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said. She’d trapped him for two years now. The sex had been unbelievable at first, but he’d been through enough with her, and even that wasn’t great anymore.
    “That’s just it, Caleb. You’re here, but you’re not giving me what I need.” Her voice was livelier but still disconnected. Control was what she wanted, and she usually managed to accomplish that.
    What she said only fueled Caleb, and with clarity he rebelled. She’d meant to hurt him, but this time Caleb saw his escape. He sighed and rested an elbow on the counter. “I don’t see how this will ever really work. We’ve tried for too long… I’m tired, Corrine.” When he realized he’d actually spoken out loud, he was just as surprised that he’d said it that plainly. Other times he’d tried to end it, he wasn’t as honest. And that hadn’t worked.
    “You know what, Caleb? How could you be tired? I’m the only one who’s ever worked at this relationship!” Veins stood out on in her neck as she yelled.
    “Think what you will, Corrine! I don’t want to fight with you anymore. That’s partly what I mean. You’re always up for a fight, always with your claws out, and for what? Nothing! You can say what you what, but I know that what we have isn’t healthy. I want more for myself. You should want more for yourself too.” The constriction of his chest eased as he told her what he’d resisted saying before. It had been bottled up far too long.
    Corrine scowled at him and dropped the glass she was holding. Shards of glass danced across the tiled floor as the berry-colored liquid oozed into the mortar between the tiles. “You still love me!” She hopped off the counter, avoiding the shattered glass, snatched her purse, and picked up Benjamin, who hissed as he was jostled.
    “He can stay, you know,” Caleb said, gesturing to Benjamin.
    Corrine turned toward the door without a word, her red-bottomed high-heeled shoes clicking against the hardwood floor in the living room. Caleb watched her go, her Fiat’s taillights speeding away without hesitation.
    Caleb didn’t know if what he had said was too blunt, but he knew Corrine only understood assertiveness. As for what would happen next, he could guess. She’d be back. In that sense she was like a fungus. She kept too much stuff at his house not to want to retrieve it. He didn’t want to fall back into her trap. His time with Corrine had felt like a prison sentence of his own making, and he’d served hard time.
    ***
    Lexi stretched in bed, her arms stretched above her head and her toes pointed downward. The scent of bacon frying had roused her. Once she remembered where she was, she pulled her lionlike mane up into a loose twist. She didn’t want to scar Ashley with her untamed look just yet. She’d have to ease Ashley into accepting her insane morning style. She pulled on wrinkled sleep pants that clashed with her tie-dyed T-shirt. At least all the important parts were covered.
    When Lexi made it to the kitchen, Mike was flipping pancakes. Lexi was about to turn back and go upstairs, but Mike swiveled at the sound of her feet on the linoleum floor.
    “Good, you’re awake!” he said.
    “You caught me,” Lexi said with a shrug. She didn’t want to be a nuisance, but she wouldn’t turn down breakfast.
    Lexi had known Mike only a few days, but his big personality made her like him instantly. He was tall, but his stocky frame made him look more like a teddy bear. His floppy brown hair hung in his eyes, and his grin was so wide that only his teeth showed. His lips disappeared into obscurity. Mike didn’t live with Ashley, but sometimes he spent the night on the weekends. He was a chef at a local restaurant, which meant he worked odd hours.
    Ashley entered from the back door of the kitchen. She wore her jogging clothes but still looked put together. Even her workout clothes looked tailored. Lexi didn’t jog. She’d likely find herself in traction if she even attempted such an