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Marissa shook her head. “I said I’d try.”
“Which was bullshit and you know it.”
Marissa couldn’t deny the truth. She never had any intentions of going back.
“What’s her name?”
“Rhylee Marissa.”
Marissa tightened her lips and remained silent.
“Yeah, asshole, I named my kid after you, so get your ass here to meet her.”
“Why?”
“’Cause I’m a bitch who’s hellbent on guilt trips. You know this, how long have you known me?” She snorted. “Ryan’s mom almost had a heart attack when I told her the name. Seriously, who names their kid after their husband’s ex? It’s fucking crazy.”
Marissa smiled shaking her head. “It’s sweet.”
“What the hell’s wrong with you? Usually you sound almost robotic, but now you’re saying shit is sweet and even making conversation. Oh my God, are you on drugs?”
Marissa rested her head back on the couch and snickered. Who would have thought the one person to never give up on her would be her ex’s wife? Long after she had alienated everyone close to her, Janelle refused to stay away.
“Why do you still bother with me?”
Janelle was silent, which struck her as odd. The woman could overtake any conversation in record time. If ever there was a lull in a situation, Janelle was always there to blurt out something inappropriate. It happened more times than she could count in the past.
“You’re family.”
“Technically, I’m not.”
“Shut up, yes, you are. You’re mine and Ryan’s. Whether you want to admit it or not, you are. I’m not bothering with your ass, I’m doing what I want.” Janelle’s sigh was long and drawn out, and then she whispered, “We all lost her, Marissa. And I’m not gonna lose you too.” There was a slight pause. “Deal with it.”
Her eyes welled, and a lump lodged in her throat. How was this woman, who shared so many traits with the devil, saving Marissa at this moment? She wiped her cheeks with her sleeve and tried to pull herself together. She sniffled, giving her head a quick shake.
“Please send me a picture.”
“No,” Janelle snapped. “You get your ass up here and meet your namesake.” She gasped. “Oh shit, I gotta go. I think the nurse is gonna yell at me. I’ll call in a few days, and you better answer the goddamn phone.”
Marissa ended the call and tossed the phone on the couch.
What if I asked you to stay?
She closed her eyes, curling into the corner of the couch. Staying would require her to open up to him, reveal her past, and truly let him in. Show him all the ugly scars of her existence. She wasn’t ready. Maybe she never would be.
She pushed off the couch and grabbed her pocketbook, rifling through for cash. She counted out eighty-five dollars and walked over to Caden’s office. There were envelopes at the drop off box. She stuffed the cash inside and dropped it through the opening.
As much as she hated it, it was time to move on. He deserved a woman who could give him everything. A woman who wasn’t Marissa.
****
Caden stared down at the envelope on his desk. The money.
He had walked over to the office just after six expecting to see the spot next to her unit empty. Her car was parked, and the lights were out in the apartment. He ignored the small relief he felt that she hadn’t left. It was short lived. He’d fucked up, and she’d be gone soon. For the first time in his life, he was wishing he’d been a different kind of man. A better man.
“Morning.”
Caden lifted his chin, setting aside the envelope, and powered up his laptop. He dragged his hand across his face in frustration. His mind should be on the three hauls they had set to leave today, not on her.
