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“Are you sure, Liam? I know I have no right asking you to help us.”
“We’re family, Nick. As much as I hate it, my son looks at you as a dad. I’ll never ask him to stop.” Liam does the unthinkable and puts his hand on my shoulder. “Are you sure Mack is okay with missing Christmas with you, Aubrey, and Amelie?”
“He already knows his mom and sister are leaving and wouldn’t be here. I think spending the vacation with your family will be a good thing for my son.”
“Okay, then. Don’t worry about anything where Mack’s concerned. You may want to get the address from Josie and send Mack’s presents there. If you haven’t bought any, give me the list and I’ll make sure they're under the tree for him.”
I nod and let a single tear drip down my cheek. If Liam sees it, he doesn’t say anything. He hands me another beer, and I drink it.
An hour later, he offers me a ride home and I accept.
* * *
The next day,the headache is real. I can’t remember the last time I was hungover, but here I am, nursing a whopper. My staff calls in their lunch order for Whimsicality and I volunteer to go get it. I have to speak to Josie anyway and I might as well go see her now.
Except when I get here, she’s having a conversation with my wife. I’m about to open the door when Aubrey rushes toward it and pushes it open with force.
“I knew you were fucking her,” she says loudly, on the crowded street of downtown.
“Aubrey, I’m here to talk to her about our son spending the holidays with her and to give her some money.”
“Just admit it,” she screams. “The reason you won’t move is because of her. Does Liam know? Maybe I should go find him and tell him.”
I ignore the bullshit. “The reason we aren’t moving is because our son is in high school,” I say through gritted teeth. “Look, I don’t know what’s gotten into you or why you’re crying, but you’re making a scene.”
“Do you want to know why I’m crying?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.”
“Because . . .” She pauses and wipes at her tears. “Because of this.” Aubrey motions between us. “I know I asked for a divorce, but I didn’t expect it to hurt.”
“Then make it stop, Aubrey. Let’s go to counseling. We can figure something out. Make more time to travel during the summer when the kids are out of school. You can volunteer and do what you love doing.” I step forward and reach for her, and for a second, I think she’s going to fall into my arms. Instead, she takes a step back and damn, it feels like a kick in the gut.
“It’s not that simple anymore, Nick.”
“Why isn’t it? We haven’t filed anything. All we’ve done is talk. Nothing is set in stone.”
Aubrey shakes her head. “It’s not what I want.” She turns and walks down the street, leaving me there. In a matter of minutes, the entire town is going to know I’m getting a divorce.
I go inside and Josie pops her head out from around the corner. “Hey.”
“I’m sorry you saw that.”
“I’m sorry for what you’re going through.” She motions toward the window. “Whatever that is.”
I can’t help but sigh. “I told her that Mack is going with you for the holidays, and she instantly accused me of having an affair and said she was going to tell Liam.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, no matter what I say, she doesn’t believe me. I don’t get it. Aubrey’s the one who wants to leave, but I’m the bad guy because I won’t give up my practice, my coaching job, or yank our son from high school. I’m trying to give him a good, stable life, and she’s making me feel like I’ve done something wrong.”
“You haven’t, Nick. At least from what Liam said. I just want you to know that Mack is welcome to stay as long as he needs. Don’t worry. Our door is open.”
I pull the envelope from my inside pocket and hand it to her even though I know she won’t take the money. Josie will end up using it on the kids, which I’m fine with. I know she and Liam will take care of my son. I trust them. More than I trust my wife right now.
Josie’s staff packs up the lunches and hands them to me. On my way back to the office, the staring and the whispering start. Just lovely.
5
