A House by the Side of the Road Read Free Page A

can’t stay, darling. You can’t. I love you too much. I can’t spend five or six months without you. I need you. You can’t leave me.”
    He made his voice light. “Actually, Angie, you’re leaving me. ”
    The dismissiveness in his tone frightened her. How could he fail to see what was so obvious? They were perfect for each other. He used to know that. He would see it again as time passed.
    â€œYou know perfectly well I’m not leaving you,” she said softly. “I’m moving. I’m moving to allow the person who inherited this piece of trash to live in it, which she seems in one damn hurry to do. You know I’d never leave you.” She put a hand against the side of his face. “Don’t say we won’t be having a life together, because it’s just not true.”
    â€œI’m afraid it is,” he said, relieved to have the delayed conversation underway. If she wouldn’t let him spare her, that was her choice. “Look, I’m sorry it didn’t work out. But, if you must know, I’m tired of this whole thing. I can’t stand being clutched at. It’s time to go our own ways.”
    Angie stared at him. Her chest felt hollow. “Are you crazy? You will never find anyone who is as right for you as I am!”
    He laughed. “Oh, Angie, Angie. Look at us! We don’t exactly go together, do we? It was fun but it’s over. It’s just over, all right?”
    She stood up and slapped him across the face. “No,” she said, breathing hard and looking down at him. “It’s not all right. And it’s not happening, either. This is what you planned all along, isn’t it?” Her voice, never her best quality, was harsh. “That’s why you thought Boston was such a good idea. Well, I’m warning you, it’s not happening. Do you hear me?”
    He looked at her stonily, the left side of his face showing the mark of her hand. “I hear you,” he said. “I’m just ignoring you.”
    She took in a breath that hissed between her teeth. He was her world; he knew it. He had to know it. If she lost him … But she couldn’t. She wouldn’t.
    â€œThat’s not smart,” she said. “I know what you did.”
    His brow furrowed. “What are you talking about? What do you mean, what I did?”
    She just nodded and regarded him, then started pulling on her clothes. She smiled. “I know. I know. I know all about you and your ‘cousin.’ If she’s your cousin, darling, you all must come from someplace where the branches on the family tree get a bit tangled.”
    He reached out one hand and gripped her by the belt, his knuckles biting into her smooth skin. He pulled her toward him and down until she was on her knees between his. He leaned closer, looking directly into her eyes. His voice was soft. “So she’s not my cousin. So she and I enjoyed each other. So what? Who cares, besides you?”
    He let go of her and put his hand against her chest, pushing her away. She laughed, keeping herself from falling backward by bracing herself with her arms.
    â€œNo,” she said, “the fact that you’re a cheat may not be all that big a secret. Maybe nobody except me would much care about that. But the other things you and she did together, now that would be more interesting.”
    He stared at her, disbelieving and horrified, and she giggled. “I need a drink,” she said, getting up and striding toward the kitchen. She felt her hair swinging behind her, her heels against the floor. She felt strong and alive. “Want one?”
    When he came into the room, she was standing with her back to the kitchen window, sipping from a tumbler. He poured bourbon into the other glass on the countertop and took a long swallow.
    â€œYou’re crazy,” he said, shrugging with assumed dispassion. “I don’t really care what you