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“No.”
“And you never will now. You’re a mess. You’re an embarrassment to the women you fall in love with.” I lay on the line what I’ve always known. “Tell me, Jake, if you don’t answer to Kimber when you ask me to do this shit, and you’re sending Holly on a ride up shit creek without a paddle, what made you ever think that she was the one for you? Her husband gave up everything for her.” I sneer, poking the sleeping beast.
Jake throws an expected punch. I block it and shove him back.
“We’re done.” I should have told him this years ago. I wanted to tell him when Kimber announced we were going to have another baby. But if my wife and I aren’t getting a second chance, I’m taking the one we did get.
I grab Tallulah’s leash and reach for the doorknob.
“What about Holly?” Pussy whipped by three women he’ll never take to bed, Jake sounds defeated.
“Leave the Stanton’s alone. What I find on William Mayer, I’ll share with her… When Holly asks for help.”
Music filters from the theater towards the office. Tallulah and I are in the hall when Jake speaks again, taunting to get in the last word.
“Your boo-hoo, I’m a whiner dog looks idiotic with that thing on its head.” He rubs by his eyes,
I spin and stare Jake down. “Man, I have a dog, a kid, Morgan, Aidy, and wife smart enough to know that if she’d have fucked you she’d have caught crabs. Maybe you should stop being such a miserable cuss and build an actual life for yourself instead of destroying them.”
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7
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“Oh gosh,” I say, grabbing my forehead. I reach for the soda gun and fill a glass with a mouthful of syrupy cola.
“What’s going on, My Love?”
“It’s nothing. I’m dehydrated or have low blood sugar or something.” After tossing the soda down, I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head. It throws off my equilibrium, making it worse.
It’s fifteen minutes until close. A few hours ago, Jake stormed out without a word. Not that it’s a new occurrence.
Trig’s been in his spot at the bar since. His demeanor, a combination of normal Trig relaxed and unbothered, is at odds with the increased jerky movements he’s been making in his sleep. It’s almost like he’s waiting for the other shoe to drop. I won’t ask. Trig’s business with Jake is not my business.
I also won’t cop to feeling like I was going to pass out while he disappeared into the office. I don’t want my husband any more agitated. Plus, my boobs hurt like hell and I’ve been cranky at more people than the customer who asked about Holly. Although that douche canoe seriously didn’t help my current bad mood, and deserves full credit for making me feel worse.
This is a raging case of PMS brought on by way too many fucking hormones. I can’t wait for next month when I’m not a human pin cushion and feel like myself for more than a few minutes at a time. I’m wondering if all the drugs will mess up my system and a little worried that a side effect is that it’ll make me less interested in amour. This week with Trig’s been the most fun we’ve had in months. We even had to lock Tallulah out of the room once. Poor girl. She was afraid Trig was hurting me when I got a little loud.
I look up and bite my lip. One of the bouncers dragged a dressing room chair out for Tallulah so that she didn’t have to lay on the floor all night. She’s got a spot at the bar, but the seat is so short that when she sits up, she rests her chin on the lacquer. All I see of our pup is her nose and her doggy ear muffs. It’s adorable.
Trig’s hand covers mine, drawing my attention away. “I’m worried about you.”
“It’s no big deal. The stupid drugs are messing with me. My stomach is in knots. I’m not eating. My head is just a little swimmy.”
Trig stands up. “I’m going down the block to the gas station.”
“For what?”
“A pregnancy test. What else do you think?”
“It’s too soon and really, a gas station?” I say with exaggerated ew. “If they even have any, those are probably expired.”
“I’ll check the date. The test says nothing, and I’ll treat you to Baked Beans in the morning. Coffee and a chocolate croissant.”
“You drive a hard bargain.” I acquiesce.
Trig knows I’ve set my beta test day as my official day back on the caffeine wagon. Right now I’d kill for a double espresso just for the kickstart to make it through closing and restocking for tomorrow’s crew.
