Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 87911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“It was okay. Same old, same old.”
“It does get better. I promise you.”
“Did you love high school?”
“I had your father, so I loved everything about it. Even though my parents hated him. He made me feel special. I always imagined growing old with him. I never for a second thought it would end like this.”
Chloe opened her eyes. “It doesn’t have to end. He’d come back, you know that?”
“I know, but that’s one of the reasons why I’ve got to end it. He’s bad for both of us. When you find a guy in your life, you’ll understand. You’ve got to learn to walk away when you spend more time hating your life together than loving it.”
“Do you think you’ll date again?”
“One day, maybe. I’m not looking to date anyone right now.”
****
The following day Lily made her way into the clubhouse. She was going to get money for Chloe’s boots but also for the spa day. Entering the main room, she wrinkled her nose at the stench. It was disgusting, and surrounded her.
Kurt had yet to find a place to stay, so this had to be where he was living for the time being. She wouldn’t put it past the club to actually force him to live in the basement, and because he was chasing their approval, he’d do it.
Her man could do so much better, but he’d never believed her, never listened. All he wanted, his every waking moment, was consumed by this club, and how they saw him.
It sickened her.
Several of the club whores were naked, legs splayed with men all around them. They looked like they were in desperate need of a shower.
“Lily, what are you doing here?” Eagle asked, coming out of his office. He was the only one who didn’t look like he’d partied last night. “Is it about my boy?”
“No. I’m here to see Kurt. Where is he?”
“In his room, second floor on the left.”
“Thanks.”
“I don’t think you want to go up there,” Eagle said.
“Why not?”
“He had a lot to drink last night. A couple of girls from the strip club returned with him.”
Pain shot through Lily. “Women? When he was supposed to be spending time with our daughter.” She had to see this. No matter how painful it was. She turned on her heel and walked to the second floor. There was only one door on the left. She knew it was an old storage room.
She didn’t give herself the chance to second-guess what she was doing. She gripped the handle and opened the door.
Tears filled her eyes as she saw what lay before her. Kurt was naked, the evidence of his betrayal even more so.
Used condoms were on the floor, and there were three naked women in the room.
He was starting to wake up as Lily took a step back.
“Lily,” Eagle said.
Kurt opened his eyes and stared right at her. “Lily, baby, morning.”
The tears fell down her cheeks, and he clearly remembered what he’d done, because he shoved the girls off him.
“This is not what it looks like.”
“I shouldn’t care, but this is what you did, rather than spend time with Chloe. You call me, leave endless messages on my answering machine how you’re a changed man, and yet, this is what you’d rather be doing. Did you do this before? When you were with me?”
“What? No. Of course not. I wouldn’t do this.”
“I can see with my own eyes. I need to leave.” She pushed past both men, rushing out of the clubhouse.
Before she left, she did hear Eagle and Kurt fighting, but she didn’t know what about. Did it really matter anymore?
There was no way she was going to get over this kind of humiliation.
What if he’d been sleeping with other women before? She’d have to get herself tested. It had never entered her mind to ever doubt him, and now, her entire life felt like a giant, fucking farce.
She wanted to scream. This wasn’t how she intended for her life to end, not like this.
“Lily. Lily. Lily. Don’t go. You don’t need to leave,” Eagle said.
“I do. Has he always been like this? Has he cheated on me before? Do you know?”
“No. I don’t think he’s ever done this before. With the divorce, I guess he figured you guys were over.”
“Are you kidding me right now? No, I’m not over. It’s not ever going to be over. I can’t even think of this right now. I thought … I’ve yet to see a lawyer.” She ran fingers through her hair. Had she hoped to finally wake Kurt up to see what he was losing out on? She didn’t know anything anymore. “I only came to ask him for the money for Chloe’s boots and a spa day.” She sniffled. “I’ve got to go.”
Eagle grabbed her before she climbed into the car and hugged her. It was the first time he’d done anything like this with her.