Page 45 of The Reluctant Hero

“But you didn’t,” his voice gets louder with hope. “I know you still love me.”

I gag loudly. It’s not even fake. I’m trying my best not to puke. All I can think about is all the pictures in that drawer and the fact that I recognize his hand because of the wedding ring. He’s holding out the matching band to me with a quivering smile that disgusts me.

“Youdo,” he insists and takes a few steps closer. “We can make it through this sweetheart. I know it.”

“I know I’m going to throw up,” I choke out.

“Come home,please,” he pleads. “I’ll make it up to you.”

“No,” I scoff in disbelief. “What the fuck is the matter with you? It’s over. Done. Divorce city, here I come.”

He looks at me in surprise. The expression slowly starts to morph into something angry. The hand with the ring drops to his side and clenches into a fist.

That doom feeling presses harder on my chest.

“Is he that good to you?”

I shake my head as that verbal right hook hits me out of nowhere.

“He can’t be if you’re still living here. I would never let you stay here. It’s not safe. He’s using you.”

“Are youhighright now?” My disbelief has reached its peak. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

My eyes catch blue hair as the woman comes out of the stairwell with her creepy boyfriend right behind her. They stop behind Loser, both completely expressionless like waiting robots watching the show.

“Who is he?” Loser demands, his tone falling in anger.

“Who iswho?” I flap my hands around in frustration.

“You tell me. Who is the guy that’s calling youhisgirl?” He takes two slow steps toward me while I try to process this new mystery. I’m bewildered.

“Who the fuck would do that?”

“Don’t lie to me, Mandy,” Loser snaps. “And since when did you fall back on cursing like your father? I thought we went over that.”

The sounds of a struggle in my apartment catch my attention for a second before my gaze returns to Loser with a snap. There’s something about this that’s rubbing me the wrong way. A cold chill is slithering down my spine at his approach.

I’ve seen him mad before, but not like this. He actually looks close to violence. That doom feeling presses harder on my chest.

“What’s his name?” Loser cajoles me with an angry smile that struggles to be benign. “Is he rich? Promising to take care of you? He can’t care about you like I do. I love you.”

“Waaait a second,” I rear back in surprise. “Are youjealous?”

His feet stop as he glares at me.

I don’t know who he’s talking about, but if I find this guy, I’m going to kiss him senseless for this. Holy shit, this is epic.

“You can’t really be jealous, right? I mean, how fucking hypocritical is that?”

“Just leave him behind and come home. He doesn’t love you.”

“Wow,sotempting,” I mock his solemn tone with a laugh.

“Damn it, Mandy, I’m serious!” He snaps, and my laugh gets louder.

“I don’t know his name, but he’s a keeper. Super rich. Yacht. The whole nine yards. Best sex I’ve ever had.”

Loser’s expression drops with disgust. “That’s a lie.”

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