Page 48 of Salvage Him
Ten
Brooklyn
ItoldPaul I was in a meeting and couldn’t talk. He didn't appreciate it. Then, he started in on theguilt.
Abbie and I headed back to the apartment, and I calledhimback.
The phone went through right away. He wasn't in Dubai anylonger.
"Well, thanks so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk to your husband." His sarcasm hurt myheart.
"I'm sorry. I just needed to finish up with them." I flopped on the bed but got up and shut the door. "Whereareyou?"
I wanted him to lietome.
"I'm in California. I stopped over here to check on some of my properties before heading back toDallas.”
"When are you coming home?" Iasked.
"Why? You afraid I'm going to pop inunannounced."
"No."
"I know Abbie'sthere."
My eyes grew wide. I looked around as if I could see him lurking in theshadows.
"Yeah, she came in town for a few days. How didyouknow?"
"You can't eat fifty-five dollars of food at Lucky's Cafe alone and you have no other friends.” He monitored all of ourfinances.
I didn't mind. The money was all his, and he never told me what I could and couldn't spend. He wanted it to bother me; it was his own sick way of keeping track ofmylife.
"What's your point?" Iasked.
"No point, just"—he sighed—"I'll be home tomorrow, soplease. . ."
"She'll be gone before you get here,"Isaid.
"That's my girl," he said as if praising me for doing agoodjob.
Why was every word out of his mouth annoying melately?
Because you don't want to bewithhim.
God, I hated the little voice in my head, but more times than not, it wasright.
I hung up the phone and went looking forAbbie.
"You're sending me packing," Abbie asked, fakingdisappointment.
"Yes. I don't have it in me to deal with the two of you in the same room right now." I tapped the edge of her opensuitcase.
"I know. I get it." She folded and stuffed her clothes in her bag. "When's hegettingin?"
"Tomorrow morning. He even sent me his flight info and asked me to pick him up at the airport." I bitmylip.
"Weird."
