Page 147 of What Started In Deception

Lydia sighed again. “No, it’s not.”

Mac went back for another scoop of her clothes, this time for T-shirts and her other pretty tops. “I can’t take care of my babies and try to save my marriage, too. It’s too much, so I’m choosing my kids. I’m choosing myself.”

“I’m so sorry, Mac.”

Mac jerked her shoulders. “He had the audacity to roll his way home at one o’clock this morning. I kept the kids in here with me, behind a locked door. I taped a note to it that told him to go sleep somewhere else when what I really wanted to tell him was to go fuck himself.”

“Oh, Mac.”

Mac grabbed her jeans and shorts next, throwing them in. “It didn’t matter much. He was gone again by five, which I didn’t mind at all.” She closed the suitcase top, fighting the zipper around the track again. “I don’t know who he is anymore. The man who looks like my husband is a stranger.”

“What can I do? How can I help you?”

“Don’t tell Cindy, James, or Gram-Gram. I don’t want politics to be a factor in my marriage right now. I don’t need the pressure of putting on a happy face when I’m not. They’ll be gone for several more days, and I want that time. I need that time.”

“Of course, Mac.” She settled her hand on Mac’s rigid arm. “What can I do now?”

“Help me get the suitcases downstairs. Help me get my kids in the car.”

Lydia nodded as she pulled Mac into a hug. “I’m so incredibly sorry, honey.”

Mac wrapped her arms around her as she sniffled. “Never in a million years did I see anything like this coming.”

Lydia kept her close because none of them had. “I don’t know how you could have.” She eased back. “I love you. If there’s anything else I can do, please let me know.”

Mac nodded. “Right now, I want to get out of here before he comes back. I need to go home. I need my mom and dad.”

Lydia nodded. “Okay. Let’s get you guys on the road.”

Thirty minutes later, Lydia stood in the light drizzle, waving to Everly as Everly waved to her while Mac headed down the long driveway.

She blinked back tears as her lips trembled, as mad at Will as she’d ever been. Whatever was going on with him, he’d messed it all up. His wife and kids were gone. “You’re an idiot, William Monroe,” she whispered, not even daring to send him a text at this point.

But she pulled out her phone as she headed toward the pool house on her family’s property, which felt far too empty and quiet. Finding Ty’s gorgeous face, she tapped on it, sending him a message.

Mac just left with the kids. I think she’s gone for good.

He typed back immediately. Why?! What happened?!

Her thumbs flew over her screen. Will stood her up, and she’s had enough. My cousin is a colossal fool.

I’m so sorry, Lyd. I’ll be home as soon as I can.

Okay.

She let herself inside and headed for the upstairs bathroom. A shower seemed like just the thing when she had no idea what to do when everything felt like it was falling apart.

Ty hurried into the coffee shop, running only seven minutes late after Lydia’s fantastic blowjob. He slid into his usual seat across from Nick, noting that his co-worker hadn’t bothered to order his typical iced tea. “What’s up?”

Nick slid a small stack of pictures his way.

Ty frowned as he picked them up, studying Will sitting next to Richard Russo at The Tap Room. “When did this happen?”

“Last night.”

Ty’s gaze flew to Nick’s. “Last night? At what time, because Will was supposed to be out on a date with his wife, fixing his marriage.”

“He and Russo met up right around six. They were there until almost ten. Will drove around aimlessly for almost two and a half hours after that before he finally went home.”