When I catch myself dozing off, I decide it’s time to gather Brady’s belongings. I need to stop putting off the inevitable. Maybe he won’t be home, so I can avoid him a bit longer.
“Come on, Mama. I’ll walk you out to your car,” Shay says as she buckles Brady into his seat for me. Mindful not to wake him.
* * *
“Babe, I’ve been trying to call you for the last hour. Where have you been?” Trevor asks as I walk through the front door. Is he serious right now? Does he have no idea what I just saw?
I silently begin weeping again but disregard his question as I lift Brady from his car seat and carry him upstairs for bed.
Trevor now runs my father’s chiropractic office after he and my mom were killed by a drunk driver two years ago. Actually, our dads had owned it together for years. His dad died the year before my parents, from cancer.
I love my family, but I’ve always hated their way of thinking. Nobody was ever good enough in my father’s eyes. He and my mother always snubbed their noses at people who didn’t have high-society professions like them. My husband is no different. I guess that’s why he fit into our family so well.
Once I have Brady changed and, in his crib, I head downstairs, hoping to get some laundry done. I’m quiet as I go down the stairs because I’m assuming that Trevor is in our bedroom, but I couldn’t be so lucky.
“Claire, what’s going on?” That’s when I lose it.
I can’t speak at first, over the tears. “What’s going on?” I choke out. “What the fuck do you think is going on?” I’m seeing red as I lean against the mocha brown wall and sluggishly slide down it because I feel like I may be sick again if I don’t sit.
My sweet, loving husband doesn’t seem to care that I’m devastated. I can tell he’s only probing because he feels he has to.
“I have no idea, but would appreciate it if you’d fill me in. Where have you and Brady been all night?” He’s either a complete moron or he’s good at playing dumb. I can’t decide which. I press my face into my hands, refusing to look at him.
“Shayna’s,” I clip as I snap my head up in his direction.
“Okay, so why didn’t you answer my calls?” He asks hesitantly.
“Because I didn’t feel like talking to my cheating husband.” I stand and head toward the basement so I can start laundry, but I’m quickly halted when he grabs my arm.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” He seethes, looking guilty and pissed. Sorry, Trev, your secret is out.
“I’m talking about how I saw you laying on top of Nicole when I brought you dinner!” I scream. I can’t keep it together any longer as my knees begin to buckle underneath me.
We’re now standing by the basement entrance and as I swing the door open to head down, he grabs me by both shoulders and begins to shake me.
“Claire, I’ve been so stressed with work and then having to come home to you needing my help. I’m exhausted and just needed to let off some steam.” He says this as if it’s no big deal. He’s still holding on to my shoulders, but the next thing I know I’m stumbling backward and everything goes black.
If you want to find out more where it all started, read Claire and Ryker’s story in Revived!
Acknowledgments
It’s so hard to believe that this series has come to an end! It wouldn’t have been possible without the love and support of so many.
As always, my amazing husband who has stood by my side since I wrote that very first word and put up with my craziness while I was trying to make deadlines.
Thank you to ALL my wonderful author friends who have continued to be an inspiration every day.
Jessica Ames, you’re the best friend I’ve never met and I’m so glad we’re going through this together.
Thank you to my editor Kim and my proofreader Dominque. Both of you ladies have been so great working with and helped make this story what it is.
My beta readers Andrea Galante and Cindy Pippins. You two are THE best and I’m thankful for the friendships we’ve formed on this journey. Thank you for loving my characters as much as I do.
Last, but certainly not least, my reader group ladies. You all are my number one fans and encourage me to push myself harder every day. I hope you know how much I love and appreciate each and every one of you.
About the Author
S.E. Roberts was born and raised in the cornfields of Central Illinois, but now lives in sunny Arizona with her husband, two children, and her rescue cat, Stanley. When she isn’t spending time with her family, she enjoys writing steamy romance, reading, and sipping on coffee.
Reawakened: The Unexpected Series Page 21