Page 206 of Unhinged

Oh, my Zeus. You really fucking did it. You know what I mean. I didn’t think you’d set your world on fire and throw away the extinguisher. You’re doing so much, yet so damn little. Some things you’ve done make me want to pound your face. I’d nut-punch you, but even as a ghost and like every other woman out there, I don’t want to touch your dick.

Get a fucking grip and do the right thing, Greg. You’re better than this, and it gives me heartburn saying that, but where I am, that’s a daily occurrence. And guess what? I knew Hadley wasn’t your plus one. This chick you found is your love story. Do not pass Go, dumbass. Take the scenic route. Maybe then she’ll want to touch your dick. Until then, you’re stuck at Baltic Avenue, so you’re a long way off from Boardwalk. Don’t cheat at the damn game like you always do because it’ll only land you in trouble. You blew it so hard that a two-dollar hooker would’ve paid you to blow someone else.

Fix this. Yesterday. Now.

And no more wearing jeans with the holes in them, for fuck’s sake. You look like Uncle Billy after the farming accident, but with less blood and more legs.

Love always,

E

I ponder a response but go with a classic.

Dear E,

Thanks, bitch.

Love,

G

Setting down the diary, I pick up my phone and see a load of messages from Amos and Val since he gave her my number so she can lecture me too. There are no messages from the only person I need to talk to, so I send her one.

“I’m sorry. Please don’t stay away from me. We need to talk, and I need to beg for your forgiveness. What I said was fucking egregious. Yeah, big word with my name in it. You’re my wife and my world, and now our baby is too. I know it’s mine. No doubt. My mouth just reacts faster than the rest of me. In saving myself from what I thought was my ruin, I broke you, the one person who saved me and loves the real me. I trust you and love you so goddamn much, Simone. I need you back. I’ll do anything to make it happen. I miss you. I want to sleep next to you again. I want to make love to you in the same room this time. JK. Buttercup, just please give me the chance to be the husband and father you and our baby need. My life will be shit without you, just like it was before I met you in front of the gym. Nothing will matter. I want to see you tomorrow. Anywhere.”

I hit send, spin my wedding ring, and wait.

And wait…

Chapter 29

Simone

Opening my eyes, I squint from the sunlight hitting my face. Reaching for my phone, I turn off the alarm but ignore the many texts.

Getting dressed with the only things I threw into my bag and having no makeup, I gather my hair into a high ponytail which reaches the top of my hairline at my neck. It’s grown, and I may cut it again.

With my aching heart, I put my things on the coffee table and go into Candi’s bedroom, where she’s sprawled haphazardly over her queen-size bed. Since I didn’t sleep much, I heard her youngest son, Sebastian, leave for school an hour ago.

“Hey, Candi. I’m leaving,” I whisper, feeling bad I’m cutting and running this early, but I need to resume my internship. Dr. Abramson texted me she’ll still give me credit if I just check in with her twice a day, but I can’t. No. It’s too tempting to talk about her son.

“Okay. I’m awake,” she says, sitting up, swaying with her eyes closed. She looks like a sleeping ostrich with her messy hair in a disastrous ponytail.

“Don’t get out of bed. It’s fine. Thank you for letting me stay.”

Her eyes fly open. “Oh, my God. You’re leaving. You said you wouldn’t!”

“I need to. I thought so much about it, and I can’t stay here. I have to hurry. Amos knows already and is helping me.”

Candi walks me to the door, still dressed in her long Waylon Jennings T-shirt that has seen better days. She sighs heavily, and her voice trembles. “Promise me you’ll call when you get to Virginia?”

I nod. “Just don’t tell Greg that’s where I’m going.”

“I know he was a dickhead, but he’s usually a good guy. Your leaving will crush him, Simone.”

“It’s crushing me too.”

“What will you do with your marriage?”

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