Page 122 of One Last Time
“So, you know they’retraceable?”
“No, Kristin, I must’ve missed that part in my fifteen years with the company.” He huffs. “Is this something your new boyfriend taught you? Are you really here when you’re supposed to be on your deathbed to ask me about an IP address? If you wanted a few extra days withhim—”
“Shut up,Scott.”
“I’m in the middle of something. Why don’t you tell me what was so urgent you had to run here right this minute so we can moveon?”
Noah squeezes my hand when I move forward, but Scott thinking he can talk to me this way makes me want to choke him. I don’t need his condescending bullshit. “Don’t push me, Scott. I’m doing the best I can not to flip the fuckout.”
“Over what?” He drops his arms and spits the words. “You’re the one who’s acting like apsycho.”
“Watch yourself,” Noah warns, placing his hands on myshoulders.
“Or what? You come to my house and threaten me? Give me a break with this bullshit.” Scottlaughs.
Noah has about six inches and thirty pounds of pure muscle on Scott. He’d crush him like a bug. “Talk to her like that again, and you’ll findout.”
Scott blows him off, but I see the flash of fear in his eyes. He turns back to me and huffs. “Now, tell me what the hell you think I’ve done so I can get back to my second mistakeinside.”
The fact that he’s going to stand here and try to play stupid and call me names is all I need to go over the edge. I pull out of Noah’s grip and move closer to the man I had children with. The man that I loved against my better judgment. I’ve put up with a lot of shit, but this is the end of the damnroad.
“Mistake? I was a mistake?Whatever.”
“I have a fucking headache. Could you get on with it?” Hegrumbles.
He’s about to have a much biggerone.
“Iknow, Scott! I know what you did to me! I can’t believe you!” I lose it. “If you know that IP addresses are traceable, how did you think you’d get away with it, huh? Did you think Noah and I would sit back and let you try to ruinus?”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Scott steps toward me. “I don’t care about you and your fucking love life. I’m waiting for you to marry your stupid boyfriend so I can stop paying youmonthly.”
He’s so concerned about the money all the time, what does he think will happen when I lose my job? Does he think he’ll suddenly pay less? Idiot. “Getting me fired wasn’t the smartest move then, was it? How do you think the courts are going to like it when I have no income and they make you increase the checks eachmonth?”
Didn’t think about that, did he? I’m not stupid. My lawyer told me we could re-file if he gets a raise or I do. And as far as marrying Noah, I have no plans on that until I bleed Scott for every penny he owes me. I’ve earned it for all the hell he put methrough.
“Fired? Kristin, I don’t have a clue what the hell you think I’ve done, but you’re clearly in need of therapy.” Scott runs his hand down hisface.
“Oh, I need therapy? That’s rich. Says the man who spent fourteen years making me feel small in order to make himself feelbetter.”
“Can you control your girlfriend?” Scott says toNoah.
“Don’t fucking talk to me,” Noah warns. “I assure you, I’m doing just about everything I can not to lay your worthless ass out. It’s only because of Kristin and those kids that you aren’t already bleeding. But if you touch her, I’ll enjoy pummelingyou.”
Scott laughs. “Right. Lay me out. Whatever you say, dickhead. Why don’t you spit out what I did already so we can let your theatrics playout?”
I take a step back and stare at him. I’ve known him a long time. Scott has a tell when he lies. He rubs his nose and sniffs. It was how I always knew in the back of my mind what was going on, but I never would acceptit.
He hasn’t done itonce.
He’s actuallyconfused.
“You really don’tknow?”
“No, I have no clue what the hell you’re doing yelling at me about IP addresses and whatever other bullshit you’re accusing meof.”
“You didn’t do it.” I breathe and look back atNoah.
Noah’s green eyes fill with concern. “You’re sure? Weknow. . .”
