Page 140 of Call Me Mrs. Taylor

Deep down…shit, maybe not even deep. I know the truth is in the middle, and I feel dumb as fuck.

But I can’t process this right now. Wherever the truth lies, the fact remains that he put his lips on my fucking girl, and that’s some shit that takes time to get over.

I step back, shaking my head. “I need time to think.”

“Ace—“

I cut him off, my voice raw with anger. “Stay the fuck away from Raya.”

“Hold on.” He moves toward me, stopping when my fists clench. “I know you’re taking your mama to DC.”

“What about it?”

“You’re not gonna…” he trails off. “She don’t need to know—“

“Fuck outta here,” I say as I turn and walk away. My thoughts are spiraling, my chest is tight, my head hurts. Something ugly is clawing at my gut, but I don’t know what to do with it, yet. I wanna believe him. I wanna believe her. I wanna wake up from this fucking nightmare.

But I don’t know how.

38

Raya

It’s late when Ace comes home—after ten, to be exact. The chicken parmesan is cold. Noodles rubbery. Bread dry and hard. But the table’s still set, and my wine glass is empty.

I’m nervous.

“Hey,” I call to him from the kitchen. “Are you hungry?”

“Not really.” He walks in, taking a long look around. “What’s all this?”

“Dinner,” I say, smiling. “It’s been a long day, so I figured…” I trail off, unsettled by the look on his face. “How did it go with your sister? Is everything okay?”

He doesn’t even look at me, he just heads down the hallway toward the bedroom. I follow behind him like a puppy, of course, watching as he tugs his shirt over his head and tosses it on the floor. His back is rigid, his shoulders tight with whatever’s eating at him.

I sit on the edge of the bed. “Talk to me, Ace.”

He doesn’t answer. Just unlaces his Jordans and kicks them off.

So, he’s messy when he’s upset. Noted.

I try again. “Babe.”

“Not now, Raya.” His voice is low and drained.

I don’t like this one bit. He’s shutting me out at the absolute worst time. I need to know what was said, and by who. This is serious.

But I know him well enough to know pushing him like this won’t get me what I want. I learned that in Hilton Head—his shady ass thought I didn’t notice he brought up my parents to deflect away from that baby. But, whatever. I can switch gears and gain back the ground I lost.

I soften. Exhale. Drop my gaze. Let my voice go quiet.

“I don’t mean to upset you,” I murmur. “I wanna be close to you, Ace. I know we’re not together anymore, but I feel like I can get there with you. You’re the first man…” I trail off, letting the silence hang in the air.

He brings his eyes to mine. “What?”

“You’re the first man I’ve ever felt…safe with.”

I feel the shift immediately. His shoulders drop. His gaze softens. The tension in his jaw eases.

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