Page 198 of Unhinged

“Fucking what?”

Val ignores that while, from my peripheral, Amos frowns. Val says, “Yep. Probably Grant’s, too, but who knows? Grant doesn’t want to be a father to Birdy or this new one if it’s his. He left the firm two days ago. That poor little girl. She had it good with you and Simone in her life. You’ll make excellent parents someday.”

I don’t argue because anytime I mention why I don’t want kids, people try to change my mind or tell me I’m too cautious. Most people don’t know what it’s been like to live my life watching my sister slowly and painfully lose hers.

Val straightens, getting into courtroom mode. “Let’s get down to business. Law school.” Val pulls out a chair and nods to it. “Have a seat. Amos and I have some proposals for you that will affect your future as an attorney and as a husband.”

“Uh… I don’t want to mess with my marriage. Nothing to me is worth doing that.”

Val laughs with teary eyes. “I love how serious you are with Simone. You’re growing into your husband role nicely. Marriage is sacred no matter how yours started. I’m…” She sniffs, and Amos hands her a tissue. “I’m so happy to see you happy, Rod. Before you left, I was close to sitting down with you two to just put it out there because I couldn’t let you miss out on each other. You and Simone are soulmates.” She puts her hand over mine and squeezes. “You deserve such happiness. Amos and I will work with you to ensure nothing work-related steals that from you. All right?”

I nod as she dabs her eyes beneath her glasses. “Thanks, Val. You’re the best. Okay. So, what do you have for me?”

Amos sits back with a self-righteous grin. “I think we’re done here for now. But I still want to take you over to the firm to show you around. Val’s car is there too.”

Val hugs me again. “You’re such a good guy and so perfect for our lovely Simone. You both have the sweetest souls.”

“Thanks, Val.” She pats my cheek with a warm smile, and I can’t help but smile back.

Val checks her watch. “Wow. I didn’t realize we’ve been talking for this long.”

I check my phone. “Simone will be home soon.”

Val says, “We’ll go to the firm briefly and then to dinner? Why don’t you wait here for Simone and then bring her over, and we can leave together from there?”

“Yeah. Okay.” Not seeing any messages, I text Simone and wait for a response. Amos and his dog go outside to piss—the dog, hopefully.

“Give her a few minutes before bringing her over. I’m sure you newlyweds need the time. Just keep in mind Amos is hungry.”

I laugh. “Jeez, Val.”

“You can thank me by picking a law school. Talk it over with your wife. Hmm?”

I nod as Amos returns with the dog and asks, “Val, you ready?”

“Yes. We’ll see you soon.” Val winks at me as they go out the door. How could I ever have hurt that woman?

When they leave, I go upstairs to piss, rather using Simone’s bathroom instead of any Amos has used. Going into her bedroom, I look out her window to see if her car is in the driveway, but I only see Amos pulling out of it. I can’t believe he surprised me with Val. Does he not have anything else to do than spring people on me and worry about my career? Maybe that’s not such a bad thing. Though he’s still an asswipe.

Laughing to myself, I go into the bathroom. I turn on the light and see a mound of boxes and papers shoved into a corner on the sink. My laughter falls when pregnancy catches my eye.

What the actual fuck?

Rummaging through them, I see all but one is missing their tests. I go to the trash can to see if the spent tests are there, but no. Holy fucking hell. She lied to me. My blood runs ice cold as my body buzzes with fury and betrayal.

I pace her bathroom, forgetting why I even came in here. She didn’t just take one test. She used at least three. If Simone was telling the truth, she shouldn’t need these. If she’s pregnant, maybe it wasn’t by accident. Shasta did it to me before. Simone could too.

I dig my hands into my hair as the mirror reflects the anger, panic, and hurt soaking me. How could she do this?

I check my phone to see if she’s responded. She hasn’t, but she’s read my text. Oh, I see. This is how Simone will do me now?

I try to remain calm, but how much can I really trust her? Was it really an accident? Would it even be mine? There’s no way she should be pregnant or even think she is so soon. Is Simone cheating on me? Maybe the Tanner story was subterfuge. My damn mother.

Thinking of me trusting Simone while she’s fucking another man is too much. I lean over the sink, gagging, but I don’t barf. I look into the mirror, seeing my dark eyes full of rage.

I want to believe I live in the rainbow-filled world I lived in five minutes ago. But too many people have screwed me, figuratively and literally. I let this happen. I’m such a gullible idiot.

Needing out of the room, I go downstairs and pace there. Where in the hell is she? What happens now? I can’t live with this lie. As I edge closer to melting down, I draw from the anger I had previously because of her. That’s what will save me from ruin. It has to.

---