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I exhale as I lift the paper. The Spanish style house is elegant but nothing extravagant. I’d estimate it’s probably worth four million or so on the current market.
Not that it matters. Whitney doesn’t seem to care about money at all anymore. Once she was assured that our divorce wouldn’t affect the kids’ trusts, my financial bribes and threats no longer worked.
“Alright, Lily.” I set down the paper and lean back in my chair. “I need to know about their relationship. Don’t hold back.”
She swallows, nodding. “There wasn’t much on Facebook or Instagram. Whitney’s still not that active on social media.”
“But there’s obviously something.” I gesture at the paper in her hand.
She looks wary as she sets it down. “This was a comment he left on one of her Instagram pictures. It’s the only one I thought you’d…want to see.”
As I scoot the paper toward me, the picture of Whitney comes into focus. She’s wearing a tight white dress with a cocktail in her hand. Lisa’s arms are wrapped around her as she kisses Whitney’s cheek.
“This was one of their girls’ nights,” I mutter. “I saw pictures on Lisa’s Facebook, because at leastshehasn’t blocked me.” Unlike my beautiful wife.
Lisa probably would block me if she knew how often I checked her Facebook, scouring her comments and pictures for information about Whitney. Those girls’ night pictures made me crazy. If she’d posted them while they were still out instead of the following morning, I probably would have gotten in my car and searched all the bars in Santa Barbara until I found the two of them.
“Have you read Stephen’s comment yet?”
I shut my eyes. “No, I’m bracing myself.”
“It’s not too bad. I just thought it had kind of a…hint, I guess.”
I hold my breath as I let my gaze drift to the writing underneath the paper.
@stephen.garcia: No wonder you seemed so “happy” last night ;)
My jaw clenches. “What the fuck does that mean?” I can’t keep the rage out of my voice.
“I’m thinking he meant that she seemed like she was in a good mood because she was drunk.”
“How did he know? Did she go to his house? Did he fuck her?” I crumple up the paper and toss it across the room. “God damn him.”
Lily sighs. “He’s probably just talking about a drunk dial. I highly doubt he’d talk about sleeping with her on Instagram, not with as shy as Whitney is.”
Fire rushes through my veins. “Of course he would. He wants to claim her. He wants me to see it.” I shut my eyes and run both hands through my hair. “What do I do? How do I win her back?”
When I open my eyes, Lily’s expression is piteous. “I don’t know.”
“I’ll do anything. What would you do in my situation?”
She stares down at her lap for a moment. “I think sometimes you’re…”
“What? Don’t hold back. You’re not going to hurt my feelings.”
“Sometimes you display a little…toxic masculinity, I guess. It’s not your fault. You probably learned it from Grandpa, but I don’t think it’s going to help you with Whitney.”
I bite the inside of my lip. “Can you give me an example?”
She gestures at the paper in front of me. “Even having me research her boyfriend is a little toxic. I know you’re not going to do anything to him but…it’s like you’re trying to control something that you can’t, and being controlling isn’t a good idea given your history with her. I think you’d be much better off showing her your softer side.”
“Fuck.” I expel a heavy breath. “You’re right.”
Whitney
A semi rushes by,and the burst of wind pulls a chunk of hair into my face. I tuck the thick strand behind my ear to get a better look at my back tire, and sure enough, it’s completely blown out.
Damn.
