Chapter 26 Fighting the Air
FIGHTING THE AIR
Eliana shivered as she stepped inside the high school gymnasium and received an unsolicited face full of super-charged air conditioning.
She scanned the crowded space, looking for a familiar flash of red—or two.
The girls had traveled with their coach for the last tournament of the year due to a conflicting work meeting, but even though Eliana trusted the woman, it was still the first time she’d allowed somebody other than Jesse to transport her daughters.
She’d been on edge all afternoon, chomping at the bit to set eyes on them.
“They’re on the mats out in the middle. Stretching.”
Eliana glanced up with grateful eyes. “Thank you,” she said, not bothering to ask how he knew what she’d needed. “And thank you again for tagging along. It’ll be nice to have some company.”
“No stress,” Milo answered breezily. He waved her forward once they got their tickets, indicating for her to pick the seats. “I like learning new things, and I’ve never been to a karate, uh . . . match?”
“Tournament.” Eliana smiled. Then she froze, the smile falling instantly.
Jesse stood no more than five feet ahead, a groove etched so deep into his forehead that no amount of frownies would ever be able to smooth it back out.
“Elly,” Jesse greeted, though his eyes were fixed on Milo. “Didn’t know we were bringing friends.”
“I didn’t even know you were coming, Jesse,” Eliana snapped back. “Why wouldn’t I bring a friend? I’ve sat alone for the last three tournaments.”
That caught his attention, and his glare. “I was working.”
“I never said you weren’t.”
“I always tell you when I’m not going to be able to make it.”
“Yes, I’m well aware.”
“Then there was no reason to assume I wouldn’t be here.”
“Patterns of behavior are consistent.” Eliana shrugged. Then she turned, pointing to a spot halfway up the bleachers. “That looks like a good view.”
Milo nodded and headed for the stairs, marching up to the spot Eliana claimed.
She followed suit, ignoring Jesse’s muttering as he trailed behind.
She took a seat at Milo’s side and then fought the urge to roll her eyes when Jesse slammed down into the seat on her opposite side, so close that their thighs were pressed flush together.
He went to put an arm around her shoulders but Eliana was quick to lean forward, bracing her elbows on her knees as she finally caught sight of Abby and Zoey on one of the practice mats, running through their forms.
“Milo,” she heard Jesse greet behind her, his voice gruff.
“Jesse.”
“I’m surprised to see you out so soon.”
“Why’s that?”
“Your separation . . .?”
“Why would I stay inside over that?” Milo scoffed. “As far I can tell, the trash took itself out. I consider that a favor.”
Eliana smirked. She didn’t have to look at Jesse to know the man was clutching his metaphorical pearls.
Down below, the coaches gathered and began speaking into a microphone that was far too quiet to reach her ears, but Eliana knew the drill.
She watched as the kids were numbered and then separated into lines.
She was relieved to see Abby’s group head towards the forms station first, knowing that the kid would be able to relax and perform better once that was out of the way.
“That’s a strong stance to take,” Jesse said.
Eliana scoffed, annoyed by the distraction. “Sounds pretty reserved in my opinion,” she tossed over her shoulder.
Jesse sputtered. “She was your friend.”
“Was,” Eliana agreed. Then she straightened, meeting her husband’s eye as she asked, “Why are you taking the cheater’s side, Jesse?”
“I–” his mouth opened, then closed, much like a goldfish. “I’m not,” he answered, then flinched as his volume attracted angry glares. “I was just surprised by how quickly you both . . . moved on.”
“The Bea I thought I knew didn’t exist,” Milo answered, his tone thoughtful.
“The Bea that believed in loyalty and fidelity—she was just a figment of my imagination. The person I wanted her to be.” He paused.
“I won’t make that mistake again. I’ll be sure to learn everything there is to know about the next woman I marry. The good and the bad.”
“That’s sweet,” Eliana smiled, burying the twinge of unease she felt at the thought of him meeting someone new. “She’s lucky—whoever she is.”
“No,” Milo answered, his voice resolute. “But I am.”
Eliana tore her eyes from the mats to meet Milo’s stare, striving to keep the shock from her tone when she asked, “You’ve already met someone?”
“Maybe.”
“You hadn’t said anything,” Eliana accused, her eyes narrowed in faux humor as she fought to quell the instinct to ask a thousand questions in an effort to soothe the sudden disquiet of her mind. Why was she bothered? This was fine. She was fine.
Milo’s answering smile was slow, and crooked. “I’m in no rush. I’ve got enough going on at the moment, and so does she.” He paused. “I’ll ask after the holidays.”
His words suddenly felt weighted, his stare meaningful, as he held her trapped once more in his steady gaze. The tension grew taut, just like that evening in the rage room. He couldn’t have meant . . . but the words were so pointed. So specific. Could it be that—
“Why wait? No time like the present,” Jesse mumbled, interrupting the tense moment.
Eliana rolled her eyes, turning around to look at Jesse, whose gaze was settled on Zoey below—helping the instructors prepare the board-breaking stands. “Weren’t you just saying that he was moving on too fast?”
Jesse shrugged, keeping his eyes locked on the action below. He scratched idly at an elbow, drawing Eliana’s eyes.
Martha had said . . . but surely not. Eliana turned her eyes back to the tournament, biting her lip as Martha’s voice floated through her mind with the same ethereal whisper and crazed cackle, as if they were still on the phone.
