Page 44 of I’m Already Gone

With a groan, I press the heels of my hands into my temples. “I’ve got a splitting headache.” I settle my back against the headrest’s comfortable padding.

“Take something for it,” he says while unwrapping his sub and takes a bite of his sandwich.

I raise my head and regret the moment I do when the movement rattles my brain against the skull.

He swallows his food and wipes his mouth with a napkin before he speaks. “What’s going on with you? You seem rattled about something.”

“What makes you think I’m rattled?” I mutter.

“You get migraines when you get like this,” he retorts.

I slump back against my chair, letting out a heavy, defeated sigh. I reach for my sub, tearing at the paper wrapping. “Lily asked me to extend my visit with the kids until tonight.”

“And that’s a problem because?” he asks.

“It’s not.”

“Let me guess,” he says, a dry, humorless chuckle escaping him as he shakes his head in disbelief. “You think she has plans with a new man?”

I glare at him, chewing my sub with more force than necessary, which only amplifies the throbbing in my head.

“Come on, man,” he mutters, rolling his eyes as if I’m an idiot. “She’s not dating anyone. And even if she was, you have no say in it. You know that.”

“I know,” I say, the words muffled around a mouthful of sub. After I force the food down, I add, “It feels like she’s keeping something from me.”

“And what? You think you have the right to know?”

Yes.

“No.” I shake my head, already frustrated with this conversation. “But she is the mother of my children. I have the right to know if this is something that will affect them.”

Marcus shrugs. “If you’re so worried, then ask her.”

I sigh.

A knock at the door ends the conversation.

“Yeah?” I call out, grateful for the timing.

The door opens, and Hannah’s face appears. “Hey,” she says hesitantly when she notices Marcus in the room.

“Did you need something, Hannah?” I ask my assistant.

“I was going to ask you if you were free tonight for dinner and drinks? You know…to say thank you for helping me the other day.”

I take a drink of my water and lick my lips, and Hannah follows the movement, tucking her bottom lip under her teeth. I roll my eyes internally. The girl is ten years younger than me.

“No, thank you.”

She frowns.

“And you don’t have to thank me. It was no problem helping you.”

She smiles and says, “Rain check?”

“Sure.” I smile back, but it’s never going to happen.

Her smile grows bigger, and she shuts the door, leaving Marcus and me alone.