Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 47819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Janine snorted with laughter when Dane, instead of even acknowledging her, took my arm and turned us away. I was slightly mortified as I’m sure we had an audience.
It was the first time that we’d been seen out in public all together like this since the divorce, since the asp had befriended me to destroy my life.
I’d been avoiding her all this time, too hurt and disillusioned by the whole sordid affair.
“You know that was rather rude.” I said to him tongue in cheek. Inside I was doing handsprings and jumping jacks.
“I would never disrespect you like that babe, and you don’t need to put yourself through that shit either. You don’t fraternize with your enemies babe, never forget that.”
Sometimes he could be so harsh. “I wish it was that easy, but you know that we’re all going to have to deal with each other for the rest of our lives.” At least the prospect no longer filled me with dread.
After we collected the girls from their friends, I was surprised by what else he had up his sleeve. “Okay everyone we’re going to dinner, Alana, Alyssa did you want to invite some of your little friends along?” He named one of the most popular restaurants among the young people that served something a little more palatable than pizza.
The squeals were almost deafening as the two girls headed off to invite their friends. “Oh boy, I don’t know if that was such a good idea. How do you know they won’t invite the whole cast?”
“So be it.” Hah, I’m guessing he’s never been subjected to ten preteen girls at once. It turns out I was right and almost all the others accepted.
For the first time since I’d been demoted from wife to unwanted refuge, some of the other women actually smiled and spoke, but I found that I wasn’t interested in them. Most of them had turned their backs on me when my station in life had changed.
“Oh wow Ilene, that’s some rock.” Carly Jackson, who has been a snob since high school, and who had been one of the first to shun me, actually lifted my hand.
Of course Mark the idiot chose that moment to catch up. The look on his face was priceless, but the best was the look of green that crossed Joanne’s face.
It’s silly, but for the first time, I felt alive again. Dane wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “Sorry but our daughter is waiting for us.” Oh shit. I know Mark heard that.
***
ILENE
Is this an epidemic? How does he know when I’m happy? And why didn’t I check the phone before I answered? “What do you want now Mark?” I’d just got in from the restaurant where we’d all had a great time. I should’ve known that he wouldn’t let things end the way they had, his ego would never allow for that.
I wondered where his jailbait was or if he was hiding to call me much in the same way he’d once hid from me to call her? “We need to talk.”
Crap. “It’s late Mark can’t this wait?” I rolled my eyes and kicked off my shoes. I’d just had a great evening with all of my favorite people, and wasn’t about to let him spoil it.
“No, I don’t know what game you’re playing but I don’t appreciate being made to look like a fool in front of the whole town.” I took the phone away from my ear and looked at it in disbelief. I’m convinced he’s having some kind of crisis. I would’ve had a good laugh at his plight if his next words hadn’t dragged me back to the present.
“I’m coming over, we’re going to put an end to this nonsense once and for all.” Shit, Dane was going to be back here in a couple hours. Alana was with Alyssa so there was no excuse for him being here, and why is this my life?
“I’ll meet you somewhere.” I regretted those words as soon as they left my mouth, but it was too late. He latched onto that suggestion with a smarmy tone in his voice that made me see red. I was never so frustrated in my life as I snatched up my keys and headed for the door.
I met him halfway between his place and mine, already with a heavy heart. I watched as he got out of his car half an hour later and made his way to mine, his swagger telling the whole story.
How was it possible to have so much disdain for someone you’d once thought you loved? Looking at him now, all I saw was the selfish little boy who never grew up. Who had thrown me and our daughter away like old used toys that no longer had any worth.
Stepping out of the car I kept my distance even when he seemed to want to invade my space. “Glad to see you’ve come to your senses, though I don’t appreciate having to meet in a parking lot. I must admit, it does add a little sense of excitement don’t you think?”