My heart feels like it’s too big for my chest.
I draw her closer, wrapping my arms fully around her. “You know, I’ve been after you for years.”
“Oh, trust me, I know. And you thought I was still married the first time we hooked up.”
I press a kiss to her ear. “You’re right, and I didn’t care.”
“Cheating is horrible.”
“Yeah, but if anyone deserves to get cheated on, it was him.”
The smile melts off her face. I nuzzle the side of her neck, feeling overwhelmed with how much I actually am in love with her, even more so now that it’s out in the open. Fucking finally.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m just scared of what’s going to happen.”
“You didn’t have to let her take them. Why did you?”
“I just … I felt guilty, keeping them from her. She’s been nothing but nice to me.”
“Has she acknowledged what a piece of shit her son is for what he’s done?”
I can feel her shake her head.
“Well, that’s not very nice behavior.”
She pulls back, her gaze searching mine. “So, you don’t think I owe her anything? You think it wouldn’t be wrong for me to deny her a relationship with them?”
I debate on my response carefully. I’m not a parent, and it’s hard for me to weigh in as a neutral third party with all that’s happened.
“I think as a mother, you have a right to determine who’sa positive in influence on your children and who should be in their lives.”
A heavy sigh escapes her. Her fingers intertwine with mine, and she presses her forehead to mine. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For validating me. For helping me through this nightmare. For not abandoning me when it got really fucking hard. I know I’m not always easy to love.”
“Oh, baby, you’re wrong about that. Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”
39
DALLAS
Sandy won’t answer me.
She won’t answer my calls or texts.
She won’t answer her front door.
She won’t answer my screams.
I let out a bloodcurdling cry, banging my fists against the front door of the house.
“Open the fucking door!” I scream.
But no one comes.
