It's two months later when the divorce is finalised. Annie and I are officially no longer married, and I'm still surprised, that it is real, and that she gave me everything I desired. Now as we walk into a restaurant, we look to each other with a sadness, but also a peace to know that part of this was over. We could move on somehow to healthier places in our lives.

"Kids you can order whatever you want" Annie announces and they excitedly grab the menus as we all sit down.

"So you two get divorced and we reap the benefits ... I like it" Jamie says.

Annie and I share a look "teenagers" we both say with a smile.

"But you still love each other right" Gage asks.

I reach for his hand and squeeze it "Mommy and I will always love each other because we made the most beautiful humans together... and that means we will always love each other Gage... because our love made you"

Jamie pretends to stick her fingers down her throat and Annie playfully whacks her with her hand. "Stop it or no dessert for you" she reminds her, and she instantly behaves.

It had been two months of working on a friendship with Annie, and we were closer than we had been in a very long time. It made it easier to spend time together with the kids, and as promised she didn't touch me again, but it didn't mean I didn't spot the way she looked at me sometimes, like she wanted to.

March and spring brought with it new starts, not just for Annie and I but also Blake and Mia, they were now embarking on a secret relationship that my parents knew nothing of and the family meals had been torture. Blake could not hide the way he had fallen for Mia and she could not hide the way her eyes looked for him whenever he left a room. I would have to fake a break up with Mia this week because I needed her and Blake to just get it together and be official. They were adorable together and as long as he treated her right I could more than get on board with Mia becoming a more permanent fixture in our lives and our family.

Then there was, Lydia Keaton, the self proclaimed straight and strictly dickly sibling. She was currently pretending she wasn't seeing Paige. She had kept it under the radar as well as possible but I loved stalking her on social media when she went out and seeing her tagged pictures that she forgot to untag herself from. My little sister was flirting with the Kinsey scale and when she was ready to discuss it, I would be ready. I just had to avoid the inevitable meeting of Sam again because I had seen her in some of the tagged pictures and Lydia had even followed her and vice versa on social media. This meant Sam was now only once removed from me, and had intimate access to my life, and the pictures on Lydia's profile. Too close for comfort.

***
"So you are breaking up with your pretend girlfriend this weekend?!" Annie asked as we both awaited the kids at her car. They had run in to grab their weekend bags as they were staying with Annie for a weekend visit with her parents.

I look toward her, leaning against her car, arms crossed over my chest "yes Mia is getting dumped. I have to come clean at tomorrows family event before Mia and Blake forget themselves and just begin kissing"

"Your mom would faint if she saw that" Annie replies with an amused smile.

"She would... so I have one more night before I'm single again" I reply "and a divorced single at that... it kind of feels weird"

Annie nods and walks over to stand beside me, her hips pressed against mine.

"It does feel strange...but now that we are both single with no strings ... fancy that bit of fun you promised me" she asks cocking an eyebrow playfully.

I laugh and nudge her "I never promised you anything" I retort.

She shakes her head "you most certainly did... and I'm ready to collect on that promise"

"Annie in what world would that be a good idea" I reply, pushing off of the car and standing aside from her, making some room between us.

"No world at all... but I go back to the facts Morg, we are now divorced, single, both looking for a hook up, and feeling a little in need of something that the other can offer. When it comes down to it, it's just two bodies taking what they need. No feelings. I know all of the right places, and all the things that would make it worth your while"

"It's most definitely in a what not to do book somewhere for newly divorced people. Do not hook up. It just brings up unresolved feelings and muddies the water. I like what we have now as friends" I reply, because honestly things were so good. I was starting to feel happier, less stormy and a lot less moody. Leah was still there, of course she was, but I was doing better, slowly.

"Morg... I don't have feelings for you... I can't see how sleeping together one time would muddy the water... it's exactly what you look for in a stranger, meaningless sex for the high"

Annie knew though, that it would trigger something for Morgan. She felt everything so deeply, every-time she told her she didn't feel anything for her she saw the flicker on Morgan's face. The way it hurt her. She inflicted that on purpose. She was hoping if she let her guard down and let her in, that she could officially start pulling her back in, because she was lying through her teeth. Annie loved Morgan. She had never stopped, and she hated the divorce, hated it so much her jaw hurt from the tension after receiving it, but it was her play. She had rolled the dice and hoped this worked, because if it didn't, she had lost her in more ways than one and she couldn't live without her.

