Renewed: The Unexpected Series

by Roberts, S. E.

  I chug the rest of my beer and then slam the bottle on the table.

  “Dude, you need to show her who’s the boss.”

  I chuckle at him. “What do you know about relationships?” Now I’m the one to raise my eyebrows at him.

  He balls his napkin up and throws it at my head, and I guffaw.

  “Fuck you.” He laughs. “Okay, you got me there. I don’t know a damn thing about relationships, much less being married, but I do know that if you want something bad enough you shouldn’t just give up trying, because it might not always be there.”

  I’ll admit, I’m stunned into silence.

  “Shit. That’s deep.” I see a look on his face that I don’t recognize, and I have to wonder if he’s speaking from experience.

  “Don’t get used to it, asshole.” He looks at me over his drink. “I may not be marriage material, but you are, man, and I know that woman loves you. Maybe she just needs you to remind her how good you two are together.”

  “Alright Mr. Love Doctor. How do you suppose I do that? Remember, she thinks I’m a cheating asshole.”

  “Well, she’s got the asshole part right.” He winks at me like an idiot.

  “Fucker,” I mumble.

  “Ask her out on a date.” He states matter-of-factly. Say what?

  “You think I should ask my wife out on a date? The woman who won’t even talk to me. She wants nothing to do with me. She has done everything she can to avoid me like the fucking plague.”

  He shrugs. “I don’t think it’ll hurt anything. Start over with her. Show her what made her fall in love with you all those years ago.”

  I contemplate his words and then laugh. “Yeah, okay. Well, I’m pretty sure me fucking another woman isn’t what made her fall in love with me.”

  “Did you fuck Mallory?”

  “What the hell, asshole? No, I didn’t fuck anyone besides my wife.” I can feel my hackles rising, and I’m sure my face is beet red with anger.

  “Well, then, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.”

  I huff. “You make it sound so easy. She can’t fucking trust me. In her mind, I did the worst imaginable thing a man could do to his wife.”

  “Well, try it. Maybe she’ll hear you out if you woo her with flowers and wine.”

  I shake my head at him, but inside I’m contemplating it. I’ll never get my wife back if I don’t get a chance to explain to her that what she thinks is wrong.

  “Who wants cheese fries?” Ryke hollers as he places the cheese-covered potatoes in front of us. Damn, they smell good.

  “Ryke, you remember my buddy Malcom?”

  “Yeah, man. Good to see you.” He reaches his hand across the table to shake Malcom’s.

  “You too,” he says around a bite of fries. “I like what you’ve done with the place.” He waves his arm in the air.

  Ryke nods. “Thanks. I’ve got a family now, so I wanted to make it a little friendlier for the kids, you know?”

  Malcom doesn’t know, but he nods his head. “I like it.”

  We visit for the next hour, and I’ll admit, it feels good to not sit around feeling sorry for myself.

  I tell the guys bye and head out to the parking lot.

  After coming back from Dallas, I had a nice long chat with Flynn about his bitch niece. He, of course, questioned me about sleeping with her, which was uncomfortable as shit, but finally realized that I was telling the truth. Thank fuck he fired her. I honestly didn’t think he would. That’s at least one less thing I have to worry about every day. I’d never have a chance at getting my wife back if she was there to screw things up even more.

  My phone chimes in my pocket, and I see Lucy is calling.

  “Hey, Luc. Everything okay?”

  “Hey, Evan. Yeah, everything’s fine, but Avery just called me saying she threw up at work today, so I told her to go home and I’d keep Zoey. You want to come see her?”

  Fuck. My girl is sick and no one is home to take care of her. She’s stubborn as hell, but I don’t care anymore. I’m done being ignored.

  I run my hands through my hair. “Yeah, of course.”

  I head toward Lucy and Ed’s house, trying to come up with a plan. Malcom’s words run through my head. Show her who’s boss. I don’t want to be an asshole because that’ll push her even further away, so I’ve got to think of a well-thought-out plan. My girl is not going to be easy on me. I think the thing that hurts the most is that, if the situation were reversed, I wouldn’t for one second think she was capable of hurting me so deep.

