Renewed: The Unexpected Series

by Roberts, S. E.

  “I have a date this weekend.” She rushes out and then turns toward the bar when her drink is set in front of her.

  “That’s a good thing, right?” I ask, confused with the way she’s acting.

  “You aren’t mad?” She slowly turns back to me.

  “Why the hell would I be mad? I’m thrilled for you.” I reach toward her and wrap my arm around her in a half hug.

  “I don’t know. It’s just with everything going on with you and Evan, I didn’t want to upset you.” I seriously hate that everyone feels like they have to walk on eggshells around me. I’m a freaking adult and know that just because me and my husband are having issues, doesn’t mean that the rest of the world doesn’t go on.

  “Carly, seriously. I’m so happy for you. Who is it? Do I know him?”

  “His name is Jed. He’s a single dad from Macy and Kaylee’s school.” She blushes, and I have to admit it’s adorable seeing her like this.

  “That’s awesome, Car!” I exclaim. “Do you need me to watch the girls while you go out?” It’s nice to have anything to do that keeps my mind off Evan. I hate sitting around the house missing him. Especially when Zoey is sleeping, and I don’t have anything to keep myself busy.

  “They’ll be with Brad, but thanks.” She goes back to sipping her drink. “He’s younger than me,” Carly says without looking at me.

  “Is that a problem?” I ask carefully. Surely, the guy can’t be that much younger than her, especially if he has a kid at the same school as her girls.

  “Uh, I’m not sure, but I’m guessing six or seven years younger.” She fidgets with the label on her beer bottle.

  “Carly, that’s not that bad.” I mean, Evan and I are the same age by just a few months, so I guess it is kind of weird, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s not a big deal.

  She clearly doesn’t want to talk about this any longer, so I order us each another drink, and then we head toward the table I had saved for us.

  Deciding that we’re both done drinking for the night, we go out to the dance floor. Not many people are out here dancing, so we act like carefree fools. It’s nice since lately I’ve been anything but carefree. As we’re bumping our hips together during some obnoxious teenybopper song, I feel someone’s hand on my ass. I freeze before turning toward the asshole.

  “Get your hand off my ass!” I yell like an idiot, clearly a little drunk. It’s ridiculous that I can’t even handle two beers.

  The fucker continues to rub on my ass, and as I turn to deck the guy in the face, I instead come in contact with a hand.

  What the...? I’m momentarily confused but then see Evan standing in front of me. A very angry Evan. I’ve never seen him like this before. What the hell is he doing here?

  “Touch my wife again, I’ll fucking kill you.” He stares the guy down, and I’ll admit I’m a little worried for him. “Avery, let’s go,” he says with a demanding tone, which has me even more pissed than the guy rubbing on my ass.

  “No, I’m here with my friend. You don’t need to rescue me, Evan.” I turn around, trying to ignore him, but of course he isn’t having it.

  I go back to shaking my ass, ignoring the fact that Carly is giving me a concerned look.

  I then feel a hot breath on the side of my face.

  “Avery, now! We’re leaving.” Oh, hell no.

  “Fuck off, Evan!” I know I’m making a scene, but how dare he come in here acting like a control freak while I’m trying to have a fun night out.

  I try to go back to dancing, but then I’m halted when he grabs me by the arm. He starts dragging me through the crowd, and I swat at him with my other hand like a two-year-old.

  “Porter, everything okay here?” Fuck. Of course, the bouncer knows him, so I won’t be getting any help from him.

  “Yeah, man.” He continues pulling me out of the bar.

  By now, I’m pretty sure there’s fire coming out of my eyes because I’m so angry with him.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” I scream in the middle of the sidewalk. Not caring that people are staring at us. He’s the one who started this.

  “What the hell is wrong with me? You’re the one in there shaking your ass in front of all those dirty bastards. What the fuck are you doing here anyway?”

  He’s got me so worked up, I can hardly see straight.

  “I was trying to enjoy a night out with my friend, until my dickhead husband decided to ruin that.” I huff and throw my hands in the air. Then a thought hits me that makes me even angrier. “Wait a minute. What are you doing here? Were you following me?”

