Part 21 (1/2)

”This is still his home, Macy.”

”So why doesn't he live here?”

I smiled sadly and grabbed her hand, entwining my fingers with hers. ”I know this is messed up, but it's complicated and not something we can fix overnight.”

She rolled her eyes-to my frustration-and fell back against the pillow. ”I hate this, seriously. I'm so mad that he messed everything up, and I'm so mad that you're just letting him do whatever he wants.”

I stared at her, confused. ”I most certainly am not letting him do whatever he wants, Macy. It's easier on Ben for him to come here instead of going to grandma's house. I'm trying to make everyone happy.”

She turned her eyes to me. ”What about you, Mom? Are you happy?”

I shook my head and looked down at my lap. ”No,” I answered honestly. ”Not at all. I'm trying to bring our family back together. That's what makes me happy.”

She rolled her eyes. ”Well, I'm glad someone is,” she mumbled.

”What's that supposed to mean?” I asked.

She threw her hands up and groaned. ”That's just what I mean! You're over here still being you, doing everything, acting like everything's fine when it's not. He's just going out with Uncle Glenn and his friends.”

My stomach plummeted. ”Like who? Who does he go out with?” I tried to stay calm, but I knew... I knew.

”No wonder she's so p.i.s.sed off at me! What do you do? Sit around and drill them for information?” Royal's voice barreled through the room, causing me to jump in surprise.

”What are you talking about? She was telling me about the company you keep, so that's on you. You've caused this, so go talk to her. Maybe if you actually listen to her for once you'd figure it out.”

I stood and swept past him, shoving his shoulder as I did. ”Talk to her and then get out. Whatever's going on between the two of you needs to be resolved. I want all of this to stop. Help her, Royal.”

I stormed out of the room and into my own, shutting the door behind me. I fell against the cool wood and braced myself with the palms of my hands. I was so hurt by Macy's words. I was full of ten thousand conflicting emotions all over again, but mostly, I was angry. Very, very, angry.

Our entire life was unraveling, and he was still cavorting around with that stupid b.i.t.c.h.

I was thoroughly disgusted.

I thought throwing him out would reinforce what I considered being an ultimatum of sorts-something I never thought I'd have to do.

Our marriage or her friends.h.i.+p.

I was done. I was done tip-toeing around and done being treated like s.h.i.+t. I deserved better, and if he wasn't going to respect me, then I'd just take care of myself.

I jolted off the floor when I heard the doork.n.o.b rattle from the other side. I just wanted to be alone, and I didn't want to talk to Royal at all. My earlier epiphany sang loud in my head and gave me the strength and confidence to do what I needed to do.

I ignored the door and slipped into the bathroom, letting the door click quietly behind me. I started a bath and lit a few candles. The sounds of the water as it tumbled from the spout drowned out the nonsense outside. I refused to let myself feel sorry for Royal and left him to deal with his children for a while.

For once, actually.

Despite trying to relax, the sounds of them arguing were relentless. It was obvious we needed the therapy more than ever-especially for the kids. We couldn't rationally handle our own problems, so we were in no shape to help them.

I closed my eyes and the next thing I knew I'd fallen asleep. It could've been minutes or hours, but enough time had pa.s.sed that the water had chilled when I heard banging on the door.

”Open the f.u.c.king door! Jesus, Jenna, are you okay?”

Royal sounded panicked, so I flew out of the tub and lunged for the door.

”What's the matter?”

His eyes dipped to my chest, and then quickly returned to reach mine. ”Did Macy tell you where she was going?”

”No, I didn't even know she left. She's not in her room?”

He took a harsh breath and shook his head with a jerk. ”No. I was in the yard with the kids. I came back upstairs to see if she'd talk to me before I left, and she's gone. I grabbed her phone from the dresser when I was in her room, so she doesn't have it.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. ”s.h.i.+t. Call Tara. She might be there.”

He turned around and ran his hand through his hair, cursing again. I took that moment to grab a towel and wrapped up before following him into the room. He perched on the edge of the bed. His knee shook with nerves, and anguish marred his face.

I walked over, putting my hand on his shoulder to comfort him, but he pulled away, glaring at me angrily. I didn't blame him-I was still angry, too. Turning my back on him, I pulled out a pair of lounge pants, panties, and a t-s.h.i.+rt from the dresser and went in the bathroom to get dressed.

”She hasn't seen her, and mom hasn't either. This is f.u.c.ked. I was too hard on her.”

”She's really confused,” I told him.

”I'm not hanging out with Lana, Jenna. My mom,” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. ”She was at the house picking up my mom the other day when I got home. They went to the movies and dinner, I guess. I went through the garage to get in the house to avoid her. My mother must have said something. My f.u.c.king mom.”

I growled. ”I am so finished with your mom, Royal. I have done nothing to provoke her treatment, and nothing to deserve it. I have f.u.c.king cared for her, driven her, cleaned her f.u.c.king house, included her in everything we do, and she gives me nothing but f.u.c.king grief. I am through!”

I was seething but hurt more than anything. She was a hateful woman.

”You think you said f.u.c.k enough times?” he snapped.

”No. f.u.c.k. And. You.”

He narrowed his eyes and scowled. ”Don't talk like that, Jenna. It's not you.”

What?

”Maybe it is now. Maybe I'm so fed up that I want to f.u.c.king say f.u.c.k! Why are we talking about your mother and my foul language when Macy is G.o.d knows where? Figure out where she is, and then complain about my filthy mouth.”

”Are you seriously taking this out on me? I have no control over my mother.”

”No control. Where have I heard that before? You can't control who calls you or when, you can't control your mother. Well, I call bulls.h.i.+t. Bulls.h.i.+t excuses and bulls.h.i.+t to you.”

I slid into my sandals and stomped out to the garage to get my truck. It was very likely that Austin picked her up, but I would've heard his van backfire even if I'd been dead.

I opened the garage door and took a shuddering breath. ”No freaking way. I'll kill her. Royal!” I yelled, clenching the strap of my purse with a death grip.

He looked around frantically when he entered the garage. ”What? What happened?”

I pointed out the garage door at the empty spot where my truck sat earlier. ”She took my d.a.m.n truck.”

He cursed under his breath and chucked his keys at the floor. ”Son of a b.i.t.c.h,” he growled. ”She's gone too far. She's using this as an excuse to run off with that punk motherf.u.c.ker. Get in the truck. I'm going to find her.”