Hate Sober (Love Me Duet 2)

“He does. He treats me really good.”

“I’m happy for you. I really am.” The cab driver pulls up. “Guess I need to go home and get divorced,” I joke about the papers on my floor, which I still haven’t signed.

“Let’s have a divorce party when you do.”

I only smile as I get in the car and drive away.

10

Everly

It takes me a good few days to sign the forms, and even longer to think about handing them in. They’re still sitting on my counter, but at least they’re signed. When I saw his signature on the final page, my heart almost beat out of my chest and I wondered why. Why would he decide this is the right move? I would have happily stayed married to him. It’s what he wanted, after all. Though, that would be a weird conversation I’d have to have with a future partner, trying to explain why I’m still married but no longer together.

Sighing, I sit on the floor in my kitchen. The ring on my finger that I love glistens in the light and shines back at me with some sense of loss. I haven’t been able to take it off, it simply doesn’t feel right. Not yet.

But then again, thinking about it, I guess there is no better time than now.

I slide it off, and it feels decisive.

Conclusive.

Irrefutable.

This is the final step.

I’m saying goodbye to someone who I haven’t had the chance to say goodbye to. I doubt I’ll ever see him again now.

Sighing, I stand and place the ring on the counter. It’s the only thing there, apart from the divorce papers. I know I need to hand them in soon.

Grabbing my cell and bag, I head straight to my parents’ house for our Sunday lunch.

Pulling up I notice Alec. I haven’t seen him for so long that when I turn to smile at him, he doesn’t give me one back. He says something in a hushed tone to my father as I walk up the stairs, and the minute I’m in front of them they both go quiet.

“Angel… Alec would like to stay for lunch. Would that be okay with you?”

I nod my head, unsure of why I’m being asked but reply with, “Of course. I haven’t seen you in so long.” I smile but Alec doesn’t return it. Instead, he walks inside, leaving me standing there with my father. “What did I do?”

My father’s hand lays on my shoulder, filling me with warmth. “It’s not you, angel. It’s who you love. He doesn’t understand how you could still be in love with Gunner.”

I look down at my hand, my finger now bare.

“It’s almost over. It doesn’t quite feel real yet, like it hasn’t sunk in,” I say as we start to walk inside.

My mother kisses both my cheeks before she goes back to the kitchen.

Alec’s already seated at the table with his hands clasped and resting on the surface of the wood while he looks everywhere but me.

Well, this isn’t weird at all.

“So, did Papa tell you I’m officially getting divorced?” I ask my mother. She smiles, but it’s a sad smile.

Alec’s back straightens and he turns to look at me. “He agreed to this?”

“I had nothing to do with it. It was all him,” I answer.

Alec turns away, lifting his drink and putting it to his lips.

Spinning around, I look back to my mother. “Sorry you went to all that trouble for the wedding. It was so lovely.”

She waves me off. “For you, I would do anything.”

“Could I speak to you privately?” Alec asks my father.

Alec stands and my father follows. They step out of the room, and as they both walk out, I can hear their rushed voices but can’t make out what they are saying. A short time later they reappear and take their seats at the table.

My mother hands me a glass of champagne.

“Alec has asked me something, and I’ve told him it’s up to you. No more will I meddle in your life.”

Turning to face Alec, his eyes check my ring hand before speaking. “I want you to marry me,” he says proudly.

I sigh. I thought giving him time would have helped him heal, not encourage him even more. “I can’t. I won’t.”

“Which is it, Everly?”

I drink the full glass of champagne, not stopping until I have drained every drop. I have to, I need the courage it’s going to give me to answer him. “Both.”

“I’m the better man for you. You know this. Your family loves me. It would be simple. Easy.” He tries hard to explain his position, but I don’t understand how he doesn’t get it.

I don’t see him in that way. I’ve never seen him in that way. And the last thing I want to do is to be cruel to him.

So, instead, I turn back to my food as it’s placed in front of me and start eating. I can feel his penetrating eyes on me, reaching in, trying to pull the words he wants from me. Waiting not so patiently for what he wants to hear.