"You fucking liar. You know exactly what I'm talking about. You're going to call my WIFE, Kaine, and tell her that you put that condom in my car."
Camden pushed him back. "So Kaine found a condom in your car, and you want me to cover for you? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
Shane clenched his fists. It took every ounce of self control not to punch him again. "I don't want you to cover for me," he said quietly. "I want you to man up and tell her what you did."
"I didn't do anything," Camden snapped. "It sounds to me like you cheated on her and now you're trying to make excuses for what you did. You know, if I had her, I wouldn't ever cheat on her."
Shane shook his head, disgusted. "Good thing you don't and will NEVER have her." He turned to leave before he punched Camden again.
"Wait," Camden called after him. "I'm sorry. I do have something to tell you."
Shane turned around and raised his eyebrows as Camden leaned closer, grinning. "I'm gonna fuck your wife," he whispered.
Shane punched him in the stomach and pushed him down. "You stay the hell away from her!" He yelled, kicking him in the ribs. "You hear me? If you even look at her, I'll kill you." He turned and stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door shut behind him.
Camden forced himself up, catching his breath. "Stupid asshole," he muttered, grabbing his car keys. He waited until he heard Shane's car pull away before leaving his apartment.
After Lucy left, Kaine sat at the kitchen table staring at the wall. This was supposed to be her and Shane’s special weekend to themselves. The big house felt extremely lonely. She jumped when the doorbell rang and she peeked outside, expecting to see Shane. Instead she saw Camden with blood running down his face. She gasped and opened the door without thinking. "My God, Cam. What happened?"
Camden tried to smile. "I don’t think your husband likes me very much."
Kaine’s eyes widened. "Shane did this to you?"
"Yeah," Camden said, stepping inside. "He came to my house. I opened the door and he just punched me. He was furious. I needed to make sure you were ok."
"I’m fine," Kaine assured him, sitting him down at the kitchen table. "Sit here. You need to put ice on your eye. It’s swelling like crazy." She grabbed a bag of frozen peas from the freezer and gently pressed it to his eye. She jerked away when Camden ran his fingers up her arm. "He hurt you," he said softly.
She looked down at the bruises on her arm. "Oh, this? No, that wasn’t Shane. My son threw a tantrum this morning."
Camden looked at her with pity, and she knew he didn’t believe her. "Cam, I’m serious. Shane has never raised a hand to me."
"It’s none of my business, Kaine."
She ignored his skepticism. "I’m so sorry he did this to you. Did he say anything to you?"
Camden nodded. "He wanted me to tell you that I put a condom in his car. I said no, and he lost it. I mean, he just went crazy." He lifted up his shirt and Kaine gasped at the bruise on his ribs. "I guess I can’t really blame him, after what I did to you."
Kaine looked into his eyes and for a moment had a flashback to him kissing her, grabbing her face, holding her down. She took a step back as he stood up.
Oh God.
What had she been thinking, letting him in her house?
"Kaine, I’m not that guy anymore. Please don’t be afraid of me. I’m gonna go. I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to make sure you were ok. And don’t worry, I won’t call the police on him. I wouldn’t do that to you."
"Thank you. And I’m fine," Kaine lied. "Really. Thanks for checking on me. I’m sorry about Shane."
Camden gave her a crooked grin. "It’s not as bad as it looks. See you on Monday?"
Kaine nodded, closing the door after him and breathing a sigh of relief.
6
Kaine woke up early on Sunday, yesterday’s events flooding back to her. "Bastard," she muttered, glancing at Shane’s empty side of the bed. She rolled out of bed and took a long, soothing shower. She thought about Shane and his story of a condom being planted in his car. She supposed it was possible. But who would do something like that? Camden? That was also possible. If history told her anything, it was that Camden was responsible for this. But why would he come after her and Shane after all this time? Surely he didn’t still care about her. And who had answered the phone when she called the number that texted Shane?
She finished showering and dried off quickly. She needed to talk to Shane and straighten things out. She sat on the bed and scrolled through her phone, calling him. He answered almost immediately.
