“No, listen.” He glanced over at her. “When I was going to the hospital in the ambulance, all I could hear was her bitching at the EMS guy who was working to save my life. I felt horrible for the guy, but as I lay there, I realized that I regretted one thing in my life. Staying with her.”
Jamie was at a loss for words. One on hand, she completely understood her dad's point of view. There was no way in hell she would ever be with someone like her mother, who tore people down without thought of their feelings or the lasting effect she might have on them.
“Are you sure this is what you want to do? You and Mom tried to break up just before Christmas, and you were miserable.” Jamie continued to rub his back.
“Yeah, I'm sure. I think I bought her lies that she could change. That she really did love me.” He shrugged. “She doesn't love anyone. She's just poisoned from the inside out. She told me that she was horrified at the thought of waking up next to a corpse.”
Jamie's eyes filled with tears. “She mentioned that, but I honestly was hoping she was just being melodramatic and didn't actually say that to you.”
“Nope. She sai
d it. In her pretty little crazy way. No pretty or little.” He ran his hands over his face and took a shaky breath. “Don't say anything please. I'm not trying to put you in a hard position, but I didn't want to sit here and feel as if I was lying to you by not saying anything. I just need the strength to go, and then, I'm out.”
“When the time comes, just let me know and we'll come over here and get you. Alex and I can help you, and you can always stay with us until you're ready to find a place.” She pulled her hand back and let out a long sigh. “I'm sorry to hear that nothing has gotten better.”
He chuckled, but the sound fell flat. “It's gotten worse. I have no clue who the woman in that house is. She's not the beautiful girl I fell in love with. She's bitter, power-hungry, and vicious. I guess it's got to be my fault for spending so much time and energy on my career, but I was the only one working.”
“Dad, now isn't the time to beat yourself up. You need to focus on healing.” Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Most likely Alex.
“I know, but with so much time on my hands I can't help but sit here and think through how miserable I've been for the last twenty years. I can't remember too many happy times, and the way she raised you girls was something I should have done something about.” He glanced over at Jamie with his face downcast. “Forgive me?”
“Dad.” Tears dripped over onto Jamie's cheeks as she reached for her dad and wrapped him in a hug. “There's nothing to forgive. It wasn’t always easy, but I’m not a baby. I'm a strong woman now, even though it took a lot to get me here. You've been good to me. You know that. None of what happened is your fault.”
“I just wish I had put my foot down with her being such a bitch over your weight and my food and...” He sighed heavily. “I just didn't want to deal with her.” He smiled, his face tired. “You're a beautiful woman, and you always have been. Inside and out, princess.”
“No pumpkin?” She smirked as she moved back and wiped away her tears.
“All the above.” He leaned back and patted her leg. “Get out of here, and when the time comes for me to leave I'll probably take you and Alex up on coming to stay with you for a few days or so. I don't think I'm ready to get an apartment just yet. I'm still a little nervous about going to sleep and not waking up.”
Jamie stifled the need to console him, and simply nodded before standing. “Okay. You just let us know, and we'll come right over.”
“I know you will. Thank you. I love you.” He reached up and touched the side of her face as she leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Go around the house and save yourself from coming face to face with the fire-breathing monster.”
“Dad.” Jamie rolled her eyes as she pulled out her phone and her keys.
“I'm serious. She's lost her wedding ring and swears you took it. Go around the house and save yourself a useless fight.”
She laughed. “Why would I take her wedding ring?” She glanced at the house and gate at the side of the house. “Okay, I think I’ll follow your advice and sneak out the gate.” Jamie walked around the house, not at all surprised to hear that her mother was having a fit over losing something, and of course blaming her. She texted Alex that she would meet him at home, and got in her car, grateful that the visit was over, but worried more than she had been before getting there.
Whereas her dad was a strong man, her mom was extremely manipulative and wouldn't retract her claws without a fight. In her dad's condition, the last thing he needed was a fight.
*
“Jamie?” Alex called out from somewhere in the house as she walked in and locked the front door behind her.
“Yeah, it's me.” She hung her purse up by the front door and slipped off her sandals before walking through the house to find him. Jake ran up and jumped all around her, barking until she knelt and petted him. “Hi, my boy. How are you?”
“I'm good.” Alex stood at the entrance to the kitchen in a pair of slacks and nothing else.
Jamie let her eyes roam over the thick swell of his abs and chest, the hours in the gym and his natural build leaving him to look like sex incarnate. His sexy smile combined with the nice tan he'd gotten over the last few weeks from being outside and at home on Saturdays left her toes curling. “Yeah, you're real good. I should know.” She rose to her feet and took a step toward him as he approached her.
He wrapped her up tightly in a hug and kissed her deeply as she melted against him. Every time she saw him, her heart fluttered, her body warmed. She could only pray that it would always be like that.
“How was your visit with the family?” He moved back, but didn't release her.
She gazed up at him as her fingers played along the strong muscles of his back. “It was a visit with the crazy house.” She grinned, breathing in deeply and lifted an eyebrow. “Do I smell pasta?”
“You do.” He kissed her again and released her, turning and walking back into the kitchen. “I got you something. Go put it on and join me in the kitchen. I'm making dinner for you.”