Page 102 of Roughing the Player
Thank God for that.
“Besides, I never go over there unless Mrs. Johnson’s home. And, Mom, she bakes the best cookies. The two of you would get along like peas in a pod.”
Ellie’s shoulders droop. “That’s . . . great.” Seemingly, Kaylee’s words took the wind out of her sails.
I told her she had nothing to worry about, but did she believe me? No.
“Have you done any sightseeing?”
What is Ellie up to now? She knows I hadn’t taken Kaylee out on the town. “No. Dad was going to take me tomorrow. But then we got invited to the Johnsons’ barbecue. Maybe next weekend we’ll do that. Right, Dad?”
“If that’s what you want.” I exchange glances with Ellie. If she has her way, Kaylee will be back in Chicago by then. I’d love to keep my daughter for at least another week, but Ellie has a bug up her ass about my neighbors. I’m just hoping once she meets them, she’ll be okay with them, and Kaylee will be allowed to stay. But I refuse to worry about that right now. “Do you need to freshen up? I thought I’d take you and Kaylee to one of the best restaurants in Charleston for dinner. Nothing fancy. Just great seafood.”
She tilts her head to the side. “Or we can eat in. I hear you have quite a number of casseroles in your fridge.”
My gaze cuts to Kaylee.
“Sorry. I blabbed.” She doesn’t look the least bit sorry. Just the opposite. She’s smiling.
Did she tell her mom about the welcome wagons to get her mother down here? Is that why she mentioned the boy next door? Maybe. I’m beginning to think my daughter has quite a devious mind.
Kaylee’s phone rings. Glancing at it, she smiles. “It’s Mitch. I’m helping him write an app.” Talking a mile a minute, she disappears into her room, leaving Ellie and me alone.
“I’d rather take both my girls out to eat.”
She snaps out. “I’m not your girl.”
“You’re right. You’re my wife.” I refuse to let things go ugly.
She takes a deep breath, lets it out, and lets her defenses down. “I’m exhausted, Brock. It’s been a long day. I’d just as soon eat here.”
Knowing her, she probably worked most of the day before heading off to the airport. “Okay. I guess we can order in.” No way am I feeding her one of those casseroles, though. “Want to bathe before dinner? I can join you.” As soon as those words leave my lips, I regret them.
Especially when she steps away, putting the kitchen island between us. “I don’t think that would be a good idea. We’re supposed to be separating.”
“That was your decision. Not mine.”
Anger flashes in her eyes. “You walked out on me. Remember?”
How could I ever forget? Biggest mistake of my life.
“So don’t you dare blame this separation on me.”
“I called to apologize. You never picked up.” I’d left message after message on her voice mail, telling her I was sorry, to please call me back. She never did.
“We’re over and done with, Brock.”
“Why?”
“Because I can’t live with a man who doesn’t trust me.”
“I apologized. I’m apologizing now.”
“It’s too late.”
No, it’s not. And I’m going to prove it to her.
“We can’t sleep on different beds. It will upset Kaylee too much. But everything else stays separate.”
