Wife for Hire

Chapter 29

(Karmen) 
    Days had passed since we signed the Divorce paper, it felt like it had been months, not just a couple of days. The money that Jason owed me landed in my account the other day and even though I appreciated it, I didn’t want to use it. After New Year’s I planned on working at the diner again. 
    “Karmen, you can’t lay around in bed all week, especially not tonight. It’s New Year’s Eve and me, you and Maxine are going to go out and party like we always do. SO get your black ass out of bed and come on.” I stared up at him as he ripped the covers off of me before flipping back over. I didn’t feel like partying and I definitely didn’t feel like being around people. 
    “Go without me.” I said and put my pillow over my head. He snatched that away too and threw it on the floor. I turned and glared at him and he glared right back. 
    “Girl, don’t make me call Maxine.” I sat up in bed and sighed. If Maxine came she would give me pouty puppy dog eyes and I would be stuck going anyway. She barely ever managed to go out because of Bobby and now would be the one time that she would be able to with both me and Joe. I rolled my eyes but made my way out of bed, when Joe gave me a triumphant smile, I flipped him off and pushed him out of my room to change into the shimmery top that Derek had brought by the other day. 
    Derek had been checking up on me everyday and kept sending me things Annaliese had been buying for me. I kept trying to send them back but they would come right back the next day with even more. I knew that this was her way of supporting me, but I was tired of gifts, I just wanted to find my passion again. Joe had taken one look at all the gifts and picked out anything he liked and hoarded it into his room. Maxine was the same way, she would come over after work, sort through the bags and take home whatever she thought was cute or would fit her. I could only roll my eyes and continue about my day. Derek would stick around about, getting me to laugh and talk, he would take me out to lunch, getting me to eat and occasionally dinner. The other day he brought flowers along with Annaliese’s gifts, he had said he was hoping to brighten my mood a little and I could only smile because I couldn’t quite tell him just how much I appreciated his company. 
    I finally got changed and walked into the living room to find Derek sitting on the couch with Annaliese. I looked into the kitchen that was connected to the living room and Maxine and Joe just shrugged. Derek stood when he heard me come out of my room and smiled at me. I returned his smile and walked over to hug him. 
    “You look amazing.” He said looking me over. I rolled my eyes. I’d thrown on a sparkly halter top that had all of my back out and some high waisted skinny jeans and black heels. He was pretty casual in a white top and jeans Annaliese looked gorgeous in a knee length sparkly dress that dipped low enough in the front to show cleavage. I whistled when I saw her. 
    “You look gorgeous.” I said. She smiled and pulled me into a hug. 
    “So do you, I just knew that top would look perfect on you.” I shrugged, I wasn’t too into taking compliments at the moment, because I still honestly felt like crap. I didn’t want to go tonight, but now that Derek and Annaliese were both here I would have to go.
    I walked over into the kitchen and looked between Joe and Maxine. They didn’t say anything just pulled me into a hug and I couldn’t help but be thankful that they read me so well. I was still worried about my mother and everyday she mentioned Jason and their visits. I was glad that he still visited her, he made her happy. I was just sad that I couldn’t see him, knowing what it would do to me. 
    “Are you ready to go?” Joe asked as we stepped out of our little group hug. I nodded and we all headed out. Joe, Maxine and I piled into the car Jason had bought me and Derek and Annaliese decided to follow in Derek’s car. 
    “You know, I don’t like that Derek guy.” Maxine said in the front seat. I had given the keys to Joe and opted to sit in the back. I loved the car, but I was still having a hard time driving it. I had sold my old car to a junkyard and was living off of the money from it for now. 
    “Why not?” I asked. Her and Joe shared a look, a sign that told me they had had this conversation before. I prepared myself for the worst. 
    “He’s into you.” I rolled my eyes. There was no way Derek was into me. There was someone else that he was into, I was just his friend. 
    “No he’s not.” I said with a laugh. Another shared look between the two. 
    “Karmen, the man stops by everyday, he brings you presents and flowers, and talks to you for hours on end.” I shook my head. That’s what friends did, I mean Maxine had never brought me flowers and if I ever even mentioned Joe bringing me flowers he would just laugh in my face, but Derek was just naturally sweet like that. 
    “Okay and you guys would do the same for me.” I said. Maxine nodded and Joe just shrugged as if he would have to think about it, I rolled my eyes. I think they were over thinking. 
    “Karma, I love you, but that man is head over heels for you.” Joe said. “It’s how he looks at you when he brings you those things, when he hugs you, when he’s around you. He comes this way everyday to take you to lunch and his office on the other side of town. I just want you to know that he’s a nice guy and all, but he’s also Jason’s best friend and the stunts that he’s pulling right now is wrong. Even if you and Jason did divorce, he shouldn’t be moving in on you, especially not so soon.” I shook my head. They wouldn’t understand. Derek was a good guy, he wasn’t moving in on me because Jason was his friend. He was just also trying to be a good friend to me and I appreciated him dearly for it.