Page 115 of The Rebound Plan

In those days in the motel, I record a dozen audio clips of myself processing the breakdown of my marriage. They start to sound all the same, but it’s good to get it out.

I start therapy, which is hard and awkward.

And I take myself off of Max’s Instagram after unfollowing my account from his. I’ll let him manage that himself.

If he notices, he doesn’t say anything. We don’t talk at all, and it’s so peaceful I don’t even care that I’m sleeping on the world’s worst mattress and a lumpy, thin little pillow.

So when the trade announcement happens, it’s news that I hear not on social media, or from my estranged husband, but from my lawyer.

Lauren: Just heard Max has been traded to Calgary. I want to file an injunction that allows you to live in the Hamilton house for the duration of your separation. Can you call me?

I blink at my phone.

Yeah, I can call her. First I go to the team’s Twitter account. Sure enough, there’s a trade announcement.

I read it twice, then dial Lauren’s number.

“I’m in the Vancouver airport, in case it’s loud,” she says. “I’ll be in Toronto in six hours. Can we meet tomorrow before the game? I can arrange to work with a local Hamilton attorney on this, and we can meet in their offices.”

“It’s happening.” I sound shocked. I am shocked.

“Yep. I’m still waiting for my New York associate to get the marriage records I will need from NYC, but we can begin to establish a formal date of separation and push Max to hire his own attorney.”

“I was just in New York,” I say with a sigh. “I didn’t know you needed those records. Maybe I could have picked them up myself.”

“It’s all right. This process takes a while, so we’re not in a rush. My first priority right now is getting you a separation agreement that protects your right to live in that house without him.”

I lurk on Max’s social media until I see him post a photo at the airport, saying he’s heading to Calgary and looking forward to playing in their season opener.

Then I turn my phone off, check out of the motel, and drive home.

The last time I stood in my kitchen, Max taunted me that I should remove myself from the WAG chat. Now I realize I need to do that, but for a completely different reason—not because I was kicked off for being dumped, but because I’m no longer a Highlander WAG.

And I won’t be added to the Calgary group chat, either.

In a daze, I climb the stairs to my bedroom.

I appreciate Lauren’s swift reaction to the news and her energy in defending my right to this house, but this no longer feels like my home.

I run myself a bath. I am going to miss this tub so much.

While it’s filling, I unpack from New York and dig out my biggest suitcase. With the two suitcases open on my bed, I fill them with all my most comfortable clothes. Workout gear, PJs, cozy socks, and sweaters.

Then I have a bath. I sink under the surface over and over again, letting the heat surround me.

After, I turn my phone back on. Messages flood in. I don’t read them all. I can’t, not right now.

I dry my hair, but skip makeup.

And then I head out the door, because I desperately need to be somewhere that isn’t here.

CHAPTER 48

RUSS

I’ve only been home from Niagara Falls for half an hour when there’s a knock on the door.

I assume it’s someone who lives in the building, but when I answer it, who I find is even better than a neighbour.

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