  * * *

  “There’s Daddy’s girl.” I lift my daughter into my arms and kiss her cheek. I hate being away from her so much. Avery has thankfully not fought me on seeing her, but it’s not the same. I want both my girls back. I just don’t know how to get that yet.

  My little dark-haired beauty giggles at me as I blow raspberries on her belly. I’m glad she’s young and won’t remember any of this, but I just hope that one day soon we’ll all be back together as a family.

  I look up and see my mother-in-law’s concerned expression.

  “You doing okay?” The last thing I need is anyone feeling sorry for me.

  I take a deep breath and then release it. “Yeah. I just miss them.” I don’t have it in me to lie because I do miss them like crazy. At least I get to see one of them tonight.

  “She’ll come around. I don’t know what happened between the two of you, but don’t give up on her.” If she knew why Avery kicked me out, she probably wouldn’t be so sympathetic.

  “Thanks Luc.” I give her a side hug and then walk into the living room with Zoey.

  “Why don’t you stay for dinner? I’ve got a roast in the oven that’ll be done soon.”

  I nod at her and then look down at my daughter. “Sounds good. Thanks.” I’m not sure how Avery would feel if she knew I was eating dinner with her family, but if it allows me to spend more time with my daughter, I’ll deal with the consequences later.

  Lucy turns back to the kitchen, so I grab some of Zo’s toys and place them around us on the floor. I know that I see her a lot, but I still worry that I’m going to miss out on something important.

  “Daddy will be home soon, baby girl.” I kiss her forehead and hope like hell that my words ring true.

  32

  Avery

  I’m pretty sure I’m dying. I don’t think I’ve ever been this sick in my life. I’m beginning to get well acquainted with the porcelain throne. I didn’t know it was possible to throw up this much. Totally disgusting, and I’m ready to go to bed. Thank God my parents offered to keep Zoey tonight because there’s no way in hell I could take care of her.

  “Hey, babe.” I didn’t hear Carly come back. She drove me home earlier, and I left my car at work because she was worried I wouldn’t make it home without getting sick. “Feeling any better?” I hear the water turn on, and then she’s handing me a wet washcloth.

  “No. I’m going to die.” I moan.

  She chuckles. “I won’t let you die. Come on, why don’t you try to drink some Sprite?”

  I have no desire to try to stand from the floor, but I know I need something in my stomach. She lifts me up, and I’m hit with a wave of nausea again.

  I slam the toilet lid shut and then sit and lay my head on the counter.

  “I’ll just sleep here tonight.” I turn my head when I see a plastic bag sitting on the counter out of the corner of my eye.

  “What’s in the bag?” I hope she’s not going to try to get me to eat. I can’t eat.

  When I look up at her, I can tell she’s worried that I’m not going to like what she’s about to say.

  “Spill it,” I mumble.

  “Av, you’ve been puking all day. Nobody else at work is sick. There’s only one explanation.” Then it hits me. She thinks I’m fucking pregnant. There’s no way. Well, there is a way, but how could I get pregnant so soon after struggling so long to have Zoey?

  “You think I’m pregnan
t?” Suddenly, the urge to throw up is at the back of my mind.

  “I don’t know, but I think we need to find out.”

  She opens the box and gets the stick of truth out. This is going to be the longest three fucking minutes of my life.

  “This one is supposed to be super good. It’ll say positive or negative so you don’t have to worry if the lines don’t show up clearly.” She sets it on the counter next to me. “I’ll give you some privacy, but pee on the stick, and I’ll be back in a few.”

  I almost wish she’d stay while I do this. I may need her to hold me up if I pass out in shock. This is the kind of bad luck I’ve been having lately, so it shouldn’t even surprise me. How am I going to take care of two babies by myself?

  I do as Carly said and pee on the stick and then set a timer on my phone. If I stare at the clock while I wait, it’ll seem like forever.

