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out and even then, it’s not like he can complain too much, because I was home cleaning all day. Well mostly. The unease I felt earlier at spending time with another man comes back to me. I wasn’t cheating though, and I’m allowed to have friends, I tell myself. Even if they are hot, male friends that make me think inappropriate thoughts.
    “Awesome. See you in about half an hour, Roxi.”
    “See you soon.” I click end as I pull into the parking lot and walk to the classroom to collect Ricky. He’s beyond excited that we’re going for a rare trip to McDonalds and darts into the play area with Rachel’s boy, Lachlan, as soon as we get there.
    “So how have things been?” Rachel looks at me intently over the top of her mocha latte. I breathe in the smell of my own coffee and smile. This is nice. Normal. A real mumsy activity. I wish I could do it more often, even if I do have to keep to small talk to prevent lying to my best friend.
    “Oh you know, the same old, same old. Busy, but good.”
    “And what’s been keeping you so busy?” It seems like Rachel is in a digging mood today. It doesn’t happen often, usually only when it’s been a while since our last catch up. I sigh, defeated. I hate having to spin a bunch of bullshit to my bestie.
    “Well I’ve been helping Joseph’s mum with some renovation projects.” Not a complete lie. We had a few chats on the phone about the changes she was making to their formal living room, and I gave her my input. I just imply to Rachel that I was more involved than what I really was.
    “It’s good to see you’ve been out and about instead of slaving over the housework for a change, even if it’s only with your mother-in-law.” She seems satisfied and I steer the subject to something new.
    “What about you? What have you been up to?”
    “We went to the Broncos game on Friday. I think they may actually make the finals this year. It’s been years since that’s happened. The last time I remember was the season that we did a pub crawl after every game. That was the best tradition ever, although I don’t think my liver would agree with it anymore.” I laugh with her, as nostalgia fills me.
    I used to go with her and her high school sweetheart, now turned husband, Mark, to every game. That was before I met Joseph. Everything back then was so carefree and easy. When I met Joseph, he came out a few times with us, but convinced me more often than not, to do something with just the two of us. I used to think it was romantic. If only I’d realised back then how important friends were, and was more adamant that I continue to spend time with them. It’d be great to take Ricky to a game. Nothing beats stomping your feet, screaming and cheering in a stadium with thousands of other fans when you’re a kid. I should definitely get him a Titan’s jersey. There are too many damn Broncos supporters around me.
    “Urgh. Luke’s a bloody Broncos fan too. What is wrong with you guys? This is the home of the Titans.” I roll my eyes good naturedly, when they land back on Rachel, she is giving me the strangest look.
    “Who’s Luke?”
    My heart stops beating. Everything stills. I don’t hear the chatter in the restaurant anymore, or the children frolicking in the play area. None of it, just dead silence. How did I manage to slip up twice in one day? My throat has gone dry and I try to swallow, buying time to figure out an answer. I’m sick of fibbing to my best friend about everything though. I suddenly want to share the giddiness I feel over my new running partner with her. I know I can trust her.
    I tell her all about my bizarre and confusing encounters with Luke, how surreal it all is. The attraction and want that ran through my veins as his hands slid along my body and how much those things surprised me in their intensity.
    “Do you ever wonder if you married the wrong man?” As soon as the question leaves my mouth, I regret it. Of course she doesn’t question that.