Page 92 of Wild Mistake
“Bad move.” He scoffs, glancing at Gabe before leveling a glare at me. His words are whispered but they contain all the hate in his heart. “I’m not a fucking coward, Sarah. You’re gonna regret challenging me.”
“Yeah, well, I also know how you are at following through on promises. You’ve already done your worst. You can’t hurt me because I don’t love you anymore. But our boys, I would walk through fire for them. I’m not the weak woman you fucked over. If you think I’ll roll over with your meaningless threats you have another thing coming.”
“You think any sane judge is going to give you full custody? When you live in Wilder Valley? God, you are so stupid.” He’s baiting me. Itching for a fight. But if he thinks I’ll raise my voice in front of our son, he doesn’t know me at all.
“Leave,” I say again. “Now. Or I’m calling security.”
35
SARAH
The next severaldays I live at the hospital. Jake gets a hotel nearby and visits Gabe during the day, and I do my best to tolerate his presence. We don’t discuss custody or argue. We are both on our best behavior for Gabe. My parents drive up with Parker to visit and bring me a few necessities once the roads are safe. It’s so good to see them, and their presence brings a smile to Gabe’s face. He’s exhausted. Battered and bruised. But he’s alive and that’s all that matters.
Well, almost.
Aiden calls and texts, checking in on both Gabe and me. He doesn’t offer to come back to the hospital though, and I don’t ask. My priority right now is Gabe.
On day three, a social worker meets with Jake and me to discuss Gabe’s care before discharge in the morning. Over the next several weeks he’s going to need assistance using the restroom and shower, intense physical therapy and countless doctor appointments, and that doesn’t include monitoring his schooling from home while he heals.
After the meeting, Jake says his goodbyes to Gabe and heads back down to the Valley. Work can’t spare him any longer, and thankfully, he doesn’t fight to have Gabe recover at his place. He never even offered, which I think is more disappointing to Gabe than anyone.
Gabe is quiet and reserved through it all. It’s not that he’s a chatterbox to begin with, but I’ve never seen him this way. We don’t discuss our fight the night of the accident. I want to, but I also don’t want to upset him when he’s doing so well. He’s polite to his nurses and doctors. He’s contemplative, which I understand. We’ve both had nothing but time to reflect. I think the crash scared us all.
On the outside, I might appear as if I’m fine. But inside my mind, I’m a mess. I can’t rest or close my eyes without seeing Gabe’s motionless body, or without remembering flames licking from the flipped Nissan. I can’t go an hour without recalling Jake’s threats to fight for full custody. I thought I was doing the right thing by coming back to Wilder Valley. For a second, I even thought I could be happy with Aiden. But this last week was a wakeup call.
I can’t have it all.
Not without letting my boys down.
My happiness is important, but not at the sake of theirs.
The next day when the hospital releases Gabe, I bring him back to my parents’ and set him up on the sofa. With his cast and lack of mobility, it’s the best place for him to recover. I am so grateful for my mom and stepdad. They offer to take shifts so everything doesn’t fall to me.
We’re home maybe twenty minutes before Aiden shows up at the door.
“Hey, stranger.” He hugs me as I step onto the porch.
“Hey.” I don’t hug him back, instead taking the giant reusable bag filled with food from his hands. It’s so heavy, I have to set it on the floor. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do this.”
“It’s not just from me. Maeve and her book club friends made dishes too.”
It’s so sweet. So generous.I don’t deserve any of this.
“Hey.” My chest tightens, because I can no longer put off the conversation I’ve been avoiding these last few days. “Can we talk?”
“Sure.” Aiden’s face gives nothing away, but I wonder if he already knows. He’s always been able to read me better than anyone, which only makes this hurt more.
“Let me grab my jacket,” I say, not inviting him inside. I set the food on the counter. “Parker? Will you please put this away?”
“Okay,” he says, dragging his attention from his phone.
Gabe is dozing on the sofa. Today was a lot.
“I’ll be back in a little bit.” I slip my coat on as I leave.
Aiden stands at the edge of the porch, gazing out toward the sunset. My heart wars against my mind.Is this necessary? Am I strong enough to walk away from this man?But I’ve been through every scenario in my head and I don’t see another path.
“Can we talk in your truck?” I ask. I don’t want to chance anyone overhearing our conversation.
