Page 30 of Untying the Knot
“Yeah, Penn and Banner helped me figure it all out.”
“Penn and Banner?” she deadpans. “The two men who wouldn’t be able to have a steady relationship even if it smacked them in the head?”
“Yes, but it’s an idea. The only idea I have.”
“Uh-huh, let me hear it.”
I explain the plan to her, including my approach for the wedding week, and once I’m done, she doesn’t say anything. Not a word. To the point that I’m worried that she hung up or lost service.
“Hello? Nola, are you still there?”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“So what do you think?” I roll back on my bed, pinching my brow, knowing exactly what she’s going to say.
“Well, if my silence wasn’t telling enough, I guess I have to say that’s the stupidest plan I think I’ve ever heard.”
Yeah, I know, but I’m also attached to the plan because it’s helping me breathe. It’s giving me minuscule hope.
“How so?” I ask, preparing myself for a lecture.
“For one, you’re only going to piss her off even more. She’s also already dead set on this divorce, so your mind trickery won’t do anything other than reinforce her decision. And if you think a week away in a romantic location will solve all of your problems, you really are freaking delusional.”
“Wow, tell me how you really feel.”
“I’m just trying to bring everything into perspective for you, Ryot.”
“Yeah, I get that, but Myla is so unreceptive to talking. I don’t know any other way to reach her.”
“But how have you approached her? Have you been angry?”
“Well, the night she told me, yeah, I was angry. How could I not be? And then the other night when I asked her to pretend to be my wife at the wedding, I was angry as well, but that’s because I’m so fucking . . . ugh, I’m pissed. I can’t seem to control it when I’m around her even though I need to.”
“I know. I can’t imagine what both of you are feeling right now.” Nola’s calming voice eases some of the tension I’ve been feeling, but only some. “So you already asked her to do the wedding thing? Honestly, Ryot, why didn’t you come to me in the beginning?”
“I don’t know. I was embarrassed,” I answer. “The last thing I want is to tell people that the love of my life wants to be rid of me. Doesn’t feel too great.”
“I can understand that, but you need to do some damage control.”
“And how do you propose I go about doing that?”
“Well, being angry around her isn’t one of them.”
“Easier said than done,” I say softly. “And I realize that she doesn’t need my anger. I truly get that. She needs the man who can calmly talk to her and be her voice of reason like I have been in the past. But, Nola . . . I’m hurting here, and I’m having a really hard time controlling it.”
“Perhaps taking a different approach might help.”
“I’m listening.”
“You need to talk this out, so go down to her room, knock on her door, and ask her if you can just have a simple conversation. See where her head’s at. Tell her no pressure, but that you just want to know where you went wrong.”
I scrape my fingers over my jaw. “That seems like it could work. Tell her I don’t expect anything from her. I just want to know how I could be better.”
“Exactly. See, aren’t you glad I called you?”
“I’ll be glad if it works.”
“It will. Just watch. And try not to get angry, okay? I know you’re sifting through a lot of emotions at the moment, but consider where Myla comes from. Remember her background. Anger is not going to help. Text me after your heart-to-heart, and we’ll go from there.”
