Page 100 of Unhinged

Amos presents me to her like a prized, dead prey. Her sigh defeats every single one of his. “Again, Greg? Are you kidding me? Why?”

“I’ve had a rough night. ‘Kay? Come on, Lizzie, I’m in no mood,” I complain, and Amos shoves me. This time, I don’t fall, which is progress.

I giggle, and it’s better than crying. She bitches, “You’re a married man now, Gregory.”

Still laughing, I look up at my mother to argue, “Tell that to…”

But next to my mother is a dazzling blonde with a pissed-off frown and crossed arms. My heart and tongue freeze. Did I fall asleep or die? Still, I stumble forward as I blink through the porch light. “Simone?”

Chapter 18

Simone

“My God. That’s Amos with my son.”

I follow Dr. Abramson to the front door, thinking about her call earlier.

“Simone, it’s Lizette Abramson. I hate calling you this late, but it’s Greg.”

“W-what’s wrong? What happened?”

“Amos said Greg got drunk at work. He needs you, Simone.”

There’s nowhere else I’d be.

“I’m sorry, Ricky. I have to go. It’s Greg.”

“He doesn’t like that we’re out together?”

“He’s drunk at work, so probably not.”

“I’ll say it again, Simone. Why him? I know you’re technically married to the guy, but it’s no marriage. Yet, you’ll drop everything to save him? Are you still in love with Rodwell?”

“It’s complicated. I care about him. He’s probably my best friend, regardless of what he legally is to me. But he wants to date someone else. She returns Saturday.”

“I’ll take you to pick up your car so you can check on him. I just hope he realizes he doesn’t deserve you.”

Dr. Abramson goes out onto the porch as I hang back in the doorway. I watch Greg open the door to Amos’s Range Rover and then fall. Dr. Abramson and I shriek, but when we see Amos helping him up with no real urgency, we relax somewhat.

Shaking her head, Dr. Abramson turns to me. “Simone, as you can see, the abuse is catching up to him. He needs help, but he won’t listen to me.”

I wipe a tear from my cheek as I watch Amos getting Greg to his feet. “I want him to get therapy, but he thinks he’s fine.”

“I’m a professional, and I’m failing my son. I have to do something. I’m glad he has you. Please don’t hold his getting drunk against him. He needs you by his side more than ever. Greg loves you.”

For his mother’s benefit, he used that as the reason we married, but my jaw still drops, hearing her say it. Amos guides Greg to the stairs. My heart hammers as I see Greg’s bleary eyes darting everywhere while his mouth wavers between a smile and a frown.

Dr. Abramson sniffs but is firm. “Again, Greg? Are you kidding me? Why?”

“I’ve had a rough night. ‘Kay? Come on, Lizzie, I’m in no mood,” he taunts with a smirk and then laughs. Though no one else laughs with him.

“You’re a married man now, Gregory.” God. He is.

He tries to roll his eyes as he giggles with a drunk but still sexy grin. “Tell that to…”

As his unsteady gaze goes to his mother, he stops his train of thought as his eyes light up. I love that look when it’s aimed at me. “Simone?”

Several emotions flood me. But one terrifies me because I was so wrong last time. I inhale a shaky breath as I move to stand next to his mother, both in similar stances with our arms crossed. I try to speak, but my words jumble in my throat.

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