Page 2 of Blurry Little Lines
“Thank you, Max.” George, Adam and Kelsie’s dad, rustles my messy blond hair.
“I’ll be there for Kelsie whenever she needs me.” I smile up at her as she sits in her dad’s arms.
“He is my forever best friend.” Kelsie smiles as our annoyance for each other slightly drifts away.
Chapter 1
Kelsie
“Youdon’thavetodo this.” A final plea leaves my lips as I stare into the eyes of my soon-to-be ex-husband.
I’ve made peace with our separation, but our two children won’t understand the reality of it all until after Benson gives his final speech.
“Kelsie, I need to sleep at night knowing you won’t ever come after me for child support,” Benson states, as if my last name isn’t on the hotel building my family and I live in.
“I don’t need your money. I need our children to have the father you agreed to be when we chose to become parents.” I look through my large windows at the skyscrapers of downtown San Francisco and feel my heavy lungs release a sigh. “God, the only reason your business took off is because of my family’s name.” I cross my arms, disgusted with myself that my naivety didn’t ask him to sign a full prenup. Now, Benson walks away without our childrenandthe damn nerve to ask for a chunk of my personal bank account.
“It’s pointless to talk to James and explain everything. He’s three.” Benson shrugs, and I struggle to breathe through the nausea brewing in my stomach. “I won’t be long talking with Mallory. She is old enough to rationalize my reasoning.”
“She’s seven.” While she speaks well beyond her year, it doesn’t mean her heart can process the pain about to be induced by her father.
“Kelsie, this is easier than me having to pop in and say hello.”Having to?“I no longer need to pretend I care about the pictures they drew whenever I’m back in town.” It’s now I wish my parents didn’t send my brother, Adam, out of state while Benson came to deliver his final goodbye. My tiny self can’t throw a punch like Adam can.
“No, Benson. You could have been a man and put effort into the children youwillinglyhelped bring into this world.” Benson looks past me and grunts. His signature way of letting me know I’moverreactingor being obscure. My lifelong best friend, Max, is in the kitchen, and even though he’s a good thirty feet away, I can feel his hatred vibrating through him.
“Look, Kelsie, we had a fun few days with our kids. Let me end this so I can be on my way, and you and your broody friend can get back to doing whatever the hell you do.”
“I asked Max to be here for emotional support. Something you know nothing of.” I huff and cross my arms, wishing I was in my heels for a bit more height.
“They are all yours,” Benson says, nodding toward Max. “I’ll be out of the way for you to tend to Kelsie’s needs. I’m sure you’re well experienced with her.” He implies something more, and for the first time in my life, my hand lifts and slaps against his face.
“I havenevercheated on you.” His eyes widen as his hand cups his cheek. I’ve always been quiet and reserved until now. “Especially with my best friend.”
“I figured.” Benson chuckles. “Perfect little Kelsie is always trying to follow the rules. I have a meeting to get to, so I best get this sob story over with.” He turns away, walking down the hall to our daughter’s room, taking the air from my lungs with him. Tingles shoot down my arms from an oncoming panic attack.
Max is behind me in a nanosecond, wrapping his arms around my shoulders, and places a kiss on top of my head. I take a deep breath, trying to brace myself with the strength to heal the heartache my daughter is about to endure. I was firm earlier and told Max to let Benson have his last moment with Mallory alone. Now, I find myself tugging forward against his arms locked around my shoulders.
“No, Daddy.” A helpless, pained cry echoes from down the hall. “Please come back again.” Her voice breaks. “I promise I won’t be bossy anymore.”
Benson groans in annoyance at her desperate offer.
“I’ll eat my broccoli.” Her hiccupped cry cuts me deep, as failure burns through me. Parents are supposed to protect their children, not break them.
“I didn’t know you hate broccoli.” Benson holds an annoyed tone. “Don’t you see that I don’t know much about you? I’m not home enough, and my schedule is too busy to stop and ask you questions. You’re going to do great things in life, kid.” He clears his throat. “I need to go. Work needs me.”
“I need you.” Her voice strains through her tears.
“No, you’ve been fine without me.”
Their voices become muffled as my ears ring.
My hands reach up and grip Max’s forearms as my lips roll inward, fighting back tears. His grip tightens as I watch my teardrops paint his sleeve. My silent cry fills the living room and my shoulders shake. I can’t break down in this final moment. I channel everything I have to hold myself together. I don’t want Benson to see how much power he had to break me. To break our children. James will one day have more questions and comprehend what has happened. I shake my head and fan my face as I hear her bedroom door open and slam shut. I step out of Max’s arms and wipe my eyes as Benson rounds the corner.
The nerve this man has is strong as he walks up to me. His eyes meet mine and slowly fall to my lips. Like hell if he thinks a final kiss is how we will say goodbye. I brush past him, purposely jabbing his arm with my shoulder. The hallway seems ten times longer as I head to Mallory’s bedroom. Max’s distant voice mentions he will walk Benson out. Mallory refuses to open her door when I knock. For the rest of the afternoon, I sit outside her door and notice Max’s right hand flex and clench as if it’s sore.
“Dare I ask howwalkingBenson out went?” I know he and Adam have special feelings toward my ex.
“Adam asked me to give a final goodbye on his behalf, and I was more than willing to oblige.” Max runs a hand through his hair and stands. The remainder of the day passes with Max spending his time running around and playing tickle monster with my clueless, three-year-old son.