Page 73 of Unbreakable
“Jesus,” Andy jumped, putting a hand to his heart. “You scared me, man.”
I ground my teeth. I would not apologize for scaring him because that was the whole point. His brow wrinkled and he quickly took stock of me. I had my hands in my front pockets, my lips pursed, and drew myself to my full height. I cocked my head to the side.
“Can I . . . help you?” He was trying to act annoyed, but his voice trembled slightly.
I chuckled. “What you can do is stay the fuck away from my wife.”
He recoiled. “She’s not your property.”
“She’s not yours, either. I don’t own Jeanine, but she is mine. This is the second time you’ve had your nose where it shouldn’t be.”
“Second time?” he echoed.
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve tried. Don’t think she hasn’t cried to me about it. Not only did you try to meddle in my marriage, but you made my wife uncomfortable.” I put my tongue in my cheek and made my hand into a fist, glancing at my nails. “You ever watch hockey, Andrew?”
He scoffed and shrugged. “Sure.”
“Then you must know how easy it is for me to break someone’s face. Wouldn’t even split a knuckle. And if someone’s nose is where it shouldn’t be, it’s truly my pleasure.”
“You threatening me?” he asked. “You must really think Jeanine’s going to leave you.”
I popped my lips. “What happens between my wife and me is not your concern. But know this.” I stepped close to him, my voice low and even. “It would be so easy for me to put your ass in the ground and make it look like a fucking accident.”
Andy stiffened. “Jeanine would hate you.”
I smirked. “Jeanine wouldn’t even think of you.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Why do you think she always runs back to me? You treat her like shit, and she runs here.”
I scoffed. “She runs back to herparents, Andrew. And then you’re here, waiting to pounce on her with your pathetic knight in shining armor routine. Then you get mouthy with me and act like you have any fucking role in this. ”
Andy’s jaw ticked and I stepped back. “Don’t let me catch you with your hands in the cookie jar a third time, Andrew. I hate getting dirt under my nails.”
I ambled toward the door to the stairs. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go take my wife some breakfast in bed, help her pack her bags, and who knows? Maybe make love to her. Give it to her just the way she likes it. Really take my time with her, worship her sweet, beautiful body. And then I’ll take her home, where she belongs.”
THIRTY
JEANINE
NOW | DECEMBER
Rachel
Can’t wait to see you tomorrow!
I KNOW
Are you already here?
Yes but Dyl’s taking me on a date
Ugh FINE
“How’s itfeel to be back?”
Dylan and I decided rather than going out to some fancy dinner in L.A., we just wanted to go to where we met: the little dive bar in Santa Monica. And wouldn’t you know it, we hit it on a live band karaoke night. We hit our favorite taco truck on the way in, then bellied up to the bar. I wore a flouncy little dress with a leather jacket and boots, and he wore a sage-colored cuffed button-down and dark jeans with the jacket I always called his “cool jacket.” His outfit was topped off with abackward ballcap and a watch that accentuated one thick, hairy wrist.
“I feel like you planned this,” I said, narrowing my eyes as I hooked my jacket on the back of my barstool. “How’d you know it was karaoke night? Is this part of The Plan?”
