time went on, his texts got more aggressive which meant he was drinking.
Lucas: Thanks, wife. Really. You never trusted me, did you?
Lucas: I guess you want to start over now? The problem is WE ARE NOT FUCKING FINISHED. I won’t let you go.
Lucas: Jesus Christ, Mila, don’t do this.
Lucas: I have the right to fucking know where you are!
Mila: I’m home. Don’t come.
Lucas: Home? Our home?
If he’s not there, where is he? I can’t bring myself to ask.
Mila: The cottage
Lucas: I’ll give you space. I swear to God I will, but please don’t ever do that again. I’m begging you.
Aching to fire back with a “how does it feel?” I refrain from a reply. Anger is still winning. That’s my decision today. I know I need to open up the lines of communication but everything I want to say is petty, pointless, and more aggression than progression.
Running a shower, I decide to extend a temporary olive branch.
Mila: I won’t do it again. That’s the only promise I’m making.
Lucas: I love you.
Toweling off, I lick the tears from my lips. Once dressed, I run my sleeve under my nose and crawl into bed, exhausted. My fingers linger over my cell pad briefly before I decide not to respond. Love isn’t the issue. It never was. We’ve had it in abundance, along with a healthy dose of trust. He’d rearranged our universe to revolve around the other, and once we did, we were both sealed in our fate, destined to be the moon and obeying tide. I glowed in his affection while he swept me away with one electrifying wave after another. The week after Lucas and I went to the movies, we came out as a couple at my first Hollywood gala, which just so happened to be a star-studded union party.
Sitting in the back of the limo, I smooth down my dress for the hundredth time. I bought a Valentino I could not afford and spent the day working my hair into something resembling a half up-do I saw on YouTube. I’m nervous, and of course, he senses it as he takes my hand and pulls it to his lips.
“Stop staring,” I snap, and he chuckles.
“If you didn’t want me to stare, you shouldn’t have worn that. It’s sexy as fuck, and you look stunning.”
“Sorry,” I say, swallowing. “I get snappy when I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be nervous.”
“Is there a stocked bar somewhere in here?” I open the cupboard next to me and frown when I come up empty and turn on him. “Shouldn’t limos have a stocked bar?”
“Not this one, sorry. I’ll get you some champagne as soon as we get there.”
“Okay,” I nod. “I swear to God, this is nothing like the movies. You people are all liars.”
I see him in my peripheral trying to stifle his grin.
“It’s not funny, don’t be a dick!” I lift my chin and glare in his direction which only has his smile growing wider. I’m a hot mess. It’s not that I can’t handle it, it’s just that I’ve always been on the sidelines, not front and center. Not to mention as soon as the world knows, my mother will too. That thought alone is enough to have me breaking out in hives. I’m blindsiding her with this because I wussed out of having the conversation. I can already see the mushroom cloud forming in the distance when the news hits her. But it’s my decision, my life, and I had to give myself time to form my own opinion before she has any say with hers. Steadying my breaths, I force myself to chill, deciding my behavior is unwarranted. Somewhat calm, I straighten my shoulders and lift my eyes to his.
“There’s my Dame.” He grins. “I was wondering when you would show up.”
“Just nerves. I’ve never been around so many celebrities at once.”
“Just remember that some of them used to work at Burger King and you’ll be good.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope,” he says, popping the P. “I worked in a gay bar with Blake. He’ll be here. You’ll get to meet him.”
“Really?” I ask with a grin. “Always wanted to meet your other half.”
“Don’t count yourself lucky,” he retorts with a humorous warning.
But I do count myself lucky when I gaze on at my man who looks gorgeous in another fitted tux. The tie is silver tonight and makes his glittering eyes pop. I bite my lip imagining ripping it off him later. It’s then I see brief unease cross his features.