Chapter 24
I crossed my arms, looking around my large, open, great room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Everything about this place turned out exactly how I’d pictured. Top of line and utter perfection.
The kitchen was stunning. White marble countertops popped against the dark cabinets. And they didn’t have stuck-on food, or scratches.
In fact, there was no mess anywhere. No shoes to go missing, or scrunchies.
It was perfect.
Big and quiet and…empty. I could walk around and not step on toys. Or hear kids fighting or smell pumpkin spice everywhere I went.
So why the fuck did the thought of living here make my stomach sink?
I picked up my phone and dialed my brother’s number. The moment he picked up, words spilled from my mouth.
“I don’t want to live in Phoenix.”
After a moment of silence, Declan cleared his throat. “Why would you live in Phoenix? Your wife’s in New York.”
Well, that was a loaded question. And one I wasn’t sure how to answer, or even one I wanted to.
“We’re not…” How did I even explain this? “She’s not really my wife.”
“How is that even possible?” Declan scoffed. “I was there. I saw you two get married, remember?”
I started at the beginning and told him the whole crazy story.
“I knew something was up.” A scoff echoed through the line. “But then I was convinced I was wrong.”
“Why?” I turned and scrunched my nose up at the new pristine kitchen floors. No scuffs or dirt. No spot where a ball hit the wall and dented it.
“Your text messages seemed like you were happy and liking it, liking her.”
“Of course, I love her.”
Oh shit. I love her.
“Yeah, I thought you did. That’s why I’m so confused right now.” He laughed like he thought I was a dumbass.
“Wait…” Maybe because I was a dumbass, and he knew it. “Declan, I love her.”
“Yeah, of course you do. I mean, that’s why you should have married her.”
“So why am I in Phoenix?”
“Yeah, that’s what I just said.”
But what was I supposed to do now? She didn’t ask me to stay, so maybe that meant she didn’t feel the same.
This wasn’t meant to be real, but somehow, between all the mess and chaos, it all became very real for me.