Page 56 of Deal with Mr. Cruel

She heard him take a few slow steps toward her. Mae lifted her head from her hands and blinked back tears. She didn’t want him to see her like this. Taking a deep breath, Mae stared straight ahead. She felt Jonas gently place his hand on her shoulder. Flinching at his touch, she stood up quickly.

“Don’t,” said Mae sharply, turning around and bravely meeting his gaze. “Don’t touch me.”

Jonas pulled his hand back slowly and looked down at his feet. “What you heard back there—”

“Which part? That you knewexactlyhow to get to me? Or that it was all fake?”

“I didn’t mean for you to hear that.” Jonas winced.

“Well, I did.”

“I didn’t mean it. You have to know that.”

“I don’t know anything when it comes to you. I don’t know up from down or left from right. I don’t know what’s wrong or right. And I sure as hell don’t know what’s real and what’s fake.”

“If you would just let me explain.”

“How many chances do I have to give you, Jonas?”

He looked at her sadly, but she quickly avoided his gaze. She would not get sucked into this again. They stood in silence for a few moments until they heard a squeal of a car turning the corner. Lindsay pulled up to the curb and opened the passenger door. “Get in.”

Mae was so grateful for her friend in that moment. She didn’t hesitate as she slid into the seat, shutting the door and looking straight ahead. “Drive.”

“Seatbelt,” said Lindsay as she pressed on the gas.

Mae clicked her seatbelt into place and resisted looking in the mirror. She didn’t have to look. She knew he was watching them drive away until they were out of sight. Eyes closed, she laid her head against the cool window, and tried her best not to cry.

“We’re here,” said Lindsay softly as she gently shook Mae.

Mae lifted her head from the window groggily. She had fallen asleep. She blinked a few times and saw they were pulling into Lindsay’s driveway. This was exactly where she wanted to be. In the suburbs and far away from the city. She felt guilty that she hadn’t been here in years. She nodded as she unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car sleepily.

Lindsay opened the front door and her kids pushed their way inside.

“Daddy! We’re home!” they shouted as they started to run upstairs. A loud monster growl sounded as Ben appeared at the top of the stairs. The kids giggled with delight and gave him a huge bear hug.

Lindsay smiled up at him. “Mae’s here!”

Mae stepped inside and gave a little wave.

“Well, I’ll be! It’s been ages,” said Ben as he wrestled the kids off him.

He climbed down the stairs and gave Mae a big hug.

“How the heck have you been? How’s work? How’s Nico? How’s everything?” he asked eagerly.

“As much as Mae would like to give you her entire life story, we need a little girl time. Can you occupy Thing 1 and Thing 2?” Lindsay nodded up the stairs to where Ellie and Jack were sitting.

Ben gave a little salute. “You’ve got it.” He headed up the stairs and threw the kids over his shoulders, carrying them out of sight.

Mae couldn’t help but feel a little pang in her heart. Lindsay and Ben made such a good team. Their house was filled with love and they were living their dream. Mae wondered if it was too late for her. Maybe she had pined after Jonas for too long and had missed out on real love.

“Come on. Sit.” Lindsay gestured to the couch before heading into the kitchen.

Mae collapsed on the couch and let out a sigh. She was emotionally drained. Lindsay handed her a water and took the seat beside her, tucking her feet underneath her.

“How are you feeling, hun?” she asked.

“I’m feeling like an idiot. You heard what he said back there.”

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