10. Ember
EMBER
Nobody speaks as Emmett pulls away from the house.
I stare out the window, watching the home I shared with Kevin disappear behind us.
My chest hurts, my head is pounding, and my entire body feels like I’ve run a marathon.
Cassidy sits beside me, holding my hand.
She hasn’t let go since we climbed into the SUV.
Suddenly, Sully twists around from the front seat. “They’ve been messing around since high school?”
Cassidy nods.
“What the fuck?” he growls. “I never suspected a thing?”
“Me either,” Emmett adds.
Seeing as we all went to the same high school, they would know.
“They said it was on and off,” I tell him.
“As if that makes it better,” Cassidy adds bitterly.
Emmett’s hands tighten around the steering wheel. “They married you knowing they were messing around with each other?”
“They said they were confused,” I explain.
“They thought marrying us would make the feelings go away,” Cassidy says.
Sully turns back around toward the road, shaking his head. “Fucking cowards.”
“I told them that,” I mumble.
“What else did they say?” Emmett asks.
“That they loved us too.” I scoff.
The car falls silent again. Even saying the words out loud makes me angry.
“They loved us as their best friends. They loved the lives we built, but they were always in love with each other,” Cassidy says as she starts crying again, and I give her hand a squeeze.
“I don’t understand how they could do that to you,” Sully says.
“Neither do we.” Cassidy sniffles.
Emmett glances at me through the rearview mirror. “You told them you want a divorce?”
“Yes.”
“Both of you?” he asks.
“Yes,” Cassidy answers firmly. “We’re done. We can’t live a lie anymore.”
“And the business?”
“We told them we want them to buy us out,” I explain. “They seemed surprised,” I tell my brother.
“What did they expect?” Sully asks. “That you’d all keep turning up to work together every morning as if nothing happened?”
“I don’t think they thought about anything past getting caught,” Cassidy says.
“Sounds about right,” Emmett mutters.
I lean my head back against the seat and close my eyes. “They made it sound like we were being unreasonable.”
Emmett looks at me again. “How?”
“Kevin kept on saying they weren’t bad guys.”
Sully lets out a humorless laugh. “That’s his defense?”
“I told him they had years to tell us the truth.”
“And what did he say to that?” Sully asks.
“That they couldn’t because their families are religious.”
“Bullshit,” Emmett bites out.
Cassidy squeezes my hand. “They even had the gall to say they were faithful more years than they weren’t.”
Sully spins around again. “They said what?”
“Yeah, like I should give him a gold star for that,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“I was ready to punch them over that,” Cassidy adds.
“Fucking dicks,” Sully hisses.
“We’re done with them,” Cassidy tells him. “Can’t believe I spent a week crying over those assholes.”
“Agreed,” I tell her. “We also told them we’re moving to New York.”
“You did?” Sully seems surprised.
“Felt like something we could throw in their faces in that moment.”
“And what did they say?” Sully asks.
“They were shocked,” I explain.
“And are you?” my brother asks.
I turn and look at Cassidy. “Are we?”
“Yes,” she says, wiping her tears away.
“Guess that means I’m going to have two more roommates.” My brother chuckles.
“We won’t stay long. As soon as we find somewhere to live, we’ll move out,” I tell him.
“It’s fine. Stay as long as you need,” he says.
“Might want to check with Jo before offering that.” I chuckle.
“She told me I could offer it if it was needed.” He grins, looking at me through the rearview mirror.
“She’s a good woman,” I tell him.
“I’m pretty fucking lucky,” he says.
“Why don’t you two move in with me?” Sully asks.
“You have a one bedroom,” Cassidy tells him.
He shakes his head. “No, I mean, we all get an apartment together. When the season starts, I’m gone most of the time. I can rent out my apartment, it’s a good investment.”
“There are always apartments for rent in my building. When we stop, I’ll text Jo to check.”
“You want us to live with you?” Cassidy asks her brother.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s been years since we lived together. I think it would be kind of cool.”
“You do?” She seems surprised.
“Yes.”
“I can stay with Emmett if you two want to rent,” I say.
“The invite is to you, too. The three of us living together could be fun,” Sully says.
“And I’ll be in the same building, it will be great,” Emmett says.
“Come on, Em. This could be our Sex in the City era like we always said we would have when we were teens.” Cassidy nudges me.
