Page 56 of Decoded

Jasmine

If you need me there, Anna, you know I’ll be there. But I have a big contract I’m doing stuff for and it’s going to be difficult for me to miss. But I can. You let me know.

Anna

I’m going to be okay. Don’t worry about me. And Penny, you have to be there for your first grade babies, so you stay put, too. Honestly Sky, I’ll be alright. Nobody needs to make a special trip just for me.

Skyla

Who says this trip is just for you? I just read me a small town romance where the main male character had a pierced peen and I can’t wait to get to Kentucky and find myself one of those. Plus, I just so happen to love special trips.

Jasmine

You’re ridiculous.

Penny

But I need the title of that book.

Skyla

What do you know? I’m already headed to the airport now. See you soon, Anna Banana!

The first smile in hours starts to spread across my face. Everything is going to be okay. My friend is going to be here soon to help make me feel better. Camden is going to help me with my whole former boss situation. And I’m going to find a chance to talk to my husband so that he can still love me.

My phone flashes in the dark and when I see Keaton’s name on the screen, butterflies begin to flutter in my chest. But those butterflies quickly become boulders as his drunken words weigh down my heart.

Keaton

you are so preety

Keaton

i love you so flucking much

Keaton

but nknowing that he know you that way hurts

Keaton

and i dont think i wanna love you nymore

Chapter thirty-eight

Keaton

E

verything about me feels like total shit. How was I so happily married and in love yesterday only to be in a total state of misery today? Oh, that’s right. Daniel Brenner.

Somehow that asshole managed to not just hurt Anna with his fucking creepy messages he sent her and that damn box of weird shit, but he managed to completely fuck up the good thing we had going here. The love that we both shared for each other.

Did she really let him touch her? I know he can’t be trusted. I know the words that came through those messages imply that he wanted something she didn’t reciprocate. But I fucking asked her. I asked her if he was telling the truth.

And she nodded.

Before I know it, I’m sending my pillow flying across the room. I can’t stay in this fucking house where the memory of Anna is surrounding me. I head out to my truck and drive to see the woman I know who once lost the love of her life.