What the hell is right because that child definitely isn’t a bookie.
I study the boy wrapped in his arms. He has blond hair, and he doesn’t look to be a day over four.
I chew the corner of my lip, pondering. “How old do you think that kid is, Breslin?”
And more importantly, what’s his relationship to Preston? Because they’re obviously very close.
A strange jolt of panic spirals through me.
No. It can’t be.
But then a woman with long blonde hair, mile-long legs, and bright blue eyes walks over to them.
The same woman who used to hold my heart in the palm of her hand…
Before she smashed it to smithereens.
Chapter 36
Kit
“Please, talk to me,” Breslin whispers as I pull up the driveway leading to her house. “You haven’t said a word since we left the park.”
“That’s because there’s nothing to say.”
The second I realized what my husband’s really been up to, self-preservation took over and I left.
He’s been lying to me this whole time…but not because of gambling.
Because of her.
The harsh, cold realization has my vision blurring.
“He’s with her,” I choke out, unable to bring myself to utter her name.
I feel like I’m rolling around in broken glass, the jagged edges slicing through my heart…causing me to bleed out.
Breslin wraps her arms around me. “I’m so sorry. So fucking sorry.”
So am I.
I’m sorry I asked him to marry me.
I’m sorry I ever trusted him.
I’m sorry I gave him my heart.
Sometimes you can want something so bad, you’d give up anything to have it.
And God knows I wanted him—wanted us—more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.
I try to take a breath past the crushing weight on my lungs, but it’s impossible.
It feels like I’m physically dying.
While they circle around me, pointing and laughing…because they played the shit out of me.
Punching the steering wheel, I force myself to swallow back tears, because neither of them deserve it.
My survival instincts kick in with a violent lurch. I need to put as much distance between them and me as possible. The farther, the better.
“I have to go.”
Breslin’s face fills with panic. “Don’t leave, Kit. You can stay with me.”
I shake my head. “No.”
I appreciate the offer but staying with her is way too close to the fire. I’ll be reminded of Preston every time I look at his brother.
Who knew what he was up to and still protected him.
Grabbing her hand, I give it a small squeeze. I get why she’s worried. Last time my heart was obliterated, I cut off all contact and she had to pick me up from a jail cell.
“It won’t be like last time,” I promise. “But I have to get away.”
I need to detach from reality.
Because the pain of his betrayal is so brutal—so fucking excruciating—I won’t survive it if I don’t force myself to go numb.
It feels like something inside my soul broke.
And I’ll never get it back.
I can tell Breslin doesn’t like it, but she understands. “Okay. But please call me. Even if it’s just to tell me where you are and that you’re safe.”
“I’ll text you once I get to wherever it is I end up.”
A place where he’ll never be able to find me once he realizes he lost his cash cow for good.
“Can you watch Lola until I get back?”
I hate the thought of leaving him behind, but I’m in no position to take care of him right now.
“Of course.”
We say our goodbyes and then I start the drive to my grandmother’s house…
So I can inform her our agreement is off.
“Are you well?” Reggie questions as I brush past him in search of my Nanna.
No, I’m not.
I find her in the living room waving around a cigarette. Her eyes widen when she sees me.
“I need a divorce.”
No point beating around the bush.
Nanna and Reggie exchange a flabbergasted look and then she reaches for her notepad.
If you get a divorce, the deal is off.
“I know, but…” My voice cracks.
I’m losing everything.
Frowning, she scrawls something on her notepad and holds it up. What did he do?
My chest coils and I shake my head. Saying the words aloud will steal what little strength I have left and bring me to my knees.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m done.” My feet turn on their own accord, desperate to flee. “I’ll pack my stuff and get out of the house.”
I don’t have a lot of time, so I’ll only be able to grab the essentials.
And then I’ll contact Barry.
“Wait,” Reggie calls out behind me.
“I’ll give you my keys after I move out.”
“No, Kit. Please stop.”
I swallow the ball of irritation lodged in my throat. There’s nothing he or my grandmother can say to change my mind about this.
Grinding my molars, I turn to face him. “What?”
“Your grandmother was going to Hawaii this afternoon, but her doctor advised against it due to her deteriorating health.” He looks at her and she waves a hand, indicating he should continue. “She wants you to go. The plane is already fueled and ready.”
I start to decline because my Nanna’s gifts always come with a price.
However, it’s the look in her eyes when she turns her notebook around that gives me pause.
For the first time in a long time…she’s looking at me like I’m her granddaughter.
Like she truly cares and wants to help me.
I read the words on the pad.
Take some time for yourself and clear your head. We’ll handle everything when you get back.
I should say no, because the thought of sipping fancy cocktails on a beach in Hawaii while my life is imploding is absurd.
However, I was already planning on leaving.
Might as well go somewhere that’s been booked and paid for.
And miles and miles away from him.
Chapter 37
Preston
Kit’s car isn’t in the driveway and the house is empty when I get home.
She mentioned she wasn’t feeling well this morning, though so maybe she ran out to the pharmacy.
Not sure why she took the dog with her.
Then again, those two are attached at the hip.
I place the container of soup I picked up on the kitchen table and dig my cell out of my pocket so I can call her.
It goes straight to voice mail.
Figuring she must be in a shitty service area; I call her several more times over the next twenty minutes.
Every time I do, the same thing happens.
Given her best friend is our neighbor, I head over to my brother’s house.
Breslin opens the door after the third knock. I’m relieved when I see Lola beside her because it means Kit’s inside.
“Kit’s phone isn’t working.”