"A stranger Annie, exactly... and you are most definitely not that" i retort.

She stands up from leaning on the car and she looks behind me to the house checking the kids were not coming out before erasing the space between us so quickly. Her hand rests on my hip as her lips landed on the spot between my shoulder and my neck. Her tongue runs softly up to my ear as goosebumps prick my flesh "I can come tomorrow after the family do " she whispers "just text me... and I can be here... to fuck you senseless" she promises, kissing my neck intensely. She breaks away with a taunting smile as the kids finally appear and I am left stunned and a little unsure of how that made me feel.

***
Mia picks me up this time for family night. I told her I needed a glass of wine tonight and she agreed to be the driver. I slide into the seat beside her and we look to each other "are we about to have our break up chat" Mia asks, pretending to sulk with her lip out.

I put my belt on and turn back to her with a sympathetic expression "we sure are honey buns... I'm afraid you're just not doing it for me anymore" I confess, in mock seriousness.

Mia pretends I've broken her heart by clutching her chest "why would you do this to me... was it because I slept with your brother..." she asks.

I screw up my face "eeew you just completely threw my break up game out the window. I don't want to know anything about your sex life from this moment forth please"

Mia laughs "okay I won't" she confesses. "But I will miss being your pretend date...you're the best looking date I've ever had... until Blake obviously" she says jovially.

I roll my eyes. "Let's go reveal to my parents that I've been conning them for months. It's sure to go down well" I say sarcastically. They would be so mad, but to be honest I had needed that break from people asking about my love life and Leah, and now that I was stronger I could talk about it without crying. I could hear her name now and not break apart. I was finally getting somewhere, and so I didn't feel guilty for the white lie, even though it was months long and they had got a little used to Mia, luckily for them she was holding down their son, so she wouldn't be vanishing anytime soon.

"So what's this family party in aid of" Mia asked.

I look out to the roads ahead, and the views beyond them as we drive. My eyes jumping from the people walking to the evening sky that was glowing a beautiful deep orange hue as the sun lowered. "It's my parents annual party, they invite a million people. It's catered, there will be a dance floor and a lot of dancing and drinking. We can all bring a tonne of friends too, so there will be quite a mix of people... you will certainly be able to pick out Blake's friends" I say with an amused smile.

"Why aren't the kids going" Mia asks.

I turn back to her "it's adults only" I reply and I take out my cell and check to see if they have messaged. I send them all a Goodnight message and find myself scrolling down my texts until I see Leah's name, and I'm not sure why I never deleted her messages. I hadn't been reading them, but I also didn't want them gone forever. I open them up for the first time, out of curiosity. I probably should start my fresh start by deleting them. There's movement that catches my eye, and I hold the cell higher and look more intently at it "Leah is typing" I read out as the little dots appear. My heart jumps into my throat and it begins to race. I quickly shove the phone between my legs childishly like it will go away.

"Leah is typing" Mia repeats out loud. I must look like I've seen a ghost because she places her hand on my thigh "are you okay" she asks worried.

I nod slowly "I'm going to forget I saw that" I say a little shaken up.

She pulls the car over and turns in her seat "don't ignore it Morgan... it's not good to pretend she doesn't exist... it won't help... it might be closure, whatever it is she finally wants to say"

"After almost four months... of silence. Doesn't the silence say more"

"Want me to read it" Mia asks.

I nod as she takes it from my legs and inspects it as I do the same. My eyes search her features frantically to gain any idea of what this message says, any idea at all. Mia frowns and I place my hand on my heart as it throbbed "what does she want" I ask.

"She wants to talk" Mia says looking up from the phone to meet my eyes.

I shake my head. I was so mad, so furious I started seeing stars. I take the phone out of Mia's hand and look at the message.

L- Morgan, I know you must hate me, but I need to talk to you. I will be coming into town before heading to Connecticut for camp, just to see you... please let me just talk to you. Leah x

M- Don't, and please delete my number.

"What did you say" Mia asks watching me type.

I place my phone in my purse and swallow the lump in my throat "I told her not to and to delete my number" I return.

Mia places her arm around my shoulder and leans her head against mine "I'm sorry" she whispers "shall we go get you a little tipsy and have a dance" she suggests.

I lean into her and decide to take a breath and try and force Leah back out of my head but the truth was she was now at the forefront of my mind and her message couldn't be unseen or stop me wondering after four months ....what was she could possibly want?!

