Scandalous 2 Page 0,27

calm down."

Jackson shakes her hand and I know Kate squeezed his too hard. The stern expression remains on her face. "Well, Abby and I were about to have a chat, so - "

I make a face at Kate and she makes one back. "Jackson, it's great to see you." I take a card from my purse and scribble my cell number on it. "Call me tomorrow and we can catch up."

Jackson takes the card and looks at it. Grasping the paper between his fingers, he smiles and nods at me. "I will. Have a good night. It was nice to meet you, Kate."

"Yeah, whatever," she says, and turns to go inside.

My eyes are bugging out of my head when she closes the door. "Are you insane? That was a friend! Why are you being so nasty?"

Kate looks at me like I'm a moron. "Something's not right. Why is he looking for you now? Why three doors down? No one knew you lived here."

"The press figured it out before I was married, so why couldn't he?" I'm trying not to yell, but she's making me crazy. Kate always acts like she knows more than me and I can't stand it anymore. I'm right, about this - about Jackson showing up now - I'm right. He probably doesn't even know what's going on.

"Gut reaction, Abby. That guy is bad news."

"Well, take a Pepto and get over it. I refuse to believe that every person from the past ten years of my life is corrupt."

"I didn't say that, I just said that something's not right." She looks at me like I should be agreeing with her, but I'm not. I won't. My arms are folded tightly over my chest and I'm glaring at her. Kate sighs dramatically and throws her arms up in the air. "Who tracks down a married woman? Not a man. Not a man with good intentions. Who the fuck does that, Abby?"

"He's a good guy, Kate." There's a warning tone in my voice, but she doesn't back down.

Rolling her eyes, Kate says, "He's a man. You're a woman. Remember, you screwed Jack before you were married. People make vows. Sometimes they break them."

My spine stiffens. Eyes wide, I stare at her like she slapped my face. There was nothing worse she could have said to me. That comment hit me twice, once slamming how my relationship with Jack started and again by pointing out that I broke my vows, a promise that I was supposed to keep, forever. It is something that keeps playing through my mind at night. Not just being a failure, but that my word was worthless. It meant nothing. It didn't matter what I promised, because I broke the biggest promise that I ever made. It wasn't just a promise to myself or to the church, but to God. It meant I'd chosen my life and set it in stone. But that's broken now. Everything's broken. The fracture lies deep within my heart, and I have no idea how to mend it.

I stare at Kate. A million words fill my mouth but none of them are right. I can't say a damn thing. I have no idea what expression is on my face, but suddenly her hackles drop. She lifts her hand, sensing that she's gone too far. I don't give her the chance. Pressing my lips together, I turn on my heel and walk out the door, slamming it behind me. Before Kate reaches the porch, I'm in the car and down the street.

Everything is changing. I wonder if I really know anyone anymore, myself included.

Chapter 17-18

Chapter 17

ABBY

When I get back to the studio - I mean, my new home - I have to stop thinking of it like that - it's past dinnertime. Leaving Kate's put me smack dab in the middle of rush hour traffic. It took me two hours to get here. I walk into the little cottage and sit on the bed. I want to lie down for a while and forget about everything. Actually, I want to hide. I have no idea when my confession will hit the news, but I know it will bother Jack. I don't want to fight with him, but I had to do it. He'd do the same for me. I grip my head in my hands and feel my insides churn with dread. I roll onto my side. I can't help it. I'll protect Jack as much as I can, but I