Page 44 of Forever Fighting
Her phone rings again, snapping us out of the moment, and she flies off the bed to dig through her purse for it. Except when she sees who’s calling her, she shakes her head.
“Just pick up,” I tell her.
“What for? I know what he wants. He texted me about it all day yesterday. He’s mad that I was photographed with you in Vegas and that it was stated and then commented on how beautiful your new girlfriend is.” She bows and does a royal wave with her hand. “I accept the compliment from the critics on behalf of normal women everywhere.”
I laugh. “Hate to break it to you, kid, you’re not normal and never have been.”
“Truth. But I don’t want to fight with him right now. I want to enjoy my vacation without my ex ruining it. The whole point of this is to get away from him. At least the picture from our wedding hasn’t surfaced or anything about that. That would be awful.”
“I’ll talk to him.” I hold out my hand and she places her phone in it. I swipe my finger across her screen and answer.
“Hey.”
He’s surprised I’m picking up her phone and replies with, “Uh, hey. Where’s Braelyn?”
“She’s here, but she doesn’t want to talk.”
He makes a noise. “So now you’re her go-between?”
“Not exactly.”
“Are you fucking her?”
No, but I am married to her.“Shut up, asshole,” I bark.
Braelyn makes a noise, clearly able to hear what he’s saying.
“I know. I’m sorry. I’m going crazy, though. You’re supposed to be on my side. You’re supposed to be helping me with her, but that’s not how it looks in the media.”
“I never said I was on your side with anything.”
“What am I supposed to do with that? Or the fact that you’re at a resort in Mexico together.”
My eyebrows pinch. “How did you know we were already here?”
“I have her location on my phone.”
“Argh! Shit. I forgot about that. Thanks for reminding me to turn it off,” she calls out.
“Fucking hell,” he yells. “I tried to get a hotel room in the area, but everything is booked solid. Please, Roman. You’re my best friend. You were going to be the best man at my wedding. I love her. I love her so much. I fucked up, but everyone deserves a second chance. I gave you yours. Help me get mine.”
My eyes close, and Braelyn takes the phone from me.
“Don’t you dare guilt him. That’s as fucked up as it gets. I don’t want to talk to you, and I’ve asked you to stop calling and texting me. I will end up blocking you if you don’t stop.”
Immediately, he launches into his fight, and I catch half of it. I flop onto my back and blow out a breath, my palms on my forehead. I don’t know what to do.
“Stop. Just stop! Seriously, shut up. I don’t care if you say you love me. I don’t care if you say you’re sorry. We’re over and we’re never ever getting back together.” She ends the call and the phone drops to the bed between us. We’re silent for a long time. “I’m sorry.”
I laugh, but there’s no humor to it. “Why are you sorry?”
“Because he’s making you feel like you owe him when you don’t.”
My eyes pinch tight.
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“Brae—”
