Page 74 of Wild Mistake
I know I can, and I should. I’ve been putting it off, because it was nice to pretend for a little while. I don’t want to see anything other than affection and desire in his gaze when he looks at me. Once he understands what’s going on, I’m afraid that’ll change.
We walk in silence and I gather my thoughts before taking a seat and turning my body toward his.
“So, the thing is,” I take a deep breath, unsure why it’s so difficult to spit out the words. “I’m still married. Technically.”
“Okay.” He nods, not at all rattled by my admission.
“Jake was supposed to file the divorce papers, but he hasn’t.”
“Okay.”
“That doesn’t bother you?”
“Are you wanting to reconcile with him?”
“God, no.”
“Then, why should I care?”
“Right.” I don’t know why I didn’t tell Aiden sooner. It seems silly now. Of course a man confident and secure in himself wouldn’t be threatened by that. “Well, one of the ways I manage my fibromyalgia is medication. And I just found out Jake removed me from his insurance policy without telling me. The medication that usually costs me less than five dollars now costs nine hundred.”
So many emotions flash across his face. Shock. Anger. Determination. “I’ll pay for it.”
“Aiden.” I shake my head. “No. You won’t.”
“I will and I’m going to.”
“No. I didn’t tell you so you’d feel sorry for me and fix this.”
“Well, first off, I don’t feel sorry for you. I’m angry. Your ex is a fucking piece of shit. Who cuts the mother of his children off from the medication she needs? Second, I don’t care if you want me to or not, I’m paying for your prescription. Hell, I’ll even go pick it up for you. Call them back and I’ll give them my credit card.”
“You don’t need to do this.”
“I don’t, but I want to, and you’re going to let me take care of this for you.”
My eyes fill with tears and as much as I blink them back, heavy drops fall down my cheeks. I’ve felt so alone for far too long. I want to do everything to take care of myself and my boys, but most days it’s too much and I feel like I’m failing at everything.
Aiden doesn’t make me feel that way.
He’s stepped up in ways Jake never did. But this . . . this is too much. His refusal to take no for an answer is an arrow through my tender heart. I’ve had my defenses up. I don’t want to let him get close enough to hurt me again, but he continues to destroy the armor around my heart, and this . . . makes me wonder if all my resistance was in vain. Because my heart is his. It always has been.
26
THREE WEEKS UNTIL SARAH’S HIGH SCHOOL PROM
Dear Sarah,
I hope you know how much hope your letters bring me. It gets lonely here. There’s nothing around that reminds me of home. Sometimes it feels like the entire world is passing me by and I’m stuck in some kind of hell.
You are my true north. My peace. My safe space. My home.
Your letters are like a lifeline to you. They remind me of why I’m here. What’s waiting for me when I return. I can’t wait to hold you in my arms again. The thought of being together again literally gets me through the day.
You should go to prom. I know it’s not how you pictured it, but you deserve to have a fun night with friends. To laugh and dance. It would make me so happy if you go. Just don’t slow dance with any boys. The idea of anyone touching you makes me so fucking jealous. I trust you. I know you would never cheat on me. But I don’t want any of the boys from our town touching what’s mine.
I’m sorry this is so hard. I wish I could take it away. I hope you know how much I love you and how committed I am to you.
When I get back I’m coming straight for you, baby.
