“I’m really angry with you, Liv, and I can’t help it.” His voice firmed as his tears vanished. “You know I love you, you know I’m a nice guy, but I feel like I’ve taken a lot of shit.”
“I know,” I said softly, touching my earlobe.
“So don’t expect me to lie back and let you walk all over me. If you want to proceed with this divorce, I’m going to treat you like I would anyone else in court. Especially ifhe’sgoing to stick his nose in it. And I’m a good lawyer, I think you know that.”
Loud banging on the front door startled me. “Shit. Hang on,” I told Bill.
“Tell Gretchen to give us a minute,” he said.
It wasn’t Gretchen, but I kept that to myself as I crossed the apartment. I opened the door a sliver and stepped out, but stuck my foot in the door to keep it from automatically locking. “Everything’s good,” I said to David. “We’re just talking.”
He unclenched his jaw. “Fine, but I’m waiting here.”
“Thank you,” I said and returned to the kitchen. “Go ahead,” I told Bill. “What were you saying?”
I stood by the last few boxes, waiting for him to speak. My eyes went to the nearest one, and my jaw dropped when I saw our wedding album. “Bill?” I asked, holding it up.
“I don’t want it.”
“But . . . you should keep it. I have the originals on my computer.” He shook his head, and I frowned. I didn’t want to say it, but it would mean more to Bill during this time than it would me. I set it on the counter next to him. “Keep it,” I insisted.
“Are you purposely trying to piss me off?” he asked. “First, you give me back your ring, and now this?”
“I made that album especially for you,” I said. “And I’m sorry about the ring. You’re right—it was insensitive of me, but I know it’s a family heirloom.”
“So I’m supposed to give it to someone else?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
He stood, picked up the album, and threw it in the trash. “Happy?” he asked. “Leave.”
I glanced over at the remaining boxes. I still had more stuff to take down. But more importantly, I was concerned about Bill. “I really think we should talk,” I said. “Whatever’s going on in your head, let’s get it all out there.”
“I can’t. Just go.” He turned away and pressed his palms into his eyes. “Every time you look at me, it’s with pity,” he added. “Please.”
I walked over and put my hand on his shoulder. “Bill,” I said softly.
“I saidgo.” He picked up a box, wrenched open the door, and threw it into the hallway.
As he turned for the next one, David caught the door before it closed. “Is that really fucking necessary?” he asked from the doorway.
I hurried over and pushed David out into the hallway. “Don’t,” I warned.
He crossed his arms over his chest and kept his eyes fixed behind me. “He’s going to ruin your stuff.”
Bill dropped another box by my feet, then stuck a wedge under the door to keep it open. “Can’t go anywhere without your bodyguard?” he asked me, going back for more boxes.
“Say another thing, and I’ll shatter your jaw, too,” David said.
“Try me.” Bill slid a box across the floor, and it tumbled out into the hall. “You’re lucky I don’t press charges for my nose.”
David’s arm twitched as he stepped forward, right in front of me. “Do that,” he said over my head. “See what happens.”
I straightened my shoulders and placed a hand on his forearm. “Don’t,” I said. “I’m asking you to walk away.”
“Yeah, walk away, you noble asshole,” Bill said. “Is it noble to swipe another man’s wife from under his nose? To buy his future home?”
“I don’t expect you to understand,” David said. “Unlike you, I’d go to any lengths for her.”
