Page 179 of The Champion

That wasn’t my wife though. She was in this to the end.Just because we’d fallen off pace didn’t mean she took the car to the garageand gave up home. She would be the one making pit stops to fix everything shecould with BearBond.

Sway had been ignoring my phone calls all week and now,worst of all; I had to listen to her cry. I had to listen to the woman thatowned my heart cry, because I, once again, had broken hers. She trusted me witheverything and I had let her down. I knew that is wasn’t about the women; itwas the lying, something we sore we’d never do to each other.

Everyone she had ever loved lied because they thought itwas what was best for her. They had never let her be the judge of that and Ihad done it as well. I had done something I promised I never would.

I wouldn’t be able to sleep until we spoke so I watchedthrough the curtains in our room as the sky turned to a hazy pink untileventually her crying stopped.

Finally, she let me hold her, while she cried a littlemore. Her tears fell down her face, soaking my shirt she was pressed against. Itold her over and over again how sorry I was.

Although my phone had been vibrating for the past twohours I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather be doing than holding andcomforting my wife.

Sway groaned when she heard my phone vibrating and herbody shifted under the sheets revealing patches of skin I hadn’t seen in weeks.

She yawned. “We should get up soon.”

“No, I want to stay here with you.” Our bodies brushedagainst each other under the sheets.

Sway grumbled into the pillow. “I need coffee.”

I knew I wouldn’t be forgiven right away but it wouldn’tstop me from apologizing.

“I’m so sorry honey. I never meant to hurt you.”

“Do you understand why it hurts?” she finally asked.

“Yes, I do.” I turned her around in my arms to face her.She blinked a few times clearing the tears from her eyes. “I lied to you. Worstof all, I kept something from you because I thought it was best for you.”Moving my hand from her waist, I cupped the apple of her cheek leaning in tokiss her lips. She didn’t hesitate to return the kiss. “That’s exactly whatCharlie and Rachel did to you.” My eyes focused intently on her trying to makeher grasp the meaning. “I willneverlie to you again.”

“I know you won’t.” she said leaning in to kiss me again.Our lips moved softly for a moment before she pulled away. “Please don’t. Iwant to know. I can’t take it when someone thinks they will know how I will react.”

We had held each other all night and I swore I’d neverhurt her again. And I meant it. The last thing I wanted was to hurt her in allthis; it’s why I lied. But to lie to a woman like Sway, that was worse thanactually cheating on her, if you understood why. I did after that.

That next morning, after showering, I walked downstairsSway was making blueberry pancakes, the sweet smell of syrup and my favoritefruit carried throughout our home.

All smiles when I stepped into the kitchen, my smile grewwider when I saw she was dressed in one of my very first Simplex t-shirt thathad holes from where I got caught it on fire and a pair of sweatpants. I’veseen Sway in some of the most amazing dresses ever designed but I preferred herjust like this.

“I could get used to this.” Leaning against the island inthe middle of the kitchen, I let my bare foot slide up her leg.

“Morning,” She smiled licking syrup from her fingers. Shepushed a plate of pancakes toward me motioning for me to eat.

“Breakfast is ready!” she yelled up the stairs for thekids. When Sway turned around, I had my arms wrapped around her waist pullingher against me.

“You get that I’m sorry, right?”

“I do...and I knowyou understand why.” Though she spoke the words, her eyes showed the fear. FearI was determined to make disappear and that would take time. Anyone who knew meknew I was incapable of waiting. But for her I would. I made a vow when wemarried and for her, I’d keep it through whatever life threw at us or me Iguess in this case.

Casten was the first downstairs jumping up onto one ofthe stools.

“Thank god she forgave you.” His eyes widened at thesight of pancakes as he pushed his hair from his face. Sway hated it but he refusedto let her cut it these days. “I thought we’d never eat again.”

Sways slapped the back of his head. “I cooked for you inWashington.”

Buttering two blueberry pancakes and pouring an ungodlyamount of syrup on them, Casten raised an eyebrow at Sway. “I don’t think—”

“You shut up.” Sway laughed smacking his shoulder. “Atleast you had food.”

“I don’t consider, McDonalds, food.” Arie added sittingnext to Casten who looked over at her pajamas, shaking his head.

“You look ridiculous.” Casten told her.

---