Page 113 of Tempt Me Forever

“Let's focus on you right now.”

She straightened up. “What do you mean, focus on me? Sheisblaming herself, isn't she? I’ve got to call her.”

I cleared my throat. “No, wait. She... well, we got into a bit of a fight.”

Suze bit the inside of her cheek. I could see the hollow on the right side of her face. “Why?”

“I’m not even sure. She got upset, then said that if there was an issue with custody because she was around, and it might affect the outcome... well, she could just stop being around.”

My sister stilled, then grabbed her glass tightly. “I don't understand why she’d say that. Oh God, I really have to talk to her, and so do you.”

“I know. And I don't say this often, but I'm not sure what to say. I can't believe that her first reaction when things got tough was to run away.”

“Drake.” She leaned forward. “I don't think that's what she's doing.”

“Then what the hellisshe doing?”

“I don't know. Talk to her. When we went to Reese’s that day, she mentioned that her mom passed away when she was young. I don't know the entire backstory, but maybe that's got something to do with the way she reacted.”

I swallowed hard. “She did mention that growing up without a mom was hard.” Now it was starting to make sense. I pushed my glass of wine away, needing my mind clear to understand where Kimberly was coming from. “Fuck me. I think you’re right, Suze.”

“Look, I know Lulu did a number on you.”

“That isn’t what this is about. She and I weren't together for long.”

“Doesn't matter. I think maybe in your subconscious, you think people kind of hightail it when the situation gets bad.”

“I never thought about it.” Did I think that? I wasn’t consciously aware if my brain was taking that direction.

“Well, I know you don't, but I've been all about introspection for these past months since my terrible ex—which is how he shall be known from now on—walked out. And sometimes when I'm tired of psychoanalyzing myself or him, I turn to you.”

“Good to know.” I swallowed hard. “I didn't even know I needed psychoanalysis.”

“What are big sisters for? Now, go talk to your girl. I'm going to be fine.” She glanced around. “Did you see my phone anywhere? I want to see if Declan called.”

“No, I didn't.”

“I think I left it in my purse.” She went into the foyer, and when she came back, she was holding her phone. “Nothing from Declan, but Lawrence texted.” She stared at the screen, tearing up.

“What happened?” I asked.

She sobbed before showing me the message.

Lawrence: If you stop this nonsense with alimony, I won't pursue the custody battle.

“I can't believe he'd put me through this just so I don't ask him for any money.” Suze swallowed on another sob, then said, “He set this up. I’m sure of it. He was going to play the custody card regardless of Michael choking or not. Who does that?”

I got up and embraced Suze and Michael. Lawrence was always a fucker, in my opinion. I'd put up with him because he treated Suze decently when they were first married, but I'd noticed him changing before she did.

I took a page out of Declan’s book and tried to be the calming force. “I can’t believe him. Listen to me, Suze. You don't need him.”

She swallowed hard, wiping at her eyes. “I'm not letting him off the hook.”

“Actually, I don't even think you need to. This is gold. Send it to Declan. He's basically blackmailing you, and—” I wanted to verbally abuse him some more but reined myself in. That wasn't what my sister needed.

“I'm sending him a screenshot,” Suze said.

Good, she was getting some of her gumption back.

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