Chapter 14
Goodbye Miss Kiki
Kiki
Itoss the bottle of wine onto the front seat, swipe at my eyes, and pray to God I don’t have mascara halfway down my face.
Not that it matters.
One look at me and Eddie is going to know something is seriously amiss, smeared mascara or no.
I don’t have to turn around before he’s by my side, his hands warm and steady on my waist, his mouth near my ear. “What the hell happened?”
I swallow hard, buying myself a few seconds because the tears are right there, waiting for one wrong word to bust the dam wide open. “Just leave it alone, please.”
He turns me around, fixing me with his dark gaze. “Not happening.”
Of course it isn’t.
Eddie won’t allow me to hide my pain behind a half-assed brush-off, especially not when I resemble a walking nervous breakdown. For all my internal unraveling over the last several months, I’ve managed to keep most of it tucked beneath the surface.
Not anymore.
“It’s been a really bad day,” I mutter.
Eddie folds his arms across his chest, his gaze never leaving mine. “Okay. Tell me about it.”
Theo chooses this exact moment to step closer, peering up at me with wide, solemn eyes, his hand wrapped around his hockey stick.
I seize on the distraction immediately.
Wiping my cheeks, I crouch down and ruffle his hair. “You’re going to play hockey this winter? How cool is that?”
He nods and swings the stick a little, but his usual excitement is nowhere to be found.
Let’s hope my meltdown isn’t frightening him. That would be the fucking mustard on this shit sandwich.
“Dad’s makin’ paschetti.”
Despite everything, a small smile breaks across my lips. “Well, your dad makes excellent paschetti. I hope you enjoy it.” Then I turn my attention to Eddie. “I’m fine. I got a little overwhelmed, but I’m heading home now.”
“Nice try,” Eddie states, his voice low and controlled. “But I’m not going to pretend you’re fine. I’ve never seen you this upset before. Talk to me.”
“Trust me, Eddie, you don’t want to engage in this conversation. Not right now.”
He shifts his weight, his body language clear. He’s not going anywhere. “Try me.”
“Drake won’t sign the divorce papers,” I mutter, averting my gaze.
“Really? Why is that?”
I drag in a breath and tip my face toward the sky, watching a pair of crows circle overhead. God. To be that free. “I can’t say.”
A muscle jumps in his jaw. “What the hell does that mean?”
Theo’s head jerks up. “Dad.”
Eddie exhales hard and scrubs a hand over his face. “Sorry, bud.” Then he cuts me a pointed look. “What the heck does that mean, Kiki?”
I want to tell him. God, I do. Just so I don’t have to carry this burden alone for one more second. But the less he knows, the better.
I shake my head, staring down at the pavement. “Please just let it go.”
“Not a chance.” He steps closer, lowering his voice to a forceful whisper. “I’ll stand here all day, if that’s what it takes.”
Meanwhile, Theo is watching the entire conversation play out and that’s more than any six-year-old needs.
Eddie follows my gaze and reaches for Theo’s hand. “Hey, buddy, I’m taking you to the truck. I’ll put on your movie for you okay? I just need to speak to Ms. Kiki for a minute.”
Do I consider jumping in my car the second Eddie turns his back? Bet your ass I do.
Seems Eddie is counting on it, too, as he shoots me a look over his shoulder. “I’m parked right here. Three spots away. Don’t even think about leaving.”
So I wait until Eddie settles Theo in the truck and returns to my side. “Start talking.”
I pull my coat tight, but it does nothing against the biting wind. “I can’t tell you what he said, Eddie. I won’t incriminate you in his lies.”
“What the fuck?” Eddie goes still, save for his fists clenching and unclenching by his side. “What the hell is he asking you to do?”
“Eddie, I can’t—”
“Do not help him, Kiki. I know you were married and maybe you feel some obligation to him, but don’t you let this son of a bitch tangle you up in his mess.”
Does he really think that’s an option for me?
“I would never help Drake. Of all people, you have to believe me. He’s a monster.
” Tears stream down my face. Looks like the dam finally gave.
“He’s so smug, certain he’s going to walk.
There’s not an ounce of fear or remorse anywhere in him.
And then, as if dealing with that piece of shit wasn’t bad enough, I got a front-row seat to the Kiki bashing show, compliments of Sparkwood and her lovely residents. ”
He cups my face and thumbs away my tears. “I’m so sorry you’re having such an awful day. People are the worst.”
“You’re not.”
He shrugs and chuckles. “Yeah, well, I admit I got a twist of jealousy when you mentioned Drake’s name. Worried you might still have feelings for him.”
