“All of this is because I chose to go to the Olympics and couldn’t tell you I wanted marriage and family, and St. Patrick did?” He started laughing sarcastically. “This is all so fucking hilarious. That son of a bitch played you back then and still playing you. He pretended to be this savior...the man of your dreams. Giving you hope that he can love you and only you. I have to give him credit for being smarter than me. I tried to be honest with you. All he ever did was lie, and he got you and a family that he has no intention of breaking up. I heard him over the phone. He’s trying to find the right explanation so he doesn’t lose you. And you want to believe in him so bad, you’ll believe whatever bullshit story he’ll tell you. When the bottom line is that he never stopped fucking Chelsea, and that’s probably his son. He probably has a house in Texas for his other family. Like any selfish bastard, he wants to keep and eat the cake too.”
I shut my eyes tight at the accusations and the daggers he hurled at me. He was full of pain, and he needed to unleash it. My gut told me that what he said about Carter and Chelsea was true, or at least had some truth. Maybe that’s why I didn’t want to read her letter. I knew something in it would change how I feltabout Carter, and I didn’t want to lose him, too. I saw a future in him, and he saw one in me. Whatever his motivations, he chose me as his wife and the mother of his children. Our foundation may have been unstable, but we built a house and a family irrefutably. Our children were happy, and I believed we were for a while, too. Or maybe a better word would be that Carter and I shared a purpose and passion for each other. We wanted to be together because we believed our family was stronger and more than our marital union.
Grey believed that no matter what Carter said, I would forgive Carter. That was not my belief. These last few months punched through the fabric of our lives, and I could no longer turn a blind eye to the rips in my marriage or myself. I could no longer see our marriage and family through an impaired lens.
When Grey exited the highway and finally stopped at a traffic light, I jumped out and hurried across the busy street to the sidewalk. I heard him curse and horns blaring as he skidded, probably looking for a place to park. I wasn’t running from him. I just wanted him to hear me. I couldn’t, and I wouldn’t let him hurt my baby...his baby. I walked past a closed boutique and leaned against the wall between the storefront windows. Soon, Grey half-jogged my way, and I waved my hand to stop him.
He glared at me, ready to tear into me again, and I held up a video of Elle running in our backyard. “She is yours, and I will never ever keep her from you again. Elle Star is a seven-year-old who’s so freaking bright and brilliant.” I choked over my words. “I love her so much because I see you in her every single day. She is my joy, and I can’t let you dull that light that shines through. I don’t care if you don't forgive me as long as you allow me to make this transition easier. She will be confused, scared, and hurt because Carter has been an awesome father to her, despite what you feel about him. Just like I know you will be, too. She loves Carter just like I know she will love you in time, too.”
Transfixed by the video, Grey melted at the sight of his daughter, running with grit and determination just like him, and he took the cell from my hands to replay the video.
“If we go to my house now, what do you think will happen? Huh? Carter is there. He’s scared to death of losing Elle, and me too, since he decided to come home tonight. He’s going to defend his home and his family. Do you really want your daughter’s impression of you to be angry and violent?” I gave a short chuckle. “Because if you force me to take you to my house tonight, you and Carter might kill each other. You and I both know I’m not exaggerating.”
He grabbed my upper arm roughly. “You kept her from me all these years, and I’m supposed to go home and wait for you to get back to me? How do I know you won’t try to run with her or lawyer up? He has more money than me, and you’re her mother. You can keep shit like this tied up so long in the court that I miss out on more precious time.”
I pressed my hands against his still-heaving chest. “Let me deal with Carter tonight. My mother is in town, so I’ll get her to keep Ethyn. I’ll bring Elle to meet you after school or later tomorrow evening. I won’t tell her you’re her father yet. But I do want you to meet.” I inhaled and exhaled before I began again. “She wants to run like you, and I can introduce you as my old Olympic track star friend.”
Grey’s eyes watered before he averted his gaze. He released me, pushed my phone back in my hands, and commanded quietly, “Come on.”
I followed behind him, uncertain if he had really heard me. “If you don’t believe me, I can text you that you’re her father, and you’ll have proof from me. You can blast it to the world if I don’t keep my word. And if that isn’t enough...believe that your best friend will never lie to you again. Believe that I never stoppedloving you, and I look forward to the day our daughter knows you as her father.”
“I’m taking you to your car.” He walked ahead of me, and though he didn’t wait for me to get in, he opened my door before going to the driver’s side.
I slid back in, grateful that I had temporarily put out one fire. Unfortunately, I still had to deal with the dragon waiting for me at home.
