Page 38 of Keeping My Wife
“How dare you!”
“I want you out of this house. I have a wedding to get to.”
“You’re not married yet?”
My stomach jittered. She wouldn’t do anything to me would she?
I brushed by her and down the hall. “I have to leave. That means you do too.”
“It’s still my house too,” she called after me. “Maybe I’ll just burn it down for the insurance money.”
I stood at the door, my hand shaking on the handle. “You know there’s jail time for arson, right?”
“Only if I’m caught.” She tossed the long end of her scarf over her shoulder and passed through the door.
A black car was waiting for her. The man inside was the same one from the funeral. He got out and came around to open her door. “Everything all right, Marcella?”
“It will be.” She swept down the stairs trailing expensive perfume. “Get in the car, Maxine.”
“What?” My chest tightened.
“You won’t be getting married today.”
“Of course, I am.”
“I appreciate that you attempted to outmaneuver me, but I simply won’t allow it. Help her into the car, Benny.”
He looked uncertain.
I swallowed down the lump in my throat. “I’m not leaving with you. I have people who actually care about me.”
“Please. Who is going to marry you anyway?”
“Cameron Murdock.”
My mother burst out laughing. “The handyman?”
“He’s not a handyman.”
“Sorry, what’s the word?” She glanced at Benny. “Help me here.”
“Contractor?” He said with a shrug.
“Right. I suppose. Does that make you feel better? You stupid girl, he wants your money.”
I jerked back as if she slapped me. “Just go. I don’t want to see you again, Marcella.”
She wasn’t my mother. She never really had been. It hurt to realize that, but this absolutely killed any feelings I had for her, and she didn’t deserve the moniker.
“Get in the fucking car, Maxine.”
“No.”
The sound of a truck dragged my gaze off my mother. My eyes widened. Cam?
His truck advanced the winding road to the house. There was a caravan of cars and trucks behind him.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Marcella climbed the steps and grabbed my arm. “I’m tired of this.”
