Page 100 of Her Ex-Husband's Brother

“Let me be the one to go get him. You can sit in the parking lot so you can feel comfortable that nothing is happening. And I’m technically family.”

“No way,” he says explosively. “That’s not part of the deal.”

I continue eating calmly. “Technically, the deal was that I would start being your dutiful wife again the moment he was released.”

I pop another bite of steak into my mouth and point my fork at Jake.

“Which hasn’t happened. So, technically, I can walk straight out that door again and never come back. I suggest you let me help you.”

As usual,I think but refrain from adding.

I smile as I finish my last bite.

“Shall we go to the hospital and see whether he’s been cleared? I’d hate for you to endure another Sunday of humiliation because you still haven’t managed to get your own wife home.”

I say it lightly as I scoot my chair back, once again dabbing daintily at my mouth while an infuriated noise rises from Jake’s throat.

“I haven’t finished my steak yet,” he finally manages.

“That’s fine,” I say sweetly. “I’ll wait in the car.”

And that’s exactly what I do.

I grab my purse and escape through the front door, my heartbeat thumping furiously.

I’ve never dared speak so defiantly to him before, even when the defiance was obscured by passive aggression. He seemed completely befuddled by what was happening.

An absurd giggle erupts from my throat. I slap my hand over my mouth and hurry toward the car.

Oh my God. Am I finally becoming a true Southern lady?

I’m literally on the fake-it-till-I-make-it path here.

I get into the driver’s seat and take several deep breaths.

And wait.

And wait.

Ten minutes pass.

Then fifteen.

And then I decide…why the fuck am I waiting for him, anyway?

I start pulling out of the driveway.

All of a sudden, Jake runs through the front door, waving his arms and looking at me as though I’m the crazy one.

I stop the car and put it in park, arranging my face into a placid Barbie-doll expression as he grabs the door handle.

Then he bangs on the window when he finds it locked.

The devil on my shoulder cackles.

I press the unlock button.

“Why didn’t you wait for me?” he demands, huffing from the short run.