He cheated i chose two firefighters novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Brennan’s POV

Get 10 >

= Menu

God, that was a relief. Like someone had finally pried a vise off my ribs. I let my gaze sweep the rooms–cardboard stacked everywhere, tape seams catching the light. The place didn’t even look like my home anymore. It looked like a shipment waiting to go out.

Tomorrow I’ll haul whatever’s left to a storage unit, then I’ll head to my mom’s. I need her right now. My therapist has been telling me I’ve got to keep close to people I actually trust, and the list is short–one name, really.

Scar’s been gone for six weeks. I’ve still been calling, again and again, but I’m almost positive I’m blocked. She shut me out on social media too–every account, every platform. I keep getting that sick twist of worry because I don’t know how she’s doing, and I can’t

stand not knowing where she is.

I dropped onto the loveseat–the last piece of furniture left. I’ve been sleeping on it too. It’s cramped and awkward, but I haven’t cared.

I shut my eyes and rested my head back, trying to slow my thoughts down. I’d been fired for missing too much work. My savings aren’t much, but once the house sale goes through, I’ll have breathing room. My plan is simple and impossible at the same time: find Scar, fix

what I broke, then find a job. Hell, if she’s planted herself somewhere new, I’d move there

and start over with her.

But how do I even track her down?

I’d tried Natalie. No answer. Not once. I really thought I’d been getting somewhere with her,

laying out everything I’ve been doing to get my shit together, to prove I’m not the same man

I was. Still, every call has been going straight to voicemail.

My stomach clenched and growled. I exhaled, stood, grabbed my keys and wallet, and

drove to KFC. That sounded perfect right now. My diet can wait.

I was in line when I heard my name.

“Brennan!”

I turned. Jenson was sitting at a table. I lifted a finger to say one minute; he nodded back. A

15:15

21.86%

<Chapter 40

minute later, food in hand, I slid into the seat across from him.

“Hey, man. Haven’t seen you in a while,” I told him.

Get 10 >

= Menu

“Not since your birthday,” he said. “That dinner Scar planned was incredible. How’s she doing?”

My throat tightened. “Uh… we got divorced.”

His face changed instantly. “What? You two were solid.”

“Yeah,” I said, bitter. “And I destroyed it. I fucked up. Bad.”

He leaned in slightly. “You cheat?”

I nodded.

“Damn,” he breathed. “I’m sorry.”

“Thanks,” I muttered. “I’m trying to work on myself. I’m trying to get a chance to see her

again. Natalie’s been protecting Scar’s location like a pitbull.”

Jenson’s eyebrows shot up, eyes going wide. “I actually know where your wife–uh, your ex-

wife–is.”

My whole body jolted. “What? How?”

He took a breath, then explained. “Natalie asked me for a leave of absence. Said she

wanted to go to Hollywood, Florida, and write about it so I could run it in my magazine. I

couldn’t approve it because someone else had already requested time off right before her.

But Natalie wouldn’t accept no–she quit on the spot.”

I stared at him, adrenaline roaring in my ears. “Holy shit. Natalie doesn’t just quit unless it’s serious. Like… going to see Scar.”

”

Finally. A crack in the wall. I don’t have an address, but I have a city, and that’s more than

I’ve had in weeks. I’ll go as soon as the house is sold. I’ll walk every street in that town if I

have to.

“I needed this,” I said, voice rough. “Thank you.”

15:15

21.52%

< Chapter 40

“No problem,” he replied. “Hope you find your girl.”

Get 10 >

Menu

I nodded, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I smiled. We ate and talked about nothing important–work, mutual friends, whatever–but under it all I was buzzing, almost dizzy with it.

I’m coming for you, my love. I’m going to win you back.

Five days later, an offer came in. Cash. Thirty grand under asking.

I took it anyway.

Once the mortgage is cleared, I’ll have around twenty–five thousand left. It isn’t a fortune, but it’s enough to get me to Florida and keep me afloat until I find Scar.

I called my therapist because there was no point pretending I’d keep scheduling sessions in Montana.

