As soon as she hit send Becky dropped her phone like it was a hot potato. She swiped angrily at her face because she didn't want to cry anymore. He'd made her do this! Fuck him!

Deep down she knew it wasn't his fault. That was life. People you loved and trusted shit on you every day, at least that had been her experience. She'd built her wall so strong and it'd been working well until she'd met Rob. What to do now? Should she start laying bricks to shield herself from the world so it wouldn't happen again?

Kane's image flashed in her mind's eye. If she did that there'd be no Kane. There'd be no one. Was that how she wanted to live her life? Curl up and die or just get the bloody hell on with it.

Demi would tell her to get on with it. Trin would tell her to get on with it. Linc was the perfect example of getting on with it. That kid was an inspiration. Becky wiped her eyes again and picked up the phone. Get on with it. Block Rob's number and all social media he was connected to her via. As she swiped the screen the mobile beeped. Rob. Fuck. Before he had a chance to ring or message again she hit block. Then she quickly went through her social media and unfollowed, deleted, blocked and removed any possibility of him contacting her.

Once she was finished Becky stared at the screen with her finger over the message button. Did she dare open that last text he'd just sent? There was no way she was going to be able to ignore it or delete it. What if she'd been wrong and he really was going away on a training camp? With eyes squeezed tight she pressed down with her finger, and then read.

This is bullshit, Becky. I'm not accepting this. You have not screwed around on me. I don't believe it. I know why you're doing this. I lied to you and I'm so sorry but please answer my call so I can explain. Please, Becky. I'm so sorry. I love you. Don't do this. Please. ♥♥♥

More tears rolled down her face. She was so sick of fucking crying. He had lied to her. It was right there on the screen, and like she knew would happen, he wanted to ring and make all the excuses in the world. He'd stay with her because he wouldn't want to hurt her, just like she thought. There was no turning back now. Becky held her finger over the delete button. Did she? Would she? No. She hit archive instead, and then dialed Sheila's number.

Becky's phone call to the woman she considered more mother than her own, was going to be hard to make, but harder still was the thought of talking to Linc and telling him she'd broken up with Rob. She'd tell them the same story. That she'd met someone else she liked and it wasn't fair to Rob not to be focused on him fully in a romantic sense.

After the initial hellos and telling of the story Becky sobbed, "If someone can take my attention away from him, then I mustn't love him fully. Isn't that right, Sheila?"

"Oh... hun. Don't cry," Sheila fretted.

"You... you... should be mad at me. I've hurt him."

"I'm not angry, Becky," Sheila cooed. "You can't stay with someone to make them happy. I understand and just know we'll always love you. We are your home now. Please remember that, Becky." She gasped back tears as she added, "No matter what, we are a family and you are always and I mean always a part of that and are welcome here every minute of the day." Sheila paused again, and then said, "I know Rob will be hurt but we'll help him through it so please don't worry."

What else could she say? Rob was her son but she didn't want him to be in a relationship with a girl who wasn't in love with him and, she also didn't want Becky to ruin her life staying with someone she wasn't in love with. "It'll be okay, Becky. Everything will work out how it's intended to be. We very rarely have control over these things." Sheila took in a breath and hoped her words were the correct ones. "I'll ring him, okay? You settle down and focus on your studies and make us proud. Rob will have to accept it and do the same. We love you, Becky. We really do. Please don't let this keep you away from us."

"I... I won't." Becky bit back another snuffle. "Can I talk to Linc? I think it'd be better if I told him."

Sheila was in two minds. "Do you think that's wise right now? You're really distraught and I think it might upset Linc more if he hears you crying."

"But he has to be told," Becky insisted. "Wouldn't it be better if I told him as soon as possible?"

"What if you leave it for a few weeks?" Sheila tried to sound upbeat. "You never know, you and Rob might work it out and you'd be upsetting Linc for no reason. He's just getting his year sorted and well..."

It was at that moment that the truth of what Sheila was trying to say hit Becky like a train. Linc was no longer her Linc. He had his own life. A life with Sheila and Michael. It wasn't fair to burden him with her problems. "Okay," she gasped. If you think that's best, but what will I say to him if he asks?"

"Has he ever asked, Becky?" It was a harsh question but Sheila knew Linc just assumed Becky and Rob would be together forever. She might be wrong but she'd prefer that he didn't know at least for this year. He was truly coming alive like a boy of his age should and after the last two terrible years he'd had she wanted Linc to fly with no guilt or weight on his wings.

"No. No he hasn't," Becky answered with fragile determination. "You're right. I'll leave it. He'll work it out one day." She took a breath of courage and added, "I've got to go now. Thank you, Sheila. Thank you for everything. I can't tell you how grateful I am to you and Michael and Rob for all the support you have given me." If she didn't hang up now she was going to break down. Becky gushed, "I love you all and I will always remember you as my family."

"We..." Sheila was saying when the phone went dead. She stared at the handset thinking Becky's last words sounded more like a departure than a good-bye.

Hmm... I'm not sure if keeping Becky and Rob's breakup a secret from Linc is the right thing to do.  What do you think?

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