Because (Seven Year Itch #4)(37)

She hangs up the phone leaving me puzzled as to what her real plans could be. Too many stories have surfaced about parents stealing children and taking them away from their spouses. I can’t let this happen just because she thinks I’m a bad person.

I call her back and get no answer, so I begin texting.

You need to answer me. I’m about to report her as being kidnapped. – Bran



You wouldn’t dare! I’m not doing anything wrong. We’re staying local. I’m housesitting for a friend while she’s gone. – Shay

She then sends me a picture of them sitting in a living room. I enlarge the photo and look around to see if I recognize anything in the room. Out a large window I can see her car parked alongside a truck. I don’t know why my mind starts wandering, but I get it in my head she’s with another man. Then I go ballistic.

I call her again, this time determined to get through. It takes forever, but she finally picks up. “What now? We’re about to go to the movies.”

“I need you to talk to me. Who are you staying with? Are you talking to someone behind my back? Is that why you left me? Did you introduce Ab to him?”

“You’ve lost your mind. I’m not talking to anyone, especially a man. I have a new friend at work and she went away. She knew my mom was getting on my nerves and told me I could stay at her place while she was gone. I’m in Denton if you must know. It’s a single family house that’s turned into two apartments. I have no idea who the other tenant is, but I know it’s a female and she’s about sixty years old. If anyone should be worried about cheating it’s me. I have no idea what you’ve been saying to Toby, but he let me know how you really feel about us breaking up. If you think you’re better off without me just go ahead and say it. Be honest with me for once, Bran.”

I know what she’s talking about, but it’s obvious my plan has backfired. “You’ve got it all wrong.”

“No, I don’t think I do. Maybe this time apart is opening my eyes to what I’ve been denying for a long time. Enjoy your freedom, Bran. I’m sorry I wasted over seven years trying to change you.” I can hear her voice cracking as she finishes the sentence.

“I never said that.”

“You don’t have to. I’ve been stupid to think this was a good idea, but now that we’ve been apart for a couple days I’m beginning to think maybe it’s what you need. I’ll always love you, Bran, but I can’t be what you want, and you’re definitely not capable of being the man I need. I’ll return Aberdeen on Sunday. I’ll stay in my car so you don’t have to deal with me. I’ll have her call you before she goes to bed each night.”

“Don’t do this, Shay. You’re putting words in my mouth again.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m hanging up now. What’s done is done.” Now she’s really crying. I don’t know what to say to her. I want to be furious, but now I feel like the bad guy. She thinks I don’t want our marriage. She expects things to magically work out. Toby talking to her, whatever he said, obviously set her over the edge.

“Don’t hang up.”

“We have nothing left to talk about, and Ab is going to want to know why I’m upset, and I can’t even begin to know what to tell her.”

“Tell her you miss me. Make up something.”

“I do miss you, Brandon. I miss us; the way we used to be before life got in the way. I wish we could go back, but we both know we can’t. No matter how hard I try to change I know neither of us can be someone we’re not.”

“You’re wrong. I don’t believe that for a second. About what Toby said…”

“Don’t. I can’t do this tonight. I’m tired of fighting. I’m weak, and we both know what happens when I can’t control my emotions. I refuse to give in. I won’t. This is for the best and that’s the end of the conversation. I love you. I always will, but I’m starting to accept I’ll never be able to trust you. Keep your phone on for Ab to call later.”

She hangs up and leaves me to sulk in my own misery. I slam my phone down on the kitchen table. “Shit! Shit! Shit!” I’m pacing around, trying to come up with a solution for all of this.

Then it hits me.

I’m going to have to change, and it won’t be able to happen overnight. The time Shay wants to give me could be my only hope. Like her, I’m going to have to put my trust in our love to carry us through it, and then I’ll have to come up with a way to prove she’s been wrong about me. I can be the man she needs, because I know I already am.





Chapter 18




It’s Sunday and I have to return Aberdeen to her father. I’ve let her call him each night, but I refuse to get on the phone. This weekend away has given me a lot of time to think. Although my heart is shattered, I know the only way to proceed is to remain positive, at least for my daughter’s sake.

After our latest argument, I’m more convince this temporary split could become more permanent, and I have to prepare for it, while still seeming to be positive for Aberdeen.

It’s quite impossible.

I’m miserable, and every time I have a second to myself I spend it in tears.

I miss my marriage – my husband, and even our fights.