  He doesn’t answer me right away, which tells me that I’m right. He looks at me, carefully choosing his next words.

  “Where’s Zoey?” I can now see his irritation escalate. When his ears turn red, I know he’s pissed.

  I gasp. “Are you serious right now? She’s at home sleeping.” I roll my eyes at his ridiculousness. He’s not impressed with my smart assery. “She’s with my mother, if you must know.”

  I can tell he’s biting his tongue, but he doesn’t respond.

  “I’m taking you home, and we’re going to talk.” He grabs my arm again, but this time not as rough as before. I know there’s no use arguing with him because I’m not going to win this one.

  Once I’m in the Jeep, I shoot Carly a quick text, not going into details. Although, it’s possible that she heard our argument from inside the loud bar.

  36

  Evan

  The drive back to the house is unusually uncomfortable. I know she’s mad, but I can’t say I regret going to The Blue Moon tonight. My co-worker Simon texted me tonight telling me he saw her sitting at the bar by herself, and I was worried she’d get trashed and not be able to get home. I know she’s smart, but I still didn’t want to risk something happening to her. Then when I walked in and saw that douchebag with his hands all over her, I about came unglued. I did feel a sense of pride though when I heard her yelling at him, and then she tried to punch him but instead came in contact with my hand. I knew she’d be pissed when she saw, me but I couldn’t bring myself to care. It doesn’t matter that we’re separated. She’s still mine. And if I have any say, she’ll be mine for the rest of our lives.

  I pull into the driveway, and she’s quick to unbuckle her belt and tries to dart out the door, but I grab her arm.

  “Thanks for the ride,” she grumbles, trying to get away from me.

  “Av, stop,” I say sternly, but I’m trying not to sound like a complete ass again.

  “Stop what, Evan? Stop being pissed that you found the need to follow me? Why is that alright?” She’s breathing heavily, and I have to admit I’m a little terrified at the possibility of her reaching across the armrest and slapping me in the face. Fuck, I don’t care though. If it makes her feel better and I get the chance to talk to her, she can do whatever she wants to me. Although I’d prefer if she did other things to me. Damn it, Porter. Get your mind out of the fucking gutter.

  “I wasn’t following you. Simon was out with his wife and saw you at the bar. I just wanted to make sure you made it home safe.” It’s the truth.

  “Whatever.” She crosses her arms over her chest, pouting like a child, but I have to admit that it’s damn adorable. “I’m going to bed.” She reaches for the handle, but I stop her again.

  “We need to talk.” I’m not asking her because I know she wouldn’t agree to it. She’ll eventually cave though because she knows I won’t leave until I get my way.

  I finally let her leave the car and then wait a few seconds before I follow behind her. I know I’m going to have to play my cards right if I want her to listen to me. I’m stubborn, but my wife is even more stubborn than I am.

  As I’m walking onto the porch, she slams the screen door shut, not bothering with the other door because she knows I’m behind her.

  “I’m going to bed,” she says again, starting down the hallway that leads toward our room, but like hell am I letting her walk away
from me.

  “Av, stop,” I say louder than I mean to, but my frustration seems to be getting the best of me. She freezes at my words, and I’m sure the tone I’m using with her. I can see the hairs standing up on the back of her neck. “Talk to me.”

  She flips around so fast it takes me by surprise.

  She gets up in my face, and I want so desperately to reach out to her and run my hands through her hair and then kiss her tempting lips, but I restrain myself. I haven’t kissed her in weeks, and I’m sure she wouldn’t respond to that well, especially not right now.

  “No, Evan! I will not stop. I’m fucking sick of this. Please. Just go.” She tries to walk away from me again, but I grab her shoulder and spin her back toward me. I can tell she’s shocked by my actions.

  I step away from her, knowing she most likely wants space.

  “Avery,” I say sternly. “I. Did. Not. Sleep. With. Her.” Each word comes out clipped. I know I’m being an ass, but I’m done being nice. She won’t listen to me, and I’m fucking tired of it. I don’t know how else to get her to believe me. I throw my head back in frustration and yank at my hair. “I didn’t sleep with anyone. No one, but you.”

