Page 97 of Audiophile

“Of course, Tony. It’ll keep them distracted,” Livi mutters to me. She puts on a movie they’ve seen a dozen times, but they settle in excitedly with bowls of popcorn. Hailey giggles and practices pulling herself up to standing on the furniture. Lilly snuggles into my side and spends the entire movie explaining what is about to happen or what she wishes would happen instead.

By the time the movie is over, Hailey is down for a nap and Tommy is bored out of his mind. He calls out of work, determined to support me, but he isn’t great at sitting still. He and the twins make funny faces and tell jokes in an attempt to make me laugh. Our stomachs growl, and Livi orders takeout for dinner. It’s all so…normal. My heart is sore and fear still skitters through all my muscles, but the rest of the world keeps moving.

My phone rings, and Reed’s name scrolls across my screen. I panic. “What do I do? I can’t talk to her again.”

“Put me on,” Livi growls. “Whether it’s her or Reed, I’ll tear them a new one.”

I don’t doubt it. In my indecision, I let it go to voicemail. When it begins again, my heart jumps into my throat, and I head to the guest room to answer it.

“Hey, Pet,” Reed says. He’s not in hysterics. Why is he calm? “How was your day? Better than mine, I hope.”

All my words stick to the roof of my mouth. I’d worried he wasdead.

The relief of hearing his voice is quickly overshadowed by a tsunami of anger that rushes forward and pulls me under in a wave of heat that licks through my veins.Why call me now? Wherewereyou? Why don’t you sound hurt?

He’s fine.

Which only leaves room for the explanation I’ve steadfastly ignored.

“Pet?” he asks again.

And I word-vomit all over him. “Is Kinley your wife?”

Chapter thirty-seven

Reed

“What?” I’m stunned speechless.Where the fuck is she getting this information? I don’t know how to start this conversation.

Her voice wobbles. “I understand it’s gotta be chaotic and difficult, but Jesus, Reed. You didn’t think that’s something I deserve to know?”

“Oh, Petra. I’m sorry. She’s not. It’s complicated.”

“Meaning she’s yourex-wife, or it’s complicated? Because those are twoverydifferent answers. Why wouldn’t youmentionthat?”

Because it makes my blood curdle. “We had one week together. I need time to—”

“I slept in your bed. I told you about Natalia,” she says, sucking in a harsh breath. She’s trying not to cry, and I hate it. Hate that I’m the one who upset her. “I cracked my chest open for you. Wherewereyou today? Why do you sound okay while I feelviolated, Reed?”

I should’ve gotten this response last month when I took her privacy and her words by stealing her diary. But we’ve moved past that. I can’t figure out what happened to change us so drastically from our sweet goodnights on the phone to the terror gripping my chest now. “I didn’t mean to hide anything from you. I needed more time. How did you—where is this coming from?”

There’s a ding as a text comes through, and when I check, it’s from Petra. It’s a photo: Kinley’s hand wearing that cursed fucking ring.

Anxiety and dread both settle heavy in my stomach, anchoring it to the floor. “Kinley found out about you? Did she threaten you?”

Petra’s voice goes completely flat. “She texted me. From your number.”

I scroll up, but the texts aren’t there. “Fuck.Goddamn it.My phone was stolen today—there was a break in at the park. It never crossed my mind that it could be Kinley. It seemed random.”

“At the park? And she didn’t hurt you? You’re okay?”

I sigh in relief at the affection creeping back into her voice. She’s a stark contrast to my past and the constant blow ups, arguments, and miscommunication that came before her. “I’m okay. I was at lunch with Amanda and left my bag in the car. She broke into a dozen cars…Fuck, probably because I was in a rental and she couldn’t target me. Petra, I had no idea it was her.”

“Doesn’t change that she has your last name!” The hurt in Petra’s voice shreds me. “Honesty, Reed. That’s what we built this on, remember?”

“What?” But then I see it.Kinley Alexander, in bold print. Bile climbs up my throat, and I reach for the one thing she might understand. “Bambi. Please. Bambi. I need us both to take a breath.”

Petra gulps down her tears, and I take a moment to compose myself, hands shaking.

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