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Chapter Nineteen
Lexi
The New Year celebration came and went, and January is already nearing an end. And more importantly, so is my marriage.
My anxiety for today is at an all-time high. Higher than when I was supposed to start my period two weeks ago. Especially high the day it actually came. Right on cue. Twenty-eight days exactly from the last time I started one. It was a sad day, one that reminded me that even if things are going well, sometimes you get knocked back a few steps.
I’m not exactly sure why I was so sad, especially because we hadn’t really been trying. I mean, we weren’t preventing, but we weren’t actually doing the deed with the purpose of creating life. Maybe it’s because I had months – hell, years – of disappointment where having a baby was concerned.
Linkin was surprisingly solemn that day, too. He was quiet in a way I didn’t expect, and held me extra tight that night when we fell asleep in my bed together. I don’t know if it was because I was so down and upset or if he really was feeling blue too, but I like to think it’s the latter.
Speaking of bedding together, oh we’ve done quite a bit of that. On the nights he doesn’t work at Lucky’s, we alternate between his bed and mine. On those nights he’s working late, I get a surprise visitor sometime around midnight. Of course, it’s not exactly a surprise, per se, since I gave him a key for his late night booty calls.
But booty calls isn’t exactly what I’d call this. I mean, there’s sex – and a lot of it – but it’s more than that. I feel it, and I think he does too. When we’re together, I get his full attention, which is a nice change from when my soon-to-be ex-husband was around. If he weren’t staring at his phone, I would have thought something was wrong with him.
There’s something almost magical in the way Linkin wraps his arms around me and pulls me close. It’s as if I’m the only woman in the world, and he’s afraid I’m going to get away if he doesn’t hold on tight enough. Our friendship has definitely blossomed into something bigger, though we haven’t discussed exactly what that is yet.
Right now, we’re just riding the high, spending time together, and having the sex as much as humanly possible.
Seriously, I had no idea a person could crave another as much as we do each other.
Is this what Abby was talking about? And Jaime? And Payton? And even Meghan, before her life was ripped apart by an unexpected landmine.
I feel it, deep in my heart, when we’re lying together in bed or we’re cooking dinner for the twins. I feel it when my phone notifies me that I have a text and I get all giddy excited that it might be from him.
Who would have thought? That annoyingly cocky smartass from next door has wormed his way into my life, and more importantly, my heart.
Today is the day.
I’m dressing in a soft blue sweater and skinny jeans, and Linkin’s favorite boots. I call them his favorite because he has made me put them back on after more than one occasion, after stripping me naked and doing dirty things to my body. The man has incredible stamina when it comes to positions you’d think weren’t possible, but Linkin proves me wrong every damn time.
Anyway, back to the reason for today.
D-Day.
The day I go before the judge, who will grant the conclusion of my marriage, essentially allowing me to move forward one hundred percent with the next phase of my life.
I arrive fifteen minutes early to meet with my attorney one final time before we’re scheduled to appear in court. I’m pleasantly surprised when I see my grandparents waiting just outside the courtroom.
“What are you guys doing here?” I ask, the small heels of my boots echoing in the nearly vacant hallway in front of the courtroom.
“We thought we’d come show you support as you dissolve your marriage,” Grandpa says, with an extra sparkle in his eyes. It makes me wonder why he’s so vested in today’s court date. Is it more than just showing me support? Something seems fishy.
“We needed to make sure that man doesn’t try any last minute funny business,” Grandma says proudly, confirming what I was starting to speculate.
“I see. I appreciate your support, but I don’t think he has a leg to stand on when it comes to funny business.”
“You never know when dealing with a man scorned,” Grandpa adds solemnly, the hairs on the back of my neck raising.
“Besides, I want to see this over so you can finally bed that totally doable hunk of a man you brought to Christmas Eve,” Grandma adds loudly, happily, and somewhat proudly on my behalf. Of course, I don’t have the heart to tell her I’ve already been bedding that totally doable hunk of a man since Christmas Eve.
It’s as if she can read my mind, just like when we were kids. “Oh, don’t worry, Lexi Lou. I totally know you’ve been bumping uglies since Christmas Eve. You have that constant I just got screwed by a massive man love sword glow on your face.”
“What!?” I ask, mortification gripping me, pulling me under and drowning me in humiliation.
“Oh, did you think you were hiding that? Grandma knows all about the joys of riding a flesh rocket, Lexi Lou. In fact, I encourage it. I was just trying to be politically correct.”
“When have you ever worried about being politically correct, my love?” Grandpa asks, bringing her aged hand up to his mouth and placing a gentle kiss on the top.
