Page 23 of Break

Caroline side-eyes me, checking my face, “Dinner with James tomorrow night. Want to come?”

I purse my lips and look over to Alyssa. “Are you going?”

She nods and pouts her lip at me. “Please come? Alex moved in and we need some backup. How does James not see what a fucking nasty creature she is? She hates us, hates the house. I don’t understand what her deal is.”

I glance back and forth between them and I feel my heart crumble. They need me and they don’t want to lose their brother…

I nod slowly. “Okay… but language please. Do I need to buy you girls another dictionary and thesaurus…again?” I stick mytongue out at them and glance down at my lap. “I’ll go to dinner, but you’re both my alibi if I end up stabbing one of them.”

We all chuckle and focus on the show they put on. I don’t think I’m ready to see James, but the sooner, the better, before I blow up like a whale.

Not that he will ever know he’s going to be a father, regardless. But it’s better to not have to field any questions any time soon. Not when everything is so fresh and raw.

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The girls and I spent the day snacking and relaxing in the backyard, enjoying the last few weeks of decent weather before it starts snowing.

They let James know that I’ll be attending tonight, so fingers crossed he has something edible. I made sure to pack up some veggies, dip, a salad, and some egg salad just in case. Maybe I need to add some crackers, too. It sounded good, so that’s just what I’ll have for dinner if he tried to cook something. Nothing else sounds decent, anyway.

The girls wanted to drive, so I sat in the back of Caroline’s car as she steered us over to James’s house.

“So, tell me more about Alex.”

Alyssa huffs and turns in her seat to talk to me, “She whines constantly. Demands new purses, clothes… shows him photos of some new car she likes. We heard them fighting as we were leaving last week that she deserves one of his credit cards to just get whatever she wants. She mentioned your name so I think she knows that you have one.”

I frown and look out the window. “Wow. I have no words… I thought James was smarter than that? You would think hewould choose to be with someone more… kind. And I gave my credit card to Caroline weeks ago…” I shoot the culprit a look in the rear view mirror and she smirks at me.

“I kept it.” Caroline chuckles from the driver seat. “You would think… I have no idea what’s going on with him. Maybe she’s drugging him.”

I snort and shrug, “I thought the same thing after I met her. Who knows. This will be the first and last time I’m there if she causes a scene. I won’t stand up for him, he dug his own grave with this… woman. But if she says anything to the two of you, hold me back. Or not. Just let me at her.”

We listen to music on the rest of the drive and we pull up onto the driveway much too soon. I stare up at the house that was my home for so many years and feel like breaking down already.

Can I really do this? So soon?

I shove my phone in my pocket and wait for the girls to join me before we head up to the door. I have my small ice chest in my hand, my purse hanging off my shoulder, and my phone in hand to call for an Uber if needed.

Caroline steps up to the front door and I feel like puking again. The porch lights are on, the glow from the lights in the foyer are brightening up the dark space out here in the fresh air. I breathe in the crisp air and try to let it calm my nerves.

“Come on, everything will be fine. We’ll eat, and then run the hell out of here,” Alyssa murmurs to my right and she shoves me lightly up the steps.

I chuckle and follow the girls into the house, shutting the door behind me.

It smells different. It smells like fake lemons in here, not like the real lavender cleaning products I used.

All of my décor is obviously gone, but it looks like Alex has been busy. Where there used to be a more rustic décor has now been transformed with expensive crystal vases, lamps, and a new chandelier above my head in the foyer.

Christ, how much is she spending?

I frown as I make my way to the dining room, finding James standing up and hugging the girls. Alex is scowling down at her phone, not even saying anything as she sits at the table, tapping her high heeled shoe against the hardwood floors.

The table is littered with platters filled with hotdogs, pasta, and steamed veggies covered in cheese. The type of meal we would have once a week when James had a rough game or practice.

I hold my breath as I sit on the opposite side of the table. None of that smells appetizing. I busy myself with my food in my ice chest, pulling out the containers of fresh vegetables, my hummus dip, egg salad, and crackers.

I smile to myself as I present it out on the plate and I glance up to see James frowning at me.

“I ordered your favorite pasta, do you not want any?”

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