Page 72 of Love Unforgettable
“Trevor told me,” Elise pants. I have to wonder why she keeps talking when it’s obviously an exertion to do so. She’s barely had time to hate me yet seems to be doing so with a vengeance.
“But he’s back with us now and she just won’t let go. They dated for a time in college, and she thinks something is still going on. She’s been sexting him,” Elise continues with a moan.
I’ve done no such thing. Where is this coming from? What texts could Trevor have shown her that aren’t months old? Unless they’re from someone else and he just said it was me.
“Keep breathing,” Cole tells her. “In two, three, four, five. Out, two, three, four, five.”
She breathes a couple times, then keeps talking. “Now she keeps trying to get him alone. If women like her would just respect the sanctity of marriage, there would be no affairs. And Trevor is not the only one she’s tried to do this with.”
I swear I hear a collective gasp through the room.
“What the fuck?” Remi whispers.
“I don’t get it either,” I say.
“She’s had affairs with other married men?” Cole asks. His voice still annoyingly calm. But I can see the vein in the neck pulsing.
It’s not true, Cole. Please don’t believe her.
Say something, Lexie.
“She’s going to . . . oh, that one hurt, shit . . . she wants me out of the way, so she can raise my babies. Or so that she and Trevor can raise them together. At least that’s her plan.” She lets a long breath out. “I really want to sit down.”
“It’s better if you keep walking,” Cole says. “Let’s keep talking, keep your mind on other things.”
“Elise,” I interject. “I’m not trying to steal your family. It was a one-time mistake and it won’t happen again.”
“Don’t talk to me,” Elise moans.
I can’t tell what I feel more, hurt or pissed. And ashamed. Definitely ashamed. But I think it’s a combination of the three. Plus, how was I so wrong about someone for so long? How did Trevor fake everything so convincingly? I mean, I had absolutely no clue that he was married. None.
I try calling Trevor again and get his voicemail immediately. Either his phone is off, or he has me blocked.
“I just left Trevor another message, okay, Elise?” I tell her.
“You should be used to getting his voicemail by now,” she pants. “God, where is the ambulance? I need something for the pain.”
“Keep moving,” Cole tells her. “It will help with the pain, believe it or not.”
She pulls her phone from her pocket. “Can you call him from . . . Oh!” Elise doubles over, clutching her stomach.
“Focus on the breathing,” Cole says gently.
“Here.” She hands her phone to me. “Try Trevor from my phone. I’m sure he has you blocked. With good reason.” Her voice is harsh, she sounds impatient. I walk toward her to take it.
“Elise, I don’t know what all he’s told you, but it’s not like . . .” I start, but stop when she looks at me, the pain in her eyes evident. Physical and emotional, both are there in abundance. I look at her face, seeing her for the first time as a woman, and not as my ex’s wife. She hurts, and she loves him. She needs to believe whatever lies Trevor has told her. Her very existence, and the existence of her daughter and baby, depend on it. Just like I had no idea he was married. She has no idea he’s a lying cheat.
I can’t do it. I can’t be the one to tell her that. Even if I am one half of his cheating this time. Well, and a few months ago. But I can’t be responsible for hurting her further.
“Elise?”
I look up and see Trevor walking across the room calling for her.
Asshole.
“Hey, buddy, you want to get your fucking hands off my wife?” he says to Cole, his steps quickening.
“Now’s not the time,buddy. I’m just helping a lady in a time of need. It’s best you take over at this point,” Cole says.
