11. Halo
Today felt warmer than usual and sweat was trickling down my temple. Dabbing at it slightly, I went back to typing up the invoices that needed to go out today.
I was on my third day of working for the equestrian center and happy to be earning my way to my own money. Ashton had begrudgingly accepted the fact that I was going to do it with or without his approval. I needed something to do outside of being a rich housewife.
It just felt natural that I had started working again, even though Ashton could and had been so extremely generous.
As my thoughts turned to him, I picked up my cell phone and noted the time.
“Shit,” the words tumbled out of my mouth.
If I didn’t leave right this minute, I was going to be late picking up the girls from their last day of school. It was early dismal and I’d completely forgotten.
Sheamus stirred at his desk. “What’s wrong?”
“I need to leave,” I said. “Girls are getting out early.”
I looked over my shoulder and he nodded. “Just make sure you close out of all the programs. How far did you get today?”
Looking back at my screen, I ran through the list of names. There was a pretty bad backlog of invoicing and I was starting to make some progress. “I got clients” last name A through D invoiced.”
Sheamus nodded with a smile. “That sounds good.”
Making sure my computer was locked up good and tight, I grabbed my tumbler with the lukewarm coffee. “Hey, a few of us are going out tonight.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, you’re welcome to come. You’re the new girl, and I think you could use a drink or two.”
Friends,I thought.
“I’d love that. Text me the address and time.”
I was already speeding out of the door when I saw Mark tapping his watch. Rolling my eyes, I got into my vehicle and sped away from the equestrian center. By the time I got into the carpool line, Sheamus had sent me the address.
His text had includedthe sad face emoji. Come out, please!
The line seemed to be wrapped around the school as all the parents waited to pick their kids up. A white Chevy Tahoe ran a red light and swerved ahead of me to get in front of me and a few other cars causing me to slam on brakes. The license plate read Mura4.
Damn, you’re gonna get your kid jackass,I rolled my eyes.
I definitely could have used a drink right about now. What are you wearing? What should I wear?
Sheamus texted back. Oh babe, with that cute little body, you could wear whatever you want. But it’s a laid-back atmosphere. Question though?
He had me frowning because while I found Sheamus attractive, I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. Hell, I’d just had sex twice. I wasn’t looking to juggle any more men.
Cause you got a husband, girl…
I sent Sheamus back a question mark, a little worried. By the time I got into one of the pickup lanes, he’d started typing up a reply. So, I wanted to know if your guard person was going to be there.
A frown instantly planted itself on my face. Who, Mark?
The reply came back even quicker. Yes.
Throwing the car into the park behind the stupid Tahoe that had cut me off, I rolled my eyes again. They’d done all that aggressive ass driving just to wind up exactly where I was. Probably, my husband is paranoid. But I’ll have a talk with him, make sure he stays outside.
Sheamus”s text bubbles started to fall and rise before he spit out another text. No, I’d very much like it if he came inside.
My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. Then I started to think about things. Sheamus was attractive and in the months that I’d been dropping the girls off for lessons, I’d never heard him mention anyone. Not even casually to say anything about a girlfriend or ex-wife.
It is Atlanta, I giggled.
I’m not sure if he’s into men, but he’s for sure going to be present,I typed back.
Yassss, Sheamus sent back with a winking emoji. He’s so damn cute, honey. I just want to watch him drink water.
I began to laugh my ass off, thumping my steering wheel in the process. Finally, I relaxed at my realization that Sheamus was in no way attracted to me and texted back agreeing to meet him and some of the other workers at the bar.
As the car rider line finally got me to the very front, I spotted Maggie and Luna talking separately to their respective friends. I observed Luna tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she giggled with some young boy.
They both waved by and got inside of the car.
“How was school?” I asked.
“What a long year,” Maggie remarked as she put her seat belt on.
“And you?” I looked over at Luna who was still blushing deeply.
“I don’t want to talk about school,” she shrugged looking ahead.
Letting out a loud exaggerated sigh, I shrugged. “Okay, but I was this close to convincing your uncle to let you and your friend group go slightly unsupervised at this festival this weekend.”
Luna’s face lit up as we turned right to go back down the busy hill and out of the school gates. She reached over and touched my arm.
“Are you serious?” She asked.
“Very,” I remarked. “But if the conversation is just too hard to have…”
“No!” She replied excitedly. “I’ll tell you!”
For nearly twenty minutes I listened to my step-nieces talk about everything from fashion to boys. Luna did most of the talking and I found myself wondering if I’d opened a can of worms. Either way, I was happy that I was finally getting more than a sneer from her.
Entering the house through the side door to the kitchen, I found my mother-in-law standing in the kitchen and nearly jumped out of my skin. My hands immediately felt itchy, the keys digging into the soft flesh of my palms.
“Mrs. Tanaka!”
She raised a disapproving brow at me as the girls filled in behind me. They were so excited to see their grandmother and rushed into her arms.
“Grandmother Rei,” Maggie practically knocked the woman down.
“Girls, girls,” the other woman laughed, dropping kisses on their heads. “Go and change your clothes. Your uncle has permitted me to take you to the cinema tonight.”
I felt frozen and watched as the girls bound off to do as they were told. When I couldn’t hear their footsteps any longer, I dropped my keys onto the counter.
“Is Ashton not home?” I peered around the woman.
She’d made herself at home, a glass of wine rested on the kitchen island. “He’s your husband, shouldn’t you know that information?”
Unsure of how to take her tone, I bit at my lip. “I was working.”
“At the job, he told you not to take,” Rei Tanaka made a tsking sound with her tongue and then folded her arms over her chest.
Taking a deep breath, I replied. “I wanted the job, Mrs. Tanaka. And also, I don’t want your son dictating every aspect of my life.”
Her eyes seemed to narrow, and she looked me up and down. “My son is one of the wealthiest men in the world. It doesn’t look good that his wife is working with other men at a stable.”
I could feel my cheeks turning red and I wanted to change the subject. “Ashton wanted you to take the girls to a movie.”
“He did, he wanted you to have a break.” She picked up the wine glass and drank some.
Before I could respond, I heard the front door opening. In a few moments, Ashton had walked into the kitchen looking moody as hell. The least he could have done was give me a heads-up about his mom being here.
He immediately went to her and dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Mother.”
“My boy, I’m just waiting for Maggie and Luna.”
He stared between the two of us and finally, I shook my head annoyed. That drink was really calling my name now.
Moving to go past him, he reached out for my arm and stopped me. “Is something the matter?”
“No,” I said simply.
Your mother hates me,I thought.
“Okay well, I was thinking we could have dinner together tonight since the girls are going with my mom.”
Staring up into Ashton’s face, I shook him off. “Can’t, I’m going out tonight with my boss.”
Immediately, a storm brewed within Ashton’s features. The way his expression darkened with each passing second had me worried. Pissed off was an inadequate description of the waves of rage beginning to roll off him.
“Have a good night, husband.”
I left him standing there with his mother and didn’t spare another glance his way. I wanted to be anywhere but in this mansion with my asshole of a husband.