Okay, my man is officially off his rocker.
A snort flies past my lips. “Oh, I have feelings, all right. Plenty of them. Frustration. Rage. An urge to wear red to his funeral and tap dance on his coffin.”
The corners of Eddie’s mouth twitch. “Maybe that could be arranged.”
“I wish.” I sniffle, wiping my nose with my sleeve.
All the elegance and grace, Kiki.
Eddie jerks his chin toward his truck. “All right, it’s your choice. You can ride with me or you can follow me back to my place.”
I lift my hands and shake my head. “Absolutely not. I refuse to destroy your night with my crying and blubbering over everything. Have fun with Theo.”
But Eddie is in no mood to hear arguments. “You’re not sitting home alone tonight. We’re going to have spaghetti and meatballs, per Theo’s request. You’re going to have a glass of wine, and then, once you’re feeling loved and safe, we’ll discuss you going home.”
“No, but—”
“Stop arguing. I’m pretty sure Theo and I can cheer you up.” He brushes a lock of hair from my face. “You’re not alone anymore.”
His words are a direct hit, cracking the emotional armor I feel obligated to wear.
I can’t say no to him. Besides, a night with my two favorite guys might be exactly what I need. Some happiness to balance out the pain.
I press a kiss to my fingertips, then touch them lightly to his mouth, the boldest move I can manage without falling apart again. “Okay, I’ll follow you.”
The strangest thing happens the second I step across the threshold into Eddie’s apartment.
I can breathe again.
The day still clings to me like smoke, and Drake’s veiled threats remain lodged beneath my ribs like a poisonous dart.
But inside these four walls, the world loosens its grip.
Theo makes a beeline for the coffee table, where he pulls several dinosaurs from his backpack and begins narrating an elaborate battle.
I bet the kid would give Napoleon a run for his money.
Eddie heads for the fridge and pours me a glass of wine before I can protest. He slides it across the counter and jerks his chin toward the table. “Sit.”
“Let me help.”
But Eddie shakes his head as he fills a pot with water. “No need.”
I take a sip of wine, grateful for the warm slide of it down my throat. “If I sit here doing nothing, my brain will eat me alive.”
“You’re not doing nothing. You’re drinking wine and keeping me company.” He points a wooden spoon at Theo when his son reaches for the television remote. “Ah-ah, buddy. Homework first. Then you can watch television.”
Theo groans like the world is ending. “But I hate spelling.”
Look at that, a perfect opening for me.
“I’ll help him,” I blurt out, already on the move. “You get dinner ready and Theo and I will tackle his spelling assignment.”
Eddie sighs and offers a mock salute with the spoon, aware he’s not winning this battle. “Have at it, Sarge.”
Theo and I settle on the floor, spreading his workbooks across the coffee table between us.
He’s a super bright kid, but some of the letters still trip him up, so we go slowly—one word at a time, sounding them out together.
Every time he gets one right, his face lights up, and a tiny piece of my soul comes back online.
When a knock sounds at the door, I pay it no mind, intent on helping Theo.
But when I glance up, Eddie is rigid at the door, his mouth a thin line.
“Deirdre, what are you doing here?”
“Theo forgot one of his books, and he needs it for school tomorrow.”
With that, his ex-wife steps into the apartment and I get my first real look at her. She’s tall, nearly as tall as Eddie, with dark blonde hair and a striking profile.
And Theo is a perfect blend of his parents. No wonder the kid is so adorable.
She sniffs the air. “Something smells good.”
“Spaghetti and meatballs,” Eddie replies, holding out his hand for the textbook.
“Theo’s favorite.” Deirdre smiles as her gaze tracks through the apartment, but it fades the second she sees me. She jerks her thumb toward the bedroom. “Eddie, I need to speak with you in the other room. Now.”
No hello or greeting for me. Just an ice-cold glare I’m all too familiar with.
So much for Eddie swearing she’d like me.
Then she motions to Theo. “You too.”
Well, thanks for making it subtle.
The low hum of voices carries through the bedroom door.
Not loud enough for me to make out every word, but come on.
I don’t need a transcript to know what’s being said in there.
Any variation of the usual greatest hits should cover it nicely.
She’s dangerous. Her husband is evil. How dare you bring Theo around her.
I don’t need the full remix.
I just need to leave.
Setting my wineglass down, I slip on my heels, and grab my purse from the counter, which puts me close enough to the bedroom door to hear everything they’re saying.
Joy of joys.