"Hello?" He said hopefully.
"Hey," she said softly. "We need to talk."
"I’m at Bryce’s. Do you want to come here? Or I can come home if you want."
"I’ll come there. I’ll see you in half an hour." She hung up without waiting for a response. She quickly threw on her clothes and shoes and grabbed her keys.
Kaine pulled up to Bryce’s condo and rang the doorbell. Shane opened the door right away. His eyes lit up when he saw her. "Come in. Do you want coffee?"
She shook her head, following him in. "No thanks. Listen, Shane..."
"I didn’t cheat on you, Kainie. I would never in a million years do that to you." He grabbed her hands and looked into her eyes. "You are the love of my life. I have never and will never want anyone else. Please believe me."
Kaine looked away. "I want to believe you. So bad. But I need time to deal with this."
Shane dropped her hands. "You don’t believe me."
"I didn’t say that. It’s not that I don’t believe you. I just don’t know. Who would have put a condom in your car?"
"Camden fucking Lawson, that’s who. He practically admitted it last night."
"Before or after you beat him up?" She asked, sitting down.
Shane sighed. "You're right. I shouldn't have done that. But he did it, Kainie. I went over there to tell him to leave you alone and he bragged about being your shoulder to cry on. Then he said he was going to have sex with you. I just lost it."
"He said what?"
"I recorded our conversation. I wanted him to admit to it so you would believe me. He wouldn't admit it, but he whispered that he was going to fuck you. The voice recorder didn't pick up on it. He must have known that's what I was doing. He wants you, Kaine. He wants to steal you away from me. Please don't believe anything he says."
Kaine put her head in her hands. "This isn't about him, Shane. If you're worried that I'm going to go running into his arms, don't be. That's never going to happen. This is about us."
He kneeled in front of her and took her hands. "What do you need me to do to prove that I didn’t cheat on you?" He asked softly.
Kaine shook her head, tears falling down her face. "I don’t know. I don’t know how to make this ok."
"Let me come home," he pleaded. "You need me. Adam needs me. I didn’t do anything wrong, Kainie."
She sniffed. "That’s kind of why I came here. I want you to come home. It’s not fair to Adam that you’re not there."
He looked up hopefully. "You mean it? You want me to come home?"
"Yes."
Shane dropped his head to her lap. "Thank God."
Kaine pulled her hands away. "You can come home," she repeated, "but I’m not sure I’m ready to forgive you."
"I’ll do anything to prove it to you. You want to know who’s telling the truth? Tell Camden that you let me move back in and watch his reaction when he realized that his plan didn’t work."
"I’m planning on it," Kaine muttered. "Let’s go pick up Adam. We have to act like nothing’s wrong. I don’t want our parents asking questions either. Let’s just keep this between us."
He agreed and followed her out the door.
They rode to their parents’ house in silence. "Jay’s here!" Kaine cried as Shane pulled in the driveway.
Shane grinned at her, happy to see her so excited. "I’ll bet Adam was thrilled to see him," he said. "He’s always
talking about Jay. He wants to be just like him."
"No! Don’t say that," Kaine laughed. "Jay’s never going to settle down. Adam’s going to marry Sophia, remember? I want grandbabies one day."
Shane took her hand. "I love seeing you smile. You’re so beautiful."
"Thanks," Kaine said, her smile fading. "Come on. Let’s get this over with." Shane sighed and followed her out of the car.
"Knock knock!" Kaine called, opening the front door. "Mommy!" Adam screamed, running around the corner. He vaulted himself into her arms and she stumbled back, laughing. Shane watched them with a small smile on his face. Kaine and Adam were his entire universe. He clenched his jaw, thinking about how Camden had tried to destroy his family.
"Hey, you ok?"
Shane turned around and grinned at Jay. "Yeah, I’m fine. How’s the construction going?"
"Awesome," Jay replied. "How’s the life of a lawyer? Is my sister driving you crazy with her complaining?"
