Page 31 of The Seven Month Itch
Her eyes burn into mine. They’re cold now, void of any warmth or love. “We’re broken, and I want off of this ride.”
Don’t let it end this way.
I turn my back to Justice, unable to face her or the reality of what she wants. A blow to the ribs with a knife, I could survive. It crushed me when I lost her the first time. I’m not sure I’ll recover from a second. “If you do this, we’re really over. I’ll sign the divorce papers, and that’s it.” I turn around to face the woman who’s held my heart and is ready to toss it out. Again. “Is that what you want?”
Her lips tremble. More tears fall, but she nods.
Fifteen years.Fifteen yearstogether, and that’s all I get? A fucking nod?
I’m shaking. Hurt turns into betrayal, hope into fury. What the hell am I doing here? This song and dance went on for seven months. I’ll be damned if I let her drag me along and accuse me of something I didn’t do.
She deserves better, and so do I.
“I’ll have the paperwork sent to your attorney in the next forty-eight hours.” I walk past her, my eyes focused on the hallway. I don’t want to look at her, let alone be in the same room. But I can’t help it. I glance over my shoulder when I reach the doorframe.
Justice stares at the ground with her arms wrapped around her middle.
“I won’t interfere the next time I see you with someone,” I say. She looks up at me like she wants to speak but stops herself. So I continue. “You’re right. It’s time we both move on. I hope you find happiness, Jay.”
Her face falls, and I walk away.
I will my feet to keep moving. She’s not the only one hurt.
Chapter 15
Justice
“This might be the best idea you’ve had in a long time.” Emma’s voice glides through the phone.
I sink into the warmth of the lavender bubble bath and adjust the cucumber slices over my eyes. The hot water is a welcome embrace.
My marriage is officially over, or it will be once I receive the signed divorce papers. I spent thirty minutes staring at a wall of wine cases after Terrence left, as if they held the secret to life and why mine is in shambles. Things went too far with West, farther than I intended. But something inside of me snapped when I saw Madison and Terrence after his confession this morning. Every fear, every memory, crashed into focus, and I wanted him to hurt as much as I did.
As much as I still do.
“Do I need to come over there?”
This suite is so big Em and I can call each other from our bathrooms. She had a less than stellar night too. So here we are, soaking in our tubs with dessert trays, because why not?
I shake my head as if she’ll see my reaction through the phone. “That’s okay, love. We both need this. How’s your chocolate cake?”
“It would taste better if it could erase the memories of a certain dick,” she says.
“A person or an organ?”
“Both.” Her reply is instant, and in a tone that makes it clear someone discovered a chink in her armor. Did she get too close to a man who is more than a good time in bed? I know it’s not West. I’ve never heard her so unsettled.
She changes the subject. Guess I hit a nerve. “I’m surprised I didn’t find you with our suitcases ready to go when I came back.”
You almost did.
I blow out a long breath. “I thought about it, but what good would that do? You should’ve seen how much I hurt him tonight. Terrence was as mad as the night I left him.”
“You two spent close to a year not talking. It was only a matter of time before things erupted. You’re hurt. He’s hurt. You both lost so much, and you haven’t properly healed.”
My fingers find the mute button right before a sob charges up my throat. I put the phone down to wrap my hands around my legs; my head is too heavy to bear the weight of her words.You both lost so much, and you haven’t properly healed. How foolish am I that my friend who despises relationships has better sense than I do?
“You there, Jay?”
