Page 18 of Coming For Her Curves
He doesn’t say anything, and I clear my throat. “Are you giving up twenty-seven million dollars to be here... in Whiskey Run?"
His voice drops. “Make no mistake. I'm here in Whiskey Run for you. If you lived in Timbuktu, that's where I'd be."
“You can't do this, Ry."
"It's done, honey. I’m here."
I blow out a breath and change the subject. "Thank you for getting my van fixed."
"Anytime, sweetie. I know you are used to taking care of things, but I want to help. I want to be the one you call when you need something."
I clear my throat. “Uh, so, this weekend, Brock and I are going to get a Christmas tree. Do you want to go with us?"
I swear I can feel the emotion in his voice. “Yes. I would love to do that."
I try to keep cool, but I’m excited. “Great."
We talk a little more and then say goodnight.
I'm about to plug my phone up to charge when it rings. The caller ID makes me nauseous.
I push the answer button and am unable to hide the disdain in my voice. I’m sure by now he’s heard about Ryker being back in town, and I’m sure someone jumped at the chance to fill him in on the fact that the two of us have been spending time together. “What do you want, Allen?"
“You're embarrassing yourself and our son, Isabel."
I roll my eyes. “Is that it? Because I'm a little busy right now."
“Listen to me. You're being ridiculous?—"
I cut him off. “We're not married anymore, Allen. I don't have to listen to you."
“You're doing this to get back at me. Look, I broke it off with Lisa. I think we should get back together."
I gasp and can’t stop the laugh from bursting out of me. Has he lost his mind? "Allen. I'm glad you cheated on me. We should have ended our relationship a long time ago. We weren’t happy and?—”
“Don't say that," he demands.
I stomp my foot. “We will never get back together, Allen. It's not happening."
He laughs bitterly. “You say that now, but just as soon as he is done with you, you will be begging to come back to me, and I'm not having it."
"Okay," I answer, and that makes him even more mad.
"Isabel."
"Allen. I'm done with this call. You've lost the right to try and tell me what I can and can't do. Now please, I'm done."
Just as I'm pulling the phone from my ear, I hear his hateful words. “You fat bitch!”
I toss my phone onto the nightstand. I try to push Allen’s words away, but in the back of my mind, I worry if he's right. Am I embarrassing myself and my son too? The last thing I want to do is mess with my kid. I can handle the talk, but Brock has already been through so much. I would never do something that would hurt him. As I walk into the bathroom to start getting ready for bed, the excited feeling from earlier is gone now, and I’m starting to second-guess myself.
CHAPTER 11
RYKER
I pack everything I need for the day into a bag. As I'm loading up the car, I can't shake this feeling of happiness. It's been a great week in Whiskey Run. Since the night of Brock's game, I have taken Izzy lunch at work every day, and last night, Izzy, Brock, and I watched a movie and had dinner together. I can't imagine it getting better than this.
I drive across town, and when I get to Izzy's house, I grab my bag and go to the front door.