Kaine flipped him off behind Adam’s back as he laughed. "Kaine’s been awesome," Shane said. "I’m a pretty lucky guy." Kaine put Adam down as he ran to his father. "Ready to go home, buddy?"
Adam nodded, burying his face in Shane’s leg. Kaine hugged her father, Nancy and Jay goodbye as Shane picked up Adam and carried him outside. "Did you have a good day, peanut?" Kaine asked. Adam nodded sleepily. "You tired?"
"No," he mumbled as Shane strapped him into the car seat.
"Maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll actually take a N-A-P today," Shane said quietly as he started the car. Kaine shrugged. She actually wanted Adam to stay awake. She could use the distraction.
Thankfully, Adam was wide awake by the time they got home. Kaine busied herself with entertaining him all afternoon. When she finally put Adam to bed, she went to her bedroom to see Shane lying on the bed in his boxers. "Come here," he said, holding his arms out. She swallowed hard. "Shane, I don’t..."
"I don’t want sex tonight. I just need to hold you. Please, Kainie."
She reluctantly climbed into his arms. He squeezed her tightly as she snuggled into his chest and sighed. "I love you, baby," he said softly.
"I love you too," she murmured.
7
Layla sat down at her desk and put her feet up. After the weekend she’d had, she was happy to get back to work. First, Garrett had called her and wanted to meet and talk. She had been so excited. When she went to the bar, he never showed up. She spent the whole weekend drinking and crying. Those days were mostly behind her, but she really hated being stood up.
"Layla?"
She looked up in surprise at Camden standing in the doorway. "Camden? What are you doing here? What happened to your face?"
He cleared his throat. "That’s what I need to talk to you about. I’m worried about Kaine."
She nodded cautiously, remembering what Kaine had told her.
"I’m worried that Kaine’s husband is hurting her," he said.
Layla burst out laughing. "Shane? Come on. He’d never hurt her. He’s like a big gentle giant. Why do you think that?"
He stepped inside and closed the door. "He came to my house on Saturday and punched me. I went to check on Kaine after he left to make sure he hadn’t hurt her. Her arms...they were all bruised. She said the bruises were from her son, but I’m pretty sure they were from him."
"He punched you? Why did he punch you?"
"He thought I did something that I didn't do. At least that's what he said. I don’t know what Kaine told you about me..."
"She told me that you used to stalk her," Layla said, crossing her arms. Camden nodded. "I know she hates me, and I don’t blame her one bit. But I’m worried. Shane...he’s not a good guy. I didn’t just ‘stalk’ her for no reason. I was scared for her. I still am. Did she ever tell you what he did to her back in high school?"
Layla shook her head. "No. She just told me that he used to bully her."
Camden sighed, rubbing his face. "It’s really none of my business."
"No, tell me. Did he hurt her?"
"Well...kind of. He used to call her names. One day he cornered her and ripped her clothes off. I found her naked and terrified."
Layla gasped. "Shane did that? Are you serious?"
"Yeah. I kicked his ass for it. He’s hated me for it ever since."
"Kaine never told me that. I’ve met Shane before. He seems like he loves her so much. I can’t believe she married him if he was so horrible to her."
"She thinks that he changed. And maybe he has. I’m not here to judge their marriage. I’m just worried about her. Can you talk to her and make sure she’s ok? And don’t tell her that I said anything. I don’t want her to think I’m starting problems. I just want to make sure she’s ok."
Layla nodded. "Yeah, sure. But I really don’t think Shane would hurt her."
"I hope you’re right," Camden said.
Kaine kissed Shane on the forehead and left for work. She had spent the night in his arms, feeling comforted until she remembered the horrible text message. She wanted so badly to believe him, but she had to talk to Camden first. She was confident that she would be able to tell from his reaction if he had framed Shane. She hated that she had any doubt in her mind as to whether or not Shane was telling the truth. She walked into school and sat down at her desk, yawning.
"Kaine?"
