Page 32 of Brood

“You said you haven’t seen or heard from her in ten years. Doesn’t that make you still married?”

“Caught that part did you?” The bowl abandoned on the counter; he then starts up the stove; the blue flames fanning out under the pan until the nob is turned at a lower temperature. “I went and got a divorce not too long ago. There had been sufficient enough time for me to start the process. I ran a notice in the newspaper, provided proof, and the judge granted me the divorce. I highly doubt she saw it. The woman wouldn’t know what a newspaper was if it was rolled up and smacked her on the nose.”

“So,” I pause watching as he starts frying the pancakes, “your wife is gone. Kasin’s mother is… dead… What exactly is Cammy then?” This has him turning around to face me, spatula paused in the air.

“Cammy.” He takes in a deep breath. “Cammy is… Was. Convenient?” He questions as if he doesn’t know. “We were kind of… When Kasin got dropped off on my doorstep I had no clue what to do, and she was just there, ready to help. She knew as much as I did about taking care of a kid. Still, she was something that I needed at the time. It was selfish of me, letting her help out and… well, when I realized things were getting too comfortable and what she wanted from me, I put an end to it. I know she still wants things to happen between us, but it’s one-sided.” He plates a few pancakes, and suddenly the thought of eating them makes my stomach harden. Hearing him talk about Cammy has taken away my appetite. “I won’t lie and say she is nothing to me because she isn’t. She has been there from the beginning for Kasin, and I could never be grateful enough for that.” I hate his brutal honesty.

“I get that.” My throat is suddenly dry, and I want nothing more than to curl up and whimper.

“Hey.” He abandons what he is doing and pulls me close. “She is important to me but not as important as you and sure as hell not in the same way.” His thumbs frame my face, tipping it back so he can get a better view. I can’t help the tears that threaten to spill. I mean he just told me how much another woman means to him. I am only human.

“What way is that?” He doesn't answer just brings his mouth down to mine, kissing me softly at first then it turns into something more when my lips part. His tongue wraps around mine in a forceful, claiming way. Sending wave after wave of heat rippling across my body. I barely have any air in my lungs when he pulls back and peers down at me.

“That way Jor.”

---