  A single tear rolls down her beautiful face. I want her to believe me, but I can tell that she doesn’t.

  “Please go,” she whispers.

  “No.” I shake my head. “I’m done letting you push me away. You know me better than anyone else. How could you think I’d do such a horrible thing to you?”

  She wipes at the wetness on her face, and when she pulls her hands away, I can see the rage radiating off of her.

  She chuckles. “Gee, I don’t know. Maybe because I called your fucking hotel room and that bitch answered.”

  “I swear to God, it wasn’t what you think.”

  She rolls her eyes and then turns her back on me.

  I throw my arms up in the air in defeat.

  “You know what? Fuck it.” She pauses, but doesn’t turn to look at me. “I thought you knew me better than that, but obviously, you think I’m a cheater and a liar. I’ll just make this easier on you.” I walk to the door, but before I open it, I say, “I’ll have the divorce papers drawn up and sent to you. Let me know where you want to meet up to discuss custody.”

  As soon as the words come out of my mouth, I regret them, but I’m tired of this shit. Besides opening the door of my hotel room for that bitch, I did nothing wrong. Obviously, I’ll never get it through her head that I didn’t cheat on her.

  When I pull the door shut behind me, I hear something crash against it from the other side, and then I hear her scream.

  I don’t think before I push the door back open, and I see her sitting against the wall, her knees pulled to her chest.

  I’m careful not to step on any glass as I make my way to her.

  “Are you okay?”

  I look around the room and notice that the offending object was one of our wedding pictures.

  “Everything was so perfect. How did we get here?” she asks in a whisper as she rocks back and forth.

  I sigh as I sit across from her.

  “It wasn’t perfect, but we always knew how to get through things together. We also trusted each other.”

  She gasps at my words. I know they were harsh, but they’re true.

  I stand from the floor and then carefully clean up the glass before leaving my crying wife.

  Do I want a divorce? Fuck, no, I don’t. But I also know that I can’t stay in a marriage with someone who can’t trust me or who isn’t willing to work things out with me.

  I need a goddamn drink.

  37

  Avery

  “Hey!” Sierra hollers as she answers the door of the beach condo she shares with her grandmother.

  “Hey, Sier!” I hug my friend, and we both start crying. We’ve both been through a hell of a year. Hers, obviously way worse than mine, but we both need this time together.

  Me and Zoey just flew into Carolina Beach Airport this afternoon. After Evan told me he’d be serving me with divorce papers last week, I booked a flight. I needed to get as far away from Phoenix as I could.

  I haven’t heard from him since, but I was hoping that I wouldn’t before I left. His words hurt me like a knife to the chest, but I guess he was right. We should be able to trust each other. What the fuck happened to our marriage?

  “Oh, my goodness, Av, she’s gorgeous,” Sierra says as she takes Zo from me.

  I look behind her at Jayce.

  “Look at little man! He is so stinking cute.” I leave Sierra and Zoey at the front door and lift Jayce out of his seat. “Hi, sweet boy.” I kiss his cheek, and my heart breaks all over again for Sier and both these little boys. Miles was a good husband and dad. I don’t understand why something so terrible had to happen to such a great family.

  “You must be Avery.” I turn at the sound of a sweet, old voice. The woman is probably a good six inches shorter than me with a head full of white curly hair. I can definitely tell that she and Sier are related.

  “I am.” I smile at her as I walk her way. “You must be Grandma Rose.”

  The sweet older woman smiles at me and then pulls me into a hug.

  “I am. Please make yourself at home. I’ve cleared out the guest room for you and your baby. Anything you need, just let me know.”

  I nod at her, and then she leaves me to go see Zoey, who is giggling away in Sierra’s arms.

  After we spend time with each other’s kids, Grandma Rose pours us each a glass of her homemade sweet tea and tells us she’ll keep an eye on the three of them while we sit on the back porch.

