Page 33 of Parker

Chapter twenty-six

Joel her low top has slipped down, revealing her breasts. How the hell did that happen? She blinks, stretching her arms above her head before readjusting herself. “Joel,” she murmers. “Did I fall asleep?”

Nicky’s eyes are livid. They look through me at the woman sitting on her sofa. She’s clenching her fists by her sides, and I see her lips move as she counts in her head. That’s Nicky’s coping technique, a way to control her emotions.

“Ebony,” I hiss. “Please explain to her there’s nothing going on between us.”

She giggles nervously. “Isn’t there?” My mouth drops open.

“Of course there fucking isn’t.” I run my hand through my hair in exasperation. My jaw ticking as my temper rises.

“I could tell her we’re not sleeping together,” she shrugs. “But she’d assume I’m lying, anyway.”

“What the hell are you playing at?” I snarl. “This is my marriage you’re fucking around with.”

Turning back to Nicky, I see her face pale as she watches the proceedings. Tears flow freely down her face—she looks broken as her thoughts merge, coming to their own conclusions. She drops her eyes to the floor, and my heart splinters.

Within twenty-four hours, it feels as if my life has been ripped from my grasp. Only yesterday were we making love on this very couch, besotted with each other, albeit struggling with our inability to have children.

“It’s not true. There’s nothing between Ebony and me. Deep down, you know that.”

“Don’t.” Her lips tremble. “Please, today has been the most horrendous day. I’ve lost my career, my reputation, and now I’m losing my husband. Please don’t try to convince me this isn’t happening. I can see it with my own eyes.”

Ebony sits silently on the sofa. I could kill her. I know she’s angry with my wife, but this is brutal.

“You need to leave,” I tell her.

“Why?” she spits. “I’m not doing anything wrong.”

“Because I need to speak to my wife, alone.”

Nicky walks toward me, standing directly below my chin like she has a thousand times before. Our eyes meet and I feel tears fill mine, an uneasy feeling creeping in.

Stay silent, please. Don’t say anything

She puts her arms around my neck, rising on tiptoe. I lean down and she kisses me softly on the lips.

“We won’t survive this. Whatever this is.” My heart constricts with each syllable. “Today has ended our dark fairytale.”

“But,” I interject. She places her finger over my mouth to silence me.

“But nothing. You believed I was a thief. I believed you were a cheat. No matter how much I love you, the betrayal runs deeper than love.” She cups my face with her hand.

“Go find someone who fits the mold. It was never me. These years with you have been the happiest of my life, and for that, I’ll always love you. ”

With those words, she turns and walks from our house. I stand at the window, watching as Sophie’s car pulls up, Nicky climbs in and rides out of my life. The only woman I’ve ever loved, who I was too blind to protect.