Page 45 of Cursing My Cheating Husband

I remained on my knees, frozen and immobile. I had no words. I tried to speak, and only a whimper came out.

Callie groaned in disgust. “I’m going to go hang out in Nightshade Cove tonight. I’ll be back in the morning. See that breakfast is ready by seven as usual,” she commanded, before vanishing in a column of magical energy.

So, teleportation was among my wife’s magical abilities.

I didn’t even move for the next ten minutes. I spent all that time kneeling there, staring at the wreckage of my dream car. Clutching the keys so tightly in my balled fist, I actually drew blood.

At last, I recognized that there was nothing to do but accept this destruction and crawl back to my dirty sleeping bag on the cold cement floor of the basement.

It was fitting. The car had been purchased to celebrate what a successful man I had become. But I was no longer a man, successful or otherwise.

As bad as the loss of the car was, the absolute worst part of this evening was… Callie’s accusations hit home. I wanted so badly to dismiss her words as an irrational overreaction. But I couldn’t. The truth was, my apology had been exactly as feeble and self-serving as she said.

Yet somehow, before I’d said it, I had no clue. That was probably the most damning fact of all. Callie was correct that it was a terrible apology, but it was also legitimately the best apology I knew how to give. How could I come up this short here? How could I have expected such selfish sentiments to move her?

I had always had such a high opinion of myself. But… based on what? My prowess at fucking around? What kind of measuring stick was that?

What was wrong with me?

CHAPTER 19

CALLIE

As the crackling fireplace warmed my feet, I pulled the fleece blanket tighter around me. I had thought chilly nights were long over for the year, but tonight’s weather proved that mistaken.

Just hours ago, I’d gotten back from what had turned into a two-day jaunt to Nightshade Cove, during which I had taken great pleasure in knowing Maddox was painstakingly preparing multiple meals for me that I wasn’t bothering to show up for.

The sound of kitchen cabinets closing bounced into the living room as Maddox finished his evening cleanup. Dinner had been a little off tonight, but I was satisfied by how deeply sad he still looked about the car, a full forty-eight hours later.

As I sipped my tea in front of the fire, he approached me cautiously. “Anything else tonight?”

“No. But I will need you to put in for some vacation days next week. There’s a job fair in Nightshade Cove, and you’re coming along as my attendant.”

His jaw tightened. “I’m not sure they’ll let me take any more last-minute vacation days⁠—”

“Well, if you get fired over it, best of luck with your job search. But obviously, it’s my job hunt that takes priority now. If you want to stay living here, you’ll be traveling with me next week, and that’s the end of it.”

I could see the gears grinding in that big dumb head of his, and at last he nodded in submission.

“That’s all. You may go to the basement now,” I instructed. There was no need to put him through any more paces tonight. After running around with Brie and some other friends the last two nights, I was happy to spend a quiet evening reading my book without having to look at him.

Maddox didn’t move, though. He swallowed and took a deep breath, building his nerve. Oh gods, what next?

“I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said. About how my apology was only about me, and how I never asked about what you were feeling… and you were right.”

“Congratulations. You listened one time. I’m sure it feels like a big accomplishment.”

“I want to do better. So… can I ask you now?” he continued cautiously.

“Ask me what?” I snapped.

“Just… is there anything it would make you feel better to tell me? And I mean anything. Scream at me, tell me what a piece of shit I am, really let me have it.”

“So you’d like me to perform for you?”

“No, no, I’m sorry, that’s not what I want at all. But it’s true that I didn’t ask you how you felt before, because I was afraid to hear what you had to say. You’re right. I didn’t want to face the consequences. But if you want to tell me now, I want to listen.”

I felt conflicted. On one level, I did like the idea of really cutting loose and letting him have it.