“What do you expect me to do, Deirdre?” Eddie asks, his voice rough with frustration. “She was really upset.”
“Not my problem,” Deirdre snaps. “We had an agreement. You are not to bring Theo around her.”
God no. Not him, too.
Oh, the hatred is nothing new. I’ve heard some version of it from half this town by now. But I love that little boy, and the thought of him being yanked out of my life is more than I can bear tonight.
But just before I can escape, the bedroom door flies open, and Deirdre emerges, her hand wrapped around Theo’s wrist.
“We’re leaving.”
This is my chance. Maybe my only one.
I step forward, gingerly lifting my hands.
“Deirdre, wait. I’m sorry. This is all my fault.
I barged in on dinner, totally uninvited.
I was having a really bad day, and I thought—” My voice catches, but I force through it.
“I thought if I saw them for a few minutes, I’d feel better.
But I had no right to show up like this, and I’m leaving now. ”
“No,” Eddie cuts in, his boots heavy against the wood floor as he returns to the living room. “Don’t do that. I asked you to come here.”
My gaze flies to him, a mixture of shock and horror.
Why would you admit that? Let me take the blame. I’m used to it by now. Otherwise, we both know how this ends.
Eddie’s expression hardens as he looks at his ex. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“Please don’t fight. I’m going. Let him stay.” Apparently, humiliation is a bottomless well because I’m still drawing from it.
Deirdre finally turns and looks at me. Really looks at me, but there’s not a hint of uncertainty in her face. Only fury.
“This doesn’t concern you,” she snaps. “I don’t care where you go or what you do. I care about my family, and you are not part of it. You will never be a part of it.”
A tear slips free before I can stop it. I swipe it away fast, but not before she sees. If anything, it only hardens her further.
Theo’s eyes are wide, confusion written across his face. He’s only six, but even he understands the basics: his mother is furious, his parents are fighting, and I’m at the center of it all. “Mom—”
She points at Eddie. “You can pick him up tomorrow.”
“Deirdre—”
“No.” Her voice is low but deadly. “Do not try me.” She turns to Theo. “Get your backpack and say goodbye to your father.”
Theo’s eyes fill, but he doesn’t fight her. He knows it’s a losing battle. He trudges to his backpack and then returns, wrapping his arms around Eddie’s waist.
“It’s okay, buddy,” Eddie murmurs, smoothing a hand over his hair. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Then Theo pivots in my direction, raising his hand. “Goodbye, Ms. Kiki.”
I wave and force a smile, as my heart shatters in my chest.
And then, they’re gone, leaving the apartment painfully quiet the moment the door closes behind them.
“Fucking hell,” Eddie grunts. He stalks to the cabinet and pulls out a bottle of whiskey, taking a long swallow from it. “The woman is out of her damn mind.”
There’s no point pretending now. Not when we both watched everything unravel in real time.
I sniffle and back toward the door, hooking my purse over my shoulder. “I’m so sorry. Let me get out of here. I’ve ruined things enough already.”
“No.” The word cracks through the room like a shot. He turns and points toward the table, the bottle still in his hand. “You’re not leaving. Sit down. Drink your wine. I’m finishing dinner.”
“But—”
“But what, Kiki?” He slams the bottle down and braces both hands on the counter, his breathing erratic.
“What exactly do you think is going to happen here? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I’m a great dad, and despite what you just saw, Deirdre is an amazing mom.
We both love Theo. We both want what’s best for him.
” He exhales hard and drags a hand over the back of his neck.
“She’s just in a fucking mood because of you. ”
He couldn’t have hit harder if he slapped me, and a fresh set of tears fills my eyes.
Eddie slumps, realizing a second too late what he said. He walks to me and rests his hands on my shoulders. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong.”
“It’s fine,” I mumble, my eyes glued to the floor.
“She’s been in a mood since I told her how much I care about you. Guess me being crazy about you didn’t go over very well. I thought we were past the jealousy bullshit, but seems I was mistaken.”
Normally, I’d be doing somersaults, knowing Eddie is as crazy about me as I am about him. But I don’t think Deirdre’s hatred is simply because she pines for Eddie, although it might play a role.
No, I think she wants distance between her family and the pariah of Sparkwood.
And the idea that him caring about me means he’s lost a night with his son hurts my soul in a way taunts never could, because I never want Eddie to feel an ounce of pain because of me.
My mouth parts, but he cuts me off before I can say a word. “Look, I am doing my absolute best not to lose my shit, so can we please have a nice dinner together and try to forget it for a few minutes?”