I wish you could. I wish anger stayed pure. At least my anger. But it doesn’t.
I don’t know how to explain it. Dr. Brett wanted to talk about my childhood after he diagnosed me as a conflict avoider, and… I didn’t want that. So I just never went back.
How was I supposed to know this would happen? The Jess I loved would’ve never let another man-
Shaking my head, I cut the thought off and focus on the red pen in my hand.
As the business grew, I should’ve hired more managers so I could golf like the other CEOs I know instead of drowning in endless grunt work.
Like an idiot, I didn’t.
Standing up, I walk to the back door and stare out at Bell and Ty sprawled in the afternoon sun. They look completely unbothered, living their best dog lives.
Everyone keeps talking about the storm coming, but so far the weather’s been clear. Not a single dark cloud in the sky.
I’ve lived in Texas long enough to know how fast that can change.
One calm night. Then chaos.
For a second I consider taking Dad up on his offer to stay at his place next week. Get some distance. Some space to think.
But I don’t wanna leave the boys. And they’ve been excited about this unexpected holiday at home.
According to Hayley, I can’t ask Jess to leave either.
And no, Hayley isn’t like that. For one, she’s in her sixties. And yes, she did hit on me, which was just plain awkward. The woman’s a retired ADA who’s been through three divorces of her own. Let’s just say she’s… cynical.
She told me that even though courts try to be unbiased these days, moms, especially stay-at-home moms, still get primary custody nine times out of ten.
That scared the hell out of me.
Add in Manuel’s stupid advice, and yeah, I reacted.
I can admit that now.
Indirectly threatening Jess with taking the kids was a dick move. Even if, in the moment, it felt like the only weapon I had.
“What time is your dad bringing the boys back?” Jess asks.
I bite my tongue to keep from jumping. “He told me to text him.”
In the glass of the back door, I see her reflection nod.
I clear my throat. “About next week… I know we have to hash things out. But I’m not ready.” I keep my eyes on the yard instead of her. “So, I need you to stay away from me.”
Her reflection goes still.
“We’ll pretend in front of the kids,” I continue. “But I need space.”
I turn around just in time to catch her wiping at her eyes.
It guts me. But I need this.
“Alright?” I ask.
She nods, sniffling. “Yeah.”
There’s a pause, then she asks quietly, “What about sleeping?”
