Page 81 of My Turkish Fling
I wanted us out of the house, somewhere nice and neutral where none of us had the home advantage or chores. If I kept working, Emir would be here, cooking for us and looking after my son. Iknew he’d do it, but I couldn’t put him in that position.
“Day trip?” Emir repeated, lifting an eyebrow.
“Where?” Josh asked.
“We could go to the beach, or on a bush walk.”
“I can stay back and look after the animals if you want to go for a longer trip.” Emir gave me a tentative look.
I didn’t want to leave him behind. I didn’t want to miss a single moment with him, but I appreciated the offer. “I… I’ll think about it.”
Josh’s eyes flashed with caution. “As long as you’re not driving me back to Auckland.”
I drew a deep breath. I had to talk to his father. I couldn’t put it off any longer. It was Monday, and he wasn’t at school. We’d texted a couple of times, only to confirm Josh was with me and he’d stay over the weekend. They’d informed the school about his absence, but Shaun still expected him to return.
“I’ll call your dad,” I told Josh. “I have an agreement with him. If he wants you in Auckland, you have to go back. I can’t afford to go to court over this.”
It was the truth, and it was best he knew it. Josh’s mouth hardened into a straight line. I could tell he was fighting tears as he nodded. “Yeah, okay.”
I excused myself and picked up my phone from its charging station on the kitchen counter.
“Don’t fight with him,” Josh urged. “Be nice. You know how he gets.”
I nodded. I’d stroke his ego, even if it killed me.
When I got to the bedroom, with the door closed, it hit me. Mynew relationship hung in the balance. Whatever Shaun decided would seal our fate. If he agreed to let Josh move back to Napier, I’d have one son during school terms and the other one, or maybe both, during holidays. I’d be tied to this house with no chance to travel. If Emir couldn’t come to me, I’d never see him again. Not that I’d been planning to chase him across the globe, consciously. But it seemed my unconscious mind had made such plans without telling me, because the images of airplanes and suitcases flashed before my eyes as my phone-holding hand trembled.
“What is it? I’m busy.” Shaun barked.
“We need to talk about Josh.”
“Yeah. When is he coming back? He’s going to have to Uber himself from the bus station. I have no time to drive around this week.” His voice oozed irritation. “Honestly, I didn’t expect him to pull this sort of crap. It’s so out of character. Teenagers, eh?” He attempted a lighter tone, and my stomach tightened.
“How is he doing at school?”
“Fine. He made friends straight out of the gate, already got invited to some birthday parties and all. They got to go on a hot air balloon. The family owns a hotel chain, they’re a great connection.”
“So, you have no idea why he suddenly packed up and left?” I kept my voice neutral, even if my own irritation was quickly reaching the boiling point. “There were no signs at all?”
“No… I mean… no.” I heard the hesitation now, along with defensiveness.
He had no idea. Josh was the quiet one. He didn’t seek you out to share about his life. If you didn’t pay attention and give himtime to talk, you missed everything.
“Sounds like you have a full plate, with the baby coming… congratulations, by the way. How’s the business?”
“Good. Yeah… It’s busy.” The silence stretched between us, punctuated by heavy breaths. “It’s been a bit stressful. We’ve avoided layoffs, so far, but it’s a bit touch and go. Long days. So I haven’t had a chance to catch up with Josh every day but Kelly is here twenty-four seven.”
“She must have a lot on her mind though, with the baby coming.”
I couldn’t believe how understanding I managed to sound, given the way my stomach turned at the sheer mention of her name.
“She’s pre-diabetic so she’s having to watch her diet.”
I steeled my nerves. “Ouch. That’s tough, especially with pregnancy cravings.”
“She’s handling it. It’s hard since she loves her sweets, but Kelly is so committed. She’ll do anything for the baby.”
I ignored the poorly veiled dig. I hadn’t been committed enough to follow him back to Auckland, committed enough to give up the farm and our country lifestyle. Not committed enough to sacrifice my dream and be the perfect wife he wanted—the one on TV with celebrity friends and a face held together with Botox. I’d wanted out, and I’d fought tooth and nail to make it happen. In my own way, I was just as responsible for our divorce. I’d held onto the house I loved, the animals, the peace and quiet of a small town. I had begun to relax, and nothing could make me return. We’d been stuck, both waiting for the other to yield. Eventually, I suggested a compromise—a place just outside Auckland, a job that didn’tstress me quite so much… but Shaun had already found a new woman to fill my role.
