17. BFF Therapy
1170 Words
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"We need to talk." Heath walked over to June late at night, after all the other employees had left.
June didn't look up from her computer screen. "What could you possibly have to say?" she replied, her voice icy.
Heath took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the room before returning to hers. "Look, I know you're upset, but—"
"Save it," June interrupted, her eyes not leaving her computer screen. "I don't want to hear your excuses."
Heath's jaw clenched, but he tried to remain calm. "It's not about excuses," he said. "It's about us."
June's fingers paused on the keyboard, her eyes flicking to him briefly before returning to her work. "There is no 'us', Mr. Robbins," she said coldly. "Not anymore. I don't think it was there ever to begin with."
Heath's shoulders slumped, but he didn't move away. "June, please," he tried again. "Let me explain."
"There's nothing to explain," June said, her voice devoid of emotion as she continued typing. "You fired me because you thought your brother kissed me. That's all I need to know."
Heath's jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "It's not just that," he began, but June cut him off.
"Don't," she said, her voice sharp. "Don't try to make this about anything other than what it is."
Heath took a step closer to her desk, his eyes searching hers. "June, please," he said, his voice softer now. "You have to understand, I just saw red when I walked in. I didn't think."
June's hands stilled on the keyboard, her eyes finally meeting his. "You didn't think," she echoed, her voice filled with disbelief. "You didn't think about how your actions would affect me?"
Heath's expression was a mix of regret and frustration. "I know I screwed up," he admitted. "But I can't just ignore what happened."
June's eyes flashed with anger. "What happened was George being an asshole," she said, her voice tight. "But I'm the one who's paying the price for it."
Heath took a deep breath, trying to rein in his temper. "I know he crossed a line," he said. "But I can't ignore that you didn't push him away."
June's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're blaming me?" she whispered, her voice shaking.
Heath sighed, running a hand through his hair. "No, June, that's not what I'm saying," he said, his voice strained. "I just... I need to know that you're on my side."
June's eyes narrowed. "And what about my side?" she asked, her voice rising. "What about my career, my reputation? Does that mean nothing to you?"
Heath's expression softened, and he took another step closer. "Of course it does," he said, his voice earnest. "That's why I want to make it right."
"Just go to hell, Mr. Robbins!" She cursed him as she picked up her bag and hurried to leave his side.
Heath reached out to stop her but she slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me," she spat. "I have more dignity than to be a pawn in you and your brother's sick games."
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June went home and the first thing she did was pack an over-night bag so that she could go over to her best friend's place.
"I can't believe his audacity!" she exclaimed to Laura as soon as she walked in. Laura took one look at her and knew she had to be the one to calm her friend down.
"You need to breathe," Laura said, taking the bag from her and leading her to the couch. "Now tell me everything from the start. Which Robbins brother are we talking about and what did he do?"
June sat down heavily, her eyes brimming with tears. "Both of them," she said, her voice shaking. "George kissed me in Heath's office, and Heath saw."
"I heard that already." Laura nodded. "What happened today? Did Heath kick you out when he saw you this morning?"
June took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "No," she said, her voice still shaking. "He actually came to apologize. He said he was wrong to fire me."
"Umm... That's good right?" Laura was confused.
"He said I was still wrong for not pushing George away," June yelled.
"Why didn't you push him away?" Laura asked. She was more than confused now. June had never been interested in George and she was sleeping with Heath. There was no way her best friend would cross such a line.
"There was no time!" June was on her feet as she animatedly explained how fast all of it happened. "It was almost like George was watching the door to make the move when Heath arrived."
"Maybe he was."
June paused. "Oh my god, he WAS!"
"Doesn't that make Heath just as a victim as you are?" Laura asked.
June gave it a thought, a whole minute of it, before she shook her head. "No, that makes him an i***t. An immature idiot."
Laura mentally face-palmed. But she knew better than to fight her best friend's perspective on it.
"What are you going to do now?" Laura asked, handing June a glass of wine.
June took a sip, the warmth spreading through her. "I don't know," she murmured. "I guess I will just have to do what I should have done from the very beginning. Keep things professional." She shrugged, taking another sip.
"And give up on the best s*x of your life?" Laura raised a brow.
"Dignity before s*x appeal, darling. Or you will suffer like I am suffering."
Laura chuckled, raising her glass. "I will keep that in mind then, oh wise elder."
June winked at her and clinked her glass with hers.
"How about we go out for some ice cream?" June asked out of the blue, thirty minutes later.
"I have ice cream in the fridge." Laura raised her hand like how a school-kid would.
It was safe to say that the two best friends were tipsy.
"No silly!" June smacked her head. "I want to eat an ice cream cone on a playground swing."
"That's not the kind of fantasy you should have at twenty-six." Laura rolled her eyes. "You are at the age where you should be dreaming about a completely different cream."
"Ewwww....!!!" June shoved a cackling Laura to the side. "No thanks. I have had enough of that cream to last a lifetime."
"Does it make me sound desperate if I say I want to hear all about your s*x life?" Laura asked, leaning back on the couch, all thoughts about ice creams and playground swings forgotten.
"No. Yes. I don't know." June said as her phone rang.
She picked it up and frowned at the screen. "Why is this dumb dumpling calling me?"
"Who?"
June turned the phone for her best friend to see.
Heath Robbins.
Laura smirked as she snatched the phone from June's hand.
She slid her manicured finger over the call button.
"Hello?"
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