Page 101 of Whiskey Wednesdays

“Were you married to her for the last five years?” I asked.

“Yes,” he clipped.

“Then it’sexactlywhat I think. And you know what sucks? If you would have justtalkedto me, I probably could have dealt with it.”

“My divorce was final the night I dragged you out of Titus’s house. And I never lived with Amelia or fucked her while we were married. I did it for Elodie. To give her my name, as leverage for custody, and to keep her safe.”

A few tears slipped out. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you–”

“Because I thought you’d never give me a chance if you knew I was married when we met. And half the Goddamn hockey team would love to have you in their bed. Titus is right. You’re a fucking unicorn.”

“That’s not true,” I argued.

“It’s absolutely true. Bella, come home.”

“I can’t. I don’t trust you anymore. I never wanted to be that woman.” A sob slipped out, but I shut it down. “Maybe I don’t even know you.”

He sighed. “Promise me you won’t shut Elodie and me out.”

“That’s not fair. You can’t bring her into this.”

“Icanbring her into this. Elodie is the only reason I married Amelia, and she’s one of the reasons I fell for you.”

Tears slipped out, but I tried to will them back. “I need time. I have to think.”

He sighed, long and hard. “Okay. And when you’re ready, I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

“Now you'll talk to me.”

“I’m going to tell you the truth from now on. Where are you staying? Not at your apartment,” he growled.

“With friends.”

“Please fucking tell me it’s not Titus.”

“He knew you were married and he never said a word.” My voice rose. “I’m almost as mad at him as I am at you.”

He chuckled mirthlessly. “Well, that’s one good thing that came out of this mess. Sooner or later, you and I are going to talk. Stay safe, eh?” And he hung up.

On Tuesday at the arena, I didn’t look at Jackson or Titus. Jackson finally approached me toward the end of my shift.

“I know you’re mad.”

“You think?” I continued typing notes on my laptop.

Jackson rubbed the back of his neck. “Titus told me what happened. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything. I don’t know if this makes it better or worse, but I kind of forgot he’d married her. I was still in high school.”

I stopped typing. “Really?”

He shrugged. “I figured he’d gotten a divorce long before now.”

Sighing, I put my laptop aside. “He should have told me, and now I don’t trust him. And I worry about how this will affect Elodie if I disappear from their life.”

“Elodie loves you. I think that’s one of the reasons he didn’t want to tell you. And Connor probably worried you would’ve friend-zoned him if you’d known.”

“Connor is too much of an ass to friend-zone,” I retorted.

Jackson laughed as Titus walked in.

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