She looked up and smiled. "Hey, Layla. How was your weekend?"
"It was kind of awful, actually. Garrett told me he wanted to talk but then he stood me up."
"Oh Layla, I’m sorry. Men are such assholes."
"Seriously," Layla agreed, walking to her desk. "What happened to your arms?"
Kaine looked down. "Oh, this? Adam decided to have a tantrum when we sent him to our parents’ house. He calmed down when I sang to him."
Layla pursed her lips. "Is that really what happened?"
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
Layla shrugged. "I’m just asking. You know if you need to talk, you can. I won’t judge you."
Kaine laughed incredulously. "What are you implying? That Shane did this to me?"
"I’m not implying anything. I’m just saying that if you need to talk..."
"Layla, I’m fine. Shane didn’t and has never hurt me. My four year old threw a tantrum. That’s all. Did Camden say something to you?"
"No. I was just making sure you were ok. You look tired."
"Yeah, long weekend," she muttered. "I’m fine, Layla. Really. I need to talk to Camden though. I’ll see you at lunch, ok?"
Layla left and Kaine went to Camden’s room. "Hey," she said softly. "How are you feeling?"
"It’s fine. I’ll live," he said with a half smile. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I’m fine," she said, watching his face closely. "Shane and I talked and I let him come back home. Everything’s fine."
He looked down. "Well, as long as you’re happy."
"I am."
Camden didn’t look back up, and Kaine left, frustrated. His face hadn’t told her anything.
8
Kaine sat on the couch and turned on the TV, changing channels absentmindedly. Shane had made it a point to get home early and have dinner with her and Adam tonight. After playing with Adam, he had gone upstairs to put him to bed so that Kaine could finish her work for tomorrow. She was just finishing up when he came back downstairs and sat next to her. "Perfect timing," he said as he took the lesson book out of her hands. He pushed her back on the couch and climbed on top of her, kissing her.
"Shane, stop," she said, pushing him back up. "I can’t. Not right now."
He sighed, closing his eyes. "You’re still mad at me."
"I’m not mad at you," she protested. "I’m just confused. And I don’t feel like having sex right now."
He shrugged and sat back. "Whatever."
"Don’t do that," she said quietly.
"Do what?" He asked innocently.
"Don’t do that passive aggressive guilt trip thing so that I feel bad and e
nd up having sex with you."
He looked at her angrily. "Is that what you think of me? That I’m such an asshole that I’d try to guilt you into spreading your legs for me? Really?"
She stood up. "I’m going upstairs. I’m not feeling well."
He stood up and grabbed her hand. "Babe, wait. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m just so damn frustrated. I’m being punished for something that I didn’t do."
She closed her eyes and shook her head. "That’s exactly what’s wrong, Shane. Me not wanting to have sex isn’t punishing you. Maybe I just don’t feel like it right now."
"That’s not…" he was interrupted by the doorbell. She turned and headed to the kitchen, thankful for the distraction. She didn’t want to fight right now. She looked out the peephole and frowned. "Can I help you?" She asked the short, pretty blond girl standing at the door.
"Is Shane here?"
"Um…I’m his wife. Is there something I can help you with?"
The girl looked her up and down, smirking. "Can you just tell me when he’ll be here? I need to talk to him."
Kaine clenched her jaw. "Why don’t you just tell me who you are and why you want to talk to my husband so badly?"
The girl sighed, running her hand through her hair. "I’m so sorry to do this to you. I didn’t know he was married. Not at first, anyway."
Kaine’s heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean? Who are you?"
The girl bit her lip. "My name is Jessica. Shane and I…"
"Don’t say it," Kaine whispered, her heart hammering.
"I’m sorry. But I’m pregnant, And I think Shane’s the father."
Kaine felt the air rush out of her lungs. "I don’t believe you," Kaine gasped, trying to stay strong.
"I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I mean, I don’t have proof that it’s his yet. It could be my boyfriend’s. I hope to God it’s not Shane’s. But the timing…"
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