30. Chapter 30
Kylie
Lauren freezes. Her demeanor shifts, her jaw sets, and she crosses her arms in front of her chest.
"What does he want?" She looks about ready for a fight.
"Fuck if I know," I whisper.
A part of me wants to turn around and run away. I truly thought the moment we signed the papers would be the last time I ever saw him. He never called again, so I really thought his one call was accidental, but appearing here?
I’m not sure what to think.
"Do you want me to leave?" Lauren asks. Immediately, I shake my head.
"Hell no," I hiss and pull her with me. "You’ll be my witness."
"I'll be your witness, alibi, carry your shovel, and help you dig a grave.
" She shrugs, stumbling with me. "Anything you need.
I'm just saying, the cadaver dogs recently checked your property.
Chances are low they're going to do it again anytime soon.
Also, I heard the sheriff likes you, you could totally get away with murder. "
"Lauren!" I scold her. But she blinks at me with wide innocent eyes.
"Just saying."
"Nobody is going to die here today," I assure her, as we reach my gravelly driveway.
Zach decides this is the perfect opportunity to get out of his car.
"Zach." I stop in my tracks and give him a curt nod. My stomach bubbles with anxiety. "What are you doing here?"
He doesn’t seem well. The bags under his eyes aren't new, and neither is his hair being outgrown and disheveled, but he looks like a ghost. His skin is paler than ever, his eyes are bloodshot, and his beard longer than I've ever seen it.
"I didn't know where else to go." He sounds so broken that even Lauren starts to relax. "I'm sorry."
Lauren and I shoot each other a look. As angry as I am at him, his state worries me. Maybe it’s because I’m sentimental and how much he once used to mean to me. Which is my brain speaking. My heart? Doesn’t give a damn anymore. No more fluttering, no more ache, just indifference.
I’ll have to pop a bottle of nice wine to celebrate.
"We were just about to have a coffee," I say and pinch the bridge of my nose, hating the sentimentalist side of me. "Why don't you come inside?"
I walk ahead without waiting for his answer, knowing Lauren will follow me.
"You’ve got a nice place," Zach mumbles as he walks into my living room.
Abby doesn't even care he's here. She sniffed him in the beginning, but then promptly turned around and curled up in her little bed next to the couch. Pain flashes across his face, but what did he expect? It's not as if he ever spent time with her. I don't think he ever even took her on a walk.
“Thank you. Now, want to tell me why you’re here? You made it clear these past years that ‘missing me’ can’t be the reason. Is there anything we forgot to divide in the divorce?”
Lauren gives me a subtle thumbs up.
"I got fired," he admits. My hand stops halfway to my cupboard and I turn to him in slow motion.
"I'm sorry to hear that." The corner of Lauren's mouth twitches. I subtly nudge her with my elbow. This is not the time for glee. "It doesn't quite explain why you're here, though."
"Because once I got home to an empty house, I realized there's nobody left." He buries his face in his hands.
"What about Brad and his wife? Or George?" His two buddies from college he used to keep in sporadic contact with.
"They didn't take my calls." He shakes his head. "Apparently they had children and I never even fucking knew."
"You should have, though. I told you. Even left the baby shower invitation out for you to see."
"Right." He shoots me a sleepy smile as I hand him a cup of coffee, only a teaspoon of sugar in it, the way he likes it. And I'm so annoyed at myself for still remembering these little things about him. How he takes his coffee. Even the way he closes his hands around the mug is familiar.
"How did you know my address?" I cross my arms in front of my chest and lean my back against my kitchen counter. Lauren does the same, watching our interaction with interest. She’s only missing a notepad and pen, the way she attentively soaks in every word, without a doubt to relay them to Nic and Kieran later.
"Your mom told me."
I pinch the bridge of my nose. Of course she did. This meddling woman.
"I'm sorry. My life is falling apart and I just..." He carefully sets down the mug and takes a deep breath.
"Did you get a hotel here or what?"
His eyes widen. "Erm, I..." He stammers, eyes darting around the kitchen, not daring to meet mine. Clearly, he didn’t.
"I'll call Andrea," Lauren declares and walks away, into the hallway, leaving Zach and me alone. Awkwardness settles, turning the air thick and the silence into the loudest one I’ve ever experienced.
"I'm so sorry," Zach finally mumbles, staring at the table. "I know I said it back then, but..." He shakes his head. "I thought I was setting us up for the future. Instead I let those asshats take advantage of me. And now what do I have?" A teary laugh escapes him.
"Well, you've got a bunch of money for starters," I point out. "Take a vacation and a few months to relax. I promise, life will look better once you're rested."
He stares at me, his eyes softening.
"No," I say sternly and shake my head. "Get that thought out of your head right this second."
"I didn't even say anything."
"You didn't need to." I need to let out all this anxiety, so I start pacing my kitchen. "I'm not sure you could say the same, but I can tell what you're thinking. And no, we are not getting back together."
"I figured." He shrugs and rubs his blood-shot eyes. "But hope dies last."
"Well, kill it," I declare. Then I remember I can do it myself. "I have a boyfriend."
As much as he tries to hide it, I see his shoulders sag in disappointment.
Meanwhile I’m freaking out. ‘Boyfriend.’ It’s the first time I’ve called Erik my boyfriend out loud. And I really fucking love it.
"Of course you do." He clears his throat. "Does he treat you well?"
I don't know why, but hearing this question from him sends a knife through my heart. Then it sends a surge of hot anger through me. Now he cares about me being treated well?
"Yeah," I say with a firm nod. "He treats me well. Fantastic, actually"
"Good. That's good," he mumbles to the table. "I know you probably don't have much love left for me, but I truly wish you the best."
"Welp. No more hotel rooms available." Lauren waltzes back in, pushing her phone into her jeans pocket. "Apparently, this weekend is the autumn fair in Kinstead. Everything is booked out."
"Of course it is." I let out a deep sigh. Hotels in this area and I are not becoming friends.
"It’s okay. I’ll find a place." Zach hides a wide yawn behind his hand, staggering as he gets up. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have turned up here."
"Yeah. You shouldn't have," I agree, but I can't exactly be angry at him. We used to be a team for most of our lives. He probably came here more out of habit than actually missing me or thinking there might still be a chance for us.
"You know what? I have a guest room. Stay there, before you get into an accident because you fall asleep at the wheel."
"Kylie." Lauren hisses and smacks my arm.
"Can I finish?” I roll my eyes at her. Does she really think I’m having a slumber party with my ex? “I will be sleeping over at my boyfriend's tonight. In fact, I'm going to pack a bag go to his place right now."
"You don't need to-"
"Yes, I do." I shoot him the deadliest glare I can muster. "Erik's a good guy, and I'm sorry, but spending the night in the same house as my ex would be disrespectful as fuck. And I'm not jeopardizing my new relationship because of you."
"I understand."
"I'm sorry you're going through this, Zach. I really am. Make yourself at home, and we can talk more tomorrow morning. Okay?"
"Yes."
"Great." I call Abby and grab a can of her food from the pantry. Then I make my way up the stairs to my bedroom to throw together an overnight bag. When I return to my kitchen, it's to an icy silence.
"You know what? I'm not even going to ask. Come on, Lauren, Abby. Let's go. Sleep well, Zach."
"Thank you," he mumbles. Before I can question this whole thing anymore, I let Lauren lead me outside.