Page 86 of Operation Annulment
24567thStreet…
Eleventy Hundred Million Avenue…
A Trillion Bazillion Court…
“Come for me, Katy girl.”
I moan loudly even as I curb-check the tires of his car. I come with a small cry, but the high is gone almost immediately, and I’m sick over what I just allowed him to do.
“I said not to touch me—I’m trying to get you home safely.”
He pulls his hand back and sucks his finger clean, and I almost drive up onto the sidewalk again. “Now you know how it feels. I’d say we’re even. Are you going to talk to me now?”
Miraculously, I find his house and park his car straight in the driveway.
“You’re here.” I unbuckle and get out.
“Stay with me.” He gestures toward the house, and I want to say yes. I’m going to need an emergency session with Nicole aboutthis one.
“No. This doesn’t change anything between us. I’m still just a girl you enjoy having sex with. That’s not enough to make a marriage work.”
He slams the car door and walks over to me. “I’m sorry, Katy girl. I’m drunk, and I’m screwing it all up, but I want to take care of you. I was worried sick when I found out you had pneumonia, and it killed me that I wasn’t there for you. I never want to experience that again—let me fix this.”
I shake my head. “Oh no, your god complex can’t get you out of this. Some things are just beyond fixing. What happens the next time Jess snaps her fingers? You know you’ll go running to help her.”
He exhales and leans back against his car. “Jess is gone. I can’t believe I believed her over you. I’m sorry and I’ll do everything I can to make it up to you. You’ve seen the real side of me—that’s not something I share with just anyone. What we have is special. You said you loved me once; give me another chance.”
Jeremy pulls up in my Tahoe, and I look at Nate sadly. “Girls will say anything to get laid, Nate.”
Then I turn my back on him and get into my car, tears hitting my cheeks before the door closes.
Jeremy touches my arm. “You okay?”
I just shake my head and press my lips together as if doing so will keep the flood of tears inside.
There’s nothing sadder in the world than driving away from a man who has your heart wrapped around his finger and knowing that you’re leaving it with him permanently.
I’d waited my whole life to be lovedfiercely, and for a brief moment, it was everything I had imagined it to be, but crashing back to earth left me broken.
I can’t imagine ever voluntarily putting myself through that again.
thirty-three
COMMANDMENT #34: THOU SHALT NOT BE ANNOYED IF THEY DON’T REPLY TO YOUR TEXTS
Kate
“So, we’ll take it from the top. Just do what you did before.” The wedding coordinator kneels and marks the tile floor with tape before ushering us all outside again.
I shiver and jump up and down to warm up my limbs. My sister would pick the coldest time of year to get married. Little Ricky stands a few feet away, fidgeting in his dress shirt and checking out Dakota’s best friend, Ava.
She’s pretending not to notice, but the slight smile on her face gives her away. I can’t imagine that ever working out—he’s so rough, and Ava, well, she’s not.
Kind of like me and Nate…
Nope, I’m not going there today.
I made a commitment to Dakota, and this weekend is all about her. I even left my cell phone at home since Nate seems to think that ‘I never want to speak to you again’ is the same as ‘Please call and text me constantly.’
