Page 2 of Knocked up By the Minotaur

I hear him follow me as I shove Mr. Rawrypants into Lucas’s otherwise packed bag and start throwing clothes into my own. “You can stay here, you freeloader,” I snort. “There’s one month left on the lease and I’ve already paid rent.”

“But… But what about next month?”

“Figure it out yourself!” I slam the lid of my suitcase shut and start rooting around the room for my laptop. “Go away. I don’t want to see your face anymore.”

But like some sort of lost puppy, he shadows me step by step.

“Snuggle-pot, please, let’s just talk about this.”

“I’m done talking, Brad!” I stop and turn angrily to face him, and he rears back a step. “All you do is talk and lie and schmooze your way into whatever reality suits you in the moment, and I’m sick of it.”

“Just give me a chance, Gracie-bear. Please…”

“I’ve given you so many chances,” I snap, and for some reason, this is the point where my throat tightens, and tears begin to burn the back of my eyes. “I wanted to believe in you. I tried. I forgave you for cheating on me. I agreed to give us another chance after I found out about Maggie, paid for your therapy sessions so you could grow and become a better man. I cook for you, clean, organize your whole life. I work and pay the bills, I do everything, Brad. I’ve tried so, so hard.”

“I mean… you don’t do everything,” he mutters. “I look after Lucas.”

With a burst of anger, I turn and grab the nearest object on the dresser beside me—lucky for him, it’s only a tissue box—and hurl it straight at his stupid face.

“Barely!” I shout, and now I’m reaching for more things to throw as he ducks and backs away. “You sometimesplay with Lucas to avoid chores, when you’re not hunched away playing Call of Duty!” My fingers curl around a picture frame, and I throw that, too. “What about your duty to get a job and pull your weight around here? Jerk!”

When my hand lands on my phone, I pause just short of throwing it at him, realizing in the nick of time what I’m holding. Instead, I take the opportunity to dial my sister.

“Pookie, please, let’s be rational about this.”

“Hello-oohmy god, what are you throwing?” Ella answers the video call, her blue eyes widening almost comically as she sees me grab a lamp and lob it across the screen towards Brad.

“I’m coming to Whispering Pines!” I yell, probably looking wild as I feel my messy bun almost completely come loose, golden-brown strands falling into my eyes as I reach behind me for more projectiles.

“Pookie, pumpkin, sweet-corn…you’re overreacting—”

Portable speakers sail across the room next, and he ducks into our walk-in closet, using the door as a shield.

“I just need a week or two,” I tell Ella, breathing heavily and eyeing the closet, ready with a vase in hand for Brad to peak out from behind his cover. Call of Duty your way out of this, you jerk. “I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I can find a new place.”

“No, Gracie,” Ella says seriously, a knowing look in her eyes when I finally glance down at where I hold her in my palm. Without asking for any details, since we share everything and she probably realizes exactly what’s going on right now, she continues. “You and Lucas stay as long as you need. The werewolf family who were interested in renting my old townhouse has pulled out, so it’s free. I’ll take it off the market now, okay? I’m here for you.”

My shoulders sag, and the fight leaves me in one long exhale. “Okay, baby,” I whisper, “thank you.”

“Come as soon as you can, alright? I’m heading there now to get it ready for you.”

With a nod I hang up, suddenly feeling like I’ll burst into tears if I say a single word more.

I can’t believe my life has come to this. Can’t believe I let myself be so stupid, let Brad take advantage of me for so many years, all for the sake of his ‘love’ for me. But what kind of love was it? A love for having an easy life with no responsibilities? A love for being able to sleep with as many women as he wants, while his girlfriend runs herself to the ground supporting him and her son, too worn-out to catch on sooner? Yeah, I’m sure he loves that, alright.

He used to be so good. He supported me through the toughest moment of my life, when I was pregnant and abandoned, and I’d really thought he’d cared back then. But as soon as he had me hooked, all his efforts just…poof. Vanished. And I was left shouldering everything.

Carefully putting down the vase, I take a deep breath. It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s done. Brad isn’t that man any longer, and he never will be again. I need to pick up the pieces and move on with my life.

I turn with the intent to finish packing, and then I’ll wake Lucas and we’ll head out for the long road-trip to Idaho and start Attempt Number Two of rebuilding my life after being let down by yet another man.

“Pookie? Have you finished being hysterical? Let’s talk—”

“No more talking!” I shout, as I spin and grab at the vase again to hurl, watching in satisfaction as Brad ducks behind the closet door once more with an unmasculine squeak to avoid it.

On second thoughts, I think I’ll break a few more objects first. Then I’ll move on with my life.

Chapter 2

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