Page 93 of Through the Storms

“I wouldn’t try negotiating with me.” He laughed a cruel laugh. “Look how the last time turned out.”

Ouch.Nothing like going for the jugular. “Yep, you got me. Keeping me away from my daughter on her birthday.”

“If there’s nothing else, we need to go pack,” he said.

“I want to talk to Mia. Wish her a happy birthday.”

“No. Goodbye.”

Chloe stared at the phone. He’d hung up on her. Her hands shook, and her legs felt weak, so she lowered herself to the bumper. How had she ever been married to such an asshole?

She sat on the bumper for several minutes before she called Mia’s number. The phone went to voicemail. She tried again with the same result.

After the fifth time, Dennis answered. “Stop calling. Because of her outburst, Mia is grounded, and she’s lost phone privileges.”

“I just want to wish her a happy birthday.” Chloe tried to keep the desperation from her voice.

“I suppose you should have thought of that before you tried to strongarm me into delaying my trip. I know you’re jealous of Candace, but really, using our daughter as a pawn. That’s low, even for you.”

Chloe’s mouth dropped open. “Jealous? You think I’m jealous of Candace?”

“Yes. I’ve moved on, and you’re all alone pining for me.”

Unbelievable!“Don’t flatter yourself.” Maybe she shouldn’t have taken his bait, but there was no way she could get him to change his mind, so it didn’t much matter.

“I have packing to do. I don’t have time to listen to your insults. And don’t call Mia again tonight because she won’t have her phone. And if she keeps up her pouting, she won’t have it tomorrow, either.”

Chloe took a calming breath. “Have a heart, Dennis. She’ll want to get all her birthday wishes from her friends.”

“I guess she better think about that before she continues acting like the spoiled brat you’ve created.”

The line went dead.

Chloe slammed her fist into her thigh, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She dropped to the ground in front of the van and rested her back against the front bumper. “Fuck.”

“Are you okay?” a voice said, causing Chloe to jump.

She looked up to see Oakley and Riley staring down at her. In her misery, she’d forgotten they hadn’t gone inside. There was nothing she wanted more than to fall into Riley’s comforting arms, but she couldn’t. Instead, she wrapped her arms around herself and said, “I’m okay.”

“You don’t look okay.” Riley took a tentative step toward Chloe and knelt several feet from her. “What happened?”

Chloe shook her head, hoping to quell her tears, but she wasn’t successful. In her mind, her tears flew off her face like a dog shaking water out of its fur. “I’m probably flinging tears everywhere.”

“Just a little shower.” Riley grinned as she pretended to wipe tears off her arm.

Chloe met Riley’s gaze. Riley’s kind eyes threatened to dissolve Chloe into more tears. “Nah, preparing you for all the rain we’re likely to encounter tomorrow.”

“Smart thinking,” Oakley said, finally joining the conversation. “But seriously, are you gonna be all right?”

Chloe nodded and wiped her sleeve across her eyes. “I will be.”

“Would you like to tell us what happened?” Oakley asked as Riley nodded.

“You don’t want to listen to my tales of woe,” Chloe said, suddenly feeling stupid for her outburst.

Oakley plopped onto the ground next to her and motioned to Riley. “Have a seat and get comfortable, so Chloe can tell us her story.”

Riley tipped backward from her kneeling position and landed with a thud on her buttocks. She grinned. “Oops, I didn’t think I’d land quite that hard.” She pulled her legs up to her chest. “We’re all ears.”