Julian
Simon shows up to work on Wednesday and Thursday, but there's no sign of him on Friday. Maybe he's found out that Sophia has broken up with us, and maybe that means he's done with this job. I can't bring myself to care.
I’m surprised when he knocks on my door on Monday. I let him in. He looks like he's trying not to punch me. “Did you break up with my sister, you asshole?” he demands.
My expression must be answer enough because he deflates. “You didn't?”
“No.”
“Did the other guy break up with her? Damien?”
“No,” I repeat. Short, one-word answers are all I have energy for. Anything else seems impossible.
“What the hell happened, man? You guys seemed happy. Was it the threesome? Did one of you get jealous?”
I shake my head. “No,” I say for the third time. “I don't know what happened. Sophia sent us a text ending things.”
Simon looks sympathetic. “She doesn't do relationships,” he says. “She doesn't put herself in situations where she can be hurt. She's always been this way. When you guys came along, I hoped. . .”
His voice trails off, and then he shrugs awkwardly. “Anyway, your boilers will be in next week.”
“Oh.”
“Months ahead of schedule,” he points out.
Hannah will be delighted. A sudden hope strikes me. Simon is Sophia's brother. “Will you pass on a message to her?”
He takes a step back and holds up his hands. “I don't know, Julian. I don't want to get in the middle of things. Sophia is my sister. I’m always going to take her side.”
“Please.” I'm practically begging. “Just tell her I love her. Tell her that Damien loves her. Whatever we did, we’ll fix.”
Simon doesn’t meet my gaze. He looks deeply uncomfortable. “I’ll think about it,” he murmurs.
I've never fallen in love. Never had a relationship that lasted longer than a few months. Neither has Damien. This is why. It's always been Sophia. It will always be Sophia.