  I scroll through Facebook and then Instagram and don’t see anything exciting posted. I jump at the sound of the alarm going off.

  Here goes nothing.

  Negative.

  I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I love being a mother, but I can’t imagine trying to juggle a full-time job and taking care of two children all on my own. I know that Evan would help, like he does with Zoey, but it would be hard.

  Carly knocks on the door and then opens it before I respond.

  “What’d it say?”

  I hold the stick up. “Negative.” I glare up at her. “Thanks for freaking the fuck out of me.”

  She laughs. “Well, the one positive thing about you not getting laid lately is that the stick is accurate. It would show up by now.”

  “I’m so glad you can find the silver lining in my celibacy.”

  “Come on, let’s get you something light to eat, and then you need to go to bed.”

  She helps me stand from the toilet. “You want me to stay over tonight? I can crash on the couch.”

  I shake my head. “No, I’ll be fine. Plus, the last thing you need is to get sick and then not be able to take care of your girls.”

  “Alright, well, you call me if you need anything.”

  She gets me a few Saltine crackers and a glass of Sprite and then leaves me on the couch. After a few minutes, I surprisingly feel better.

  I’m lost in thought but then jump at the sound of rattling in the front door. I know it’s Evan because nobody else has a key.

  I look up and see my handsome guy who looks like he hasn’t slept in a month. His hair is disheveled, but he’s no less sexy. He’s still in his suit from work with my favorite light blue dress shirt of his.

  “What are you doing here?” I croak out. I haven’t seen him since he left, which makes this reunion even more painful.

  “Your mom told me you were sick. I just wanted to check on you.”

  Of course, she did. My mother can’t mind her own damn business.

  “I’m fine.”

  “If you were fine, your mom wouldn’t be watching Zoey.”

  I sigh. “I’m better now. I must have just caught a bug. I’ll be good as new tomorrow.”

  He starts toward me, but then catches himself. I can tell he wants to touch me, but thinks better of it. I’m glad for that. I can’t handle that tonight.

  “Can I get you anything?” His eyes look so sad, and it rips me apart, but he’s done this to us.

  “No. Carly just left after bringing me Sprite and crackers.”

  He nods, and then there’s an awkward silence between us. We’ve always found things to talk about, but right now, I don’t know how to act around him.

  I’m busy picking at the fuzz on the blanket on my lap when he interrupts my thoughts.

  “Can I take you out once you’re feeling better?” His words shock me. He wants to take me out? Like on a date?

  “What?” I look up at him, and I’m sure he can read the confusion on my face.

  “Yeah, I want to take you on a date. We can go wherever you’d like. Maybe talk a little.” His uncertainty makes me want to cry, but there’s no way I’m ready to even consider something like this.

  “Please go,” I say almost inaudibly. I don’t know what else to say. I don’t want to hurt him, but how dare he come in here like this after all these weeks.

  He lets out a frustrated sigh. “Av, come on. I’m trying. Can you at least give me that?”

  I shake my head. “I’m not ready. Can you give me that?” I shoot his words back at him.

  “Fine. I’m going to the bathroom, and then I’ll be out of your hair.”

  He leaves the room, and I wish I felt up to running to hide. I don’t want to face him again before he leaves. It’s so painful seeing him. I love that man like crazy, but sometimes that doesn’t matter. Sometimes life gets in the way and things don’t work out how we had hoped.

  When I start feeling sick again, I lay back on the couch, but then hear the distinct sound of stomping coming from the hallway. Great.

  “When were you going to tell me that you’re pregnant?” He waves the empty pregnancy test box in the air.” Shit. I completely forgot that was still in there, but I wasn’t expecting him to come by tonight.

  I carefully sit up, but this time, instead of being hit with nausea, I’m hit with anger.

  “Don’t worry. You’re off the hook.”

  He sits in the chair across from me.

  “What the fuck does that mean?” he roars, which makes me even angrier.

