Leather & Lace

Chapter 2

The next morning, she woke up to Edward taking a shower. She recapped what happened only a few hours earlier and knew that she would have to play it cool. She thought that drinking a whole bottle of alcohol would make her forget, but if only warranted her a headache. She reached over took some pills before she got up for the day. She did her normal routine, she made his favorite breakfast. Scrambled eggs with mild cheddar, Belgian waffles, and coffee with a side of fruit. When he appeared, he smiled.

“Good morning, babe,” he walked over to her and tried to kiss her lips. She moved her head to the side, making him kiss her cheek instead. He paused but then blew it off. Of course, she thought.

“Morning. Breakfast is on the table.” She watched as he sat at the table like a kid at a candy store. She joined him with her food and they ate together in silence.

“So, what are you doing today?” She asked, trying to break the awkwardness. She wanted to approach him slow and steady. She didn’t want to burst into full lawyer mode by interrogating him. She wanted to see if he would open up to her.

“I have a meeting with my dad today regarding work s**t. I really don’t feel like going. I’m so tired and my body is a little sore.”

I bet it is after you’ve been rammed in the-

“But, Joe and I are going to hang out later on. What about you?”

“Well, I’m going to go over some wedding stuff and probably visit my parents today.” She watched for his expression and it was blank. She couldn’t help herself. She needed to know about their relationship, although she knew it was over after finding out he was cheating. It wasn’t the fact that it was with a man, it was just the principle of them being so close since they were children. She thought he would be able to confide in her. They were best friends first.

“Edward?”

“Yeah?” He answered as he looked at his phone.

“Is there something you need to tell me?”

He sat his fork down and looked intently at her. “What do you mean?”

“Just what I asked. Is there something you need to tell me?”

“Lacey, no. If there was something wrong I would tell you.”

“Am I not good enough for you?” She asked. She wanted to see how he was answer it.

He laced their fingers. “Babe, you’re perfect. Where’s all of this coming from?”

“I’m just wondering if I please you enough in bed. It’s been a month since we last had sex.”

“Again babe, where’s all of this coming from?”

Ignoring his question, she asked, “Where were you in the middle of the night? I was sleeping and turned over to find your side of the bed empty.” His body tensed and his eyes slightly bulged before he masked it. She knew he was going to lie to her.

He cleared his throat. “Well Joe, needed my help. He called me freaking out about how his tired was blown out.”

She scoffed, in which he found confusing. “So Joe’s tired was blown and he called you to save the day. Is that the story you’re sticking with?” Anger began to fuel in her body, but she took a breath to remain composed. Edward’s own frustration began to brew. “That’s what happened, Lacey. When did you become insecure?”

“When you started lying to me,” she spat back. “You don’t have to lie to me. I followed you. You were at Mystical Pleasure, getting pleasure by a man. Was it Joe? We’re you the one blowing out his “tire”?”

His eyes widened and he shook his head and began stuttering. “Y-y, How? Do you know about that place? It’s in-“

“Invite only, I know,” she finished for him. “So tell me, is this why we didn’t have s*x for almost a month? Is it because I have nothing slinging in between my legs?”

“La-“

“Answer me, dammit!” She yelled. “Is this why we didn’t have s*x for over a month?”

“Yes, okay! God! Our s*x life was starting to become boring! It was always the same thing. No thrill, no excitement, Lacey. It was the same routine, too perfect! Like you-“

Suddenly, Lacey hand slapped Edward in the face.

Perfect, she was too perfect, too boring and had no excitement. He said these words about their s*x life—about her.

Lacey scoffed as tears ran down her face. She never thought she would hear those words. She did everything she thought he’d like, but she was wrong. Maybe she should taken a strap and placed it around her waist and went to town on him. Maybe s*x with her wouldn’t be so boring to him.

Edward sighed. “I’m not trying to hurt you. I actually do love you, Lace.”

“But you’re not in love with me, are you?” Edward shook his head. “Lacey I was in love with you, but I wasn’t able to completely love you the way you deserve.”

“So that equate to you cheating on me! I thought we were better than that. You could be came to me and we could have mutually ended it, Edward. Why couldn't you just tell me that you’re into men?”

“I’m into both. I’m bisexual.” Hearing those words come out of his mouth and the relief on his face made her realize that this is something he’s been struggling with.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she processed his words. “Okay. That’s fine. But what about our wedding? What will we tell our families?” She asked curiously.

“I’m sorry, but the wedding is off. I didn’t know how to tell you and you didn’t push for it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to sound cold, but I wasn't going to show up.”

Ouch, okay that hurt like hell. She opened her mouth to release the fury that was burning but he stopped her.

“Let me explain. We’ve been arranged to be married since we were kids. We were always told what was expected of us.” He walked up to her and grabbed her hands. “Lace, I will always love you. I will always have your back. But you need to go live. Trust me, my intention wasn’t to hurt you and I’m sorry for that. But I needed to live for me. Once I started doing that, I felt better.”

“At the cost of causing me pain. Sneaking, lying, cheating. You don’t do that to someone you love whether you were in love or not. We both could’ve been happy separately, Edward! But you didn’t give me a choice!”

“I’m sorry,” he pulled her into a hug, but she pushed him away.

Although his words did hurt, she knew he was right. They were expected to be this perfect couple. Childhood sweethearts of parents who were close friends. She hasn’t been with any other men or even looked their way. Edward was her first everything.

“Look at me, Lace. I’m sorry. I truly am, but I can’t continue to live for our family’s expectations. I just hope you make the choice to do the same. I’m going to go pack my things and I’ll check into a hotel, but you go through what you need. The anger, frustration, and sadness then emerge from it. Go live. I just hope after all of this that we can continue to be best friends. Just like when we were kids.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek before going to the room. Lacey stood rooted to the spot. So many things are playing in her head that she doesn't know where to start. Edward packed his things and after about an hour, he left. He noted that he would pick up the rest of it when she’s not here, so there’s no awkwardness, but it was already too late. Everything had changed and suddenly the house they shared together no longer felt like home.