Page 86 of Devious Temptation
She answers after only two rings. “Lawson?”
“Baby.” I let out a relieved sigh. “Why’d you leave?”
Too many moments pass, with only her breathing on the other end of the line to signal she’s still there.
Finally, with so much grief and sadness in her tone, she admits, “I couldn’t stay there, Lawson. I… I think you have a lot to figure out, and… I think we need some space for you to do that.” She sniffs, and I can hear how hard she’s trying not to cry.
“Lucy…” The need to have her in my arms is overwhelming. Fear begins to creep in, settling in the marrow of my bones.
“I’m going to take a week of vacation,” she informs me, voice cracking. “I’m sorry, I know it’s last minute, but I… I can’t do this. I can’tseeyou right now.”
“What would you have me do, baby?” It’s a struggle to keep my own voice steady. I’m a grown-ass man, but here I am, standing in the middle of my room, trying desperately not to cry because I have to make a decision between my son and the love of my life.
“It doesn’t matter what I want, Lawson.” This time, her voice comes out broken, like our hearts. “It matters what you can live with. If you can’t tell Rhys, then there is your answer.” A muffled sob escapes her throat, and it shatters me. “And I won’t be mad.” She attempts to collect herself, clearing her throat as she speaks through the tears. “I promise I will respect your decision if you choose him. He’s your son, Lawson. I get it. And I don’t want you to divorce Charlotte because of me. If you wanted to, you would have done it already.” Lucy’s words grow squeaky and inaudible.
“Baby, it isn’t like that.” I silently curse my wife’s name. “Please, rainbow, stop crying. I love you, and I promise this will work out. Don’t take the week?—”
“Ineedto, Lawson. I need some space, and you need some time to figure out what you’re going to do?—"
“I don’t need space!” I interrupt as I begin pacing the room. “Fuck, that is the last thing I want from you right now.”
“I’m going to hang up.”
“Baby, why does it feel like you’re breaking up with me?” When she doesn’t answer, panic grips my lungs. “Lucy, don’t?—”
“I love you. Just take the time to figure out what you want, Lawson.”
“I wantyou. I loveyou, Lucy.” I try my hardest to express my feelings through the phone, knowing that deep down, sheknowshow much I care for her. But I still feel like I need to make the declaration anyway, as many times as it takes for her to hear me. “It’s just a storm, baby. That’s all this is—a storm. Remember what you said to me? That night in my car? What comes after a storm?”
“Rainbows.” Lucy makes a sound of frustration and exhales deeply. “Give it a few days, Lawson. We’ll talk soon.”
She doesn’t give me a chance to reply before she hangs up.
It only takes a few moments before rage filters through me again, replacing the anguish I feel. I dial Charlotte’s number, stomping out to the kitchen because I desperately need coffee to fight the migraine settling in my temples.
As soon as she picks up, I don’t even give her a chance to say hello. “What the fuck, Charlotte?”
Her haughty laugh echoes in my ear. “Well, good morning to you, too,dear.”
“Cut the bullshit. Wanna tell me why Rhys thinks we’re getting back together?” Beans fly everywhere as I rip the lid off the container and dump them in the espresso machine.
On her end, there’s a sound of a cork popping from a bottle, and I glance at the clock on the stove. Jesus Christ, it’s not even ten her time. Is this what she does when River is there?
“Ahh, yes. Rhys called me last night and said you were at the lake house. And withLucy.That was an interesting tidbit of information,” she lilts sardonically.
“Why does our son think we’re getting back together?” I repeat between clenched teeth.
“I thought that’s what you wanted to talk to me about. Why you sounded so eager to see me,” Charlotte tries to sound seductive, but it’s like nails on a fucking chalkboard. “I told Rhys that we’d both be moving home soon.”
“I wanted to see you because I want a divorce,” I growl. Fuck waiting to talk to her in person. This part of my problem endsnow.
Charlotte huffs a disbelieving laugh, her demeanor switching from hot to cold in an instant. “A divorce? Are you joking? You realize I’m entitled to half of your worth, right, Lawson? Not to mention alimony.”
“I’m well aware of that, Charlotte. And I no longer give a fuck. You can expect papers within the week.” I rip open the fridge for the milk as the strong scent of brewing coffee fills the kitchen.
She’s silent.Toosilent. Then, voice laced with thick suspicion, she asks, “Why now, Lawson? What’s changed?”
I stare at the coffee dripping into the pot while I internally battle with myself.
