Trust Me [Book 2]

Chapter 3: Divorce Please

Chapter 3 - [July 9th]

We usually met at a McDonalds parking lot half way between the both of us. Today, I let Rocky play in the kid's area since this drop off would be different. Blowing my coffee, I watched the steam drift upwards.

Today has the potential to be quick and seamless.

Two adults calmly coming to a logical agreement.

Simple.

I spotted the black Range fly into the parking lot. He wasted no time stepping out of his vehicle. His attire was much more casual than the suits I normally saw him in. The dark t-shirt clung to each hard muscle on his upper body.

I gulped the coffee down, ignoring the slight burn. My nerves were unsettled for no reason. Everything would work out. Right?

"Daddy!" Rocky cheered when the restaurant door opened. Her voice carried from the back of the playroom. Sliding down the slide, she ran over to him and jumped into Rick's outstretched arms.

Cringing, I watched him throw her in the air before catching her. Rocky was less than forty pounds, making it easy to be tossed around. She loved it but it made me nervous.

They stood in the line, both cheesing. I couldn't hear their conversation but I saw Rocky's lips moving rapidly. My baby was, without a doubt, Daddy's princess. They moved up to the counter to order. Within minutes, two large strawberry milkshakes were placed in front of them.Their excited laughs and chatter grew as they approached the table I occupied.

The conversation started when our eyes locked. He raised a questioning eyebrow. Remaining neutral, I blinked back. Rick settled down in the chair across from me. Rocky sat next to him, sipping causally on her drink.

"You can play for a little while longer. I need to talk to Daddy," I told Rocky.

She frowned. "I'll play after my shake."

I grabbed the 'shake' out of her hands, moving it to the far end of the table.

"No," she whined.

"C'mon Elle. She won't pay us any att­-" My glare cut his sentence short. He was the problem.

"Mommy and Daddy need to talk." My voice stayed firm leaving no room for negotiation. Rocky slid out of her chair, stomping back to the children's area. I waited until I saw her safely enter before turning my attention back to Rick. No other kids were in the space so I didn't have to worry about big unruly children trying to knock my baby down.

"How are you?" Rick asked, slinging one arm over the open chair. "I was surprised you wanted to talk. I feel like we haven't done that since college." He laughed alone to his joke.

"I want a divorce."

All traces of humor wiped from his face. He sat forward placing his elbows on the table. "Elle." He sighed deeply. "What? What are you saying?"

I thought my request was straightforward but I repeated, "I want a divorce."

Rick scratched his hairy chin. I used to love when he let his beard grow out. He was currently sporting a thin mustache and goatee. Years ago, I'd run my hands over his face cupping his cheeks, playing with the small hairs.

"No."

"No? We haven't been together for years. It doesn't make any sense to stay married."

"No," he stubbornly repeated.

"Why should we stay married?"

"Why should we get a divorce?"

"That's the natural thing to do when people break up. We don't even talk anymore-"