Page 5 of Tapped

“Where the hell do you expect me to go? I don’t have a fucking job.”

“I don’t know, and I don’t care. You have a credit card, use it. You’ll just have to get a job again. You quit two years ago, but it’s not like you stayed home with Chase like you said you wanted to do. He’s with the nanny all day, every day while you’re living your best life at the gym or on that damn boat. All you do is fish with your free-loading friends. Who knows what else you’re doing when you’re gone all day. I’m done and don’t give a shit where you go. You’ll never live here again. Get out.”

My pulse speeds when he takes two steps in my direction. In all the years we’ve been together—all the lies and empty promises—I might have been heartbroken, but I’ve never once felt unsafe.

I hold up one hand and yank my cell from my pocket with the other. “If you even think about touching me, I’ll call the police.”

He huffs a disgusted exhale. “Touch you? I can’t remember the last time you let me touch you. But, what’s new? It was before you became a cold bitch.”

“Being ignored and lied to tends to piss women off. I was too busy testing myself for STDs. I should’ve kicked you out long ago, but for some reason, I thought there was a chance you’d change—that you’d pick us to be your priority. I was wrong.”

He stares down at me as he mulls over whatever lies he’s telling himself. Hell, I’ve probably chanted the same ones in my head over and over. Hoped and prayed that he’d change. For me and for Chase.

But I find my strength and press on. “It didn’t need to be this way. You don’t want me, and I stopped wanting you long ago. I’m exhausted, Jeff. Tired of pretending and wishing you would change. I lost all hope a long time ago and have been going through the motions for Chase. If you’re not going to pack, get out.”

He pulls in a deep breath before dragging a hand down his face and looks like he’s contemplating every trouble in the world but us or the family we committed to together. I’m embarrassed that I’ve shuffled the state of our marriage under the rug like stale dust from years past.

His stare lingers but the disdain disappears from his features when he practically begs, “I’ll try harder. I swear. I’ll fire the nannies and spend all my time with Chase like we planned. Don’t do this, Evie.”

“You’re one to talk,” I huff and motion between us. “You’re the one who’s donethisfor years, but now you’re out of time. I’ll have your things delivered—text me the address when you get settled. I refuse to allow Chase to see this. Get out.”

His hands go to his head, and he violently threads his fingers through his hair as he turns a one-eighty. He didn’t think I’d follow through. It’s been bad for so long, but the last two weeks have been different.

Jeff has been different.

He’s actually been trying when he hasn’t in years. Sucking up to me, spending time with Chase, and being…

Present.

Instead of his recent change of behavior making me feel better about our marriage and family, it’s done the opposite. Something is off, and I trust him less than I ever have.

Which isn’t much, so that says a lot.

I’ve tried to put my finger on it. But instead of relishing in his recent change of face, it’s only made me more suspicious. I can’t live like this any longer.

“Go,” I repeat, my tone guttural. “I won’t change my mind.”

He shakes his head but doesn’t turn around to look at me when he mutters, “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”

I frown. “It’s a little late for that.”

He moves toward the entryway without a thought about his things or me. “I’m fucked. Completely fucked!”

I say nothing as I watch him rip the door open and slam it shut behind him. The hurricane-proof frame shakes from the force.

Screeching wheels are his final, dramatic goodbye as he races away from what was our life together.

I rush to the door and flip the locks, only because it makes me feel better. It won’t keep him out—he still has a key. I need to get those changed and do the same with the passwords on the security system. That uneasy feeling that has niggled at me for weeks is now like salt in a gaping wound.

It stings.

I drag my eyes open and glance at the clock. Tonya is always on time and will be home soon with Chase. She’s only been with us for a few months, but she’s never been late. I can’t afford another second, so I race up the stairs to our bedroom. Now that this is done and he’s gone, I want every spec of his existence out of this house.

My nerves float to the surface and my hands tremble as I rip apart his side of the closet. The suits he used to wear to work before we both decided one of us should be home with Chase. His workout clothes that he lived in when he pretended to be at the gym, or even more, fishing.

Fishing…

My soon to be ex-husband will have to find a new hobby or new friends with boats. His love for expensive toys is about to come to an end. I might demand half of that damn boat in the divorce just to spite him.

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