To him I bestow—
A nail that shall grow.
And—
An itchy elbow.
This I have granted—
A mind disenchanted.
These treats I have given—
Until he’s forgiven.
It was so outlandish, so humorous, Eliana had never put any more stock in the hex than the joy it gave her to chat with the eccentric woman. She’d never failed to put a smile on Eliana’s face, even in her darkest moments.
But now . . . surely it was just a random itch. Nothing more. Because a hex would be crazy. Right?
“Sounds like his mind’s made up,” Jesse answered, bringing Eliana’s mind back to the present matter.
“Carpe diem, huh?” Milo responded, a suspicious undercurrent in his tone. “You think that’s the way to approach it?”
Jesse cocked his head, picking up on the shift in the atmosphere. The challenge in Milo’s voice. “I’m just saying that sitting around talking about your feelings with my wife doesn’t really accomplish anything. Does it?”
“That’s rich, coming from you.”
“What doe–”
Eliana’s brows leapt straight into her hairline as she straightened and pointed at the mats below. “Hey, look! It’s Abby’s turn.”
They fell silent, watching as Abby spun and punched and kicked her way across the floor. Eliana snuck a sideways glance and fought a snicker at Milo’s bemused expression.
“Does she get points for fighting the air?” He asked.
Eliana laughed, nodding, ignoring Jesse as he fumed at her side. She explained how it was a foundational skill—showcasing technical mastery and mental discipline.
But as she watched, and she explained, she suddenly understood Abby with crystal-clear clarity. She was always so stressed about whether she’d practiced enough. Prepared enough. Worked hard enough. Fighting the air, not just on the mat—but every second of every day.
Eliana should’ve been pissed at Milo for goading Jesse, for picking a fight that she now needed to finish, but Eliana found she didn’t care. The clock was ticking to put things in motion, and Jesse was right—now was as good a time as ever.
Eliana was sick of fighting the air.
She was ready to spar.
Carpe diem, right?
As soon as Abby finished her routine, Eliana stood, indicating for Jesse to stand with her. “We’ll be back in a moment,” Eliana said to Milo, who nodded, his eyes watchful.
She hurried back down the bleachers, then turned for the doors at the back end of the gymnasium, away from the concession.
As she moved along the edge of the wall, dodging feet and loose children, she glanced up to find Abby’s eyes tracking their movement—but the girl turned away as soon as Eliana raised a hand to wave.
That was odd.
She didn’t have time to think about the matter before she was at the doors, and she found herself standing in an abandoned hall, lined with lockers and darkened classroom windows. It smelled like disinfectant and feet.
“I know about the credit cards,” Eliana said, jumping straight into the matter before he had a chance to speak.
The first, most vital thing she needed to do was curb his spending.
There was nothing for him to say, and she had no interest in hearing the words.
She was aiming for the element of surprise, and she was pleased to note she’d succeeded.
Jesse’s eyes were wide when she met them. As crystal clear as the Emerald Coast, and yet—he was floundering within. Panicking. Good.
“I’m guessing you asked the bank to pull your credit score recently, because you received a copy of your credit report in the mail last week. Imagine my surprise to find out you had over sixty thousand dollars in personal credit debt.”
“I—”
Eliana lowered her voice as she recited back the words he’d said to her so long ago.
“It’s all in my name, so if you call, they’re just going to want to talk to me anyways.
It’d be easier if I just took care of it.
Can you trust me to do that?” Eliana paused, holding his stare.
“That’s what you said to me when I asked if I could help.
Do you remember that? So many things make sense, knowing this.
Why you kept me in the dark for so long.
You were hiding this. You were manipulating me. Gaslighting me every step of the way.”
Jesse was shaking his head, his eyes wild, but Eliana pushed forward, barely pausing long enough to suck in another breath. “I’m giving you eight weeks. Eight weeks to make a change. To cut away the fat. Refinance. Maybe get yourself some help and learn how to control your spending.”
“How—”
“I don’t care.”
“You can’t—”
“No.” Eliana stepped forward, jabbing a finger into his chest, fire flashing in her eyes.
“You lost the privilege to tell me what I can’t do when you betrayed my trust.” She turned away, holding her chin high and forcing her shoulders back despite the exhaustion weighing them down.
The relief is what carried her forward—knowing that something was finally out in the open.
That she no longer had to pretend things were normal, or that she wasn’t furious.
“What if I can’t?” Jesse’s voice called, desperate, as she paused by the door, her fingers wrapped around the handle. “We’re married, Elly. We’re partners.”
“We’ve never been partners,” Eliana said.
“I’m only disappointed in myself that it took so long to see the truth.
” She glanced back at him, ready to deliver the final blow that she’d practiced in the mirror just that morning.
“If I don’t see that things have changed, then I don’t see a point in continuing this sham of a marriage. ”
She watched the meaning of her words land, his features twisting. It was a calculated risk, hinting at what she planned to do—but she needed him to panic. To act rashly.
“You don’t mean—“
“I assure you, I do,” Eliana worked to keep the sharpness from her tone, aiming for one of regret and sorrow.
Something that would inspire hope, to keep him moving.
But even she wasn’t a good enough actress to hide the bite in her voice when she said, “I hate the fact that I need to say this in the first place—but if one penny goes missing from the girls’ college fund, I will not hesitate to walk away. ” She turned the handle. “Eight weeks.”