AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 26
Bishop
I’m waiting for her the second she opens the door, needing to get to the bottom of whatever the hell is going on. I don’t want her scurrying away from me because she’s afraid I’m going to put my hands on her and she doesn’t want that.
I’m a grown man and she’s a grown woman. We can have a conversation and not have it blow up.
Whoever her ex is did her wrong if she feels like her only recourse is avoidance.
She’s not late this time like she has been the last two nights. We ate spaghetti, and she bolted two nights ago. I was in the shower when she finally got home yesterday, and by the time I got out, she was already in her room.
I won’t let tonight end the same way. I just want to know where she stands. Even if she doesn’t know and that’s her answer, I just want to talk to her, to tell her that we can sit in the living room and watch television, and I won’t try to touch her. I don’t want her to be uncomfortable.
She freezes, looking terrified when she opens the door, the conversation that was on her lips falling away immediately.
“I thought you had a doctor’s appointment.”
I open my mouth to explain the doctor had an emergency come in and had to reschedule. I realize when a middle-aged woman enters in behind her that she was hoping to avoid me.
“Hi there,” the woman says, walking forward with her hand outstretched in my direction. “You must be Brent Porter, the new boyfriend?”
“Nice to meet you,” I say, looking over the lady’s head at Sunshine.
“Mrs. Brunello is from family services,” Sunshine offers.
“Marta, please,” she says, her smile wide.
Sunshine has a look of shock on her face, and I read it as the woman insists she call her by her last name while she offers me her first.
I feel like I need to play this a certain way, and then ask Sunshine a million questions once she’s gone. I’m not an ignorant man, and I don’t want to ruin this for her.
“Ah yes, Marta, so nice to meet you.”
I shake her hand, giving the woman my full attention.
Family services?
There’s a very good chance I got it all wrong in my assumptions.
“You seem a little confused,” the woman says. “Did you not know I was coming?”
I give her a charming smile. “Promise you won’t be mad?”
She takes a step back, crossing her arms over her chest, but there’s still a hint of a smile on her lips. “Depends on how bad it is.”
“Sunshine told me about you, and I forgot your name. I’m a little embarrassed. Did she mention my recent injury?”
I hated playing that fucking card, but this whole fucking thing is an improv right now.
“She did. Will that impair your ability to help with Ryder?”
I shake my head. “Of course not. I was horrible with names before I was hurt. I’m surprised it didn’t have me disqualified from Cerberus.”
Sunshine looks away the second I glance back over at her, and I can surmise that it’s guilt pinking her cheeks.
“Please, come in. Can I offer you something to drink? It’s hotter than normal outside today.”
“You must not be used to New Mexico summers,” Marta says, stepping further into the house.
“I can’t say I remember it ever being this hot,” I say.
Marta laughs. “It’s good that you have a sense of humor about your memory loss.”
I see Sunshine’s eyes widen, like she can’t believe the woman thought I was making a joke. If I weren’t in such a tailspin right now, I might’ve genuinely laughed, but the one that slips past my lips is forced.
“You’ll be able to pick Ryder up from school?” Marta asks, walking further into the home.
“Sunshine works until three, so she’ll be able to get him most days, but I’m available any time she has to stay a little late at work.”
Betrayal I’m not sure I have the right to feel threatens to settle inside of me. She was whispering Ryder’s name in her sleep. I knew it was a lie when she told me it was a pet she lost, but I automatically assumed it was an ex. She hasn’t once mentioned a fucking child.
She refuses to make eye contact with me every time I look at her, and I don’t know if it’s shame or guilt. I don’t know if I’m acting the way I need to. Is her getting her son back what’s in the best interest of the child?
If she were my mother, the answer would be no. How much pain and suffering could I have avoided as a child if someone had stepped up and told the truth?
I have to think Cerberus is involved. Why else would Kincaid say that she was living here now rather than just working her six-hour shift and going home?
