Page 111 of Fierce-Michael

“You’re not,” her mother said. “Don’t think that. Though your father and I were happy that not many knew about the marriage, we were upset too. It felt to us that you were ashamed of what you did. By giving in to his parents wanting to keep it quiet, they got their way. Did you feel that way because they did?”

“I didn’t feel ashamed of what I did. But I felt they did. It wasn’t a good feeling, but I didn’t want Brian to feel that way so I put on a good face. Maybe I am a people pleaser.”

Her mother came around to hug her and she started to crumble into sobs.

How could so much of this have been held up inside of her?

And was there no hope for her and Michael if he felt this way and she couldn’t even get out of her own head?

She cried for a few minutes and then moved out of her mother’s arms and cleaned her face.

“There is nothing wrong with wanting to make other people happy,” her mother said. “If it’s not at the expense of your peace of mind. It’s okay to put other people first, but not if you’re the one that is always last.”

Kelly nodded. “I’m starting to think that too. I don’t think I do that. I know I did with Brian but have never done it with anyone else. I don’t feel as if I’m doing it with Michael. Am I? Do you think so?”

“I don’t,” her mother said. “I think you’re putting Ty first and he is too. Do I think you’re last? Not all the time, but sometimes you are. Last night was one of those times. You have to decide if you’re okay with that now or in the future. Or how much of it you can accept. My only advice is that you’re clear with Michael on where you stand. If you want to work this out.”

“I do,” she said. “Not sure how the conversation will go.”

“You have to say what you feel and so does he; otherwise, it’s lip service and you’ll end up in the same spot again and again.”

“I know,” she said. “I’ll figure it out. Somehow. Thanks for being there for me.”

“Always,” her mother said.

33

THE WHOLE STORY

Michael couldn’t remember feeling this shitty in a long time.

He hadn’t talked to Kelly since she’d walked out of his house on Saturday night.

He expected they both had some cooling down to do on Sunday but did think she’d reach out on Monday.

She hadn’t.

Not today either.

He got thinking maybe he should but didn’t want to do it via text.

He was on his way to drop Ty off at Electra’s and he was going to have a talk with his ex and then see if Kelly was home.

“When we get to your mother’s, can you go play in your room so that I can talk to her?”

“Yes,” Ty said. “Am I in trouble?”

“No,” he said, frowning. “Why would you think that?”

“Because you’re mad right now.”

“I’m not,” he said. “Why would you ask that?”

“You were throwing things in the cart at the store,” Ty said. “You throw things when you’re mad.”

“I was in a hurry,” he said, lying.

He’d picked Ty up and ran to the store to get a few snacks and food to have there for his son.

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