Page 69 of All In
I agree because I’m not one hundred percent sure he won’t take my kids from me.
I agree because it’s what I do.
He places both hands on the side of my face and gently pulls my head forward, kissing me on the forehead. “I’m glad we have an understanding.”
He turns and leaves the bedroom, his shoulders back, full of confidence.
While I slide off the bed and the gravity that is my horrible life pulls me onto the floor.
And I sob.
“Did you see what Amanda was wearing yesterday when she picked her kids up? My God, what a slob. Leggings, a Nirvana t-shirt, and flip-flops. She looked medieval,” Josie quips, followed by a cackle, which Lola, Gabby, and Camila imitate. The five of us are sitting in a row of pedicure chairs for our weekly pampering. A little ritual that started with these women who live in my cul-de-sac about a year ago.
I hate it.
But since their husbands golf with Nate, he wanted me to join in. I have never met females as fake and gossipy as them. Amanda, the supposed outcast of ourlittle clique, is, in my opinion, the most genuine of us all. And the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. And for that reason, Josie, Lola, Gabby, and Camila hate her.
“Oh, come on,” I counter, admiring the hot pink color currently being painted on my toes. “She is actually really nice, if you guys would get to know her.” I look over, and four sets of eyes are glaring at me. As if I said Amanda murdered one of their kids.
The queen bee Josie speaks up first. “What’s with you, Maria? You haven’t been yourself lately.”
Ha! These women have never seen or known the real me. Honestly, only a handful of people have seen me for me. But at the end of the day, these women are the only friends I have, and I need to play the part.
Plus, when I found out about Nate a month ago, I have always wondered if I could confide in them about this because I need to talk to someone. Anyone.
I decide to put aside my reservations and confess, lowering my head in shame. As if I’m the one that should be embarrassed. “Well, actually, Nate has been cheating on me. For our whole marriage. It was pretty devastating to discover.” I raise my eyes to meet theirs, followed by a long pause.
“And?” Lola asks, expecting me to continue. Her retort confuses me.Isn’t that enough?
“And it hurt me. Deeply,” I add.
Four blank stares glare back at me. I look back down at my toes, and my pedicurist gives me a pitied, tight smile. I mean, geez, at least she gets it.
“Maria, honey,” Josie starts. “All husbands stray.” Lola, Gabby, and Camila shake their heads in agreement. They are acting like Josie said, ‘All men like football.’
“Wait,” I say. “Your husbands have slept with other women?”
“Yep.”
“Of course.”
“I mean, obviously.”
“What’s the big deal?”
All four of them answer me at once.
Whoa. Like, what the heck? I realize this little community isn’t what people said it was, and I knew these women were fake, but dang. To know that your husband cheats and to look the other way. “And it doesn’t bother you?” I ask.
Camila barks out an amused laugh. “Why would it bother us? Everyone wins. He gets what he wants, and I get to spend his money. Plus, I get what I want.” She waggles her eyebrows. I’m pretty sure I get her meaning. “It’s just something we don’t talk about. But, honey, everyone knows.”
I stare at them in disbelief. Camila is sitting next to me, so I decide to direct my next question to her since Lola, Josie, and Gabby have moved on to a new conversation. Probably trashing Amanda’s new Audi.
It also doesn’t escape my notice that none of these women have offered an ounce of support.
I lean in and lower my voice. “So, you sleep around also?” I inquire.
“Oh, you better believe it. There’s no way he gets to have fun and I don’t.” She looks down at her feet. “Hey, make sure the polish is even this time. Last week, it looked like a toddler painted them.” The pedicurist only nods. She continues talking to me. “You should find yourself someone.”
