SWNOVELS Class Act: Chapter 18
and sighed. Why was I even surprised Teresa was late? When she’d claimed she wanted to work on our marriage—not that I’d changed my mind—I’d expected to see a change in her. Not a front she could hide behind when it suited her to act like she cared, but a genuine effort to save our marriage.
I’ll give her fifteen more minutes. If she doesn’t show, I’ll leave.
I picked up my phone off the table and opened my chat with Emery. I didn’t want to call him again in case he hadn’t answered earlier because he was with Mandy.
Abe: How are things at the party? Don’t tell Mandy, but I’ll be sneaking by in a few. Can I see you? We should talk.
“Got stood up again?”
Lynn slid into the booth across from me. She had a towel thrown over her shoulder, a toothpick in her mouth. Teresa would have hated seeing that toothpick.
Why the hell had I chosen this bar for us to meet up and talk about our divorce? Maybe it was a good thing she hadn’t shown up.
“What’s new?” I sat back in the booth.
“You tell me. You look like you have something on your mind.”
“A lot, actually, but I’m muddling my way through it.”
“Yeah? You divorcing Teresa?”
I stared at her. “How’d you know?”
She removed the toothpick. “Seriously? I’m sorry. I was just fucking around.”
“But there has to be a reason you thought that, right?”
She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Just that I know things haven’t been hunky-dory between you two. Who’s divorcing who?”
I shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I think we’ll both thrive outside of this marriage. It’s funny I never realized before how little we have in common.” Or how we’d gotten too comfortable, and we’d let the affection fizzle away.
“It’s been over twenty years. I know you’ve had your differences, but there has to have been something for you to last that long, right? Maybe all you need is to see a couple’s therapist.”
“You don’t get it. I don’t want to make it work.”
God, I felt awful for admitting it. I didn’t want to work shit out and give my marriage a chance, and for what? A boy whose eyes glowed when he smiled at me.
Before Emery had entered my life, I would have wholeheartedly agreed to seeing a couple’s therapist. I would have done anything to fix what was wrong with my marriage, but these days, all I thought of was Emery.
“Don’t do anything rash. Take some time and think about it. You love Teresa. Plus, there’s Mandy to think about. How’s she taking it, by the way?”
“I haven’t told her yet. I don’t want her to worry about it.”
The door of the bar opened, and Teresa appeared, turning the heads of several men as she stopped and scanned the room. She was wearing the tan, ankle-length pencil skirt I’d told her countless times I loved on her. The material was soft and flowed over her curves, cupping her hips. She’d paired it with a green silk camisole-type top that plunged between her breasts.
“What are you…” Lynn glanced over her shoulder. “Damn, Abe. You sure you want to divorce your wife? She’s a looker for sure and intelligent.”
She was all that, but none of it mattered. Looking at her only made me feel sad. Once upon a time just seeing her walk into a room would have stolen my breath away.
“I should get going.” Lynn rose to her feet, patted me on the shoulder, and walked back behind the bar.
Teresa sashayed to the table, and I stood to pull a chair out for her.
“I told you we could have dinner in my hotel room, Abe.” She shifted and twisted, seemingly not capable of getting comfortable. “In fact, it’s ridiculous for us to stay in two separate hotels. What if someone I know saw you leaving that dingy place?”
Since we’d agreed to Mandy having the house for her party, I’d gone ahead with my plans to stay in a hotel close by where I could drive by the house and ensure everything was okay. Teresa hadn’t planned on being in town and had booked a four-star hotel for the weekend. It had pissed her off when I’d turned down her offer to stay in her suite.
“I just thought it would be better for us to have this conversation somewhere more public.” Somewhere she couldn’t start a fight. She was too concerned with her image to make a scene.
“It would’ve made better sense to stay in my hotel. How else are we going to work on our marriage, Abe?” She leaned forward and placed a hand on mine. “Honey, I know I haven’t been paying much attention, but I am now. Why would you want to throw our marriage away because of some slut you met?”
I pulled my hand from beneath hers and took a gulp from my beer.
“Couldn’t you get a glass, Abe?”
I gritted my teeth. Our marriage was on the verge of collapsing and she cared about whether I used a glass to drink beer?
“None of this has to be your problem anymore, Ter.” I drank some more, just to spite her. “You don’t have to seek me out in public constantly to see if I’m embarrassing you.”
“I don’t do that.”
“Forget it. This isn’t why I asked you here.”
“No? Then what?”
“I don’t want any bitterness between us to spill over to Mandy. You know how much I love our daughter. I’m asking you not to use her as a weapon during the divorce proceedings.”
“You mean you want me to keep it from her that her father’s fucking someone else on the side?”
“I’m not sleeping with anyone.”
She scoffed. “You expect me to believe that? I know you, Abe. Half the problems we had were that you never thought you got enough sex.”
“Believe what you will, Ter. I’m telling you, I don’t want to continue with the facade, which is why I’m filing for a divorce. Yes, I’ve had some intimacy with… someone, but I’ve not slept with them.”
