AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I met Mike at one of the houses he had for sale after lunch. I had enough money saved up from when I used to work before Craig wanted me to be a housewife. I used to be a realtor, and sometimes, while he was away on tour, I would work without him knowing. I got tired of sitting at home and would sell a house or two while waiting for him to return home.
I kept a separate account for the money I made by myself. I never wanted him to throw in my face of me having to depend on him for income. I was always raised to rely on myself or get help from my brother.
Mike knew exactly what type of place I was looking for and we met at the house that he knew I would want. It was a nice little starter house just for me with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and a basement. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. Mike knows me so well because he had the papers drawn already and all I had to do was sign. The house was so affordable that I just outright bought it.
Mike put the papers down and said, “I’m sorry about what happened. I always knew he wasn’t good enough for you, though, Dawn.”
Back in college, Mike told me he had a crush on me, but I told him I was in a relationship. I remember how crushed he looked when I told him my boyfriend proposed and that after graduation, we would get married. He continued to be my friend and told me that no matter what, he would always be there for me.
I smiled. “I know, and it looks like you were right.”
Mike exhaled slowly while rocking back and forth on his heels, then said, “Listen, whenever you are ready, know that I’m still available. I don’t want to be too forward, but just know that I still got it bad for you.”
I closed my eyes and tried to figure out how to break it to him gently. “Mike, I only see you as a friend. I can’t be with you any more than that. I hope this doesn’t ruin our friendship.” I didn’t want to tell him about me already having someone else. That would just add salt to his wound.
He looked disappointed. “It’s fine, Dawn, I would rather be your friend than not be in your life. If friendship is all you can give me, then I will be okay with that.”
I quickly hugged him because friendship was what I really needed right now. He held on to me tighter and I quickly released my arms once I heard him sniff my hair. He must have sensed me tense up because he let me go. I was glad our business was done so we didn’t have to be near each other anymore.
I went back to Darius’s place and was glad he was finally alone. I told him about my new place and how I already got a divorce attorney to draw up the papers. He was so proud of me for moving forward instead of wallowing in the pain. I worked up the courage to finally ask him about Jason.
We may be twins, but he was born twenty minutes before me, and he is definitely bigger than me. He still acts like I’m the little sister who is five instead of twenty-seven. He is very overprotective, and since Jason broke his ‘rule’ about me, he probably hasn’t spoken to him since. Darius knows how to hold a grudge, but if you are his friend, he is the best guy to have as a friend. I just hoped I didn’t mess up their friendship because they have been friends since we were five.
“Have you spoken to Jason?”
He looked at me crazy, said, “No,” and walked away.
I promised myself I would fix their relationship. But right now, I have to text Craig so I can get my things from his house.
D: I need to come by the house tomorrow to pick up my things. It would be great if you weren’t there when I get there. I will text you when I’m done, so you can come back once I leave. I will be there by 8 a.m.
C: Okay.
CHAPTER 5
Iwas so happy with how he responded and called me a U-Haul for tomorrow. I got up at six to get myself ready for the day. I took a quick shower and put on some black shorts and a white tank top. I wanted to be comfortable when I had to pack and move the boxes. I don’t plan on taking anything big or heavy so I know I can carry the boxes.
I put my hair in a high, messy bun and checked my phone. I had a missed call from John. I called him back, and he told me he had the divorce papers drawn up and if I was comfortable giving them to Craig, then I could pick them up from him. I told him I would meet him in about twenty minutes to pick them up.
I met John before I went to Craig’s house and got the papers from him. I pulled up to my old house. The house that I always thought was too big for us with four bedrooms and four bathrooms, but Craig insisted that it was what we needed. I realized I wouldn’t miss this house at all. I got out of the U-Haul and took some boxes in the house with me. As soon as I stepped inside, I found Craig sitting on the couch with flowers and balloons.
“I got your favorite flowers, Dawn. Please, just come home and let’s work through this.”
I was blindsided and angry. “I thought you said you would be gone. Don’t make this difficult, but since you are here, I will hand this to you.” I took out the envelope and handed it to him.
He opened it and screamed, “Divorce papers, really!”
I went to the master bedroom to begin packing my clothes. I used to love this room since I personally designed it. The king-sized bed sat in the middle of the room against the back wall with a multitude of pillows on it. A little white bench sat at the foot of the bed. Two small dressers were at the side of the bed with a modern-day lamp on top of them both. Our wedding photo was on the wall up above the headboard. We looked happy, or what I thought was happy back then, but now I know better.
I heard him follow me, and I said, “I didn’t ask for anything. I just want a simple divorce. No dragging each other through the mud. I want to move on from this nightmare as peacefully as I can.”
“Nightmare, are you serious? I know what I did was wrong, but we had some good times. I love you and I know you still love me. We can work through this.” He grabbed my arm and tried to kiss me. I pushed him away, but he was persistent. I had never been afraid of Craig, but today he showed me a new side of him that I didn’t like.
“Let’s just do it one more time, then.” He continued to push himself onto me and I screamed at him to stop.
“Are you really trying to force yourself on me?”
He finally stopped. “You must be fucking Jason.”
