Page 94 of For The Weekend
“Yousef?” she repeats, clearly surprised.
“My mother’s father was from Iran. She gave all us boys the same middle name in honor of him.”
Eloise presses her hand to her throat. “That’s really sweet. I had no idea?—”
“Hurry up,” I tell her. “I’m hungry, and we can talk about that more while I’m eating.”
She salutes me and pulls the shower curtain closed, starting in on an off-key version of the Stones’ “Beast of Burden,” and I laugh silently to myself. Eloise Thorne is my absolute favorite.
After dressing in my jeans and T-shirt, I head out to the living room to place our food order. Grabbing a seat at her kitchen table, I notice the pile of mail scattered on her kitchen counter. I wouldn’t normally pay it any mind, but a specific envelope catches my attention. It’s from Champlain Valley Rehabilitation Facility for Women. Amy’s prison.
My heart rate spikes, and everything slows as I move to get a better look. I glance down the hall to where Eloise is still in the bathroom, being adorably bad at singing, and yet somehow my world is crumbling out here.
Because I know whatever is in that envelope will wreck this.
I pick it up, seeing Eloise’s full name and address scrawled in handwriting I know all too well. Turning it over in my hands, I find the envelope unopened, and before I can think better of it, I tear it open to pull out the thin sheet of paper.
The words blur together at first, my mind struggling to process what I’m reading. But then, it all comes into focus. Amy’s writing to thank Eloise for reaching out then goes on to say how she’s changed, how she deserves a second chance, and how all she wants is to see Mazie.
I know he’s stubborn, but I think he’s being cruel now just to punish me. I’m not sure how good of friends you are, but you should know he’s not very loyal. Look at what he’s doing to me. I appreciate you reaching out, and I hope you can help, but I won’t hold my breath. Because look where he is, and look where I am.
I love my daughter, and he doesn’t care.
My vision goes red, and I have trouble reading the last few sentences.
I slam the letter down on the counter and lean onto my elbows, gripping my hair by the roots, pissed that Amy would attack me. Would dare to say I don’t care, when all I do is care.
But more than that…Eloise.
She knew about this.
She contacted Amy and didn’t tell me.
The woman I loved went behind my back when I trusted her. I told her everything, more than I’ve ever told anyone else. And she twisted it for her own means.
Why? I can’t begin to fucking imagine, but the pain in my chest isn’t the good kind anymore.
It’s betrayal.
I shove the letter back into the envelope, my hands shaking with anger as I hear the shower shut off.
She was in there for fucking ever, and now… Now I don’t even want to see her.
Needing to get out of here, to clear my head, I storm out her door, not bothering to tell Eloise where I’m going or what happened. If she can’t be bothered to inform me she’s communicating with my ex and the mother of my child, I certainly don’t owe her any goddamn explanations.
Because one thing is for sure—I’m not ready to let Amy back into Mazie’s life. No matter how much she begs and pleads, she obviously hasn’t changed. Still hanging the blame for her choices on anyone else besides herself. And if Eloise thinks otherwise, if she believes she can hide something like this from me…
Moving to West Chester was supposed to be my new start.
Eloise was my breath of fresh air.
Except it’s all poisoned. I don’t want to breathe it in anymore. I can’t let it near Mazie. I can’t let it ruin what I’m trying to rebuild.
And if Eloise is going to force my hand, I’ll do what I have to. Even if it means breaking my own heart.
Chapter 27
Eloise
