Chapter Twenty-Three
RAINEY
I knew it was only a matter of time before Adam reached out to me. I’m actually surprised it took him this long. I never skip work unless I’m actually ill, but I made the exception today. My head finally stopped hurting but my heart definitely needs at least a day to recover before I have to go back to the hospital and pretend like nothing’s wrong. Adam knows I should be on shift now—I’m guessing he just figured out that I called in.
Adam: Where are you? It’s not what it looks like. I need to explain.
Ha! Says every cheater on the planet. I think about ignoring him entirely but decide against it almost immediately. He deserves to have a piece of my mind after what he did.
Me: Really? Then why did it take you almost 24 hours before reaching out to me?
My phone rings immediately but I send his call to voicemail.
Adam: Baby, please answer the phone.
Me: DON’T ‘baby’ me. I’m not ready to hear your voice right now. If you have something to say to me, say it here.
I can practically see his eyebrows cinching together in frustration.
Adam: I love you. Please let me explain. We can make this work.
Is he serious right now?
Me: You’re MARRIED. And your WIFE IS PREGNANT! What more is there to say?
There is knocking at my door. Damn it, the last thing I need right now is a visitor.
Adam: There’s A LOT more. Answer the door.
Are you fucking kidding me? I launch myself off the couch and make my way to the front door. I don’t need to check the peephole, but I do anyway. Sure enough, Adam is standing in the hallway of my building. I’d hate to say it, but the fact that his nose is bandaged and he’s sporting a black eye gives me a small measure of satisfaction.
My head falls to the door. “I don’t want to see you right now, Adam.”
He jiggles the doorknob. “Rainey, I’m trying to respect your space, but I will use my keys if I have to. You need to hear what I have to say.”
My chest physically aches when I hear his voice. “I don’t want to hear any more of your lies.”
“Rainey...I didn’t want to bring this up, but I haven’t pressed charges against that asshole friend of yours who hit me. I have plenty of witnesses to prove that his attack was unprovoked.”
Unprovoked, my ass! I know he’ll make good on his implied threat, so I try taking as much control as possible over this situation. I take a deep breath and crack the door open.
“He was defending my honor, Adam.”
“He could’ve defended your honor without slamming his fist into my face. Look...I’ll drop it entirely if you just hear me out.”
I roll my eyes. “Like your word means shit.”
“Just hear what I have to say, then you can make a decision. Please.”
I hold my hand out, palm up. “I want my keys back before you can come in.”
Adam frowns. “Rainey, don’t be ridiculous.”
“Adam, don’t be an asshole,” I snap. “Oh, wait, it’s too late for that!”
He sighs before digging in his pocket to retrieve his keys. I watch as he removes two from the ring. Before dropping them in my hand he says, “You promise to listen to me if I give these to you?”
“You have five minutes.”