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“All right,” David said slowly, casting me a sidelong, semi-freaked out look. “We can go somewhere else.”
“Hang on, are you guys for real about this weekend?” I asked.
“Why not, baby?” David said.
“We’re supposed to have Thanksgiving dinner with your sister.”
He shrugged. “So we’ll leave Friday. Come on, it’ll be fun.”
Giddy was not a word I’d ever thought to describe David, but in that moment, that’s what he was. “Okay,” I agreed, a sucker for anything that made him smile that way. I turned back to Gretchen. “And Miami is a great idea. You can play nice for a few days.”
“He’s bringing someone anyway,” David added. “Just steer clear of each other.”
“Fine,” she relented. “I’ve pretty much learned to tune out his flapping anyway.”
David laughed in a loud burst. “He does flap. I’ll double-check with him and let you guys know.”
“We can work that out later,” I said, looking out the window. “We’re here.”
CHAPTER 21
JUST BEFORE I SHUT the car door, David stopped me. “Make it quick,” he ordered, his giddiness long gone, “or I’ll come up.”
“Don’t you dare.”
He only grunted.
Gretchen and I climbed the stairs of the complex, and I held my breath as I knocked. After an unusually long time, Bill opened the door and peered out. He looked at Gretchen and then back at me. “What’s she doing here?”
“She’s here to help,” I said. “Please, don’t take this out on her.”
“It’s fine, Liv,” Gretchen said. “Let’s just get your stuff.” She sounded irritated so I nodded.
We walked into the apartment to find some large and small boxes stacked by the door. I peeked into one to see my things carelessly thrown inside. I grabbed my razor from a pile of clothing and held it up. “Really, Bill?”
He shrugged. “Just trying to help.” He hopped onto the kitchen counter to watch.
We lifted one box together and carried it downstairs, where David took it from us.
“So far so good¸” Gretchen told him.
The next two were lighter so we each picked one up.
“Liv, can we talk alone a minute?” Bill asked.
Gretchen returned the glare he directed at her. “No,” she answered for me.
“It’s okay,” I told her. “Go ahead.”
“But . . .” She jerked her head toward the door. “You know.”
“I won’t be long.”
She left reluctantly, and I turned my attention to Bill. I set the box down again. “How are you?”
“All right,” he said. “Taking things day by day. You?”
“The same,” I lied. I was far better than all right, but he didn’t need to know that.
He dropped his gaze to the ground. “Is he treating you well?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I should’ve said this sooner, but I’m sorry he and I got into it.” He cleared his throat and glanced at my arm, even though clothing covered the fading bruises. “And I’m sorry if I . . . you know, hurt you.”
“I know you didn’t mean it.”
“I did. I wanted to hurt you the way you hurt me. I can’t though . . . I never could. Hurt you or get to you.” He sighed.
It was my turn to look at the floor. “It’s okay. It wasn’t too bad.”
His shoulders began to quake, and he wiped his eyes. “I still don’t get what I should’ve done differently.”
“Bill,” I said affectionately. “Don’t torture yourself. There’s a lot we both could’ve done differently. I know it hurts to hear it but believe me, this is for the best.”
He nodded, still fixating on the kitchen floor. “I wish I’d seen it coming, though.”
“That’s my fault, and I’m sorry.”
“I’m really angry with you, Liv, and I can’t help it. You know I love you, you know I’m a nice guy, but I feel like I’ve taken a lot of shit.”
“I know,” I said softly, touching my earlobe.
“So don’t expect me to lie back and let you walk all over me. If you want to proceed with this divorce, I’m going to treat you like I would anyone else in court. Especially if he’s going to stick his nose in it. And I’m a good lawyer, I think you know that.”
Loud banging on the door startled me. “Shit. Hang on,” I told him. I opened the door a sliver and stepped outside. “Everything’s good,” I told David. “We’re just talking.”
His face was drawn, but his jaw unclenched. “Fine. I’m waiting here, though.”
“Thank you,” I said, grabbing and squeezing his hand. I slipped back into the apartment and faced Bill. “Sorry.”
