“Maybe more sleep too,” she said. Dark shadows ringed his eyes, and he needed to shave, but he looked better than earlier. Waking up was a positive first step in Vince’s recovery. She was exhausted, and she wasn’t the one who had raced yesterday. Isaac must be ready to drop.
His wan smile said it all as he left, following the doctor down the hall where they disappeared.
She was happy for Isaac that his brother was alright. Vince couldn’t race with double-vision, but it had gone away before—hopefully, it would again.
...
An hour and a half later, they returned to the hotel, and Isaac flopped onto the bed. He’d kicked off his shoes but was otherwise still dressed.
“I just need a minute, then I’ll get undressed.” He closed his eyes.
Before Anna could speak, his deep, even breaths showed he was already falling asleep. She should leave him be—he’d dropped off so fast. She couldn’t sleep like that. Slipping into the bathroom, she took a quick shower, washing the smell and feel of the hospital from her skin. A million small things to do ran through her head as the hot water rushed over her and down the drain.
Once out of the shower, she texted Angel.“Don’t know if Isaac told you. Vince is awake. Battered and bruised. Has a concussion. We’ll get the hotel to let us into Vince’s room later today to collect his stuff.”It wasn’t her place to mention the diplopia.
She was about to lie down to rest despite the daylight seeping in through the edges of the blinds and curtains when her phone vibrated. She debated ignoring it, but it might be something important. Picking it up, a pit formed in her stomach. She didn’t want to, but she should answer. She slid into the bathroom, where she could speak without disturbing Isaac. Her eyes ached, and she longed to sleep, but this was Adam’s work number. Had he gotten her new number from Sandra?
“Hello.” Despite the privacy, she kept her voice quiet.
“Oh my god, Anna. You answered. It’s about time.” Adam’s self-important voice was just how she remembered. “How’ve you been, Babe?”
“What do you want?” She didn’t want to talk to him if he was going to chit-chat and not get to the point.
“Sweetheart, that’s no way to speak to someone. You’re being rude again.” Adam’s rebuke and overly familiar term of endearment caused a stab of pain in her temple. He was a headache even long distance.
“I’ve had two hours of sleep. You probably should speak to my lawyer, anyway. What do you want?” Her patience was already wafer thin, and she regretted answering.
“I miss you,” he said. “And I was wondering how long it will be until you come home from Texas or whatever ridiculous jaunt you’ve gone on.”
His words grated on her nerves as he continued.
“I don’t want you to regret selling our place and ending things whenever you come to your senses.”
At least he didn’t know she lived in Spain. Her entire head now pounded. “Adam, I’m not coming back. We’re over. Not just right now. For good. What happened?” Before he answered, she said, “Tiffany dumped you. Didn’t she?”
There was a pause that told her she’d struck the truth.
“I want you to come home.”
Did he believe his own lies? She deserved better than Adam. How had she ever put up with this pretentious idiot?
“You just want to keep living in my townhouse for free. You need to move. If you have nothing essential to tell me, next time, call my lawyer.” Answering had been pointless.
“Anna, don’t hang up. I’ll sign the papers, provided you meet me in person. No lawyers, just me and you.”
That was the last thing she wanted. “Why?”
“I want you to look me in the face and tell me it’s really over.”
“It’s over. You cheated. You don’t love me. Give up, move out, and if you have questions, talk to my lawyer. I’m blocking this number.” Her hands were shaking as she hung up and made it so he couldn’t call from work again. A sense of satisfaction suffused her. She’d stuck up for herself and handled the conflict on her own.
Her head pounded as she came out of the bathroom, plugged in her phone, and lay down, resting her hand on Isaac’s chest, which rose and fell in even rhythm as he slept. Laying next to him was peaceful. The two men were the same age, but that was where the similarity ended. She hadn’t dared to think too far ahead with Adam, but even after just a few months, she couldn’t imagine her life without Isaac. He respected her and gave her the care and love she’d always hoped for. Closing her eyes, she fell asleep.
...
A wave of relief washed over Anna when they pulled into Cervera in the rental car two days later. The excruciating road trip was over at last. Vince, with his battered body, had been in pain for the duration. He hadn’t complained but had been snappish and bossy. She excused him for his poor manners because she probably would have been similar—if not worse. Two long days in the car had been enough for all of them, though Isaac had been patient, with never a harsh word in response to Vince’s foul humor.
That evening, once they’d settled Vince at his place, Anna and Isaac returned to their rental house to collect their belongings. At last, they had time on their own.
