Page 2 of Yours

As I waited for the bartender, I turned to see if Shawn had returned. But instead, I watched as Garrett stood and began walking toward the bathrooms. Before he reached the hallway, Shawn stepped out with a smile plastered on his face. Forgetting about ordering my drink, I started to make my way over to him, only to stop in my tracks when I saw him holding the hand of the tall brunette.

My heart pounded hard in my chest as Garrett stopped in front of Shawn, and a second later, my husband’s gaze met mine. His eyes widened, and he quickly dropped the woman’s hand. He said something to her, she nodded in response, and then he walked in my direction. My blood was boiling as my brain tried to process what I’d witnessed, and before I could turn to leave, he stepped in front of me.

“Hey, this is a surprise.”

My eyes narrowed. “Clearly. Are you having a good time?”

“I …” he hesitated.

“Who is she?”

“Who?”

“Don’t play dumb with me,” I gritted out. “Who the fuck is she?”

“Can we not do this right now? People can hear you.” Shawn kept his voice low as a few of the patrons stared at us.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt yourfun. I’ll just wait for you at home. I wouldn’t want to do anything to embarrass you.” I pushed past him and started toward the exit.

“Autumn, wait. You can’t drive home while you’re upset.” He grabbed my elbow, halting my attempt to leave.

I glared at him and pulled my arm from his grasp. “Don’t touch me.”

He held up his hands. “Okay, sorry.”

“I can’t believe you. Is this what you do every time you say you’re going to watch the game with the guys?”

His silence answered my question, and tears filled my eyes as my stomach churned. I feared I’d puke all over the bar if I didn’t leave immediately. I rushed outside, and when I reached my car, my breathing was rapid and short, and I felt as though I might hyperventilate. I braced my hands on the trunk and tried to take a few deep breaths, but it was difficult to do in between the sobs that wracked my body.

When I’d decided to surprise Shawn, I envisioned a night out where we enjoyed time as a couple instead of beingjustMom and Dad. I never expected my entire world to crash down around me. I wanted to get in my car and drive away but I couldn’t even see through the tears. After I calmed down, I rifled through my purse, looking for something to wipe away the tears.

“Here.” I spun around and saw Shawn holding out a few napkins for me. I took them reluctantly. “Look, Autumn—”

“Unless you’re going to be honest with me, I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.”

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before answering my initial question. “Her name is Mya.”

The way he said her name, I knew it wasn’t a one-time hookup that I’d stumbled upon. “How long have you been cheating with her?”

He swallowed and looked down at the asphalt. “About a year.”

My knees weakened, and I had to lean against the car to keep from falling. “A year? You were with her when I was pregnant with Ivy?” I thought back to when I was exhausted because of the pregnancy and taking care of an energetic three-year-old. I remembered Shawn had continued to go out with the guys, even though I begged him to stay home with me. Now I knew why he hadn’t wanted to give up his nights out.

“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t know.” He shook his head slowly. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

“It’s too late for that.” Tears slid down my face again, despite my best efforts to hold them back. He didn’t deserve to see me fall apart.

Shawn stepped closer and wrapped his arms around me. My entire body stiffened, but he didn’t let go. “Let me fix this. Please?”

His embrace used to be where I felt loved and safe, and for a split second, I wanted to forget what had happened in the last ten minutes and find comfort in him again. To go back in time, where we met at a college football game and had been inseparable ever since. At least that was what I thought I wanted until I looked toward the bar’s windows and saw Mya staring back at us.

“It seems your girlfriend is waiting for you to join her.” I pulled away from him.

He glanced at the building, and while it was quick, I noticed the slight grimace on his face. I didn’t know if his reaction was because I called her his girlfriend or if he felt bad for leaving her inside to chase after me. “Let’s go home and talk.”