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“Wesley and Aaron are in bed?”
“Just now, yes—Janie is upstairs too.”
“Sorry if I interrupted.”
Teresa shook her head.“She’s packing bags for the boys.I’m pulling them from school early for Thanksgiving.I’ll decide after the holiday what I’m going to do.”
I nodded.“What can I do to make this easier for you?The boys?Anything—I’ll have your back.Always.”
“I appreciate everything you’ve done for us, JJ, but it’s time for you to walk away.Emotionally, at least.”
I raised an eyebrow, shoving my hands into my pants pockets as she wrapped her sweater tighter around her core.“What are you say, Teresa?”I asked, my insides beginning to twist.
“Loving Alex hasn’t done either of us any favors, but at least you can start over,” she said.“I have the boys to think of, and while I don’t like the idea of them losing their dad, he’s toxic.Unhealthy to their mental and emotional health at their young ages.”
Either ofus…
“How long have you known?”I asked, my voice ragged as her words echoed in my head.
A sad smile lifted her lips.“You’re a detective, JJ, but in this you’ve been as obvious as a book with its pages spread open, demanding to be read.He only ever saw you as a means of release when you would have laid down your life fifty times over to keep him safe.Honestly, I’m surprised you stuck around as long as you did.”
I rubbed a weary hand over my face.“My staying used to be for him, but you must know how much I care about you and the boys.”
“I do.”She offered a pained smile.“And this is going to hurt, but you need to move on, JJ.”Her tone adamant knifed at my chest.“Live the lifeyouwant.Let us go—for now at least.When things settle down, when some healing takes place, maybe we can get together again.But I promise we’ll be fine.I have family in Jersey who will look after us.”
ButIdidn’t have anyone to call mine.Not yet, at least.
“This is a rash decision, but I’m cutting all ties with Alex,” Teresa continued.“Janie is going to pay my lawyer fees to file for divorce.”
I studied Teresa’s face, the dark circles beneath her eyes, and the weariness in the lines I hadn’t noticed before.While I’d been involved in their lives, I wondered over how much I didn’t know—how much she’d kept hidden from me.With how her girlfriend Janie hated Alex, I expected she’d been aware of what went on in their home more than I had.
I didn’t trust Alex.
But I believe his soon-to-be ex-wife would care for their boys with a protective nature I’d seen more than once.They would be in good hands, especially with her loving parents helping out.
We said goodbye—for nowas she’d suggested—with tears on both of our faces.She promised to give the boys my love and find a way to explain that Uncle JJ wouldn’t be able to visit them in Jersey for a while.She would end up moving there after the divorce regardless of the results of Alex’s day in court.
My chest felt heavy, but I focused on slugging forward, same as she did until better times allowed us to see each other again.
When I got home, I checked my phone.Again.
Kellen hadn’t responded to the text I’d sent telling him I missed him, which meant he was still up at the camp.
Excitement came to life in my veins knowing I had off until the following Monday and that I finally felt free enough to pursue something real, long-lasting with him.It would be late before I got up to his family’s cabin, but he would be happy to see me.I could feel that truth deep in my bones, same as I knew Alex was gone from my life.Whether he escaped jail or not, our intertwined lives had unraveled.My one-time lover lay in my past, and I had zero interest in dragging any of his shit into my future.
I didn’t doubt Teresa would get full custody of their boys, and I looked forward to one day being reunited in a healthier atmosphere where they flourished.
After a long talk with Kellen, a full explanation of what had gone down since I’d seen him last, I planned on telling him how hard I’d fallen and how much I wanted him by my side.
Hope finally overshadowed the turmoil, and I couldn’t get on the road fast enough.
Chapter31
Kellen
Itook Tuesday to pack, talk to my landlord, and meet up with Mason and Jasper for a late dinner.They were headed to some tropical island on Black Friday, and it was cold enough with the sunset that I envied them.
I also envied their love.The emotion in their eyes when they looked at each other.While happy for them, I left their house feeling even more despondent than when I’d arrived.