***
The Keaton homestead is absolutely jumping when we pull in. We are directed to parking on the land to the left of the house. The entire back yard is covered in marquees with dance floors and tables for dinner, a huge bar and an outdoor fire pit area.

"Holy shit" Mia says taking it all in as we walk in arm in arm. Mia and I kind of matched tonight in red dresses, she looked beautiful, as was reflected in Blake's eyes as he walked over, hands stuck in his smart tan dress pants, his shirt a white, with a red rose in the button hole.

I smile and point to it and then Mia "did you guys coordinate these outfits" I ask, and his broad smile as he leans in for a hug tells me they did. He removes the rose from his shirt and hands it out to Mia, and she swoons as he places the corsage and slowly slips it onto her wrist.

"Can I please just dump her before you start making romantic gestures in front of mom" I ask, gesturing toward mom as she makes a bee line for us, with a deep frown line on her brow. She looked lovely in a cream satin dress, her hair cut shorter.

She arrives beside us and looks at both Blake and I suspiciously and then to Mia "what have I missed" she asks, and we all try not to laugh because this entire charade was getting ridiculous.

"Mom" I say taking her shoulders in both hands, until she is looking at me.

"Yes" she asks.

I try not to smile. I don't want her to think I've been making fun of her "Mia and I... we aren't really a couple" I confess.

She frowns again and looks to Mia "but she's been coming for months as your significant other"

Blake walks around mom and snakes his arm around Mias waist, as mom looks to them completely thrown.

She points at them as I release her shoulders "Okay you've lost me" she announces as dad comes up to see what's keeping her.

"Hey kids" he says acknowledging us "Julia darling we have guests" he reminds her.

She grabs his arm and pulls him into the huddle "Mia and Morgan are not a couple anymore" She informs him.

He frowns and looks to me for my reaction "you okay babe Ruth" he asks.

I smile "yes dad don't worry I'm not heartbroken. We weren't actually ever a couple. I just said that as I was upset over Leah and I didn't want a million questions" I confess.

They both look to each other and back to me.

"Morgan we are your parents, a simple message to say don't bring up Leah please, before that dinner, would have sufficed" mom says.

Mia looks to me "that does sound a little more simple"

I playfully bump her arm "it was an excuse to date you...what can I say" I say back jovially, and she smiles amused.

"So what's this" my dad says pointing to  Blake's arm around Mia's waist.

Blake is finally able to announce his news, a rare day indeed that Blake actually brought a girl home.

"Mia is my girlfriend" he says proudly, and my mom practically levitated with relief and happiness that her baby boy had finally picked one girl out of hundreds to bring home to her. No more whore dog behaviour from our Blake.

"Oh son" my dad says wrapping his arm around him "finally" he says with the same relief as my mother.

"Any more bombs to drop before I go back to my guests" my mom asks.

Blake and I both clock Lydia entering with Paige on her arm, in a rather fetching shirt and smart pants like Blake's. Paige's hair was up in a neat bun with a shaved under cut showing. They looked absolutely fire together. Lydia's long blonde hair was wavy down to her elbows, and her dress was light yellow. She matched Paige's suspenders which looked adorable, her buff arms and shoulders making all of Lydia's masc dreams come true.

"One more bomb mom" I say gesturing to Lydia and Paige.

My mom and dad turn around and their mouths drop open as Lydia arrives in front of us smiling up at Paige before she introduced us all "mom... dad...this is Paige, my date" she says a little nervously.

"But is she a real date or a pretend one to cover up your heartache for dear Frederick" my mom asks suspiciously.

I realised she would never believe us again.

"Freder-who" Lydia replies, and she looks up to Paige.

The look makes me sigh. I look to Blake beside me holding Mia, and everyone had it...that look of a new love. It was an excitement to start something new, and here I was stood alone. I feel that cloud then, wanting to re-emerge.

"Well my kids are happy and I am happy..." Mom says reaching out to hug Paige as my dad does "great to meet you" they both say "and we aren't done with you yet Babe Ruth" mom says as a warning, pointing at me accusingly before rushing back to their friends.

"I have a present for you" Lydia says menacingly getting my attention. Her and Paige share a look as they turn around and point to the far corner of the party, to the bar.

