Chapter 1
Fifth Christmas together, I’m home tearing the place apart for that missing stocking–the one with the engagement ring I’d been planning to surprise Garrett Calloway with tonight.
That’s when the police call.
“Your boyfriend got into a fight. Pretty bad one. Need you down here ASAP.”
I spend the next hour bowing, apologizing, signing forms to get him released. Garrett reeks of alcohol, his face a mess of
bruises and cuts.
“What happened?”
He won’t even look at me. Just that cold, stubborn silence.
Later, while he’s in the shower, his phone lights up.
Messages from Lauren–his coworker:
[omg Garrett thank you for tonight. my ex would still be all over me if you hadn’t be
[Zeke keeps asking when Daddy Garrett’s coming over. He loves that stocking you got him. Garrett… give us a home. Please.]
My hands are shaking so bad I drop the phone.
The fight that follows is the worst we’ve ever had.
When the dust settles, he swears he’ll get Lauren transferred. Promises they’re done.
Until I found his second phone.
Scroll back to Christmas Eve:
[Lauren: Found a ring in that stocking. Is your gf gonna propose lol want me to bring it back?]
[Garrett: Nah, just leave it. Not ready for that yet.]
Fine. If he’s “not ready“, I’ll just have to find someone else who is.
Like some bright–eyed college gu
Time to see if Garrett’s “not ready” changes when I am VERY ready to move on.
Garrett’s in the kitchen.
To tifo Moving Wife Giving Birth? Congratulations, You’re Single Now
62.9%
Chapter 1
“Cass, I reheated everything like three times. Might taste like crap now.”
“What do you want? I can order something, or we can go out–that new sushi spot downtown-”
He turns around. Sees my face–eyes all red and swollen.
His whole vibe shifts.
“Come on, don’t be like that.”
“You know you’re my girl, right? You get it.”
I step back when he tries to touch me.
“Get the stocking back.”
His smile dies.
He rips off his apron, balls it up, throws it at my feet.
Then points at my face, finger shaking. “Fine.”
He calls her.
Lauren says her kid accidentally ripped it.
“I’m so sorry. How much was it? I’ll pay you
back.”
Garrett’s face is falling apart.
One stocking. One giant mess.
“It’s cool, Cass is just being dramatic. I’ll get her another-”
“Garrett, it’s not the same,” I cut him off.
Garrett suddenly whips his phone
00m.
It explodes. Pieces fly everywhere–some hit
my arm, draw blood.
He’s yelling now, loud enough to shake the walls:
“What’s your PROBLEM today!”
“It’s a damn stocking, Cassie! Stop making it so obvious you hate Lauren.”
I freeze.
Garrett pulls cash out of his wallet, throws it in my face.
63.19%
Chapter 1
Bills scatter everywhere. Mixed in–three ticket stubs from some kid’s amusement park.
“That enough?!”
He yanks out his card, slams it down.
“That enough?!”
“I’m paying for her, happy now!”
My ears are ringing.
Six years together. First time he’s ever screamed at me like this. Like he wants me dead.
My chest hurts so bad I can’t talk.
I’m scrambling through my phone, trying to find proof–screenshots from five years ago when he said he’d marry me today.
He forgot. He actually forgot.
“Okay, we both need to cool off tonight.”
Garrett pushes my phone away.
“Cassie, you need to deal with your jealousy issues. Seriously.”
Door slams.
I start dry heaving.
Can’t stop.
Grabbing my chest like that’ll somehow make it easier to breathe.
VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Ex-Wife Moving Wife Giving Birth? Congratulations, You’re Single Now