Sucking in a painful breath, he rose from the bed.“Even for you, that’s low.”
He paced the bedroom, wondering how to get through to Christy.His face was hot, and his temples beat as though someone was beating a pair of cymbals inside his skull.
“I do what I have to,” she snapped.“Nats will be disappointed.”
The familiar heaviness threatened to weigh him down, but he squared his shoulders and chose his words with care.“I can’t do anything about that.I have to go to work.”
“I’ll call you later.”
“Please don’t.I won’t have anything different to say.”
She ended the call, leaving him in the early-morning silence.Eyes narrowed, he stared at the cell phone, then threw it on the bed.Was this how life was going to be?He’d cut back on everything to create a comfortable existence for her and their child, and this was how she repaid him.
He studied himself in the mirror, unsure how to navigate his next steps.Lately, he felt broken.And there was that kiss he still hadn’t unpacked because he was too much of a coward to unmask his emotions.How could he start anything new, carrying his baggage like an albatross around his neck?Lizette deserved better.
Life is happening now and none of it is perfect.
Chelle’s words surfaced, and he looked away from the mirror.Her advice made sense, but it was challenging to get past the part of himself that said he had nothing to offer.Lizette had everything, including the ideal family and steady support.What could he provide, aside from more complications?His thoughts chased each other as he laid his clothing on the bed and got on with dressing.
When he was slipping his shirt into his pants, Zack yelled through the door.“If I’m dropping you off, you’d better get out here now.”
“Coming.”
He grabbed his crossbody backpack and swept the room with his gaze, all to aware this wasn’t his permanent space.
Inside the Maserati, they listened to the news and when it ended, Zack switched to another station.
After listening for a bit, Shomari asked, “When did you start liking eighties music?”
“Gina converted me.”He laughed but kept his eyes on the traffic.“I’d twist myself into a pretzel if she asked me to.”
“It’s like that, huh?”Shomari stared out the window and dipped his head once.
“She’s a good woman, and Luca makes life interesting.”
“Yes, he does.”Zack chuckled, remembering that first day when he was sure Lizette wanted the floor to swallow her whole after Luca’s question.
“So, how are things shaping up with you?”Zack asked while increasing the volume on the music.
“Are you asking me when I’m moving out?”
Looking sideways at him, Zack said, “Of course not.You’re good until you’re on your feet.”
“Speaking of which, I’m about to make a move.”Shomari shifted the bag on his lap.“I’m about to take some funds from one of my investment accounts to rent a place for myself.”
If he had to make a sacrifice, he figured he might as well do it for himself.
“Ever heard the saying pride goes before a fall and a haughty spirit before destruction?”
“From my grandmother, yes.”Laughing, Shomari asked, “What does any of this have to do with pride?”
They pulled up at a stoplight, and Zack shook his head.“You don’t have to do that.Why make things worse than they already are?And for what?”
“I still have something put away in another investment account.”
“All I’m saying is that you’ve been a friend to us, a genuine one.Now, we have the chance to bless you as you’ve blessed us, but you’re about to make yourself worse off financially.”
“I didn’t think of it like that, but I truly appreciate the two of you standing with me during this madness with Christy.”
