Page 96 of Rebound

“Jesus, Kabir. Grow the fuck up. I know you think humans are not meant to be monogamous or whatever nonsense you read online. But I believe in monogamy and I wanted my boyfriend to be faithful.”

“Wasn’t my love enough?” He says it so earnestly, if I was anyone else, I’d pacify him.

Frustration rolls off Patrick and I hate everything about this conversation, about this confrontation.

“It’s not love if you’re seeking out other people to fuck the entire time you’re living with someone else.”

“Get over yourself, Tammy. I was so fucking committed, you …took me for granted.”

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I did.” I snort and shake my head. “Now that you’re aware this baby isn’t yours and I don’t want you anywhere near me ever again. You can leave.”

“Fucking slut,” he drawls with a smirk, but I don’t react.

Patrick does. He steps between us, his imposing height a good screen from Kabir. It’s not the first time he’s called me that and in fact, he called me so much worse toward the end of our relationship.

“The fuck did you say?” The words come out so calmly I wouldn’t know Patrick was angry if I didn’t see the tense way he’s holding himself. I slide my hands up his back and down to rest at his waist. He relaxes a little. “Give me an excuse to put you in the ground, asswipe.”

“If she walks like a slut and looks like a slut, she’s a slut.”

Patrick growls and I tug on his shirt to hold him back. “Trick, don’t.”

“Yeah, Trick, listen to the bitch.”

With a heavy sigh, I release him and he grabs the front of Kabir’s shirt and prowls forward until he has my ex up against the wall. I know there won’t be any punches thrown, but I still take a step forward as a precaution.

“You don’t even know how fucking lucky you are she gave you eight years of her life. Assholes like you don’t deserve even one. You’ve fooled everyone into thinking you’re a sweet and charming guy, but you’re really scum of the earth. Men who use women and toss them aside when they stop doing their bidding make the rest of us look bad. I can’t wait for another woman to chew you up and spit you out, leaving you lost and confused, because it’s going to happen.

“I’d do the women of the world a favour, but here’s what I’m going to do instead,” he says and Kabir’s feet hit the floor. Patrick glances at me and at my nod he adds, “In honour of the mother of my child and the love of my fucking life, I’m letting you go. Listen to what she said and leave. You’re not welcome here. And if you come back or try to contact Tamara in any way, I will find you. And I will fucking destroy you.”

Kabir’s wide eyes meet mine and I shrug. I won’t stop Patrick next time.

“I’ll report you to the police for threatening me.”

Patrick chuckles. “Knock yourself out. And while you’re at it, here’s my agent’s number. You might as well let him know why you’re causing such a fuss.” He hands Kabir a business card and steps back.

My ex takes too long to move, but then he’s out the front door and my knees give out. Before I can fall, Patrick catches me. He carries me to the couch and sits down, dragging me into his lap.

“Let it out, baby.”

And I do. I burst into the loudest sob and curl into him. His arms tighten around me, hands rubbing up and down my back as I cry. I don’t know what the tears are for, but despite how much it hurts to cry, I feel a weird sense of relief letting it out. The closure is good, the way it happened was not part of my plan. I definitely didn’t intend for Patrick to find out about the miscarriage like that, either.

“I’m sorry,” he says softly. “I didn’t realise what an asshole he was.”

“I didn’t know it for a few years either.”

“I was going to hit him, Lo.”

He’s still vibrating, the anger pumping through his body and I press my lips to his throat in hopes of calming him down. He breathes out noisily and I stroke the back of his neck. Patrick’s arms tighten around me and I sigh at how safe I am. How perfect this position is for us. How perfect he is for me.

“I’m proud of you for not hitting him. The last thing I want is for you to hurt yourself.”

“I don’t care.”

“I know,” I laugh and cup his face as I lean back slightly. “But he’s not worth it. He’s not worth breaking your precious hands or getting called violent by the press.”

“You’re worth it.”

“Aw, sweetheart. I love that you want to defend and protect me, but not from idiots like Kabir. Okay?”