“I don’t know her well enough to discuss that with others,” I say.
“Oh, sure you do,” she says, ignoring my discomfort. “You’d make a fine daddy for Landis. He needs a better example than Leland. Don’t you think, honey?”
She turns to Brothers, who gives a minute nod. That’s enough for her to smile and pat his thigh. “Brothers would make a good—”
Brothers’ arm shoots around her head, and he clamps his hand over her mouth. “That’s enough. We need to move on.”
He releases her, and she gasps, jumping up. “Now I have to fix my lipstick. Fuck you,” she spits.
He lets out a sigh from deep within. She grabs her purse and exits the room, disappearing through the curtain. He picks up his napkin and wipes the makeup off his hand.
“You’ve got your hands full,” I say.
“Well, I don’t like being bored,” he says. “And I never am. Now, let’s figure this shit out, huh, Jen?”
“Fine,” I say. “Who’s your fighter?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
DELLA
The morning after is the most awkward of my life. Leland must have sent for some clothes during the night, because there’s a row of shopping bags outside my door. I pick through them until I find a simple blush dress that hits my knees with some matching heels. After my shower, I curl my hair the way Kayleigh does. Then, I push my shoulders back and practice a sweet little smile in the mirror.
I think I feel a brand new crack in my heart.
I go downstairs. In the huge dining room, Leland sits at the head of the table. Landis is in his booster seat. When he sees me, he bounces up, but Leland clears his throat in warning. The disappointment on Landis’ little face as he sits back down breaks my heart, but Leland is staring at me with ice cold eyes. Head lowered, I sink into the chair at his side.
Kayleigh walks in, her brother, Paxton, at her side. I’ve got no use for Paxton. He’s not any different than Leland, but the sight of Kayleigh lifts my spirits. I offer her a small smile. She checks if Leland’s looking before winking at me as she sits down by Landis. He pats her arm absently, like he’s used to reaching for her, and looks up at me.
I give him a little smile. He smiles back, but I can tell he’s confused.
“It’s good to have Della back,” says Kayleigh.
Leland sinks back but doesn’t answer as Georgie appears to fill our plates. Everyone is quiet, fake-pleasant expressions in place until she’s gone.
“It is,” says Leland after the door shuts.
Paxton has some coffee, turning narrowed eyes on me. “Any idea where you went off to, Della?”
I shrug. “I just went home,” I say, voice rasping.
“To Harlan?” Paxton drawls. A smug smirk appears. “Funny. We checked out your trailer, and there wasn’t anyone there.”
Kayleigh rolls her eyes. “God, Paxton, you just get off on the sound of your own voice, don’t you?”
“That’s more than you get off,” he snaps. “Haven’t seen you go out for four damn years.”
“So what?” She flips her voluminous ponytail. “At least I’m not a cheater like you two.”
Leland’s eyes snap up, flicking between his cousins, and my stomach sinks. I know he wasn’t faithful to me during our marriage. It hurt me then, a lot, but I feel like it shouldn’t hurt as much anymore. I do a quick check-in on how I’m feeling. It’s not pain this time around, just dull disappointment.
“That’s enough,” Leland snaps.
I clear my throat. “I don’t know if we should talk like that in front of Landis,” I say softly.
Everyone goes quiet, turning to Landis. He’s swinging his legs, eyes glued on me. I smile again, and he smiles back, but it’s shy.
Kayleigh breaks the silence, reaching for the juice pitcher. “Here, honey. Let me get you something to drink,” she says, filling his little cup. “I was thinking I’d go to the botanical gardens. You want to come, Della? We could take Landis.”
