Page 4 of Burning Bridges

Growing up, my family never encouraged academic pursuits. I was creative and was allowed to pursue piano and art while I was in high school, but that was the extent of it. I begged my father to let me go to college. My dream had always been to study art, but he refused. After all, I wasn’t good for anything other than being a housewife for whomever my father chose as my husband. My life was never about me, but rather about strengthening family bonds. However, my father's plan didn't work out, and I ended up back at home after just a few years of marriage.

Now, Hannah spends time in both our houses every week, and we share parenting responsibilities equally, trying our best to work together as a team for her sake. In the end, it was Axel who sent me to beauty school so I could train to be a color technician. Without his support, I wouldn’t have a career of my own at all.

I pull up to Axel's estate, and I see both his and Jasmine's car in the driveway. Hannah looks at me and asks, "Are you coming in with me?" I know she likes to see us getting along, so I put on a fake smile and agree. Small talk with my ex-husband and his perfect girlfriend isn't my favorite, but I do what I have to do to keep the family situation as happy as possible.

As I get out of the car, Axel opens the front door, coming outside onto the front porch to greet his daughter. Hannah runs happily up the driveway, excited to see her dad. I grab her overnight bag from the back of the car and follow her up. Passing Axel, I put her bag inside and pull Hannah into me, placing a kiss the top of her head. "Have a good couple of days, monkey."

She gives me a squeeze and sniffs the air. "What is that smell?" she asks, grinning with excitement.

"Jasmine's baking cookies," Axel tells her.

And all I can think is,of course she is. What else does this girl do that I don't? She's so perfect that it's slightly sickening, but I keep my smile painted on my face for Hannah's sake. She doesn't need to know how bitter I am.

“They should be just coming out of the oven. Go inside and try one. I need to talk to your mom for a second,” he says, taking her school bag off her shoulder.

“Yum.” She beams with excitement. “I’ll see you on the weekend.” She blows me a kiss and goes inside in search of her treat.

I feel the loss as soon as she walks away. It's the same every week. You would think after so many years with this arrangement that it would get easier, but it doesn't. I sigh heavily, wondering what Axel wants to talk about. I have enough to deal with today.

He crosses his arms over his chest, forcing his muscles to bulge out of the sleeves of the T-shirt he's wearing. He's a big man built for fighting, one of the top MMA fighters in California. “Are you all right?” he asks, his eyes filled with concern for me.

“Just peachy. Why do you ask?” I grin through clenched teeth. I've had to try so hard to keep a happy look on my face that my cheeks are starting to hurt.

“You've just been a bit off lately.” He shrugs, his expression serious.

I narrow my eyes at him, wondering what exactly he's getting at. He'd better not be about to fuck me over for more time with Hannah or something. Today is not the day to pick a fight with me, buddy. “How so?” I snap.

“I don't know. You just haven't given me any shit lately. Seems a bit odd for you.”

“Oh.” I'm relieved that he's just missing the real me. We've known each other our entire lives, and even though at times things haven't been great between us, we still have a bit of a sixth sense when it comes to what's going on with each other. “I'm too exhausted to give you shit over menial things, Axel. I'm sure by now you have the whole parenting thing covered, and if you don't, I'm certain the faultless girlfriend you knocked up will have it covered for you.”

He raises his brow and smirks, I'm sure impressed my bitchy attitude is back. “That's actually what I want to talk to you about.”

I look at him, wondering what part of that he's talking about. He looks a little unsure for a usually cocky and forward type. “What, don't tell me you're having twins.”

“Ahh, no. I asked Jasmine to marry me, and she said yes.” His eyes meet mine, and I can tell he's trying to read me for my reaction.

I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me, but I force my mouth to turn up at the sides so I can look happy about Axel's announcement. "Congratulations," I mutter, searching for something better to say. I don't have any romantic feelings toward Axel anymore, but we have spent our entire lives together, and I did love him once. I know it was me who ended things between us, but it still stings to know he's found his happily ever after, when my life is one big mess after another.

"Thanks, we're excited."

I smile, and it's more genuine this time. I have to be happy for him; this is great for Hannah to have a normal family to grow up in. I couldn't ask for a better situation, really. "Yeah, I bet. It's funny, I never saw you getting married again after our screw-up of a marriage."

"Neither did I. But I guess..."

"You found the right girl this time. I get it. I'm happy for you, Axel. You deserve to find your person after what I put you through." I sigh, wishing things could have been different, but most of that was out of our control. Wishing, hoping, and praying couldn't even touch the surface of the situation we had to deal with. Sometimes life just hands you crappy cards, and you have to do the best with what you were dealt. I failed miserably, but Axel seems to have worked it all out. Good for him.

"Piper, we both know it was more complicated than that. Our families have always been more problematic than most."

He is right, they have. From a young age, we were selected by our dads to marry to strengthen their business. But when my father agreed, what he didn't know was that his sweet, perfect wife and mother of his children was having one hell of an affair with Axel's dad. It's messed up on so many levels.

"Maybe now you can have some sort of normal." I shrug, glad that at least one of us rose above our upbringing to have a better life.

"I hope so." He cracks a smile. He must be really happy. Axel is normally so serious that it's rare to see his teeth, unless it's in a scowl when I've pissed him off.

My heart sinks a little; I never made him that happy. "I better get going," I say quickly, turning to leave, suddenly needing to be as far away from him and his perfect little family situation as I can.

His hand comes to my shoulder, stopping me. "Piper, you would tell me if you needed help, right? I know things are not ideal between us, but you're Hannah's mom, and if you need anything, I'm happy to help you out."

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