Because (Seven Year Itch #4)(25)

“How is Aberdeen taking this separation? Have you told her?”

“She knows. She’s sad and confused. I’m hoping it doesn’t get too hard for her. I hate what this will do to her while she’s waiting for us to figure things out.”

“What is Brandon saying about it?”

“He’s upset with me. He thinks I’m being ridiculous. But that’s how he is. He’s selfish. I’m hoping this teaches him to appreciate all the things I do for them, but who knows. I suppose only time will tell.”

“The weight loss, is it because he’s made you feel like you’re not good enough?”

I don’t dare go into details with my dad. I’ve been taught to keep certain things between me and my husband. My parents don’t need to know the little details. “No, Dad. This is for my benefit.”

“That boy loves you. He might not show it the way you want, but it’s obvious.”

As much as I appreciate what he’s saying, he only sees what’s on the outside. I don’t doubt Brandon loves me, but it’s certainly not for the right reasons, and it’s definitely not the kind of love I feel for him.

“Thanks. I hope you’re right. I’m not doing this to tear my family apart. In a lot of ways I feel like this is the only way to put it back together.”

“You do whatever you have to do. I’ll be here if you need someone to talk to. I won’t judge.”

I know he won’t, however I still refuse to offer little tidbits about my personal life in order for him to form an opinion. I have to shut him out of that aspect of my relationship issues. It’s for his own good, and mine as well.

After our little heart to heart we get back to power walking the neighborhood. It doesn’t occur to me what time it is until we get back to the house and I check out the time on the microwave. Ab is about to get on the bus and I’m going to miss talking to her.

I make a mad dash for my bedroom where I’ve left my phone. I notice there’s a message from Brandon, so I open it to make sure everything is okay. It’s from last night, and it’s not promising. He’s already getting annoyed by my plan to figure things out.

Since I’m too concerned about our daughter, I shake off the ill feelings and dial his number. He picks up on the second ring. “You just missed her.” I can hear the sound of the bus pulling away from the curb. He’s telling me the truth, and it hurts my heart.

“I’m sorry.” I can’t offer anything else.

“Yeah, tell that to your daughter.”

“It won’t happen again, Bran.”

“If you were here where you belong it wouldn’t have happened at all. Keep playing your little mind games and telling yourself this is for the best. When this plan of yours backfires and you’re left alone, it won’t be my undoing.”

“Are you threatening me?” I’m feeling like he is. I won’t be ordered to come home when I know in my heart I’m doing the right thing for us.

“I’m telling it like it is. You have responsibilities to us.”

“Maybe it’s time you learn what it’s like to walk a day in my shoes. Better yet, make it a week or a month. You have no idea all the things I do for our family.” Our voices are raising, and it’s only a matter of time before one of my parents come into the room to see what’s going on. “I’m not doing this with you. I’ll pick Ab up from school like I did yesterday, then I’ll find out where she wants to stay tonight. Expect a text from me after four. I’d appreciate it if you acknowledge you’ve seen it that way I know we’re on the same page.”

“Yeah, whatever. Just so you know, I have something to do tonight. I won’t be home until after nine. You’ll have to keep her until then. I don’t want her staying at your parents.”

“You can’t make that decision, Brandon. She’s my child too.”

“You are the one who left. You don’t get to make the rules, Shay. Our daughter will spend her nights with me unless it’s the weekend. You don’t need to uproot her because you have a hair up your ass.”

“I’ll do whatever I think is fair. You can’t order me around.” Yet another reason why it was best for us to spend time apart.

“We’ll see about that.”

“So where is it you have to be tonight that’s so important?” Maybe I don’t have a right to ask about this, but if he’s going to be a jerk to me I’m going to give it right back, plus a part of me wonders if he’s lying to get under my skin.

“Toby’s getting married. I’m meeting up with the guys about planning a bachelor party in Atlantic City.”

Over my dead body will I ever be okay with my husband involved in something like this. I don’t trust his friends as far as I can throw them. “Is this your way of pissing me off?”

He chuckles. “It’s got nothing to do with you. You want your freedom, go take it. I can’t stop you, but at the same time, you can’t stop me either. This is what you want, right? You want time apart? Well, this is what I’m going to do to pass the time. If you don’t care for my choices maybe you should come home and do something about it.”

I open my mouth to argue and realize he’s hung up on me. Disturbed by his assumptions, I dial his number back. This isn’t going to end with him getting the last word in. He picks up after the fourth ring. “I’m on my way to work. Don’t make me turn off my phone.”