The Day We Met

Chapter 52

Valentina

After several weeks of thinking, I felt I had to make my final decision of whether I wanted to stay in Texas or move to California with Tom.

"Did you make a choice?"

I looked at Micah and nodded. "I'm leaving Texas."

"That's what I was hoping for, girl. You deserve a fresh start and not having to see Danny every day."

"I know he said he would change his ways, but I have no reason to believe anything that he says."

"I agree. When are you moving?"

"In two months. We've got quite a lot of work to do."

"But I'm taking the kids home. I'm really tired and stressed."

"You got a place?"

"I've been staying here, but yeah. Lia's boyfriend is friends with a realtor in the area and bought me an apartment."

"Wow, that's nice of him."

"It is and he didn't allow me to pay a single penny."

"That's good?"

"I guess. I kind of feel bad though. You know?"

"Yeah, I get it."

After I left, I drove home and put the kids to sleep and sat on the couch. Between moving and dealing with Danny's bullshit, it's enough to drive me out of my damn mind. He claims he'll change, but I have no patience in waiting for that.

Around 1, I heard a knock on my door. I got up from the couch and opened the door, shocked to see Danny.

"Danny?"

"Hey."

"How did you know where I live?"

"May I come in?"

"No."

Shaking his head, he ignored me and sat on the couch. "I missed you."

"Go home, Danny."

"I heard you're moving to Los Angeles."

"Yeah, I am."

"I won't get to see your beautiful face anymore."

"That's the point, Danny."

"Please don't leave, Val."

"My mind is made up. Tom already has a job lined up for me and everything is all set up."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Being around you is hard enough. You'll never change."

"Yes, I will."

"You told me that a billion times and did it change? No. So why should I sit around and wait for you to get your shit together?"

"Val, please."

"Go, Danny. Now."

He stood up and grabbed my face. "Not yet."

"Don't touch me."

Smirking, he leaned in and kissed my neck, sliding my hand towards his sweatpants. "Can we do it one last time?"

Shaking my head, I kicked him out and locked the door. I was done with him. Permanently.

*** Moving day has finally arrived, and it was still hard to register that I'm leaving and living in another state without my family nearby. "Baby, I know you don't leave but it'll be a fresh start for us."

I looked at Tom and nodded. "You're right."

"You ready for the long car ride?"

"I suppose so."

"I know the kids won't be able to sit for that long, so we'll take some breaks to get some rest. Okay?"

"Yeah."

15 hours felt like an eternity, but the 90-degree heat felt amazing. "There's a pool for the kids too."

"Really?"

Tom nodded. "It's too hot to not have one."

"When do I start my new job?"

"In a couple months."

"A couple?"

"It's a long story, but it will be worth the wait."

"So, what do you expect me to do?"

"Be a housewife for the time being."

I scowled. "We aren't married."

"Not yet. But we will be before you know it, love."

After unpacking our things, I went outside with the kids and sat on a lounge chair. Just sitting on my ass taking care of the kids was something that I did not plan on doing, but I had to keep a positive mind. It will be worth it in the end.