Page 40 of Nova

''No.''

''Good,'' he mutters. ''I'd burn the shit anyway.''

Once I have my clothes packed, I walk across the hall to the second bedroom Brad uses as an office. The closet in there is where I kept a box of memorabilia from my childhood. Mostly photos and small momentos; things that belonged to my mother. When I walk back into the living room, Cain is out there patiently waiting on me. ''I'm takin' the suitcases down to the truck. That everything?'' he nods to the box I'm carrying.

''Yep.'' We go to leave the apartment when I remember one last thing. ''Oh, wait. My spare laptop is on the nightstand in the bedroom. Let me grab it, and I'll meet you downstairs.''

''Alright, babe.''

Cain leaves, and I jog back down the hall to the bedroom. I snag my laptop from the table beside the bed and the charger cord. As I'm leaving, I stop, reach into the front pocket of my jeans and pull out the diamond engagement ring Brad gave me and set it on top of the dresser. Then movement out the corner of my eye catches my attention. It's Brad. He looks at me then at the ring and takes a step forward. ''Promise.''

''Brad. You're not supposed to be here. I told you I didn't want to see you.''

''I know you did, but I wanted to see you. We need to talk.''

I shake my head and brush past him. When I walk back into the kitchen, Cain is there with his back propped against the kitchen island as he casually smokes a cigarette. ''Hey, babe.''

''What the hell is he doing here?'' Brad comes up behind me, his eyes on Cain with a look of disgust. I take in Brad's attire. Slicked back hair, pressed suit. He's the complete opposite of Cain who is wearing faded jeans, ripped at the knees and a black t-shirt under his cut.

Cain answers for me. ''I'm here because she's my woman.''

Brad ignores Cain's statement. ''If you'll excuse us, I would like to talk with Promise alone.''

''Not fuckin' happenin'.'' Cain flicks his ashes on the kitchen floor.

''You don't speak for Promise.''

Cain grunts. ''You want to talk to this prick, babe?''

I look at Brad when I answer. ''Nope.''

''There ya go. My woman doesn't have shit to say to you.''

Brad continues as if he didn't hear a word Cain said. ''Promise, sweetheart, we can work this out. Don't throw away the last three years.''

Hitting a nerve, I turn away from Cain and face my ex. ''Don't throw away the last three years?'' I take a step closer to Brad. ''That was all you—you fucking asshole!'' I scream.

''You're saying all the blame lies on me. That you didn't play a role in anything?''

''Are you serious right now? I'm not saying I'm perfect. I know I've been distant, and things were off between us, but that doesn't excuse a partner for cheating. No matter how difficult things are, I would never cheat.''

''Promise…'' Brad tries again.

''You know how I feel about them.'' Brad flinches. He knows I'm talking about my stepfather and Avery when I say 'them'. He hears the hurt in my voice when I speak again. ''You know about the things I went through after my mom died, and you know how it was for me growing up with Thomas and Avery. You could have chosen anyone, but you chose her.''

Brad's shoulders slump. ''I'm sorry, Promise. I'm sorry I hurt you.''

I look over my shoulder to Cain, who is watching. I give him a small smile. ''I'm ready now, honey.''

Just as I turn to leave, Brad speaks again. ''I do love you, Promise. Even though I know you didn't feel the same, I still wanted us to work.''

I turn back to face Brad. ''You were wrong for cheating, but I was wrong for allowing our relationship to continue as long as it did. God knows I wanted it to work, but I didn't love you." I swallow past the lump in my throat and take a deep breath. ''I'm sorry too, Brad.''

Cain pushes off from the counter, holding his hand out to me, and I take it.

''Promise,'' Brad calls out, stopping me. ''I hope you find what you've been missing.''

I close my eyes and squeeze Cain's hand.I already have.

---