Page 16 of Saving Ren

I eye each of them. “That’s where you ladies come in. I went to the bank today. . .” I pause a moment, swallowing back the tears that are once again threatening to spill. Shaking my head in an attempt at ridding myself of the overwhelming emotions, I take a deep breath and continue, “Our personal accounts are empty, that’s why I need the cash and jewellery from the safe. It’s not just that, it’s my passport, birth certificate, all of that kind of thing.”

“What the fuck?” Jo questions.

“I don’t know if he anticipated I’d do this and he doesn’t want me to have any money, or if he’s done it so Ican’tleave. . . I honestly have no idea what he’s thinking these days, but yeah, nah, there’s no money in our joint accounts, just a couple of thousand I have in my stash account I keep for lending the kids when they ask.”

“That’s not an issue, we’ll help you out with money, with anything. Just let us know what you need,” Jemma offers.

“Come to mine,” Jo adds. “In the morning, I’ll come to yours, help you pack, and then you can come and stay at mine until we can get you sorted out, or for as long as you like, whatever. Just don’t stress about any of that side of things.”

Still feeling shaky but a little less tense, I let out a long breath.

Lou, who’s been mostly quiet since she got her head bitten off, asks, “You feel better now you’ve told us?”

“Yeah,” I say, reaching for her hand. “I know you didn’t mean anything earlier, don’t overthink it, Lou. I know you’ll always have my back.”

“Always,” she replies as we each move in for a hug.

“You gonna be okay, or would you rather we go home?” Jem squeezes my hand and asks.

“No,” my response is instant, “I’m not okay, I don’t know if I’ll ever be okay again, but I’m not letting him ruin my night.”

“I’ve got so many questions, but now’s not the time,” Jem adds.

“You’ve got questions? It’s happening to me, and honestly, I don’t even know where to begin.” I look around at my friends and confess. “What did I do? What could I have possibly done to have caused such a massive change in. . .”

“Right, that’s enough. You can stop with all of that crap right now. Why are you making this all about whatyou’vedone wrong? This isn’t on you; this is all on him. There’s nothing that can justify his behaviour, not a single fucking thing,” Jo interrupts me.

Letting out another heavy sigh, I wipe away the tears puddling under my eyes again.

“I know, I know. I just, I don’t fucking know. Should I even be here? Shouldn’t I be at home trying to save my marriage?”

“Do you want to save your marriage?” Lou asks, and I instantly have to choke back a sob as I shake my head.

“I don’t think I do. I love him, but I’m no longerinlove with him. It’s been fading for weeks, but after Sunday night, I’m just numb to him.”

There are collective sighs and head shakes from the girls, and I hate that I’m putting such a downer on the evening.

“Let’s hug it out and dance it off,” Jemma orders.

“Let’s also get shit-faced and forget that prick of a soon-to-be-ex of yours even exists,” Jo adds. “But first, we need to get you to the bathroom and fix that cute little face of yours up. You look like you’ve been gagging on nine-inch dicks and they made your eyes water.”

“At least if I had it would explain why my marriage has gone to shit,” I respond.

“Babe, you’re single now. If it’s a nine-inch dick you’re after, I can point you in the right direction. I’m happy to share my little black book of stats and help a sister out.”

My stomach lurches at the prospect of now being single, but I bury it down somewhere deep to deal with another day.

“Thanks, Jo, but I think I’m gonna take some time and focus on me for a while, and when I’m done, I definitely won’t be looking up your sloppy, or even stiff, nine-inch seconds.”

Jo shrugs. “Well, the offer’s there.” Grabbing my hand, we follow Lou and Jemma towards the toilets so we can attempt to sort my whoreish, cock sucking but cute face out.

Chapter 6

Gabe

I watchin stunned silence as the redhead appears to burst into tears the instant she finishes the shot I sent over.

“That went well,” Zac says from beside me.