Part 22
“Wow! It’s so good to see you!” he said enthusiastically scooping her into a hug.
Relief rushed over her, immediately followed by anger, and she resisted the urge to shove him off. He felt her tense up, so he dropped his arms releasing his embrace, but kept his left hand on her back.
“Who’s this?” he asked and reached out to shake Bryon’s hand.
Part 23
Lola shot him a pointed look, then recovered quickly feigning back pain and looked down. Obviously, she was missing something, but it wasn’t the time to ask. Mark rubbed her back lightly playing along.
“This is Bryon, he worked with Kyle” her heart stopped for a brief second, she didn’t like saying his name out loud. “He was just taking me on a trolley ride, but then I started to not feel well.” she touched her stomach. “I was actually getting ready to get a hold of my mom to take me home, I’m sure she’s around here somewhere.” She motioned with her hand to the tiny shops lining the street behind them.
“Well, that’s perfect timing. I just ran into her, that’s how I knew to look for you here. I can go ahead and take you home.” Mark offered. “That is, if you’re all done here.” he smiled amicably towards Bryon.
Bryon looked back and forth between the two of them, not quite sure if he were missing something.
“That’s fine,” Lola said. “Thanks again for this morning, I’m sorry I had to leave early.” she said to Bryon.
“Oh, um, it’s okay.” he said looking only at Mark. Mark stared back unblinking, a calm smile played on his lips. When Byron finally broke eye contact, his face softened as he looked down at Lola. “If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call.” He reached out and gave her arm a squeeze, then turned and walked back to the trolley.
Once he was out of sight, Mark, his hand still on the small of Lola’s back, ushered them across the street to a small alleyway hidden between shops.
“Wow,” he said. “I’m glad I saw you when I did.”
Lola glared at him.
“What?” he asked confused. “When I saw him block your phone, I had to jump in. Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Where have you been?” Lola demanded shoving him in the chest.
“I’ve been here.” he said unruffled, motioning to their surroundings.
“I needed you. I called a hundred times, but you never answered.” tears started to burn her eyes. She tried to reject them. She didn’t want him to see her cry. “Where were you?” she demanded again. “I don’t want to hear that you’ve been here this whole time because you weren’t. At least not for me. I had to bury him alone. You were his best friend, and I had to bury him alone!” she broke down then, and crumbled to her knees. Her chest beat fast against her ribs, and she couldn’t catch her breath anymore, but she didn’t care. He had abandoned her just like Kyle had done. She was alone and pregnant, and now he stood there like he was her knight in shining arm. Why? Because some creep tried to stop a text message?
Mark knelt beside her and laid his arm gently across her back. She shook it off.
“Listen,” he said gently. “I didn’t mean to…I didn’t mean to leave you like that, you have to understand, I didn’t have a choice. But I have been here. I’ve been watching and waiting. Who do you think called your parents when you stopped eating two months ago?”
She turned her head to look at him, and straightened up.
“What?” she said accusingly. “How…?”
“I can’t say anymore here…not now. But you have to listen to me, Lola. Byron is not who you think he is.”
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