Her face went red. She grabbed the bottle from the table and threw the drink into my face.
Fuck, I’d underestimated what she wouldn’t do in public.
“You’re not ending our marriage. Have you forgotten how many years I’ve put into it? Of how much work I’ve put into you over the years? I didn’t make us what we are today to hand you over to someone else to reap the benefits of my hard work. I’m not signing the divorce papers, so don’t you dare think about having me served.”
“It’s going to happen, Teresa.” I used my hand to wipe off the beer from my cheek.
She jumped to her feet and without another word strutted out of the bar. Scowling, I pinched the wet material of my shirt away from my skin.
“Use this.” Lynn dropped a cloth on the table.
“Thanks.” I scrubbed at my shirt.
“I take it things didn’t go so well?”
“What gave it away? Her storming out or the beer I’m now wearing?”
Lynn shook her head. “Come on over to the bar, and we’ll talk while I work.”
“Nah, I’m going to make a quick stop at the house to check out Mandy’s party before going back to the hotel.”
“You gave Mandy the house for a party? You must be feeling really guilty about this divorce thing.”
I did. It was juvenile to think a party could soothe the hurt she would feel of her parents splitting up, but at least she would have this night to enjoy before she had to face the tough ones ahead.
After settling my tab, I got into my car, buckled my seat belt, and punched in Emery’s number.
“Hi, Abe.” He sounded breathless.
“Emmy, are you at my house?” A party should have been going on, but everything sounded quiet. Too quiet.
“Yeah. We’re all good here.”
“You didn’t text me back. I’m on my way. Can we talk?”
“Umm. How far out are you, exactly?”
“I’ll be there in fifteen. Think you can sneak away?”
“Sure. See you!”
He hung up, and I removed the phone from my ear and stared at it. Was it my imagination, or had Emery sounded different? He’d been practically rushing me from the phone.
Something was definitely up.
I backed out of the parking lot, changed gear, and merged with the horrible night traffic. It was the weekend and close to Halloween. Many people were out and about. The drive, which should have taken me fifteen minutes, took me half an hour.
The house was too quiet for a party. No cars were in the driveway either. Where the hell was everybody? Had the party been a bust and everyone left? Damn, Mandy would be upset, especially since I’d made it clear no alcohol was permitted inside the house. I’d even counted the cans of beer in the fridge. They’d better still be there.
I’d been meaning to just drive by, but I’d been a father long enough to know when things weren’t adding up. A house full of seniors being so quiet didn’t.
Before I could put my key in the lock, the front door opened. Emery stood in the doorway, in his Halloween costume, looking enticing as hell. Dammit. Whenever I was around him, I felt like a horny schoolboy battling with self-control.
“Abe.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “Maybe we should talk in your car.”
That sounded suspicious. I peeked over his shoulder. Even when he moved to block me, he wasn’t tall enough for me not to see the empty hall.
“Did the party end already?” I asked.
“Oh yeah, everyone went home.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Emmy, what’s going on?”
He chewed on his bottom lip. “Areyouheretobreakupwithmeforgood?” he blurted out. “Because Mandy told me you and Teresa are spending the weekend at a hotel, and—”
“What? No. And we’re not staying at the same hotel.” Was that the reason for his worried look and why he was holding the door jamb for support?
“You’re not?” Relief flashed across his face, and I reached for him but then dropped my hand.
“Everyone is truly gone? You’re not hiding them in a closet until I leave?”
Emery’s laugh was a little high pitched. “Someone’s been watching too many movies. They’re all gone.”
“And Mandy?”
“Upstairs sleeping.”
Now this I had to see.
“I’ll check up on her, and then we’ll talk, okay?”
I kissed his forehead, but he didn’t move so I could enter the house. I held him by the waist and lifted him.
“Oh god, don’t do that.”
He clutched his stomach as I set him back on his feet. He looked pale.
“Em, what—”
He turned his head to the side and threw up all over the carpet. The stench of alcohol hit my nostrils.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorr—”
Emery vomited again. Fuck. Teresa was going to have a shit fit about her carpet.
“I’m sorry,” Emery swayed on his feet. “I’ll get something to clean this up.”
I left the door open to get rid of some of the smell and placed a hand on Emery’s shoulder. “Don’t. I’ll take care of it.”
Sure, I wanted to put him over my lap and spank his little ass for drinking when I’d forbidden it, but first I needed to make sure he was okay.
He sagged against me, and I held him to me.
“Please don’t be mad,” he moaned. “I thought your text meant you wanted to break up with me. I didn’t mean to drink this much.”
“It’s my fault. I should’ve called you instead of sending a text. Come on. Let’s get you in bed so you can sleep it off.”
I led him up the stairs and to the guest room and walked him straight through into the bathroom.
“I can do it,” he whispered.
I wanted to argue, but he looked so embarrassed as if he was holding back from barfing.
“Wash up and get in the bed.” I caressed the side of his face with the back of my hand. “I’ll clean up downstairs, then check on Mandy before I tuck you in.” My throat tightened. He was so damn young. What was I thinking? “Emery, you don’t have to worry about me and Teresa. I swear I’m handling it. I’m asking a lot here, but please trust me.”
