Because (Seven Year Itch #4)(29)

“Go ahead and pretend your innocent, Bran. It’s what you always do. You never do anything wrong. You’re perfect. Go on, say it. Admit you can have whatever you want. Admit I’m not the woman you want to be with.”

“Right now I feel like punching you in the face,” I say out of frustration. “But I will never lay a hand on a woman. Not even if she’s being a complete bitch. Like I said before, do what you have to do. I’m sick of this shit you’re throwing at me. Maybe you’re right. Go to your parents, Shayla. Don’t come back here until you know what you want.”

“You can’t keep me from our daughter.”

She’s right. I can’t. I’m not an *. I refuse to hurt her like that, even if she’s tearing my heart out. “I’ll get my mom to help us make arrangements. You can pick Ab up from school and drop her off at my parent’s house. I’ll pick her up once you’re not around. If you want to space, I’ll give you more than you could ever imagine.” I get out of the car even though she’s saying my name. I’m done dealing with her. If she wants a fight I’m going to make sure it’s one I can win. Shay’s asking for time and space. She can have both.





Chapter 14




I’ve cried myself to sleep hundreds of times, but tonight is the worst it’s ever been. I’m not just scared of losing everything, I’m preparing for it to actually happen. It’s kind of like the weather channel differentiating from a storm watch and a warning. One you can pretend won’t happen, while the other you need to find safe passage immediately. In my case there was no safe passage. No matter how I looked at this someone gets hurt, mostly me.

Brandon is determined to push me away to teach me a lesson. I know how his mind works. He wants to make me so miserable I’m forced to come home and live in misery for the rest of my days.

The thing is, as much as I wish it were that easy to fix, I know it’s going to take a lot more than time to repair what we’ve done to each other. First and foremost, I have to mend the damage I’ve done to my soul.

Once I’m home I’m stopped by my mother. She’s sitting on my bed waiting for me to come in. I sigh heavily, because I know this is only the beginning to my catastrophic night.

“Mom, I’ve been through hell tonight. What do you need?”

“I talked to Brandon’s mother today. She says you haven’t returned any of her calls.”

“I have nothing to say. This isn’t her business.” I don’t dare say the same about my mom. She’d make me leave her house. She’s that adamant about me going home to my husband.

“Don’t be rude, Shayla. That woman loves you.”

“I love her too. That’s what everyone doesn’t get. I’m doing this for my family. Can’t you both respect that?”

“What you’re doing is forming a wedge between the people who care the most about you. Have you told your doctor about this yet?”

I sit on the bed next to her and rub my face with my hands, silently trying to wish this moment away. “My doctor is the person who told me I needed to make changes for myself before I could repair my marriage. I’m doing the right thing, even if none of you can believe it.”

She’s not happy with this. “Brandon called his mother and asked her be the go-between. You say you don’t want us involved, but she and I are a big part of this too. You’re staying here, and now she’s going to keep the peace while you’re sharing responsibilities with Aberdeen. This isn’t cordial at all. It’s obvious this is an ugly separation. According to his mother, Brandon knew nothing about this.”

“I couldn’t tell him, because I knew he wouldn’t go for it. Look, I need to get some sleep. Can we talk about this tomorrow?”

She is obviously disappointed in me. Sometimes I want to grab her by the shoulders and shake the shit out of her until she wakes up and sees the big picture. “Mom, I love you. I know you’re worried. I’m concerned too, but I assure you, I love my family.”

“Your putting your husband through hell.” She stands and turns to face me. “You know that right?”

I nod. “He’s said as much.”

“You’re lucky to have a man who loves you like he does, Shayla.”

This is where my mother has no idea what she’s talking about. “Yeah, I know.”

I only agree so she’ll get out of my face. I respect my mom, but she refuses to see the bad in people, and in my circumstance it needs to be out in the open. I’m not the bad guy, and it’s making me frustrated to be portrayed as one.

Once I’m left alone, I change into something comfortable to sleep in and climb under the covers. My phone is blinking with messages, and even though I can guess who they’re from, I look anyway.

My mom knows everything. She’s expecting Aberdeen after school tomorrow. – Bran

You can’t keep Ab from me because you’re pissed. – Shay

I will do whatever it takes to show you this is a mistake. Mark my word, I won’t be walked all over while you’re out doing stupid shit. – Bran

I’m going to bed. Stop messaging me. I’m done talking to you tonight. – Shay

He doesn’t stop though.