So, I was planning to wait until I'd near enough finished this story before starting to publish it, but I got a bit excited and wanted to at least put up the prologue. First few chapters are written but the story is only just beginning to unfold.

Please tell me what you think

Prologue

Cal shuffled in his seat. His eyes flickered to the door he had come through not long ago and then back to those he shared the room with. The room was populated with small plastic desks situated at regular intervals and each desk held one or two visitors. Cal wondered if it was normal for it to be this busy and then reminded himself he wouldn't be returning to find out.

The floor was a dark plastic and completely unremarkable, however it seemed to be the focus of most of the visitors' gaze. Cal scanned the room and caught only one other man doing the same. The man was younger than him, with a shaved head and a tattoo creeping out the top of his t-shirt. Their eyes met and the stranger gave Cal a fleeting nod of encouragement. A woman a few seats along was crying. Her partner squeezed her hand but winced with embarrassment when her sobs grew more audible. Across the room, a middle aged man jumped to his feet and dashed back out of the door.

Cal's hand habitually reached into his jeans pocket for his phone to check the time but found nothing more than an old receipt. Before he had reached this torturous room he had been commanded to hand over his personal belongings. When he had asked why he was told it was for security purposes, but no-one had chosen to clarify whether they were protecting visitors' security, or inmates'.

He hadn't told anyone he was going to visit Taylor, not even Ethan. He couldn't bear the thought of his little brother's reaction; a long, condescending lecture, a searching look of concern. Yet, he could hear Ethan's voice like his was right next to him – So let me get this straight. You're going to see her, in prison, to tell her that you're over her?! Yes, Caleb, that makes perfect sense. Cal considered, not for the first time, how infuriating it was that his conscious sounded exactly like his brother. He ran his hand through his hair and told the Ethan in his head to shut up.

Finally the other door opened and a prison guard strode through, followed by a sea of women uniformed with orange tabards. Cal gave a sharp intake of breath as he searched for Taylor and found himself overwhelmed with the smell of his own aftershave. He had told himself he wasn't going to make an effort for her but he found himself selecting a well-fitted new top, clearing his face of any stubble and daubing copious amounts of aftershave on regardless.

Taylor was one of the last to enter. While other women had virtually ran to their visitors, Taylor strolled slowly with a look of absolute indifference on her face. She sat down, ran a hand through her hair and then used the same arm to learn on the desk.

"Hey, Cal," she said.

Cal gulped. For a moment he felt as if he had gone back in time to those first few dates, where she had stolen the confident man he usually was and replaced him with a nervous, bumbling idiot. He forced himself to look at her, really look at her; to see beyond the blonde hair and blue eyes to the callous and cruel liar that had tricked him.

"Thanks for agreeing to see me," he eventually replied.

"It's not like I had anything better to do."

"No? Well, I suppose there aren't any other men in here to con."

Her lips curved into an insincere smile. "Is that why you've come? To see how many digs you can make?"

"No, but while I'm here, one or two won't hurt." He paused. "How are you finding your new home, Taylor?"

"I'm sure it's been a great comfort to you while you're crying yourself to sleep at night," she said, putting on a voice. "Nasty Taylor broke my heart but at least she's locked up in prison." She flattened her hands on the desk and leant forwards towards Cal. "I don't regret a thing."

"I do! I regret meeting you, I regret having sex with you, I regret ever letting you into my life."

"But that's your mistake," she interrupted. "You may have me painted as this heartless bitch but let me tell you something, Cal, I chose my men carefully. I know your type a mile off - womanisers, players, men who will hurt anyone just to get their leg over." She scoffed. "I've done some bad things, but only to the men who deserved it."

"I treated you well," Cal said quietly, unable to meet her gaze.

"You were one of the better ones," she agreed.

His eyes snapped to Taylor's. He hadn't expected her to agree. Deep within his chest the gnawing ache he'd felt for days after her lies were exposed was beginning to resurface and he sat up straighter as if posture could eliminate such heartache. He reminded himself why he had come, the words he had rehearsed in his head so many times since submitting the visiting order – I don't love you anymore. I don't even care about you. You got my money but not my heart or my mind. I'm over it.

"You're right," Cal continued, "I have been unkind to women in the past. But you were different, Taylor, I would have done anything for you." He shook his head. "I know you never the felt the same, I understand that now. But that's your loss. Not mine."

"Nice speech," she said.

Cal exhaled. He forced his mouth into a smile and nodded once. "Goodbye, Taylor."

He got up from his seat and headed towards the exit without once looking back.