“So, from his perspective, he’s been attacked too.”
“I … He … We … Fine.”
“I’m glad you see it my way.”
A knock sounds at the door. Thank goodness. I’ve had all the Glenda the Good Witch I can take this morning. “Someone’s at the door. I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later.”
“Oooooh, is it Cash?”
“I have no idea, Maggie. That’s why I have to go.” But I’m sure it is. It’s too early for the crew to be here.
“Later, gator.”
My fingers tremble as I punch the disconnect button. I’m not looking forward to this. I stretch the kink out of my neck. This isn’t going to be fun. I’ve never been good at apologizing. I did tell James that I’d do anything to save the rec center. But I never dreamed I’d have to kiss Cash King’s ass to do it.
Another knock jars me out of my stupor. I make my way to the door. Hand on the knob, and a deep breath, then I yank the door open with the smile on my face that won me the Miss Texas pageant. In an instant, it drops from my lips like flaking rust from an old pipe.
“Brad?”
“Hey, babe.”
I glance around. For what, I have no idea. I guess I’m hoping for some backup. “What are you doing here?”
“I missed you.” The crooked grin that’s gotten him what he wants his whole life adorns his handsome face.
My arms cross over my chest as a shield against whatever bullshit he’s peddling today. For some reason, after months of no contact, he’s been calling and leaving messages for the last week. No idea why, but I’ve ignored them all. “Still doesn’t explain why you’re here.”
“What am I supposed to do? You haven’t returned my calls.” Now the get out of jail free pout pulls at his lips. “Can I come in?”
“No.” I step across the threshold toward him, forcing him to take a couple of steps backward. No way is he getting into my safe place. This little pool house has become my sanctuary, and I won’t allow him to taint it with his bullshit. “Tell me what you want and then leave.”
He burrows his fingers into his perfectly styled blond hair. “Tiger, baby—”
“Don’t call me that. We’re divorced, and I stopped being your baby when you made it perfectly clear that you were married to me for my status and my family’s money.” The pain of my marriage breaking up is like a splinter stuck under the skin. My body has adapted to it, but it’s still tender. Because while I knew Brad wasn’t my soulmate, I still believed we could build a life together, and I never saw myself as being divorced.
His hands go into the front pockets of his khakis, and a heavy exhalation deflates his chest. “How many times do I have to say it? You misunderstood me. I didn’t mean what you thought I meant. But you took me by surprise when you gave all of your trust fund to charity.” He hangs his head. “You never even talked to me about it.”
“It was mine to do with what I wanted.”
He shakes his head like he still can’t believe what I did. “But I was your husband.”
I take a half step away from him. “I didn’t discuss it with you for the same reason I didn’t tell my parents. I knew you’d all try to talk me out of it.”
“And shouldn’t that’ve been a red flag? I mean, hell, Tiger, when the three people who love you the most think something is a bad idea, you should probably listen to them.”
I shove down a disbelieving snort. The three people who loved me the most, my ass. “I’m not rehashing this with you. It’s over and done. Our marriage is over and done.” I did love him once, but not anymore. He’d snuffed out any affection I had for him when he told me he had no use for me if I planned to “let myself go” and didn’t have my trust fund to bring to the bargain.
“I’ve changed, Tiger.”
I snort and roll my eyes. Super mature, I know, but he brings out the worst in me.
“I swear I have. Your leaving me has shown me what a fool I was.” The grin is back in place. “What’s that saying? You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.”