AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I try to shake that thought from my mind as he climbs into the driver’s seat and starts the car. The ten-minute drive to the restaurant goes by in a blur. When we pull up, I see Jim’s bright smile as soon as he notices us arrive. My heart lightens the moment I spot him.
“Well, this is a wonderful surprise, sweet girl.” He comes in for a quick embrace. “I’ve missed seeing youtwotogether. I was starting to worry.”
The way he says the word “two” makes me think Jim is trying to tell me something.
“I’ve missed you, Jim!” My cheerful greeting is always genuine with him. This man will forever hold a special place in my heart.
We spend a little time catching up with Jim, and I notice Andy on his phone the entire time. While I am annoyed that he’s on his phone, I’m usually the one talking Jim’s ear off. Jim and I say our goodbyes before Andy and I head inside, Andy clearly distracted by the device in his hand.
We’ve been sitting at our table inside Providence for forty-five minutes. I’m already on my second glass of wine. He’s paid more attention to his phone than he has to me, and honestly, I feel like I had more of a conversation with Jim on the way in than I have had with Andy.
“So, how’s work been? I haven’t talked to you in so long.” I place my hand on his to get his attention, a soft smile on my lips when he looks at me.
“It’s been fine. I got a promotion a while ago. No big deal.” His response is short.
He smiles down at his phone, and alarm bells start going off in my head.
“Who are you texting?” I ask apprehensively.
“None of your fucking business!” he snaps at me.
I pull my hand away with a quickness I didn’t realize I was capable of.
“Oh.” Shocked, I don’t speak any more for several moments, picking up the glass of water I haven’t yet touched.
I chug the water to try to sober up before I say something I can’t take back. I pull out my phone and send a text asking for a ride and a place to stay. Not that I think he’ll go back to our house, but honestly, I don’t want to see him anymore tonight.
Hadley:
Hey, I’m sorry to bother you. I know you had plans tonight, but if you can, can you pick me up from Providence, and can I stay with you tonight?
I wait for several minutes for a response, still sitting there just staring down at my hands, while my husband—who I haven’t seen in over a month and have barely spoken to—continues to ignore me for his phone.
Connor:
I’ll be there in ten minutes, a mhuirnín.
I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m not sure where the man I married went, but he sure as hell isn’t the same man sitting across from me. Without saying a word, I stand from my chair. Andy doesn’t even look up from his phone as I pick up my purse and walk toward the door.
Jim is standing there when I come out. He walks over to me, seeing the devastation written on my face.
“Oh, sweet girl, what happened?”
My resolve shatters as soon as his arms wrap around me. This sweet man has been more compassionate than my own husband tonight, and that fact hurts more than it should, especially after the treatment I’ve been receiving from him for the last month. I don’t bother holding in my sobs anymore. Feeling safe in Jim’s embrace, I let it all out.
“He brought her here, didn’t he?” I sob into Jim’s chest.
“Yes.” He doesn’t say anything more.
I have so many questions, but I can’t find the strength to ask. And even if I did, what good would it do other than to break my heart more?
The Tesla arrives so quietly that I hear the door open before I realize it’s even there. I’m still holding on to the comfort Jim is providing when suddenly, I feel Connor’s hand on my shoulder.
“Mo stór,” he whispers.
The brogue washes over me like a blanket of comfort. I slowly release Jim and look up at him.
“Take me home,” I sniffle as I wrap my arms around his waist, squeezing him in an embrace. “Please.”
