Infinity(78)
Sure enough, she’s in the hot tub with the same set up as always. I stand there for a moment, trying to decide what I should do. Getting in the hot tub will result in me naked and unable to keep my hands off of her. Going inside and rejecting her will probably result in her leaving me.
I walk over to the edge of the hot tub and look down seeing her gorgeous tits bobbing up and down in the water. Her hair is piled on her head in a messy knot, and she’s got on the fucking white string bikini that should be against the law. My cock notices, and stands up to get a look for itself.
“I appreciate the gesture, but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea for me to join you.” I rub my sweaty palms on my athletic shorts, aching for her to see through my tough-guy act and invite me in.
“I’m leaving for Houston tomorrow. Please, don’t let me back out of our driveway without at least talking to me.” Her words register in my brain, but the look on her face speaks to my heart. She looks so fucking lost.
Without replying, I strip off my clothes and ease myself into the hot water opposite from her. She stays in her spot, and I’m not sure that I wanted her to do so.
After a very long silence of me watching her fidget, I can’t take it anymore and drop my chin to my chest, closing my eyes. It’s too damn painful to watch.
She finally speaks. “Look, I know you need to be after games, but there are a few things that I have to say. Let me know when you’re ready to listen.” She doesn’t sound like my Charlie. My Charlie is a balls-to-the-wall kind of chick. Tough is her middle name. This version of her is pathetic; almost exactly how I feel.
I raise my head and open my eyes to look at her. She’s so damn timid, like a little mouse. “I’ll listen to whatever you have to say, but I will not sit here and endure your excuses. What’s happened has happened. You can’t give me back the time that I’ve lost with my daughter. I’m not willing to relive the past. I’m only focused on the future.” It comes out harsher than I’d intended, but the words ring true. I silently add, And I hope you aren’t leaving me, because I will spend every dime I have to gain full custody of my princess.
She nods and begins, “I called Carmen today, and told her that this would be my last week at the practice until your season is over. Then, I’m hoping that we can move to Houston for the offseason so I can continue practicing medicine.” As she speaks, she begins to regain some of her confidence.
She pauses, letting her words sink in. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I can tell this is her attempt at offering me an olive branch. Logistically it will work for a few months, but then I’ll have to be back in Dallas full-time. What then? Are we just delaying the inevitable? Seems like it to me. We’re going to be in the same damn boat in April, and that’s not okay.
“Brad is going to be there in my place, helping with all the behind the scenes stuff that I do. That also means that he will not be in Dallas, which should make you happy. I hope you see this as me finding us some grey area in our relationship.” She sits up straighter, which brings her perfect boobs just out of the water. Dear God, I want to suck and bite them while she screams my name. “I know that these past months have been hard on us, but I have to say, Colin, that they’ve been my happiest months professionally.”
My heart plunges to my stomach at the confirmation that my feelings have been correct. “What I’m doing is mentally challenging, and physically very difficult. I don’t have enough experience to be head of a practice, but I love it. For the first time in a very long time, I feel like I’m me again. I’m not just Ainsley’s mom, and the mega-athlete’s wife. I’m Caroline Jane Collins-McKinney, business owner, doctor, healer, wife, and mother. Can you understand that?” As she speaks, I watch her face glow in excitement. It’s clear, even in the moonlight, she’s doing what she loves.
I ignore her question and ask one of my own. “So if you had to make a choice right now, me or your dad’s practice, what would you choose?” It’s such a dick question. Cruel, really. I wouldn’t be surprised if she stormed inside and never spoke to me again, but it doesn’t matter. I want to hear her response.
Her face clouds with anger. Without missing a beat, she replies, “Both. I want both, and I can have both if you’ll give a little and work with me.”
I sit up tall, far surpassing her height, and respond, “Oh, really? So we’re going to be married, but have joint custody of our daughter. She spends one week in Dallas, and one week in Houston? That sounds very healthy and stable for her. I mean, she won’t be confused at all.” My tone is sarcastic and biting. It’s the hurt inside seeping out, and I’m not apologizing for it.