Page 120 of Curveball

I sigh as I see the doctor sneak out. “How big is this place?”

Quincy answers, “Six bedrooms. Your mom is welcome too.”

Somehow, he found a damn palace within walking distance of the hospital.

“Fine. Just until the baby comes home, and then we’ll be going back to my mom’s until I find my own place. I’ve already started looking. I just thought I had a little more time.”

Quincy doesn’t look happy, but he says nothing else.

Arizona turns to Quincy. “Why did you call her Shortcake?”

“I’ve always called her that.”

She shakes her head. “I’ve never heard you call her that.”

“I guess it’s always been in private. The first time we met, she was carrying a Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox. It started then.”

She nods. “Good. I thought it was some dirty thing. I can’t believe you two have been bumping uglies in secret for over ten fucking years.”

I blow out a long breath. “That’s ancient history. All in the past. Arizona, can you help me get cleaned up?”

Quincy shakes his head. “That’s my job.”

Arizona rolls her eyes. “He wouldn’t let me do it when you were unconscious. I think he was perving on you.”

Quincy’s jaw tightens. “It’s not perving when I’m her husband. It’s perving ifyoudo it, Z.”

“No, it’s not. I’ve seen her naked more than you have.”

He mutters, “I doubt that.”

I’ve had enough. “Both of you, stop. Quincy, I should have you arrested for what you did. You’re not my husband in any way that matters. If you’d sign the damn divorce papers I sent, this nightmare would be behind us. Go be with our baby while you still can. Arizona will help me clean up, and then I’ll be back down.”

He scowls as he walks out, finally leaving me alone with Arizona. I look at her. “Did he really bathe me?”

She bites her lip. “He went fucking nuts when anyone else tried to touch you.”

I lay my head back in disgust. “Ugh.”

“Is it that big of a deal? You were sleeping with him for ten years. It’s not like he hasn’t seen you naked.”

Tears fill my eyes. “Yes, Arizona, it is a big deal. It’s a violation. We’re over. We’ve been over for a long time. His choice, not mine. Marc has seen you naked thousands of times. Would you be okay if he saw you naked now? If he touched your unconscious body?”

She hangs her head. “Sorry. You’re right. I should have done more.”

I grab her hand. “I’m sorry. I’m hormonal and emotional. It’s not your fault. I can’t believe everything that has happened.” I give her a small smile. “Now give me a sponge bath, and not the kind you gave Layton when he was in the hospital.”

We both giggle. When Layton broke his leg, Arizona played dirty nurse every single day he was in the hospital.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

QUINCY

Ripley is coming home today. She cried when they forced her out, fearing being away from our daughter. They told her not to come to the hospital between eight p.m. and eight a.m. because she needs time to physically recover. They’re letting June stay with the baby a little later though.

I help her into the house and to the master bedroom. My stuff is in there. She turns to me. “I’m not staying with you.”

“I know. I’ll move down the hall. What can I do to help before I go?”

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