“Hello, Brennan,” Dr. Prescott said. “Do you need to talk again so soon? We spoke two days ago.”

“No,” I said. “I’m calling to end therapy with you. I’m moving to Florida to try to get my wife back.”

Silence for half a beat, then his voice turned careful. “Do you believe that’s wise? You’ve just been divorced. Her pain is still raw. You told me Sloane sent her a sex recording of the two of you–she’s not going to forget that quickly. It’s been six weeks.”

“I know,” I said. “And you’re not wrong. But I have to do this. If I find her, I won’t just show up in her face immediately. It’s a huge area. It’ll probably take a while to even locate her. I’ll be careful.”

“Brennan, I really don’t think you should,” he said.

“I am,” I replied, steady. “Thank you for everything.”

And I hung up.

I drove straight to my mom’s, needing to say it out loud to someone who wouldn’t slam a door in my face.

15:15

21.64%

< Chapter 40

Get 10 >

= Menu

“Mom,” I said the moment I walked in, “I sold the house. When the check hits, I’m heading to

Florida. Will you come with me?”

“Florida?” Her forehead creased. “Why Florida?”

“Because that’s where Scar is.”

Her mouth parted in surprise. “Brennan–what? Did you talk to her? Are you two working it

out? I haven’t heard from her since she left. I miss her.”

“I haven’t talked to her,” I admitted. “But I ran into Jenson. Natalie works for him. She asked him for leave to go to Hollywood, Florida. Why would Natalie go there if it wasn’t to be with

Scar?”

My mom studied me, cautious. “Maybe she just wants to see Florida, Brennan.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s Scar. It has to be. So… will you go?”

She gave me a small, sad smile. “No. If you find her, maybe I’ll come visit.”

She misses her too. That much was obvious. And in that moment it hit me hard–I’m not

only chasing Scar for myself. I’m chasing the life we all had.

Now all I can think about is getting the paperwork finished and that check in my hands. Once it’s real, once I’m funded and free, I’ll be on the road to getting my love back.

The buyers are driving me insane. Who goes on a two–week vacation in the middle of buying a house? Every day they drag it out, I feel like I’m vibrating apart. I haven’t seen Scar in two months. Two fucking months. Anything could’ve happened.

She’s so sweet, so trusting. The thought of someone taking advantage of her makes my stomach turn. I keep wondering what she’s doing for money. Did she manage to get work as a personal trainer? I hope she has–if she did, maybe I can use that. Maybe I can get

hired where she works. Be nearby without crashing into her.

And Sloane… she won’t take the hint.

She’s been texting every day. I blocked her number, and she just popped up with another one and started again. Now she’s claiming she’s pregnant. It’s bullshit. I watched her take that pill. There is no way.

15:15

21.74%

<Chapter 40

Unless it didn’t work.

No. I’m not entertaining that. I refuse.

My phone chimed. A message from Jenson.

“Hey, Natalie posted this on I–sta–she’s definitely with your wife.”

There was a link. My finger hit it before I could think.

I sucked in a sharp breath.

Scar.

Get 10 >

= Menu

She looked unreal. She’s gained a little weight, but it suits her–soft curves in the right places, still flat in her stomach, still stunning. The photo was a group shot on a beach. A bonfire party, by the look of it. Natalie stood nearby with a couple of girls, and there was a guy holding this cute, pudgy girl against him. Most of the women were in tiny bikinis; the pudgy girl wore a one–piece.

But Scar was centered between two men–both tall, both built, both in swim shorts. Their arms were crossed behind her, hands resting on each other’s shoulders like some kind of casual claim. Scar’s arms were around them, and she was smiling–bright, open, breathtaking.

I didn’t like the way those guys were looking down at her. I could tell what they were staring

1. at.

Maybe they’re just friends she met down there. Scar has always been good at making people like her. It’s probably nothing.

Still. I hated it.

When I get there, I’ll make sure they understand exactly who she belongs to.

I stared at the photo again, letting her face burn into me.

So beautiful.

1

Soon, baby. I’ll be there soon.

15:15