I stood by the last few boxes, waiting for him to speak. My eyes went to the nearest one, and my jaw dropped when I saw our wedding album. “Bill?” I asked, holding it up.
“I don’t want it.”
“But . . . you should keep it. I have the originals on my computer.” He shook his head, and I frowned. I set it on the counter next to him. “Keep it,” I insisted.
“Are you purposely trying to piss me off? First you give me back your ring and now this?”
“I made that especially for you. And I’m sorry about the ring. It was insensitive of me, but I know it’s a family heirloom.”
“So I’m supposed to give it to someone else?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
He jumped down from the counter, picked up the album and threw it in the trash. “Happy? Leave.”
“Bill, I really think we should talk. Whatever’s going on in your head, let’s get it all out there.”
“I can’t. Just go.” He turned away and pressed his palms into his eyes. “Please,” he added.
“Bill,” I said softly. I walked to him and put my hand on his shoulder.
“I said go!” He stalked over to the boxes, wrenched open the door and threw one into the hallway. He picked up the second one and froze as he went to toss it.
“Is that really fucking necessary?” David asked from the doorway.
I scurried over immediately and pushed David out into the hallway. “Don’t,” I warned.
He crossed his arms over his chest and glared over my head.
“Can’t go anywhere without your bodyguard, Liv?” Bill asked, completing his task of throwing my stuff out.
“Say another thing, and I will shatter your jaw too,” David said.
“Try me. You’re lucky I don’t press charges for my nose.”
David’s arm twitched as he stepped forward. “Do that. See what happens.”
I put myself in front of David, placing my hands on his forearm. “Don’t,” I whispered. “I’m asking you to walk away.”
“Yeah, walk away, you noble asshole. Is it noble to swipe another man’s wife from under his nose? Buy his future home?”
“I don’t expect you to understand,” David said. “Unlike you, I’d go to any lengths for her.”
Bill scoffed. “How sweet. I’ll be sure to remind you of that in three months when you’ve dumped her on the side of the road.”
David lunged forward, almost knocking me out of the way, and gripped Bill by his t-shirt. He slammed him against the wall and pinned him there. “I warned you once. If I have to ruin your jaw to get you to shut the fuck up, I will.”
Bill’s eyes dropped to David’s hands and then jumped back up. I expected to see anger in them, but there was only defeat. I knew David saw it too because he released him immediately and stepped back.
“Look, man,” David said, “fighting won’t get us anywhere. Just watch your mouth, and don’t ever put your hands on her again.”
Bill kicked a box and disappeared into the apartment, letting the door slam behind him. I stared at the closed door, trying to decide if I should go in and comfort him.
David cursed to himself and rubbed his forehead before looking at me. “Don’t,” he said. “You’ll just m
ake it harder for him.”
I nodded and picked up the lighter boxes as David hoisted the heavier one. We walked in silence to where Gretchen was leaning against the car, her ankles crossed in front of her. “I don’t see any blood on your knuckles,” she said to David. “I guess that’s a good sign.”
“It didn’t get that far, thankfully,” I said.
“Thankfully for him,” David muttered.
“Bill’s a real peach,” Gretchen said.
“I’m sorry he took it out on you,” I said, hugging her. “It means so much that you came today.”
“It means a lot that you asked,” she said softly, smiling. “But can we go? I’m over this place.”
I laughed. “Sure.”
~
I insisted on treating Gretchen to dinner. After finishing off my second frozen margarita, I slammed my empty glass on the table. Gretchen giggled as David eyed us suspiciously. He was in good spirits though, despite being the designated driver.
Gretchen started off on something about work, but I could see that David wasn’t listening. He was watching me amusedly. Earlier, with the city of Chicago at his back, he’d leaned over the desk and had his way with me. I’d gotten myself some businessman David, and all it did was fuel the ache. The more I got, the more I wanted. He smiled, so I eased my foot out of my shoe and ran it along the inside of his leg. I glanced over at Gretchen so as not to arouse suspicion. When she stopped to take a drink, I pulled out my phone.
Nov 19, 2012 8:38 PM
I have a confession to make
Nov 19, 2012 8:38 PM
I didn’t buy underwear today
