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“Well, I work a normal full-time job, Tillian, which includes me being away from the house. A house that,” Luke jabbed himself in his chest for emphasis. “I pay for.” He snapped and started toward the door. “You don’t work like—”
Tilly’s temper spiked. “I work my ass off, both here and the design work I’m doing now.”
Luke rolled his eyes. “Fine, but your little income doesn’t pay for anything.”
What it would have cost him over the years to hire a full-time housekeeper, nanny, gardener, accountant...he wouldn’t have all that much of his income left. She knew he didn’t appreciate all she did, but actually hearing him minimize it just pissed her off more.
“I had a degree in design, but you wanted a house and you wanted me to make it a home. Then I got pregnant and I wasn’t allowed to work. I had to be home for the kids. You might pay for the house, but who makes sure the mortgage is paid? Who handled the fucking termites that would have eaten your precious home? Who pays the bills so you can spend your life on that fucking phone? You might bring the money home, though that’s changing, but you don’t run this house.” She stabbed her chest. “That’s all me, sweetheart.”
Luke waved his hands in the air. “Ohhh, Miss big shot. You make a few calls, dabble with a few drawings, Tillian, don’t act like you saved the fucking world.”
“Without me, Luke, your fucking world would crumble. If you’d pull your head out of your ass, you would see that.” She was so pissed she didn’t let herself dwell on her weekend plans. She had no argument if she did. “This is your way of wishing me a good weekend? You didn’t need to bother.”
Luke hung his head and looked to the floor. “You’re right. You do a lot around here, but I do a lot, too,” He told her in a low voice, lifting his head, meeting Tilly’s eyes. “Sometimes it feels like you don’t appreciate that.”
Tilly held onto her anger because how like him to turn this around and make it about him. “I appreciate it by doing all that I do around here. What have you done lately to show your appreciation for all that I do?”
He said nothing, just held her hard stare for a few seconds. There was something in his gaze, something that looked a bit like contrition before he offered, “Have fun on yourmeweekend. I gotta get back to work.” He started for the door, but hesitated when he reached it. He looked back at her and whispered, “I’ll miss you.” He walked out before she could reply. Not that she had one. Was he sorry to see her go because he would truly miss her or just miss her doing all that she did around the house? She suspected the latter, which made her even more determined to follow through on her weekend; because right or wrong, she deserved more and Gage was the man who could give that to her, even if it was only for the weekend.
_______________
“Are you excited?” Scarlett asked before taking a bite of her eggs.
Gage shrugged, doing his best to hide the excitement coursing through his veins. “Sure. It’s a convention, one I’ve gone to for years.”
“Yeah, but you get to see all the new equipment that’s coming out,” she offered and took a sip of her orange juice.
Gage took a bite of his toast and muttered around chewing, “True.”
Scarlett looked down at her plate and asked lowly, “Guess Mom isn’t showing?” She lifted her head and shot a look toward the door of the cafe.
“No, Letty, she isn’t,” Gage said softly. “She had a meeting.”
“Yeah,” Scarlett uttered and finished her last piece of bacon.
Gage offered her one of his own, but she shook it off. “Next weekend, you wanna head over to Hershey Park, binge on chocolate?”
Scarlett smiled. “I’d like that.” She grabbed for the offered bacon, snatching it off Gage’s plate. He smiled at her. “Can Rachelle come with us?”
“Like I’m gonna turn down a weekend with two pretty girls.” Gage chuckled. “Of course she can.”
Gage felt a bit of guilt rise to the back of his throat. Here he was only hours from leaving for Philly to spend it with a woman who wasn’t his wife. Making plans to spend the following weekend at Hershey Park with his daughter and her friend. Jesus. He was a complete fucking dick.
“You seem really happy today,” Scarlett said, and Gage lifted his gaze from his mug of coffee to look at his daughter. “I like it.”
Scarlett’s words had that guilt falling back down his throat to be eaten by the acid. If she only she knew why he was so fucking happy. Not that she didn’t contribute to it, she did, waking up early to have breakfast with him before he left. “Thanks, sweetheart.” He looked to his watch. “Gotta finish up or you’re gonna be late for school.”
They finished their meals, and on the way to Scarlett’s school, they both came up with all kinds of suggestions to do when they went to Hershey. Gage watched his daughter walk to the double doors, two girls joining her for the walk. He took a deep breath. If it all went to hell and came to a head, the shit he was doing, her life would change. That thought had Gage shoving the shifter into park. Not only would he pay for the consequences of his affair, but his daughter would, too. He could back out. Now, would be the time. He rubbed his hands down his face, trying to wipe away the feelings building. He recalled Scarlett’s words—he looked happy. He knew that had to do with Tilly. He reached for the shifter, throwing the truck in drive. He took off and grabbed for his cell.
“Hey,” Dom said when the ringing stopped.
“You ready?” Gage asked him.
Dom chuckled. “Yeah, why in the fuck we leaving so early? Normally, we get there at night.”
Gage blew out a breath, “I’ll tell you on the way. Five minutes out, see you soon.” Gage ended the call. When he pulled up in front of Dom’s house, he let out another deep breath. It was going to be the longest hour of his life.
CHAPTER NINE
