Page 8 of Killer
“Fuck.”Tate whistled,looking at the ring.“Your man has got money.”
“He’s not my man.”The only manshe ever wanted was long gone now, and it was all her fault for notcoming clean about being married.She was a fuckingidiot.
“You’ve got to tell me the storyfrom the beginning and leave nothing out.I’m nosy, and you owe mesome kind of explanation about all of this.”
Kelsey cuddled a pillow hoping it wouldprotect her against the feelings spiraling inside her.She feltsick to her stomach but knew she had little choice.All of theemotions running through her were her own fault.
“There’s nothing romantic in mypast.”
“I don’t care.Look at whathappened between Murphy and me.Romance doesn’t play intoeverything.I want to scream and shout at you, but I’m simply goingto hold your hand and wait for you to explain.”Tate held her hand,offering her some comfort.Kelsey held onto the only friend she hadin the world.It was time to finally admit the truth toTate.
“Over the years my parents hadgotten into a lot of debt.I mean a lot.I was so shocked when Iheard the amount.I was eighteen and getting ready to apply forcollege, but we couldn’t afford it.”She licked her lips recallingthe anger she felt when her parents admitted the truth about theirways.Her mother had gambling problems, and when her father foundout, he tried to stop it and then became addicted like her mother.Now, they were both able to live without gambling away a singlecent, but they had also become ill.She’d not really known herparents at all, and what she did know about them, she didn’t like.“I didn’t have a clue.They went away when I was seventeen for aweek.I didn’t think much of it, and it seems they mortgaged thehouse or something.About a year later, Michael came telling themhe wanted payment or we were out.”Kelsey laughed.“I didn’t haveanything to give him, and neither did my parents.They didn’t tellme the truth of what was going on.I mean, why should they?I wastheir only daughter, but it was none of my business.”
“I thought your family life wasallhappy androsy?”
“I didn’t want to burden you withthe heavy truth that my family was not all that great.I wasn’traised by bikers, but I wasn’t raised by saints either.”Kelseywiped the tears from her eyes.“We couldn’t come up with the money,and so he gave us a set time to get out of his home.It was hard,packing everything up and not knowing where you’re going to go.Ihated every second of it, and I knew I’d make sure it would neverhappen again.I wouldn’t allow myself to be like them.”
Tate squeezed her hand.
“Anyway, he came back and said ifI married him, signing the prenuptial agreement then he’d give my parentsback their house, deal with all of their debts, and then pay me ahealthy sum along with a monthly allowance.”The tears fell thickand fast.Admitting the truth aloud hurt her deeply.“I sound likea whore.”She voiced her own horrid thoughts.
“Did you sleep with him?”Tate asked.
“No, I agreed, and we weremarried within the month.We didn’t kiss or anything.We’ve notdone anything but hold hands.God, I was so stupid.You know therehave been days I’ve not even given him a thought.”Kelsey laughed.“He didn’t mean anything to me at all.He offered me a lifeline,and like a stupid eighteen year old girl I took it.”
“Do you have any idea whyhe married you?”Tate asked.
“No, I’ve not got a clue.I’m sostupid.We were not even attracted to each other.”
“No, you’re not stupid for whatyou did.You’re stupid for not saying anything now.Why didn’t yousay anything?”
“I don’t know.It’s toocomplicated and weird, and I didn’t want you to think less of me,and I hated what I’d done and I still do hate what I’ve done.Howcan I expect Killer to ever forgive me?”Kelsey asked.
Tate pulled her in close, hugging hertight.
“Do you love yourhusband?”
“No, I don’t even know him.God,what an idiot am I?I don’t even know what he does for a living.Iknow he’s wealthy and always pays my allowance.I never spend it,but I’ve tried to pay back the lump sum I used for college.”Shelaughed.“I could be living like a queen in some deserted islandsomewhere.Instead, I stay in Fort Wills and risk being shotat.”
“I imagine being in a desertedisland isn’t anything it’s cracked up to be like.I bet it’slonely, horrible, and I’ll kick your ass if you leave me, Kels.We’re BFFsnow.”
Crying, she hugged her friend close.“You should be hurting me or something.”
“No, I’m doing what needs to bedone and that’s listening to my friend,” Tate said.“Besides, Ilove you, not Killer.I think he’s a bit of a moron.”
Kelsey cried even though shedidn’t agree with Tate’s assessment.Killer was a lot ofthings, but amoron wasn’t one of them.
After some time passed andKelsey made another cup of tea, they sat down together in silence.
“Why don’t you divorce him?”Tateasked.
“I would, but he said something I don’tlike.”
“Kels, every woman can geta divorce.It’s not the middle ages.”
Looking down into her tea, Kelseywondered what she was going to do.“The prenuptial agreement Isigned?”She glanced up to see Tate nod.
“What about it?Rich menand women deal with them all the time.”
