Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 64887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
With my heart crashing, I watch Andre reach Selena and tap her on the shoulder. I don’t know why my hackles have instantly gone up at the sight of him. I hate that man with the force of a thousand suns, yes, but I’m well aware he’s Drew’s father, whether I like it or not, so it’s logical to think he might reasonably have something to say to his kid’s mother.
But today of all days?
After touching Selena’s shoulder, Andre says something to her that causes her visible consternation. She motions vaguely to the party surrounding them, as if to say, “Now isn’t a good time, Andre.” But a moment later, she follows him away from the party, stiffly, with both of them walking toward the house.
“Motherfucker!” I grit out. I hand Max my drink. “Hold this for me, in case I need to throw down.”
“If you need back-up, I can’t help you,” Max shouts toward my retreating back. “Sorry, but he’s my boss!”
“I won’t need backup,” I spit out over my shoulder.
Surely, whatever’s brought Andre to my birthday party won’t lead to physical violence, unfortunately, despite my ardent hope that Andre will finally provoke me beyond the limits of my self-control. Since my first encounter with that bastard in that restaurant so long ago, I’ve secretly fantasized, countless times, about one day finally getting to break his perfectly tanned face. In fact, in addition to me wanting to look as good as possible for Selena, the fantasy of me getting strong enough to take Andre down has been a major motivator to get my ass into the gym, consistently. But, still, I’ve crossed paths with Andre several times, briefly, mostly at Drew’s various school events, and we’ve both always managed to keep our mutual hatred from boiling over into an altercation for Drew’s sake.
I reach the far end of the patio where Selena and Andre disappeared around the corner of the house a moment ago and stop short when I hear Selena’s angry voice.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Selena is saying.
I peek around the corner like a creeper, my blood simmering and my skin tingling, and discover Selena and Andre standing about twenty yards away in a small patio area. They’re facing each other, such that they’re both in profile to me, and Selena’s body language makes it clear she’s deadass enraged at Andre.
“Look, I know I blew it with you, but—”
“The understatement of the century!” Selena bellows, looking absolutely livid.
“But that was then. I’m here now to ask you—to beg you—to give me a second chance. And you know I don’t beg.”
What the fuck did that fucker say to my woman? I take a step forward, intent on hurling myself at Andre and tackling him. But Selena’s voice stops me.
“How dare you come to my house and say this crazy shit to me,” she yells. “Especially on the day of my beloved boyfriend’s birthday party! That’s so disrespectful!”
You tell him, baby. Good one.
Andre scoffs. “I had no idea you were throwing the kid a birthday party. Drew left some shoes at my place, so I decided to bring them over and use the opportunity to tell you what I’ve been thinking about for months now. I know I’ve made mistakes, Selena.”
“No shit.”
“I know I had some things to sort out. Lessons to learn. But I’ve learned those lessons, and I’m a new man now. I think we both owe it to Drew, to ourselves, to our family, to give our marriage a second chance.”
Asshole.
I physically clutch the edge of the house, keeping myself from running over there and knocking Andre’s teeth out of his mouth. Something tells me Selena wouldn’t appreciate me inserting myself into this private conversation. At least, not yet. Thus far, she’s certainly been handing Andre his ass without any assistance from me.
“Divorcing you was the best thing I ever did for myself and Drew,” Selena says evenly. “There’s not a single molecule in my body that wants you back. I’m in love with someone else now, but I wouldn’t take you back, even if I were single. I’d rather be alone than with you, Andre.”
Boom. That’s right, baby. Give him hell.
Andre says, “That’s ridiculous, Selena. Come on. You know I can take care of you, better than anyone else. And for my part, I’ve realized there’s never going to be anyone who understands me the way you always have. I took that for granted when we were married. I thought the grass would be greener somewhere else. But now I realize that—”
“First of all, I don’t ‘understand’ you and never did, you fucking narcissist,” Selena says. “I was scared of you. I said and did all the right things to never piss you off. Keeping you happy and feeding your ego, ensuring you’d never become angry, became my goddamned survival skill!”