in New York. Tyler injured his shoulder in a game and fell into a real funk. It didn’t help when Brooke gave birth to twins in January.”
The ones Mum spoke of? Tarquin’s eyes widened.
“Yeah, those twins—two boys.” Leia sighed. “Tyler knew how badly I wanted a baby, and it just wasn’t happening for us. We were happy for her, but…” She shrugged. “On top of that, our apartment was mid-reno, and Ty was struggling on the ice. He complained about me working all the time and said I should put my fashion label on hold. He wanted me home more…”
Yeah, barefoot and pregnant, I bet. Tarquin scowled. Heaven forbid she has a career of her own and doesn’t baby him 24/7. Bloody Neanderthal.
“…which was ironic since he was away more than he was home. The team was always on a road trip.” Leia stretched her legs under the blanket. “Anyway, last year around Valentine’s Day, rumors started to fly: Tyler and puck bunnies, Tyler and models, Tyler and a Vegas sportscaster. I felt nauseous. If the stories were true, he was fucking his merry way across North America.”
“Did you confront him?”
“Yeah. He denied everything and said the rumors were started by the woman back in Pittsburgh, stirring up trouble again. I wanted to believe him.”
“Did you?”
“Yes and no. I had no concrete proof of anything going on but”—she sighed—“my gut was telling me otherwise, you know? And Riley didn’t help. She was adamant he was untrustworthy—and that pissed me off. How could she be so judgy when she didn’t even know him, not like I did? So, I froze her out. Barely spoke to her.”
That’s a bit extreme. He fought back a grimace, but it was too late. Leia noticed.
“Yeah, I know! I was a complete bitch. Riley had my best interests at heart, and I repaid her with attitude and rudeness.” She winced. “And karma didn’t forget—it swung back around when Tyler began blowing hot and cold. One day, he’d be all loving and attentive. The next, I’d wake up to the silent treatment. Sometimes, he wouldn’t even say good morning. And when he held me, it felt…different.” Her eyes, dull and defeated, strayed downward, her hands restless beneath the blanket. “I didn’t have to ask why or wait for him to tell me. I knew.”
“What did you do?”
“Prescribed a taste of his own medicine.”
A pained expression washed across Tarquin’s face. “You slept with someone?!”