Page 47 of Forever Endeavor

His heart sank as he watched Billie push through the crowd and disappear into the night. Now he was really pissed. “What the hell do you want?”

“I thought it would be better for us to speak face to face instead of through lawyers. What’s-her-face told me you’re seeking legal counsel about the house. Surely, we can reach a peaceful resolution before it comes to dragging this through court.”

“There’s only one possible resolution and that’s if you stick to what you promised me.”

She shook her head. “I can’t do that. You knew before we got married that house belongs in my family. I have every right to take it back.”

“And I still have the email from you stating I could have it as long as I promised not to kill Chad with my bare hands. Regretfully, I’ve held up my end of the bargain.”

“I appreciate that you’ve left us alone and let us move on. As you can plainly see, we have,” she said, rubbing her belly. “I want to raise my child in a place with special meaning.”

“You had no trouble walking away from the house years ago, so it can’t possibly mean that much to you. Just like our wedding vows.”

“Sonny, must you always be dramatic? We both know we weren’t happy.”

“I didn’t know you weren’t happy. I was happy and I thought you were too.”

“Maybe before you started working long hours at the garage. You left me all alone.”

“Oh for shit’s sake, I had the business long before we got married and then I had to put in overtime because of the credit card bills you racked up. But God knows, when you complained, Melissa, I listened. I even hired another mechanic so I could spend more time at home. And yet, you still stabbed me in the back.”

“You went to work on my birthday!” she shouted.

“It was a Wednesday for Chrissake!” He bellowed and people turned their heads. Sonny took a deep breath, unclenched and lowered his voice. “It was a Wednesday.”

“Be honest. Are you digging in your heels just to get back at me and Chad?”

“I don’t give a flying monkey shit about you and Chad.”

She sat quiet for a moment. “What if I paid you a percentage of the value or the total of the rent you’ve paid? I’ll even help cover your moving expenses.”

“Dammit, Melissa, don’t patronize me.”

“I’m not. I’m giving you the chance to take a sizable nest egg to another nest to start over.” A burst of applause filled the room as the next performer took to the stage, bringing their conversation to an abrupt end. “Think it over,” she shouted above the crowd noise. “And in the meantime, be sure to keep Red the hell away from me.”

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