Page 30 of Without You, Scotch and Sammy 2

“I panicked.”

He nods and walks forward until he leans against the kitchen counter opposite me. “She’s okay. She’s no worse for wear. They were all cozied up and warm this morning, and she was eating a good hearty breakfast when I left them.”

“When did you leave them?”

“About five minutes ago.”

The pain lances through my heart. “So they’re still out there. Just in Main, right now?”

He nods gently. “I’d say so. She was bouncing the baby back to sleep, and she had a hot coffee and pastry in front of her. It’s a safe bet that she’s still sitting out there right this second.”

So fucking close. Yet so far away. “What do I do?”

“What do you wanna do?”

I glare at him impatiently. “Are you a fucking shrink? I asked you a question hoping for an answer. Not for another question.”

He chuckles humorlessly. “I dunno what to tell you, bud. She’s right out there, and she’s still your wife. What do you wanna do about it? You could go to work and pretend this never happened. You could ask her for a divorce. You could go down and have some breakfast with her – she wants to see you anyway. Or hell, you could go whack off, because we both know thirteen years wasn’t unkind to her. Was she wearing those nice jeans last night? ‘Cause her ass--”

“Don’t say it, Angelo. Don’t you finish that fucking sentence.”

He smirks arrogantly. “Just checking. I dunno, man. Maybe give it some time. Wait for her to come to you again, but this time you’ll be prepared.”

“You think she’s coming to me again?”

“Without a doubt. She needs something from you. I dunno what, but she has that twinkle in her eyes like that time when I caught her creeping on you at the library.”

I groan and drop my head. “Don’t take me back there, Ang. Don’t remind me of times gone by. I need to move on.”

“So maybe go back to your room and have another round with Nancy. That oughtta fix you up.”

“She’s not here,” I admit. “I took her home last night.”

“Before or after you fucked her brains out?”

“Before.”

“Ah well,” he smirks and shakes his head. “Soda’s back in town. She took your virginity once, she can probably do it again.”

We both look up at the sound of footsteps moving up my outside stairs. My face blanches, but Angelo smiles. “She’s actually more determined than I gave her credit for.”

“Ang. Help me.”

“I’m still mad too, okay? She left us all. I know it hurts, but thirteen years is a long time. People change. Circumstances change. We loved her before, and we know she’s a good person. Maybe just hear her out? Whatever it is she wants, maybe just hear her out, weigh it up, perhaps grant her request. If not, then at least you heard her, and you made an informed decision. Control was taken out of your hands when we were kids--”

“Ang--”

“But we’re not kids anymore. You finally have a chance for answers. Whatever she needs, she needs it from you. You control this situation now. Get your closure. I know you haven’t moved on in all this time, so maybe now it’s time for you to get some.” He pushes off the counter and strides to the door at the very same moment she knocks, then pulling it open, she jumps with his quick movements.

“Hey Soda.” He leans forward to take the heavy carseat from her hands. “Give me the pretty baby. Lemme help you.”

“Angelo,” she stammers as she releases her iron grip on the baby seat. Even her voice is still fucking beautiful. “I guess I should have expected you’d come here.”

“He’s my boy. I’m just looking out.” Angelo peeks inside the carseat and makes a goofy face. I actually want to spew. “Hey there, pretty girl. You got bigger since I last saw you.”

Sammy giggles softly. I hate them. I hate them both.

I stand quickly, drawing their gazes, but ignoring her, I look at Ang. “I’ll come down and see you later.”

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