  “I’m not pregnant!” I see the look of relief wash over his face. “Carly just wanted me to be sure after I spent the day throwing up. But don’t worry, you won’t have to be responsible for anyone else.”

  He shakes his head at me. “That’s not what I meant and you know it. But if you’re pregnant with my child, I would like to know.”

  “Well, I’m not, so you can go now.”

  He stands and then looks at me one last time.

  “I’m really trying, Av.” He pauses, and I can see the pain written on his face. “I didn’t cheat on you.”

  The next second, I hear the door slam behind him and a picture fall off the wall.

  How has this become our life?

  33

  Avery

  “Come on, Sleeping Beauty. Let’s get you inside to Grams and Pops.”

  After much argument from my mother this morning, I reluctantly agreed to come to Sunday dinner at their house. I’m sure it mostly had to do with them both wanting to see Zoey, even though they see her every day during the week, but I know that they are both worried about the funk I’ve been in. If that’s what you want to call it.

  “There’s my princess!” My mom shrieks as soon as we walk through the front door. My poor daughter startles in her carrier at her obnoxious tone. God love Lucy Giller, but she desperately needs a mute button sometimes.

  I set the car seat on the floor and head toward the living room when my mom starts undoing Zoey.

  “Hey, baby girl,” my dad says as I enter the room. He stands from his recliner. My child has replaced me in my mom’s eyes, but I’ll always be a daddy’s girl.

  “Hey, Dad,” I say into his chest as he wraps his strong arms around me.

  “You doing okay?” He pulls back from our embrace and looks me in the eyes, searching for an answer.

  “Yeah,” I sigh. “I’m alright.” He knows I’m lying but lets it go anyway.

  “Good. Let’s go in the kitchen and see what your mom is cooking up. I thought I smelled her famous oatmeal raisin cookies.” He squeezes my hand and then pulls me toward the kitchen.

  “Ed, look at this little girl,” Mom says as she fluffs out Zoey’s tutu dress. It’s the most adorable dress she owns. I probably think that because it’s sparkly and purple and reads Mommy’s Mini Me. Claire bought it for her right after she was born, but she’s just now able to fit into it.

  “Hi Zo,” Dad says as he takes her from Mom. He rubs her on the head and then kisses her cheek. She bats at his face when his whiskers rub a
gainst her.

  “Ed, why don’t you take her in the other room while me and Avery finish dinner?” She’s trying not to be obvious, but I notice the look she gives Dad, telling him all that I need to know. She wants to talk to me in private, and I’m definitely not going to like whatever she has to say.

  “Uh, sure. Let’s go have some Pops and Zo time.” It melts my heart every time I see the two of them together. She only has one set of grandparents, so it’s important to me and Evan that she’s always close to my parents.

  They leave the room, and now, there’s an awkward silence that surrounds the two of us.

  Finally, I break the ice. “Alright, Mom. Why’d you really want me in here with you?”

  She sets down her potholders and joins me at the table.

  “Avery, you know me and your father both love you, but this has got to stop. What you and Evan have is very rare, and I’m sorry to say this, but you’ve taken your marriage for granted.”

  I gasp as I turn to look at her. “Excuse me? How have I taken my marriage for granted?”

  She sighs. “Well, I think you need to at least try talking to him. What if you don’t get another chance?”

  At that, I sit up and eye her skeptically.

  “What the hell does that mean?” I know she’s going to scold me for cursing under her roof, but right now, I couldn’t care less. I have no idea why she would say something like that to me.

  “Avery Nicole, don’t you curse at me in my house!” She tries to give me a dirty look, but it only makes me want to laugh.

  “Sorry, Mom,” I mumble at her like a child.

  “You’re forgiven. Now, what I mean is that you never know when you won’t get another chance to tell him you love him.” At that, I can feel the burn behind my eyes, caused by the tears that desperately need to come out.

  “Avery, here you are upset over something silly when your friend will never have another chance to be mad at her husband, much less tell him how much she loves him.”