“I am,” I bark out.
“You’re not. Something isn’t adding up. Liam wouldn’t lie to me, and he’s told me many times that Quinn’s mom is out of the picture –“
“Well, obviously Harrison is lying to Liam.”
“Oh Katelyn,” she says shaking her head. She stands and takes my wine glass from me. “I’ll call the airline and have our flight switched.” She’s closed my door before I can respond.
I never thought in a million years that my best friend would take the side of a man who just ripped my heart out.
Nothing about my trip to California will ever make sense. The way Harrison treated me, the way he made love to me like I was the most precious person to him, and the way he told me that he wanted the world to know I had stolen his heart – all lies. He played me like he plays his drums, with perfection.
We’re a day early, and I know there will be questions. I’m neither ready nor willing to answer them. Josie drops me off in my driveway. I stand there while she pulls away. I stare at Mason’s truck, then my car. The girls’ toys have been picked up and the lawn mowed, probably for the last time this fall.
I drag my suitcase behind me and slide my key into the lock. Twisting the knob, I push the door open. I hate coming home to a dark house, but no one knows we’re back yet. I asked Josie not to say anything to Liam. I don’t want Harrison anywhere near me. It’s not that I need time to think. I just need time to compose what I’m going to say to him.
I flip on the switch. My lower lip quivers as my hand covers my mouth. Hot tears stream down my face. A Welcome Home Mommy banner hangs in my living room. There are flowers everywhere and a wrapped present on the table. I wipe my face angrily. Why did he do this? I touch the hand painted letters one by one. The girls have painted their names in the corner. I’m so tempted to take it down, but I can’t. It will break their hearts not to see it up tomorrow when we come home.
The slamming of a car door alerts me to his presence. Of course he’d be at Liam’s house. It was stupid to come home early. I should’ve stayed in Los Angeles by myself to figure this shit out.
The door is open and he’s there before I have a chance to lock it.
“What’s wrong?” he asks. I want to scream at the top of my lungs that he’s what’s wrong, but I don’t. I shrug and look away.
“Katelyn?”
I can smell his cologne the closer he gets. He’s tentative, moving with caution. Maybe Alicia called and told him about our little run-in. Sure funny how she knew where to find us.
“I met your girlfriend at the spa.”
“I don’t have a girlfriend,” he says, stopping his assent toward me. “I mean other than you.”
“I’m not your girlfriend.”
“What’s going on, Katelyn?” he asks again. This time he steps behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders.
“Don’t touch me,” I roar as I spin around. I place my hands on his chest and push. He stumbles briefly before catching himself.
Harrison looks at me with confusion. God, he should get a fucking Oscar for this performance. I want to rip his hat off and throw it away, but I don’t want to touch him. I don’t even want to look at him right now.
He looks at me, his eyes glistening. I can’t look at him. I shake my head and turn away. “You need to leave.”
“Why?” he asks. His tone is uncertain, questioning.
“Because I said so, I don’t want you here anymore.”
“Please, Katelyn, I’m freaking out here. You’re home early and something is clearly wrong.”
“Like you don’t already know. Did you have this planned from the beginning? Seduce the poor, single mom who just lost her husband? Was that your plan? Why don’t you tell me how it’s supposed to end, so I know what I should expect?”
Harrison rubs his hands over his face. He takes off his hat and throws it on the couch. He crouches and fingers the ribbon on the present sitting on the table. He’s too calm for me right now. Why isn’t he fighting for me?
“Baby –“
“I’m not your baby,” I reply, grinding my teeth together.
Harrison stands and comes over to me, backing me against the wall. “I don’t know what the hell has changed your mind, but you need to tell me what the fuck is going on here, Katelyn. Josie showed up bawling her fucking eyes out and you’re not with her. In fact, you’re supposed to be at the fucking spa getting pampered and shit, but you’re here and something is wrong. So tell me, God damn it, so I can fix it.” His voice is soft and caring, but I know he’s doing this on purpose. This is the way he got me into this bed.
“I met Alicia.”
Harrison’s face turns pale and to stone. He straightens and backs away from me. Now that he knows I know, he has nothing to say. He stands there, not staring at me, but the wall behind me.
“How would you even know who she is?”
I shrug, “I didn’t, she found me,” I reply sarcastically.