Lie, Lie Again(42)
Standing, she said, “Your uncle Evan is going to bring his dog to stay with us next week. Will you be a big helper with Gracie too?”
“No doggie on couch.” She shook her finger and spoke in a tone that mimicked a grown-up.
“That’s right, sweetheart. The dog stays on the floor. We can take her on walks and play with her. It’ll be fun, right?”
She clapped her hands. “She come over today, Mommy?”
“Not today. Next week on Tuesday.”
“I get a water bowl for her,” she said, scurrying toward the kitchen.
Maybe she shouldn’t have told her about Gracie just yet. Kylie didn’t have a grasp on time. Well, with any luck, her enthusiasm would get Brandon on board. She kissed Carson’s head again and hugged him close, wishing the morning had gone differently. Maybe it was time to consider moving back home. She shivered. The baby news might be the final straw.
But he wanted more kids. Eventually. When the time was right. Damn, Embry. We’ve gotta be more careful. That’s what he’d said after she’d told him about Carson. But he’d brought her a carton of strawberry ice cream along with a bouquet of flowers from the market that day.
With all that was going on now, she couldn’t dump more pressure on him. He was already near a breaking point. For heaven’s sake, he was only twenty-five. Most guys his age were still single and whooping it up. And here he was, pushing the boulder uphill trying to make it in Hollywood, all while working to provide for his family. She felt a little sorry for him, but dammit if he hadn’t acted like a jerk. She tried to swallow back her anger, but her stomach churned violently. She fumbled to set Carson on his play mat before racing to the bathroom. Kylie’s potty seat was on the toilet, and she tossed it aside before retching into the bowl. Sweat beaded across her forehead, and she released a tiny breath, hoping it would calm the raging volcano that was her body. As though an angry alien were trying to escape from her belly, clawing at her esophagus and kicking her intestines, she was sick again. She stood frozen, hoping the stillness would cause the nausea to subside. Counting to ten, she attempted a breath and waited. Her body remained quiet. It was over. She flushed and replaced the potty seat. She washed her hands and rinsed her mouth. Twice. And then she went to retrieve Carson, who had rolled his way next to the sofa.
As much as she wanted to feel sorry for herself, there was no time. She had to get Kylie to the Mom’s Morning Out program in fifteen minutes. Brandon usually took her, but apparently he wasn’t going to today. She placed Carson in his infant seat and clicked the buckles before poking her head through their bedroom door. “I’m taking the kids,” she said flatly. “Kylie has her school.”
Brandon set a dumbbell on the floor and turned to her. “Huh?”
“I’m taking Kylie to class.”
He yanked out his earbud. “I can’t do it. I’m in the middle of my workout.”
She closed her eyes, willing herself to stay calm. “I didn’t ask you to do it. I told you I’m doing it, just like I’ve been doing everything else for the kids lately.”
He gaped at his dumbbells, as though they would commiserate with him. How dare my wife call me out on my crap! Was that what he was thinking? “I’m not going to argue with you anymore. If you want me to take her, just ask.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m on my way out.” Even as she said the words, she was hoping he’d insist, taking both kids so she could lay her throbbing head on a pillow. Just for a few minutes. Maybe sip some bubbly water. But he didn’t. She closed the door and clambered outside with the children, understanding for the first time the old expression about the fine line between love and hate. She knew in her heart she didn’t hate him. Of course not. But she hated how he was acting.
As Embry stepped onto the long driveway, she looked up to see Riki loaded down with her work bag. Goodness, she seemed to have a never-ending stack of papers. Embry smiled as Riki jogged toward her.
“Hey! Good morning, Em. Hi, Kylie. Hi, Carson.”
Embry couldn’t help but return her smile. Riki was always so cheery. Brandon had commented on it once. That girl’s always smiling. Have you noticed that? I don’t think she’s had one bad day. Her smile dropped from her face as she recalled Kylie’s words from yesterday, but she quickly shook the bad thoughts away. Ky was three. And besides that, Riki would never make a move on her husband. “Good morning. Off to school?”
“Yep,” she said, fumbling with her purse. “I’m totally running late. Fingers crossed there’s no traffic,” she added with a laugh. “Now if I can only find my keys.” She yanked her purse open wide, and something familiar caught Embry’s eye.
It can’t be. She stepped closer, not even trying to be subtle about looking into Riki’s purse. “That’s Brandon’s headshot! Why do you have it?”
“Huh?” The color seemed to drain from her face. “What? Where?”
“In your purse.” She pointed. “It’s right there.”
“Omigod! Right!” She slapped a hand to her forehead before taking it out and handing it to Embry. “I meant to return this to you guys, but I honestly forgot all about it. I’m thinking it must’ve gotten mixed in with my papers when I babysat. I found it in a pile of spelling tests. Funny, huh?”