Jonah: You and I both know that, but she’s got something in her mind by trying to give you space to be single and free, and…well, she’s as stubborn as you are.
Me: I ain’t stubborn, but whatever. I’ll text her that I’m coming by tomorrow. I got something to show her anyway.
Jonah. Me and my clothes thank you.
I am definitely not as stubborn as my sister. Nope, not at all. She’s the queen of that. The next texts are from Celeste. My heartburn starts back up the second I see her name in my inbox.
Celeste: I need you to stop by the house today. We have some things to discuss.
Celeste: I need you to answer me. I don’t have all day to wait for your reply.
Me: I wasn’t by my phone. You know some of us have to work and can’t answer messages instantly. I know you don’t bother concerning yourself about others. I’m not sure there’s anything we need to talk about without our lawyers present.
Celeste: I just want to have a quick conversation with you, not try to resolve our issues in our divorce. I’m concerned about Jeremiah-you know OUR SON.
Me: Fine, I’ll stop by this afternoon.
Celeste: Good.
I know she’s not worried about Jeremiah because I know both of the boys haven’t really talked to her since I moved out. I also know if I don’t stop over there, she’s gonna continue to blow up my phone. It’s just easier to take five minutes, stop over, and tell her to have her lawyer talk to mine. I’m done with her, done with caring, done with her manipulation, just done.
The last text is from Jeremiah.
Jeremiah: Can we work on my bike in Grant’s garage since it’s supposed to start pouring here pretty quick and the shop is full today?
Me: Sure. I’ll meet you there and grab some grub on the way back to the house.
I’m just pulling into the driveway at home when my phone dings with an incoming text. I swear, sometimes I wish we could go back to before you could reach everyone all the time. I park and pull out my phone.
Grant: Just taking a break with my client, who, by the way, has slept through almost the whole thing. Wanted to see how the meeting with the lawyer went. Oh, and it sounds like Saxon is gonna stop by tonight. I wouldn’t be surprised if Samson does too. Seems like they’re having some woman problems.
Me: Meeting was good. Colton is all about making sure Celeste doesn’t get more than I was originally offering. Max definitely was spot-on about him being the right lawyer. Just got home and gonna work on Jer’s bike in the garage since it’s about to pour. Tonight, we already have one kid coming over. What’s two more?
Grant: And Gracie is the best behaved of the bunch. I’ll message you when I’m leaving here.
Me: Sounds good.
Time to get to work on Jer’s bike. Sometimes, this is my favorite kind of work, just basic tools, a bike, and my son and I working together. That’s good on any day.
Jeremiah just left, his bike sounding so much better than it did earlier. As much as it pains me, I get in my truck and head over to the house that I used to call home. Hopefully, I can make this short and sweet because I don’t feel like dealing with Celeste today or any day anymore.
I pull up in front of the house and park. Fuck, this better not be some drawn-out fight or something because I’m just not in the mood. I want to go home and spend the evening entertaining my great-niece with Grant. It’s amazing how, as soon as I moved out and accepted that I no longer had to pretend with Celeste. It’s like this weight I didn’t know I was carrying was lifted. I don’t go to bed anymore, wondering when the other shoe is gonna drop. At this point, I don’t care if she tells the world. I mean, ideally, I would like to be the one to let Leif and Jeremiah know, but I’m not scared of their reactions anymore. I know our relationship is strong enough that even if it takes some time, they’ll accept me as I am.
***********
That was an hour of my life I’ll never get back. Celeste attempted to be seductive and tried to get me to either come back orgive her everything. When she finally realized she wasn’t going to change my mind, she said she would have to tell the boys everything. I think she was shocked when I told her to go ahead, and I left. I’m done dealing with her. I told her that and to contact me only through my attorney from now on.
I pull up to the house and hop out of the truck. I’m ready for a night at home with Archie, Gracie and my man, but not necessarily in that order. I may need to take a shower to get the ick of Celeste’s attempted pass off me. The woman has never understood the concept of less is more when it comes to perfume.
I open the back door and walk into the kitchen. Seeing Grant standing in front of the fridge settles something in me, as if it’s a reminder I’m home. This feels more like home than the house I shared with Celeste for decades. I can’t help but smile as I hear the music playing and see him grabbing a beer out of the fridge. He turns around and gives me a smile. I must have a look on my face as he holds up the beer. “Kierstie’s not feeling well, so they canceled their night out. Gonna do it next week.” He moves toward me, leans in, and gives me a kiss. He breaks it quickly and gives me a questioning look. “Why do you smell like the perfume counter at the store at the mall?” I let out a sigh because I know he’s gonna be upset. “I saw Celeste, and she tried to talk me into stopping the divorce or to give her everything. She even tried to give me a hug.” I can’t help the shiver that goes throughmy body as the memory gives me the heebie-jeebies. Grant isn’t saying anything, so I look up to see him glaring at me. “Why in the hell did you go see her?” I rub my face before I answer him. “‘Cause she was blowing up my phone. I went over there thinking I could talk to her for a couple of minutes, and that’s it. One hour later she was swearing up and down at me. She promises she is going to tell Leif and Jeremiah and turn them against me. I know they won’t hold it against me. I—” Before I can keep rambling on, Grant moves and backs me up against the wall. His eyes hold a fire in them that I don’t understand.
“I never for one millisecond thought about getting back with her if that’s what you’re worried about.”
He moves even closer to me, our noses almost touching. “She’s had decades to work shit out with you. You know she’s gonna try and pull some shit. Seriously. Don’t fucking meet her again without your lawyer. You know nothin’ good can come from it.” He kisses me with a passion that surprises me. He breaks the kiss and touches his forehead to mine. “I know I said I wouldn’t control your life, and I won’t, but Celeste…I fucking hate what she did to you all those years, and I…well, I’ve never had the urge to hit a woman before, but she brings it out in me. You are mine now. She didn’t want you when she had you, and you know she doesn’t really want you now.” I nod my head against him. “I know. I won’t meet her without our lawyers again. I don’t have areason to agree to it at all.” I can feel some of the tension leaving his body.
Grant
I believe him when he says he won’t meet up with the witch again. I have never felt the wave of possessiveness come over me like I had when he told me he met up with her.