  “It is so gorgeous here,” I say as I sit in a lounger, looking out at the beautiful, sapphire blue Atlantic. “It’s already blazing hot back home. Girl, I hate summer.”

  She chuckles. “Move here. It’s always nice.” She sips on her tea.

  I sigh. “I’d love to live on the beach, but Phoenix is home.” As soon as the words come out, I regret them. “I’m sorry, Sier.” It was her home for a long time too, and I don’t want to make her feel bad for leaving.

  She waves me off. “Girl, don’t apologize. It’s been nice being close to Grandma Rose and my brothers. I honestly don’t think I could ever leave now. Phoenix holds too many memories, you know?” I don’t miss the single tear that falls down her cheek.

  I jump out of my chair. “Scooch,” I say as I sit next to her. “Come here.” I wrap my arms around her, and she immediately starts to cry. I have a feeling she hasn’t done enough of this lately. She’s had to be strong for her boys.

  She pulls away and then looks up at me. “Thanks.” She sniffs. “I needed that.”

  I smooth out her black hair that has gotten longer since I saw her last.

  “You don’t have to thank me. I’m always here for you, sister girl.”

  She shakes her head. “I shouldn’t be burdening you with this right now. You have your own stuff going on.” She squeezes my hand. “You doing okay?”

  “You’re never burdening me. But yeah, I’m okay.” I give her a small smile, but I know she isn’t buying my lie.

  “Avery Porter, don’t lie to me. You can talk to me.”

  I sigh and throw my head back. “He told me last week that he’s going to have divorce papers sent to me.” It hurts to say the words, but not as much as hearing Evan say them.

  “What?” She gasps. “I thought you said he’s been begging you to talk to him. Why would he say that?”

  I look up at the blue sky. It’s so gorgeous here. I could definitely get used to this.

  “He’s upset that I don’t trust him.”

  “Do you trust him?”

  I rub at my eyes. I’m exhausted after traveling all day with a baby.

  “I want to trust him, but I’m scared,” I admit.

  She stands from the chair we’re sharing and positions herself so she’s facing me and then grabs both my hands.

  “Av, I’ve never in all my life seen a man
look at a woman the way Evan does you.” I feel the burn behind my eyes from the tears needing to fall. I’ve been a damn mess lately, and I hate it. I don’t want to cry anymore.

  “What have I done? I can’t lose him.”

  She shakes her head. “You haven’t done anything. You guys have been under a lot of stress lately. Av, I think that any woman, no matter how strong her marriage, would have thought the same thing you did.”

  I cover my face with my hands as soon as the tears finally get loose. I don’t know if I’ll be able to fix this.

  “You need to talk to him.”

  It seems simple enough, but it scares the shit out of me. The thought of him rejecting me after I’ve pushed him away for so long, sends my emotions into a complete tailspin. I don’t know if he could ever forgive me.

  She gives me a small smile. “It’s understandable that you’re scared, but that man loves you, Av. He’s been trying to get you back. Show him that you trust him.”

  “What if it’s too late?”

  “It’s not. I’m sure of it. He was just pissed, Avery, just like you were. I’m sure he didn’t mean anything about wanting a divorce.”

  “I’ve really fucked up.”

  “No. You just need to get him back now. I have no doubt in my mind that he’d take you back in a heartbeat. And I have no doubt in my mind that when you talk to him, you’ll have wild and crazy monkey sex.”

  This makes me laugh. “You really think so?” When I see the Cheshire grin on her face, I correct myself. “I mean the part about him taking me back, although wild and crazy monkey sex sounds nice too.”

  “Definitely.” She smiles. “Why don’t you take some time for yourself this week, and once you get home, go get your man back.”

  I don’t know if what she’s suggesting is going to be that simple, but I nod my head in agreement.

  We spend the rest of the day on a much lighter note. Sierra and Grandma Rose take me to see their beachside bakery, Rosie Posey’s. It’s a cute little shop that has every sweet imaginable. Grandma Rose opened it when she retired here, but Sierra has since taken it over. I’m glad that she has something to keep her busy, not that her boys don’t already.