I spot my rather good looking present ordering a drink, Sam, her hair pulled into a little pony tail, her undercut not unlike Paige's. It must have been their thing, but Sams outfit was different, a loud patterned blue shirt, open, with a white tank top underneath, and some rather tight looking blue trousers. Sam's biceps looked pretty impressive against the rolled up sleeve of her shirt I note, as I inspect her from a far.

"A person I ghosted is not a present Lydia..." I reply, looking back to her unamused.

Mia leans into my ear "but perhaps a perfect distraction after that message" she offers, and I nod, indeed it would be.

"She really liked you Morg... and she's still single..." Lydia says teasingly.

Paige agrees "Sam can do casual if that's what you are worried about. She's been single for years" she informs me.

"Is that not a red flag" I ask the group. I look to Blake "like him" I ask.

Blake shakes his head "was... past tense" he adds.

I would give him that. "Sorry yes past tense Blake" I correct, and he nods in agreement.

"What does it matter about red flags... if you don't want to be in a relationship with her does it matter if she's a player... I thought that's exactly what you wanted right now" Lydia asks.

I had to agree. I didn't need to know any more details.

"Hi" Kevin says appearing with his wife beside us "how's the party going" he asks, and we all look to each other.

"Well... Turns out I'm a little queer" Lydia begins, squeezing Paige's arm " Blake and Mia are now together... and Morgan is about to go jump that gorgeous butch at the bar" she says casually.

Kevin and Cora are unfazed "right ... awesome" Kevin says, and that was kind of it. There were no shocks in our family, rarely anyway. "Does mom know" he adds.

We all roll our eyes, he would be running off to inform her instantly.

"I guess I better go get my present" I suggest.

Mia pushes me forward "go forth Morgan Keaton and make that woman's world spin" she says jovially as they all watch me nervously make my way across the party, through lots of talking guests and people dancing.

Each time I gaze back for reassurance both Lydia and Mia smile and gesture for me to keep going until I am face to face with Sam, and her smile is a rather handsome one.

"Hi" she says as I take the spot beside her.

"Hi" I return "I thought I told you I never wanted to see you again" I say playfully.

She can't hide her grin "I'm not very good at taking direction" she returns.

I cock my eyebrow "oh I don't know I seem to remember you were pretty good at it"

"What can I get you to drink" she asks.

I shake my head "I don't want a drink"

Her lips twitch upward "what do you want" she asks leaning into my space and sipping her own drink slowly. I lean into her body entirely, my hands slipping into her open shirt and running up the pure white tank top. The hard sensation of her muscles makes my eyes dilate as they meet hers. I can see her chest rise and fall a little harder at the contact.

"Me" she asks tauntingly.

I run my hand under the hem of the material, feeling her flesh, the warmth of her, and she swallows hard as I grip her waist "It's a limited time offer" I let her know.

She nods, not breaking eye contact "but where" she asks.

I smile teasingly "there's a whole empty house behind us Sam... so anywhere" I say raising my eyebrows. She looks to the house behind me "but like I say it's a limited offer and if you don't meet me in the foyer in five minutes... it expires and I never see you again..."

I release her and turn around and make my way back through the crowds of people, winking at Mia and Lydia as I pass them for the house. They high five each other. At this point everyone was happy to help me forget Leah, because I had been making better progress, and tonight, getting her message it made me even more determined to forget her and move on. I hated what she did to me more now than I did when it first happened. Months can sour a persons memory.

***
Teddy stands out on her deck, awaiting the car lights to hit her driveway. The security on the gate had rung up at nine to say a friend was here to visit, a "Leah Mitchell" and she had felt the anger rise inside to know after months of no contact she was turning up like this at her new home in Oregon, but she was glad of it, because she had so many questions, so many. She had to look in her eyes and have her own up to what she had done to Morgan and to her, abusing her trust as a friend.

The car lights appear and Teddy sits down on the steps watching it pull around, and as the driver door opens, there she is, Leah. She is wearing her long hair up and out of the way, a black hoody, jeans and sneakers, and as she steps closer, what Teddy sees in her friends eyes is not what she expected, her eyes are full of tears, her face red from crying "I need your help" she says as she walks up to Teddy who stands quickly and pulls her into her arms.

"Lee what the hell is going on" Teddy asks both confused and concerned by the heartbreak on Leah's face.

"Annie" Leah says pulling away "it was Annie" she confesses, sobbing.

Teddy's fists tighten, her teeth clench as the truth is finally revealed...

What's done in the dark will come to light

***

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