Emery nodded. “I do.”
I dropped my hand and walked out of the bathroom. I took a peek in Mandy’s room. Just like Emery had said, she was fast asleep under the covers, snoring loudly. Fast asleep or passed out? I shook my head, closed the door behind me, and headed for the stairs.
Nothing looked out of place downstairs either, and I peeked into the closets and my den. No teenagers hiding. There was, in fact, no evidence a group of teenagers had been in the house at all. Instead, it looked as if someone had gone through the trouble of straightening up.
After cleaning up after Emery, I washed my hands in the half bath downstairs, then grabbed him a bottle of water and went back to the guest bedroom. He’d made it on the bed with the comforter tossed over him. He was curled up into a ball with a pillow clutched to his chest.
“Emmy.” I sat on the bed next to him and brushed back the hair from his face. “Are you awake?”
He let out a pitiful groan.
“Come on. Sit up and drink this bottle of water before you fall asleep.”
“I’m too tired.”
I placed the bottle on the bedside table and, with my hands on his shoulders, pulled him up into a sitting position. He leaned against me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“Abe, please don’t ever leave me.”
“I’m not.” I picked up the bottle of water and uncapped it for him. “Open up.”
He guzzled down half of the bottle, then shook his head. I downed the rest and dropped the bottle onto the floor. Instead of nudging him to lie down, I lifted Emery and placed him on my lap. Too late I realized he wasn’t wearing his skirt.
Without warning, he caught the hem of his shirt, pulled it over his head, and dropped it to the floor. He wore a similar lace bra to the one I’d seen him in at school. Matching lace undies hugged his hips. He was all pale limbs dipped in a generous serving of sexy.
If only the way he looked didn’t affect me, but the moment his plump ass hit my lap, my cock chubbed up. Emery squirmed against my erection, and a smile split his face. He batted his eyelashes. “You want me, Abe?”
What was the use of lying when he could feel the evidence? “Yes.”
“Then have sex with me.” He wrapped his arms around my neck and kissed the side of my face. “Let’s do it, Abe. I don’t want to wait anymore.”
I cupped his nape, desire warring with common sense. “Not like this, Em.” I pulled his head back, and his sexy pout almost did me in.
I lifted him up and pulled down the comforter some more so I could tuck him under. Emery locked his legs around my waist, and the way he gyrated against me was sinful. He kissed my neck and bit me, leaving me hyperventilating.
Damn, but he was going to leave a mark on me.
“Down you go.” I tried to lay him on the bed, but he tightened his legs.
“Please,” he said. “I don’t want you to be mad at me tonight.”
“I‘m not.”
“Promise?”
I laid my forehead against his. “I promise, though, tomorrow, I expect a full account from you and Mandy when you wake up.”
I had a pretty good idea of what had gone down in the house tonight, but I needed them both to confirm how Emery had played me. It was so obvious that me texting him to let him know I would come around had triggered them in getting rid of the kids and the alcohol before I’d arrived.
“Or maybe tomorrow we can pretend as if it never happened?”
“Nope. I’m going to punish you both.”
His jaw fell slack, and he let out a moan. “I’m on board with a spanking.”
I chuckled and stroked his cheek. “Of course you are. But now we need to get you into bed. You’re drunk.”
“I’m not. We’re having a perfect conversation.”
“Let’s see how much of it you remember tomorrow.”
He groaned but released his legs around my waist so I could put him down. Before I could step back, he clutched the front of my shirt and tugged. “At least kiss me good night.”
“No problem.” He puckered his lips and closed his eyes. I gently kissed the space between his eyes. “Keep your eyes closed and go to sleep.”
“Please stay with me.”
“I can’t. We’re not alone.”
“Mandy won’t wake up until morning,” he said. “Please, Abe. For once, I want to go to bed without feeling so alone, especially tonight when I thought I’d lost you.”
How could I walk away from him after that? “Scoot over. You’re on my side of the bed.” He shifted and gasped. “Move slowly.”
I kicked off my shoes, took off my socks, and removed my shirt. I kept my jeans and undershirt on and slid into the space next to him. Emery turned over and cuddled into my side while I lay on my back. He threw an arm around my chest and placed his head on my shoulder and his leg between mine.
“So comfy.” He let out a sigh, and the smile on his face was gentle and warm.
It didn’t take long before he was softly snoring. I wasn’t used to the gentle puffs, but his were reassuring. He was next to me and all right.
I frowned at the thin cut on his cheek. Had he had an accident, or had that bastard hit him again? I placed a hand on his hip, the sharpness of his bone alarming. So breakable. So vulnerable. So easy to hurt him.
Inhaling deeply, I closed my eyes. I had to protect this boy. From his Dad. From my wife. From the potential backlash of my daughter finding out and the disdain of others when the truth eventually came out. How long could I hide how I felt about him when I was willing to be so reckless as to sleep in the same bed with him under the roof my wife and I had been living in for the past ten years?