came around, I don’t know. I guess he’d hurt me too much and I stopped worrying. By then I knew the signs and I don’t know, I just no longer cared. I stopped thinking about him and I guess I started to think about the kids. They will always come first. They have to.”
“And you have to forfeit your happiness?”
“My happiness means nothing if you think about it,” she said. “I’ve had my chance and I picked wrong. Elijah was all wrong. We were high school sweethearts and when we did marry, I saw the kids, the house. The love. I thought we were going to be the old couple everyone looked up to, you know? The ones who were together through thick and thin. Our love for one another getting us through the bad times, and strengthening through the good. Now, I see nothing but lies and mockery. Our marriage was never a good one. It wasn’t even worth the effort to get dressed up. Did you know he only ever tried for me when we were going to fancy restaurants? If we were going to the movies or hanging with friends, he always dressed like a complete and total slob. All of the other women get the smart businessman. He puts all the effort for them and I get nothing.” Anne shook her head. “Sorry, it pisses me off.”
“You have a right to be pissed.”
“Thank you.”
“And the kids still come first?”
“They have to. My situation is not yours, though, Robin. I had my children, and by the time everything was done, it was wrong of me to pull them away from their father. The life I’m living isn’t a bad one though.”
Robin sat back, thinking about Bethany and Reaper. He was so good with her. As he reminded her, he’d been taking care of her when she didn’t even remember she had a daughter.
What kind of mother didn’t remember she had a daughter?
“You better not be putting my opinion on your situation,” Anne said.
“I have a daughter with Reaper.”
“Sweetheart, your life and mine are totally different.”
“How so?”
“I married my high school sweetheart. You married the man who kidnapped you and used you in a plot for his revenge. That, my darling, is not grounds for you to stick around just because he’s given you a kid. Don’t ever compare the two.”
“He loves me and he’s good with Bethany.”
“And you can spend the next fifty-plus years with him when Bethany grows up, goes off to college, and has a man and a kid of her own. You and him alone together. Unless you have more kids as a reason to stay together but there will come a point when it’s just the two of you, no one else.”
“You’re sticking with Elijah and your kids will be leaving the nest as well.”
“Again, completely different. I can handle my situation. You don’t have to stay with a man you don’t love. Don’t be miserable.” Anne pulled the car into the full parking lot of the clubhouse, turning off the engine.
“You’re all for team Preacher.”
“And so are you. Don’t pretend you’re not. You love him and you’re only worried about hurting someone else.” Anne touched her hand. “Let’s stop talking about men. You’ve brought me here to have a good time and that’s exactly what I hope to have. A good time. A very good time.”
Robin burst out laughing. “There will be a lot of drink and you’re going to see a lot of dirty stuff going on.”
“Sex?”
“Possibly.”
“Is it wrong how excited I am about that?” Anne said. “I don’t mind watching people.”
“I don’t think I needed to know that.”
“Sorry, you’re my one and only girlfriend. Elijah was so boring in bed. It’s a shock how he’s able to keep women satisfied. The guy only knew one position with me.”
“I’m now banning you from talking about Elijah. He doesn’t get to invade tonight. This is all about you. Come on.” She climbed out of the car and she took Anne’s arm in her own. “The guys here are a little crazy but they will respect your word. If you say no, it will mean no.”
“And if I don’t want to say no and for him to keep going?” Anne asked.
“I didn’t hear that.”
“Sorry, I’m really excited. I can’t seem to help it. The filter in my brain has stopped working entirely.”
Robin loved her attitude.
They entered the clubhouse. The music was loud. People were dancing and couples were already making out. They didn’t