“Sure, count me in.” I grin.
This is exactly what we need to focus on, our new life and the future. There are still so many things left to detangle us from the past, like pack up a lifetime of shit from the marital home, file for divorce, separate from a business that we started and grew, and say goodbye to the old Ember.
After dropping Sully and Cassidy at their family’s home, Emmett and I head back home.
“How are you feeling?” he asks.
“Numb, but also relieved.”
“Guess it’s been a buildup all week, and now it’s over.” I nod. “I will say, you are handling this remarkably well.”
“I don’t feel like I am.”
“You are. I’m proud of you. I’m also sorry that this has happened. You didn’t deserve this.”
“Thanks,” I tell him.
“You know it’s a him problem, not a you problem.”
I nod. “I know. I still can’t wrap my head around it all. Maybe once we are all settled, I might start therapy because I hate that this has now put a scar on my heart.”
“It might be a good idea.” He reaches out, giving me a gentle pat on the leg.
“I’m going to concentrate on me this year, working out what I want out of life.”
“Good idea. And know that whatever you choose, I’m here for you,” Emmett tells me.
He really is a good brother. I’m lucky to have him by my side.
Emmett turns down Mom’s street and pulls into her driveway. He parks the car and looks at me. “Ready for all Mom’s questions?”
“No.” I know she is just worried.
“You want to sit here for a minute?”
“Yes.”
We sit in silence.
“What are you thinking?” he asks.
“That I told Kevin I never wanted to see him again. And there’s a chance that I won’t see him again.”
“Do you mean it?”
“Right now, I do.”
“It’s understandable. You spent half your life with that man, and he betrayed you in the most devastating way. You don’t have to see him ever again because you think it’s the right thing to do or because people think you should get over it. Only you can do what is right for you.”
“I don’t know how I’m supposed to switch off my feelings,” I confess to him.
“You don’t have to switch it off today.”
“I hate that I still care.”
Emmett looks at me. “You can care about someone and still know they’re not good for you.”
“When did you get so wise?” I ask him.
“Jo.” He smiles.
Mom opens the front door before we make it out of the SUV. One look at my face and she knows.
“It’s over?” she asks.
“Yes.”
She opens her arms, and I walk straight into them.
“Oh, sweetheart.”
“They weren’t really sorry about what they had done to us. So, I told him I wanted a divorce.”
“I’m proud of you.”
The tears come again. Urgh, I’m sick of crying. I’m sick of everything hurting. Mom holds me until I finally pull away.
“Come inside. I made dinner.”
“Thanks.”
Mom leads us inside, and the three of us sit at the kitchen table while she serves enough food for ten people.
“How’s Cassidy?”
“Angry.”
Mom sits across from me. “What happened?”
And so, I explain to Mom what went down.
After more tears, it’s time to retreat to my bedroom, have a shower, and an early night.
I am spent from the day. The hot shower is exactly what I need, and it helps clear away some of the fog.
I get changed into my pajamas and jump into bed, and that’s when my phone buzzes. I think it’s Cassidy, but it’s Kevin.
Kevin: Today didn’t go the way I wanted it to. I’m not blaming you. I know we deserved everything you said.
My anger returns immediately.
Kevin: For what it’s worth, I am so sorry I hurt you.
Tears well in my eyes.
Kevin: Once I let go of my pride and listened to what you actually said today. I’m sorry.
Kevin: I can’t imagine how much of a shock this must have been for you. And for what it’s worth, I love you.
I wipe the tears from my cheeks.
Kevin: Maybe one day we can be friends again.
Hell no.
Kevin: Trevor and I will make sure we aren’t home tomorrow so that you and Cass can pack up your things. Take whatever you want or need from the home, I won’t stop you.
Oh, how nice of you.
Kevin: Just wanted to let you know we contacted a lawyer after you left. They’ll speak to yours tomorrow.
Kevin: We don’t want to fight you.
I snort.
Kevin: Regarding the home and business, guess things will be tricky. But Trevor and I were talking, and maybe if you girls take the houses, we take the business. Make it an easy swap. I mean, you did say you didn’t want the business, and you were moving to New York, so that might be easier.
Ember: That’s an interesting offer. I will present it to my lawyer. They will be in touch.
And I leave it at that. There’s nothing more to say.