I paused, a blank stare taking over my face. It took everything in me to refrain from saying the first thing that came to my mind.
The fact that Don felt the need to ask me that, made me want to wrap my hands around his neck. But after a few seconds, I reminded myself that this was a man that always came from a place of love and concern, and although his question seemed ridiculous, I’m sure he didn’t mean any harm.
Lifting his hands, Don quickly said, “And just to be clear, it’s understandable if you do. You guys have been together for a while, and—”
“I want you to hear me and hear me good,” I interrupted. “That chapter of my life is over. I’m not interested in going backward and dealing with bullshit that I don’t deserve.”
“And you shouldn’t have to.”
“Exactly,” I said before turning my attention back to the lake.
Don fell silent.
I could tell that he wanted to ask me more about where I stood, but I could also tell that he didn’t want to push.
My situation with my soon-to-be ex was more than a little complicated. Since the day I found out about him sticking his dick into a stripper, I hadn’t spoken to him. Not a phone call, not a text…nothing. In fact, I blocked his ass just so I wouldn’t have to see his number pop up on my phone. That didn’t stop him from calling me though. Random numbers always showed up on my cell. But, whenever I made the mistake of answering, I made sure to hang up as soon as I heard his voice on the other end.
That had been my story for the last six months, and in exchange, I’d been served with crickets when it came to him signing the divorce papers, which had me a little on edge.
“You good?” Don asked, noticing my sudden silence.
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” I said while giggling.
Standing up, he reached for my hand and pulled me closer to him.
Familiar with the comfort of his touch, I rested in his arms and took in the smell of him. Although we were outside, somehow, he still managed to smell like a fresh breeze that I wanted to be consumed in for as long as my body could stand it.
“How long are you going to be here?” I whispered.
“Just a couple of days. You know I’ve got to get back.”
“Yeah, I know.” I eased my head away from his chest and lifted my eyes to meet his gaze. “I wish you could stay longer though. I miss you when you’re gone.”
“I miss you too. I’m going to get better about coming to visit. I need to make sure you’re good.”
“Yeah, and I need someone to talk and cuddle with.”
“Oh yeah? So you think I’m just going to let you use me for my cuddles?”
“Use you? I would never—”
Squeezing me tighter, he chuckled. “I’m just messing with you. You know you can always get all of the cuddles and conversation you want out of me.”
“You promise?”
He kissed my forehead. “No doubt.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Feeling completely at ease, I sighed and returned my head to his chest.
It was moments like this that made the thought of him returning to Dallas hard to digest. Many times, I had tried to talk him into moving back to Belbridge. But he was determined to remain in Dallas to be closer to his daughter, which was something I had to respect.
