Page 32 of All I Need

“And?” Gary prompts.

“And nothing, Gary. This is Walker. He’s here to help me get my things.”

His eyes, that have been focused on Walker, shift to mine quickly. “Get your things?”

I raise my eyebrows. “Uh, yes. My clothes. Whatever I have left in the bathroom. My chair and end table.”

“You’re moving out?” His voice has taken on an odd tone that I don’t quite understand but when he continues talking, it clicks into place. “Why? We aren’t done.”

He can’t be serious. “Gary, might I remind you the last time I saw you, I was wearing a wedding dress and you were in a tuxedo with the pants down to your ankles as you screwed my maid-of-honor.”

At my words, Walker’s body goes still, his height increasing, if that was even possible, his stance broadening as he shifts. His hand that was resting on my shoulder slides down my back, leaving a hot trail until it lands on my lower back, just above the waistband of my shorts then glides over to rest on my hip. He tugs me closer, my shoulder brushing up against his side.

“It was a misunderstanding,” Gary says like an idiot.

“Your dick slipped out of your pants and landed in her vagina then? You should do magic shows. I’d bet you’d make a killing in Vegas.”

Walker makes a noise that sounds like he’s choking down a laugh and I look up at him when I see him lift his other hand to his mouth to cover up his smile.

I roll my lips together to stop myself from giggling also.

“You know what I mean,” he hisses.

“No, actually, I don’t. I’m not sure anyone would, in fact. Gary, I know why you want it to work. Your birthday’s coming up and you’re running out of time to marry yourself off so you can cash in. If you want your inheritance so badly, marry Crystal. Remember, you admitted you’ve been sleeping with her for almost six months so clearly there’s something there.”

His eyes narrow and his voice takes on a dangerous tone when he bites out, “And you also know that isn’t possible.”

“Then grow a pair and make it possible,” I snap. “I’m tired of you being a giant pussy when it comes to your father. Either man up, tell him what’s going to happen in your life, or walk away from the money. What do you care more about? Money or your own happiness? We clearly weren’t good together—now that I’ve been away from you I realize just how truly unhappy I was. It’s your choice what you want to do with your life but thankfully I no longer have to worry about it. I said we’re done. We’re done. I returned your car, safe and sound. Now step aside so Walker and I can load up my things and I’ll be out of your life forever.”

“Ellie…” he starts but Walker’s clearly had enough.

“She said what she came here to say. Now be a man, for what sounds like the first time in your life, and allow her to move on.”

“With you?”

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” Walker says, his voice calm.

“She’s my fiancée so—“

“Ex. She’s your ex-fiancée.” He uses the hand not wrapped around my hip to lift my left hand and present it in front of Gary’s hand.

“I gave you everything you ever wanted.”

At that, I’m done. I step forward, losing Walker’s hand on me but not my confidence. I point at Gary and narrow my eyes. “No, you asshole. You pretended to not be a selfish asshole but proved you were no better than Michael. I gave you everything you ever asked for by being exactly who you needed me to be. Every event you needed me at, I was there, dressed perfectly. Every dinner party or opening, I was the perfect little woman. Said the right things, laughed at your stupid ridiculous jokes that no one else laughed at. Always by your side. I pretended to be someone I wasn’t for you. That doesn’t say a lot about me. I lived for a long time with blinders on but my eyes have finally opened. I deserve more than to be someone’s pet or trophy wife. There’s more to life than money. You’d do yourself a favor to realize that.”

I grab my purse from the front seat of the car then grip Walker’s hand in mine, tugging slightly so he follows me.

I glance back in time to see Walker grin smugly as he passes by Gary. It’s a cocky move that makes me have to hold back a giggle.

Entering our old bedroom, I wrinkle my nose at what I see. Walker stands behind me, close but not touching.

“Um,” he murmurs.

“Yeah.”

“It’s… interesting?”

“I was such an idiot.”

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