He smiled. "As long as Kylie recognizes what a catch I am."
Kylie snorted. "If I don't, I have no doubt you'll remind me on a daily basis."
"Damn right," he said smugly.
Then he gathered an armload of Chessy's clothing and walked out of the bedroom. A few moments later, he returned carrying the suitcases from the car and opened them up on the bed.
"If there's anything in the rest of the house you know you want, tell me and I'll start packing that stuff," Jensen said.
"I honestly don't know," Chessy said softly. "I'll do a walkthrough before we leave. I shouldn't be but a few more minutes. There's no point in moving so much stuff twice. Maybe after I get my own place I'll get the rest. As it is now I don't have anywhere to put everything."
Kylie rubbed her hand up and down Chessy's back comfortingly.
Her own place. How sterile and lonely it sounded. But it was something she had to face. She couldn't impose on Kylie and Jensen forever. They were still in the beginnings of their relationship and the last thing they needed was a mopey third wheel underfoot.
Maybe a town house. Something small and homey without a lot of maintenance. There were plenty of upscale neighborhoods in the Woodlands with housing ranging from apartment complexes to duplexes and townhomes. She'd rent at first until she figured out a solid plan to support herself. No matter that she would be entitled to a settlement from Tate in the divorce, she still needed to evaluate her career options.
She had a business degree and had job experience in a marketing firm, but she hadn't worked anywhere in the five years she and Tate had been married. In hindsight it had been incredibly stupid of her to give up everything and depend solely on her husband for support, but at the time she'd found it wildly romantic that he was so determined to provide for her every need.
Setting aside thoughts of divorce and her lack of independence, she finished packing what she wanted from the bedroom and Jensen lugged it all out to the car while she and Kylie did a sweep of the rest of the house.
On the fireplace mantel in the living room was a photo of her and Tate looking so happy that it hurt to look at it. Her hand hovered over it, wanting to take it, to be able to recapture a time in their marriage when they'd been in love and deliciously carefree. Before work had consumed all of Tate's time and attention and she'd slipped in his priorities.
She closed her eyes. Could she really blame him for wanting to make a success of himself? Was she being selfish for not being more understanding?
No. That may have been true before the night at The House. But it was inexcusable for him to have left her at her most vulnerable when she was defenseless against another man's actions. But then did she share in the blame for participating in a kink they both enjoyed and had shared in multiple times before the other night?
Finally making her decision, she carefully picked up the photo and stuck it under her arm before reaching for her wedding album from the built-in shelves on either side of the fireplace.
There were other photos. Vacations. Honeymoon pictures. Candid shots that had been taken in unguarded moments. She was infused with longing for those simpler times when their focus had been each other and there were no worries about jobs or careers or anything except loving and being.
"I'm done," Chessy quietly announced as she deposited the stack of picture frames and photo albums into Jensen's waiting hands. "We can go now."
Kylie put her hand on Chessy's shoulder and squeezed in silent support. "I'll call Joss and tell her we're on our way. She'll probably be at the house waiting when we get there."
"Thank you," Chessy said softly. "Thank you both. I don't know what I'd do without such good friends. Having to do this alone … " She closed her eyes, unable to finish her statement.
"You won't ever have to do it alone, Chessy," Jensen said in a determined voice. "You were there for Kylie when I was a dumbass. You were there for Joss when Dash was a dumbass. So now Tate is the one being the dumbass. It all turned out well for Joss and Kylie so maybe there's hope yet for Tate."
Chessy attempted a smile but failed miserably. Compared to Tate's "fuck-up," Dash and Jensen's paled in comparison. There was never any doubt in Chessy's mind that the two men adored their women, and even when they pulled their stupid male moves, she'd known that it would turn out just fine in the end.
Before the night at The House, Chessy had felt optimistic about her future with Tate. She'd truly believed that they'd incurred a minor hiccup on the way to happily ever after. But when a husband turned his back on his wife when she was at her most vulnerable to take an after-hours business call, what else was she to think other than that their marriage was well and truly over?
TWENTY-TWO
TRUE to Kylie's word, Joss was waiting at Jensen's house for her. As soon as they pulled up, Joss got out of her car and rushed over to Chessy's side of the car, pulling her into a ferocious hug the minute Chessy stepped out.
"Oh Chessy, I'm so sorry," Joss said, tears thick in her voice. "When Kylie told me what happened, I couldn't believe it. I want to kick Tate's stupid ass!"
Despite her misery, Chessy couldn't help but smile at Joss's vehemence. Her heart squeezed with love for her two best friends.
"I love you," Chessy said sincerely. "Thank you for coming. I hate to burden you when you're so miserable with morning sickness."
Joss scowled, her brow furrowing in disapproval. "If you weren't already down and out I'd kick your ass for saying that. I will always be here when you need me. God knows you've been there for me countless times."
They all turned when they heard a car pull up.
"There's Dash now," Joss said. "I called him when Kylie texted me to say you were on your way and he left work to meet us here."
Chessy sighed. She knew it was inevitable that her entire group of friends would learn of the demise of her marriage, but being confronted by everyone at once was overwhelming.
Dash got out, a deep scowl on his face as he strode toward Chessy and Joss. Not even bothering to greet his wife first, he immediately pulled Chessy into a fierce hug, squeezing her against his muscular frame.
"I'm going to kill the bastard for this," Dash said darkly.
"Not if I kill him first," Jensen muttered.
Dash pulled away and gently pushed a strand of Chessy's hair behind her ear. "Are you okay, honey? Is there anything I can do?"
"I'm okay," Chessy said quietly. "Kylie and Jensen have taken good care of me and Kylie let me cry all over her earlier. At this point I'm out of tears and if I cry one more time I think my head may explode."
Sympathy darkened Dash's eyes. "I'm so sorry this happened. I wish Tate would have pulled his head out of his ass a hell of a lot earlier. There's no excuse for what he did."
"I know," she said sadly. "Leaving him was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I couldn't stay. He made a choice last night and it wasn't me. If there was any hope for our marriage before, it died a quick death then. It made me realize I took too long to accept that our relationship was doomed."
"Oh sweetie," Joss said, wrapping her arm around Chessy's waist. "I'm so very sorry. I don't even know what to say to make you feel better."
"There's not much you could say at this point," Chessy said wryly. "How's the saying go? Time heals all wounds? I guess I have to hope that's true in my case. But I really wish I could press a Fast Forward button and jump to the part when everything is okay again."
"Come on inside, ladies," Jensen said. "We're standing outside where the whole neighborhood can see us. Dash and I will cook dinner while you girls relax in the living room. I'll open a bottle of wine, or something stronger if you prefer, and you're perfectly welcome to get as shit-faced as you like. Well, except you, Joss," he added with a grin. "Don't want to get the baby drunk!"
Joss and Kylie flanked Chessy, each wrapping an arm around her waist as they herded her toward the door. Once inside, they deposited Chessy on the sofa while Jensen and Dash headed for the kitchen to begin supper preparation.