“Where to?”
My gaze drifts out the window, and without thinking, the words slip from my mouth, “Stone Hearth Country Club. I’ll direct you from there.”
A nervous flutter in my belly is quickly soothed by the need for answers. Why does he insist on treating me as if I’m the only woman in the world and then turn around and treat me as though I’m only one of many?
No. I told myself I’d never be this desperate again. I’d rather be single than play second. It’s time he hears that from my lips.
Twenty-Eight
Cameron
D’lilah cried the entire way home, and as badly as I wanted to veer off the freeway to her place and drop her there, I couldn’t stomach leaving her alone in that house like this. She may not be my wife anymore, but she’s Ryder’s mom, and I owe it to him to take care of her. Especially when she’s this messed up.
She drops like dead weight onto the couch, hiccupping still from her sadness. I unbutton my tear-soaked, makeup-streaked shirt and slide it off.
“The guest room is made up. I’ll grab you something to sleep in.” I move to the hallway to grab her a tee and some boxers.
“I can’t do this anymore,” she whispers.
“You just need a good night’s sleep.” I take another step toward my room.
“What happened to us?”
What the fuck? I turn on my heel and study the crumpled-up woman on the couch, who is a mere shadow of the woman I married. “I don’t think you need a recap of our lives, ’Li.”
“No, I know. It’s just . . . You’ve dated women in the past, but you’re different with this Eve girl.”
I blink and step closer, curious. “Different how?”
“She’s making our son breakfast.” She wipes beneath her eyes. “Showing up at his birthday dinner. She’s special to you.”
“What’s your point?” This is bullshit. I don’t owe D’lilah a breakdown of my feelings, and I’m not at all comfortable with the lust swirling in her drunken gaze. Sooner she passes out, the better.
She pushes up from the couch and moves to me, stumbling at the seductive swing she’s attempting to throw into her hips. “We had some fun, didn’t we? Back before things got so complicated?” She stops inches from me; her drunken gaze eats up my bare chest.
“’Li—”
“Remember our honeymoon?” She tilts her head. “We couldn’t get enough of each other back then.”
She was breathtakingly gorgeous, but I never connected with her beyond the physical. Back then I thought the strongest kind of attraction was sexual. Animalistic need. Since Eve came along, I realize how much better sexual attraction is when I’m also attracted to the many facets of her personality.
“We got pregnant on that trip.” She presses her palm against my chest. “Remember—”
I grip her wrist. “That was a long time ago.”
“It doesn’t have to be, Cam.” She bites her lip seductively. “It can be just yesterday. For one night, we can pretend that I’m still the woman you fell in love—”
“No, ’Li.” I pull her hand from my chest. “I’m sorry.”
“No? But I’m offering you a chance to be that guy again. You were so powerful, so smart.” She pulls my hand up to place it against her chest.
I step back. “And now I’m not. Is that what you’re saying?”
Her eyes narrow. “I know you miss the old you. The old us.”
“I don’t, not even a little.”
She flinches.
“I’m sorry, but it’s the truth.” I move toward the hallway. “It’s been a long day and an even longer night. Grab something to sleep in from Ryder’s room. We’ll get your car in the morning.”
I’m halfway to my room when she grabs my elbow from behind. “Cam, wait.”
I tug my arm from her hold. “Walk away, ’Li. I know what’s going on, and it’s not going to work. I’m with Eve.”
Her attempt at a sexy quickly morphs into confrontational. “She’s a child. It’s disgusting.”
“Watch it. I’m not above getting you a cab back to your place if you insist on insulting her.”
She shakes her head. “You’re nothing like the man I married.”
“Why, because I won’t fuck you? Because I refuse to be a part of this game you’re playin’? You want to feel better about yourself? Sober up. Get a job. Make a difference in your kids’ life. For once, make a healthy decision.”
“Says the guy who lost everything.” She grits the words through clenched teeth.
“Sleep it off, but make sure you’re gone in the morning.” I turn my back on her and slam my bedroom door behind me.
Fuck, this woman is a damn mess. I’ve tried too hard to fix her, to make up for all I’d taken from her, but no amount is ever enough. I can’t replace all that she lost, no matter how hard I try.
*
Eve