Asshole Husband

Benjamin didn’t even look toward him.

Mary gave him a pitying look, which he really didn’t fucking appreciate.

“Thank you for taking him. I’ll call to let you know what I plan.” Rachel hugged her sister, and Wolfe didn’t even get a goodbye. His son was giving him the silent treatment.

He heard them at the door and the click as it shut.

Rachel appeared in the doorway. Her hands were by her sides, and she looked so sad. He wanted to hold her.

“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter. What you did, I don’t know if you planned it or not, but hitting Ryan, doing what you did today, trashing the potluck, why?”

“I don’t want him near you.”

“I’m not going to be with Ryan.”

“Even with what he said to you. I heard every single word. He loves you. Wants to build a life with you.”

“And I’m married to you!”

He stood up. “What if you weren’t? Would you have fallen for him? Would you have left with him? Been his little wife. Baked pies every weekend for your neighbors?”

“It doesn’t matter because I’m still married. I’m not going to even predict what hypothetical answers you want me to have. None of it matters. I’m your wife, remember?” She held her hand up. “I don’t know if I can stay in town.”

“Are you fucking joking with me right now? So Ryan and I got into a fight.”

“Ryan’s one of their own and you kept on hitting him, and when you were pulled away, you kicked him.”

“Do you love him?” Wolfe asked.

“What?”

“Do you love him? Tell me, right here, right now. I will grant you the divorce if you tell me you’re in love with Ryan, and you want to spend the rest of your life with him. No one else. Fucking tell me.” He yelled the words.

She had tears in her eyes, and she gritted her teeth.

Silence fell between them.

He’d never been so sick in all of his life.

Why couldn’t he just keep his mouth shut?

This wasn’t what he wanted.

“No,” she said.

Her answer was nothing more than a whisper, but he heard it.

“What?”

“I don’t love him, and I’m not going to lie to you just to get a divorce.” She turned her back on him and started to walk away.

“Rachel, you can’t just say shit like that and walk away.” He rushed toward her, grabbing her arm. She was at the stairs, one hand on the banister as well as one foot. “Talk to me.”

“What is there to talk about? I don’t know if Ryan will sue you for the fight today. I’m going to go pack.”

“Wait, where are you going?”

“Back to the city. I can either stay with one of my sisters, or you, it’s up to you. I’m not going to have my son hurt or pushed aside because of what you did.”

“You’re overreacting.”

“I’ve seen this happen, Wolfe. This is a community where violence like that is not the answer. I was already an outsider, and you made it more so. I brought you here, and I couldn’t keep control of you. I’m not doing this for you; I’m doing this for Benjamin.”

She pulled out of his hold, and he watched her go.

“Do you love me?” he asked, shouting the words upstairs to watch her go. She paused but didn’t look down. “I know I’m an asshole. I don’t need anyone to tell me how much I really am. I get it. I’m not going to change. This is who I am. If you don’t love Ryan, and you’re willing to go with me, it means you have to love me, right? There has to be a smidge of love for me?”

She glanced over at him but didn’t say a word. Her blue eyes captured him again, only now they were filled with tears.

He’d put them there.

“I’m going to go pack.”

She didn’t say the words, but he knew her. She did love him, and that was why she would pack.

Taking a step away from the stairs, he smirked. This was what he wanted. Well, not exactly. He knew he’d have to go and talk to Ryan, try to convince the man not to press charges. It wouldn’t be easy as he did hit him really hard.

“I’m heading out,” Wolfe said.

Grabbing his jacket and car keys, he chanced a look at his face and winced. He had gotten hit good a few times. Climbing into his car, he followed the directions toward Ryan’s house.

The lights were still on, and he parked up. Just as he was heading up the driveway, the door opened a young woman from the school stepped out.

“If you need me don’t hesitate to call me, okay?”

“I will, Sarah, thanks.”

The moment they saw him, he saw the anger and resentment they had for him.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Sarah said. “You and your wife have already caused enough trouble. You’re not welcome here.”